Admissions

The following requirements apply to the 2025–2026 application cycle:

• CASPA Application:
  An online CASPA application will be made available as early as  April 24, 2025. Applicants must have completed and  electronically submitted (“e-submitted” or an “e-submission”) an online CASPA application no later than August 1st, 2025. NOTE: Any specific requirements that must be included with the e-submitted application are described below.
   
• Bachelor’s Degree:
  All applicants must have earned a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent no later than December 31, 2025. The applicant must self-report their degree information on their CASPA application before e-submission. Proof of degree conferral will be required prior to matriculation.
   
• Prerequisite Coursework: The minimum course requirements include:
  • 2 (two) courses of Biology (each course must have a lab component);
  • 2 (two) courses of Chemistry (each course must have a lab component);
  • 1 (one) course of Microbiology (lab component strongly recommended)
  • 1 (one) course of Biochemistry (lab component strongly recommended)
  •  Anatomy and Physiology; (This requirement may be fulfilled by a combined “Anatomy & Physiology” course sequence OR a course in Anatomy AND a course in Physiology

  • 1 (one) course of English Composition (or college-level equivalent- rhetoric or college writing course)

    The applicant must self-report the above course information (i.e. courses in progress or anticipated coursework) on their CASPA application prior to e-submission. The MSHS PA Program may request applicants to provide transcripts that include these courses at any time. It is strongly recommended that all prerequisite courses be completed prior to applying. Science prerequisites should be completed within 10 years of application submission. 

• Other Coursework:
  Courses in statistics, medical terminology, and/or research methods are recommended.
   
• Graduate Record Examination:
  All applicants are required to take the General GRE Aptitude Test (which must include: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Analytical Writing components) prior to e-submission. Applicants must request Educational Testing Service to send official score reports to CASPA. These official scores must arrive at CASPA no later than August 1, 2025. Applications that post a GRE testing date after their CASPA-reported e-submission date will not be considered. (The Weill Cornell Medicine PA Program – CASPA Designated Institution Code is: 0479). The MSHS PA Program does not have a minimum GRE score requirement.
   
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
  All applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL examination. Application to take the TOEFL may be made directly to: Test of English as a Foreign Language, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151. The Weill Cornell Medicine Institution Code Number is 2119. Applicants must report having taken the TOEFL on their CASPA application prior to e-submission. Official TOEFL score reports should be sent to Weill Cornell Medicine (Code 2119) and received no later than August 1, 2025, for verification.
   
• Computer Literacy: 
  It is expected that all entering students possess a basic working knowledge of computer usage including applications for word processing, spreadsheet creation and presentation design (e.g. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint).
   
• Grade Point Average:
  The MSHS PA Program expects its applicants to have maintained an undergraduate average of "B" or better and a score of "B" or better in all prerequisites. Note: The most recently admitted class had an average overall GPA of 3.74 and an average science GPA of 3.66.
   
• Health Care Experience (HCE): 
  All applicants are required to have a minimum of 500 hours of direct patient HCE prior to applying. These hours must be completed and accurately self-reported on their CASPA application prior to e-submission. These hours may be satisfied by either paid or volunteer experiences and require hands-on patient contact.
   
• Shadowing: 
  Shadowing of a physician assistant in a variety of clinical settings is strongly recommended.
   
• Community Service: 
  Community service reflects dedication to and support of one's community and is strongly recommended.
   
• Letters of Reference: 
  At least two (2) references/letters of recommendation are required as part of the initial CASPA application of which, one letter must be from a Physician or Physician Assistant and one letter must be of an academic type (i.e. from a prior instructor). Only letters of reference/recommendations that are included in the CASPA application before e-submission will be accepted to meet this requirement.
   

• Transcript Evaluation (as necessary):
  All candidates that are foreign graduates are required to submit a complete transcript evaluation (to American college equivalency) to CASPA. The MSHS PA Program will not review any CASPA-generated applicant profiles until all foreign transcript evaluations have arrived at CASPA and are forwarded to the MSHS PA Program by August 1, 2025. 

  Foreign transcripts may be evaluated by the following:
  World Education Services, Inc. 
   www.wes.org |   Fax: 212-739-6100

• The PA program grants preference for admission to individuals with the following:
  • Strong academic preparation
    • GPAs 3.5 or higher
    • GRE scores >50%
    • Rigorous coursework such as taking multiple science courses at once
    • Highly ranked undergraduate university/college
    • Research experience
  • Strong letters of recommendation
  • Written work in personal statement and essays that express originality, thoughtfulness, creativity, and reflect why you want to become a Physician Assistant
  • Community service reflects dedication to and support of one's community and is strongly recommended.
  • Leadership positions
  • Patient care experience hours above the minimum requirement
  • Life experience (examples include military service, travel and exposure to other countries/cultures, PA shadowing, overcoming adversity etc.)
  • Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, and New York Presbyterian affiliation, such as volunteer, student, employee, and research. (Does not include shadowing)
     
• CASPA applications that include all the requirements described above will be carefully reviewed. Applicant information considered during admissions decision-making includes additional/advanced coursework, evidence of science course rigor, healthcare experiences, life experiences, leadership opportunities, information from letters of reference, and extent of research and community service. 
   
• All candidates accepted for admission must comply with Weill Cornell Medicine and Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants Program's Policies and Procedures.
   
• Advanced Placement: 
  The MSHS PA Program does not grant advanced placement to applicants.
   
• International Baccalaureate (IB): 
  The MSHS PA does not accept IB credits.
   
• Technical Standards: 
  All applicants must meet our technical standards.