{"id":77,"date":"2012-07-30T11:41:55","date_gmt":"2012-07-30T15:41:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/?page_id=77"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:27:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T15:27:44","slug":"how-to-apply","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/paprogram\/admissions\/how-to-apply\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Apply"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\n

The GMS Spring 2026 Virtual Graduate Fair<\/span><\/a> took place on February 25, 2026. Recording of the PA Program session can be accessed here!<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Please review our requirements carefully, as many PA programs have different prerequisites. If you have any questions about admissions and cannot find the information you need on our <\/span>FAQ<\/a> page, please contact our office at <\/span>paoffice@bu.edu<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> for a checklist of our application requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Applications<\/h2>\n

Please note the deadlines are firm. We will not review incomplete applications or those received after the deadline. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their applications are submitted and complete. Updates will not be accepted after the deadline. Extensions will not be granted for any reason.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

CASPA Application<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants<\/a> (CASPA) opens its yearly cycle in the spring each year. The deadline for the BU program\u2019s receipt of a complete CASPA application is September 1, 2026<\/strong>.\u00a0To ensure that the application is processed to meet this deadline, please note CASPA recommends submitting materials at least four weeks in advance<\/strong> of the application deadline date. Only applications with a verified status<\/strong> (green) in CASPA will be considered. Once the CASPA application has been received by the program, an invitation to complete our supplemental application will be sent via email.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

BU Supplemental Application<\/h4>
<\/p>\n

Once our program receives a completed application from CASPA, you will be asked to complete the required supplemental application. The due date for the supplemental application for the 2025-2026 application cycle is September 4, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Completing the Supplemental<\/h3>\n

Once the verified CASPA application has been received, the following steps occur:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. An email with the subject\u00a0Boston University Account Claim<\/em> will be sent to you from ITHelp@bu.edu with instructions to create a password.**<\/li>\n
  2. A second email with the subject PA Supplemental Application Request<\/em> will be sent to you from paoffice@bu.edu with instructions to access our secure portal at https:\/\/mypa-application.bumc.bu.edu\/<\/a> to complete the supplemental application. You will need your BU login name and password to access the website. We have implemented Duo two-factor authentication (2FA) to ensure that your information is protected.<\/li>\n
  3. \u00a0Complete your application by the September 4, 2026 deadline<\/strong> and submit the $100 fee, payable by credit card only. Please note that submitting the application fee payment does NOT<\/strong> automatically submit your application. You must also submit your supplemental application after completing all components. Application fees are non-refundable.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We recommend consulting the\u00a0Admissions FAQ<\/a> page to find answers to commonly asked questions about the supplemental. If any other questions, concerns, or issues arise regarding\u00a0access to the Boston University PA Program Supplemental application, please contact our office<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    **Please note if you have previously applied to the BU PA Program, you will not receive the email instructing you to create a password. Please log in to our Supplemental Application using your previously assigned BU Login and password. If you have forgotten your password, there is a link on the login site to reset your password.<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

    Letters of Recommendation<\/h2>\n

    Three Letters of Recommendation<\/h4>
    <\/p>\n

    We require three letters of recommendation, submitted through CASPA, from:<\/p>\n

    1) college professor or academic advisor<\/strong> – letter must be from a professor that you took a course with, or an academic advisor who can sum up your academic abilities and performance in courses. Letters from professors with whom you worked with or did research with can be considered supervisor\/manager letters, but will not count as an academic letter.<\/p>\n

    2) physician (MD, DO) or physician assistant (PA-C) or nurse practitioner (NP)<\/strong> – letter must be from someone who observed you in a clinical setting.<\/p>\n

    3) employer supervisor or manager<\/strong> – letter writer must specify that they were your supervisor and oversaw your work. Letters from colleagues or co-workers do not count.<\/p>\n

    Letter writers should have or had a professional relationship with applicants, and be able to comment on the applicant’s work ethic, professionalism, and abilities. Letters of recommendation from friends and relatives of the applicant will not be accepted. Applications without the required letters by the application deadline will be marked “incomplete” and will not be considered.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

    Standardized Tests<\/h2>\n

    For the 2026-2027 admissions cycle, GRE and\/or MCAT scores are NOT required for application and will not be reviewed. CASPer scores are required. Applications without CASPer scores will NOT be reviewed.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics Test (CASPer)<\/h4>
    <\/p>\n

    All applicants must take and submit CASPer scores. CASPer is a 65-minute computer-based test, to assist with our selection process. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility. CASPer assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program and will complement our other applicant screening tools. For the 2026-2027 cycle, the CASPer test for PA Programs has been renamed United States Casper 2<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

    All technical inquiries should be directed to the CASPer contact site<\/a>. All available test times are shown to applicants upon reserving a test. There are no “make up” tests. The last CASPer test date for our application cycle is August 25, 2026<\/strong>. Applicants may not take CASPer more than once per admissions cycle and results are only valid for that cycle. Please be sure to enter your CASPA ID accurately. Incorrect CASPA IDs will result in your CASPer score not uploading into our system. More information on the CASPer test can be found at www.acuityinsights.app<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    CASPer scores will be downloaded directly from Acuity. You do not need to enter your CASPer score on your CASPA application.<\/p>\n

    For the upcoming 2026-2027 cycle, the minimum required CASPer score will be the 3rd quartile<\/strong>. Applications with scores below the 3rd quartile will not be considered.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

    Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)<\/h4>
    <\/p>\n

    For those who speak English as a\u00a0second language\u00a0and those who did not complete 4 years of undergraduate education in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, English language fluency exams are required.<\/p>\n

    The ETS code for submitting your TOEFL scores to CASPA is: 0400<\/strong><\/o:p><\/p>\n

    TOEFL exam minimum requirements are:<\/p>\n