Best Practices to Promote Holistic Admissions in Physician Assistant Education

Authors

• Erin G. Wolf, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

PA education

Advisor

Dr. Tom Colletti

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this review is to evaluate best practices in PA admissions by considering the historical development of the profession from its origins to its current presence across the healthcare system. The physician assistant/associate (PA) profession has evolved significantly since it was first established in the 1960’s. The profession transitioned from a cohort of highly skilled military corpsmen, whose vital clinical roles laid the groundwork for the profession to a nationally competitive applicant pool entering a rapidly expanding healthcare career. As the PA role has broadened to nearly all medical specialties, admissions processes have become increasingly complex, requiring PA programs to balance academic rigor with equitable access for all applicants. These pressures have intensified following the 2023 United States Supreme Court decision prohibiting the use of race-conscious admissions practices, creating new challenges for PA programs seeking to diversify the cohort while remaining compliant with the federal law.

To better understand best practices in PA admissions during this period of change, an extensive search in PubMed, healthcare education databases and scholarly sources within PA education was conducted. This review explored the historical evolution of PA admissions, current recommendations for holistic reviews and emerging trends aimed at reducing barriers for applicants such as the removal of the graduate record examination (GRE) as a prerequisite. Findings from this research underscore the need for PA programs to reflect on current admissions practices to ensure they are compliant with the law and adopt mission-aligned practices that promote transparency, equality and inclusivity. Through the adoption of holistic admissions strategies and the refinement of selection practices to match legal and professional expectations, PA programs can help ensure that future graduates are prepared to meet the diverse populations they serve.

Recommended Citation

Wolf EG. Best Practices to Promote Holistic Admissions in Physician Assistant Education. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(1).