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Department of Physician Assistant Studies

 We have just completed a grueling interview process for our next class. We were granted permission to accept 22 students beginning in August 2009. We had over 80 applicants and interviewed 42 outstanding candidates. One of the hardest aspects of my job is to deny entry to people that I know would be great Physician Assistants.

Let me assure you that our Admissions Committee takes this task very seriously. I would like to give you an idea of the admissions process so that you can better prepare for applying to any PA Program (not just ours). The first hurdle is to make sure you have prepared yourself academically – you must have a minimum grade point average on the 6 science prerequisites of 3.2 (on a 4-point scale). This is because the program is rigorous. Secondly, make sure that you have clinical experience that has allowed you to understand the US healthcare system and your future role within it as a clinician. In other words, be prepared to explain what you did and what skills and abilities you were able to develop. The final hurdle is the interview process. By definition, everyone who is invited for an interview is highly qualified.

Great students as well as those with outstanding clinical experiences may not do well during the interview. We are looking for future students that have a mature, confident, and professional bearing. We also want to see how you would relate to others and how you would approach your studies. During the interview you can expect to talk about your past academic and clinical experience. The interview is also an opportunity for you to “check out” our program – to see if there is a good fit.

Something is different for the next cycle of applications! We have decided to use the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). This is a web-based application process which will ensure uniformity in how our students apply to our program. The application must be completed before January 15 of the year you are applying. I want to encourage you to contact us at any time for guidance and to answer your questions. By the way, you can always come by our campus and visit me!

All information contained on our website and in our documents is subject to change as we continue to develop an outstanding PA program. We also have a number of videos on our website that discuss our program and some of our initiatives. Wingate University TV (WUTV) has provided us with online access to “PArtners in Health Care” where I am the host. Be sure to check the website periodically to note any updates. If there are questions concerning any facet of our program, please feel free to contact us via email or telephone.

Our goal is more than developing a good PA program; our desire is to nurture outstanding health care providers. Our stated mission is “to educate Physician Assistants to become competent, compassionate and comprehensive health care providers, leaders in the health care community, continuously striving for excellence in their professional endeavors while compassionately providing for the health care needs of those they serve.”

Sincerely yours,

Gary R. Uremovich DMin MPAS PA-C DFAAPA

Program Director

704-233-8051

pa@wingate.edu