Admissions

Bachelor's Degree Standard

A bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution is required to apply. If this degree is completed outside the United States, evaluated transcripts are to be sent to CASPA. A candidate may apply prior to meeting this requirement provided the degree and prerequisites are completed and verified by CASPA by the Sept. 1 deadline.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Standards

The following GPAs must meet the minimum 3.0 requirements as calculated by CASPA:

• Cumulative GPA: The overall GPA includes all undergraduate and graduate coursework.
• BCP GPA: The GPA of all undergraduate and graduate coursework completed in biology, chemistry, and physics.
• Prerequisite GPA: The GPA of qualifying prerequisite courses detailed below.
• Last 60 Credits: This GPA is only considered for applicants who do not meet the 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA. To qualify, the GPA of the applicant's last 60 credits must meet a minimum GPA of 3.3.

Applicants are required to submit a formal request to the admissions counselor once the application has been submitted. If this criteria is met, this GPA will be used as the cumulative GPA for the application evaluation.

Prerequisite Courses Standard

• Prerequisite courses must be taken at a U.S. regionally accredited school or fulfilled through the military special consideration (see special consideration). Evaluated courses from an international institution will not fulfill this requirement.
• Each course must meet the B/3.0 GPA minimum requirement (B- is not acceptable).
• Prerequisite courses need to be completed within the last 10 years.
• All prerequisite courses must be completed and verified by CASPA by the Sept. 1 deadline. Applications will be considered if there is no more than one prerequisite class in progress. Class(es) must be completed by the Sept. 1 deadline. Applications with more than one prerequisite class in progress will be considered when all classes are completed by the Sept. 1 deadline.
• In-person labs are required for General Biology, General Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology. All other courses may be completed online.
• We do not accept test credits (example: AP, IB, CLEP) in lieu of prerequisite requirements.
• Pass/No Pass grades are valid only through the Spring 2020-Fall 2021 semesters.
• Our academic worksheet can be a helpful tool in preparation for your application. You are welcome to email the completed worksheet to your admissions counselor for feedback.

A minimum number of patient care experience hours are not required for admittance into the program. However, it is recommended that applicants have 2,000 hours of direct patient care experience in order to be a competitive applicant. All PCEs must be from paid positions in the United States, not volunteer work or an academic internship. Exceptions include working as a paramedic or EMT when all emergency services are provided only on an all-volunteer basis. 

Clinical experience gained through a training program, as a student, or a paid position outside of the U.S., does not qualify as PCE.

This Patient Care Experience (PCE) Worksheet can be a helpful tool in preparation for your application. You are welcome to email the completed worksheet to your admissions counselor for feedback.

PCE is evaluated based on the type of experience using the following modifiers:

Note: Clinical experience gained through a training program, as a student, or a paid position outside of the U.S., does not qualify as PCE.

A minimum number of service hours are not required for admittance into the program. However, it is in an applicant's best interest to pursue 500 hours after modifiers have been applied. Volunteerism is not limited to healthcare settings or services, but it must be unpaid service without academic credit or other compensation.

Our volunteer experience worksheet can be a helpful tool in preparation for your application. You are welcome to email the completed worksheet to your admissions counselor for feedback.

Three letters of recommendation are required. These recommendations should come from a supervisor or coworker who can speak to an applicant's work ethic during a paid experience. It is preferred that one of the three references come from a professor who can speak to an applicant's academic aptitude.

If an academic reference is not available, a third professional reference may be provided. Shadowing references do not count toward the required number of references. Applicants who do not submit the appropriate number or sources of references will not be considered until they submit the appropriate letters to CASPA.

International applicants who have completed all the prerequisites at a regionally accredited U.S. institution are welcome to apply. Applicants must also submit an evaluation of all academic transcripts from an international credentialing agency through CASPA. Advanced placement is not offered for applicants with previous medical degrees, whether earned in or outside the U.S., and only U.S. patient care experiences will be scored on any application. 

An applicant whose native language is not English and who does not have a full year (two semesters) of composition or its equivalent in English studies must demonstrate skills in English understanding and use.

Recent scores on the Test of English and Foreign Language (TOEFL) normally suffice. TOEFL scores should be submitted directly to CASPA. Satisfactory scores are based on the testing format and include:

• Internet-based TOEFL: Score of 100 with a minimum score of 20 on each section
• A total score of 600 on the paper TOEFL, with a score of 55 on the Listening Comprehension
• A total score of 250 on the computer-based TOEFL
• A level 112 from the ELS Language Centers or other recognized evidence may be considered satisfactory, pending the Admissions Committee approval

Please refer to the International Graduate Admissions page for more guidelines.

All George Fox University graduates who meet the program’s admission requirements will be invited for an interview. To be considered, however, the application must be verified by CASPA on or before Sept. 1 of the application cycle. An invitation to interview does not guarantee admittance to the program.

Applicants who qualify for special consideration may use their status to participate in only two interviews during separate admissions cycles before being placed in the general applicant pool without the special consideration qualification. An invitation to an interview does not guarantee admission.

Eligible Applicants

• George Fox University graduates who meet admission requirements.
• Military veterans (active, retired, reservist, or National Guard) who meet admission requirements. Military applicants must provide a DD214 (honorable discharge) for separated or retired veterans and a letter from a commanding officer for active duty reservists/guard members in good standing.

Military Coursework

Up to 11 semester hours of prerequisite courses completed through military training may be accepted with a passing grade for:

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4 SH)
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4 SH)
• Introduction to Psychology or Higher (3 SH)

Accepted pass-grade courses are not included in GPA calculations; the last 60-semester-hour GPA will be based on graded coursework.

Submission Instructions

Upload military transcripts (CCAF or JST) and required documents/letters to the CASPA application under the Document section.

For transcript requests

• Air Force: Air University/Community College of the Air Force Transcripts (CCAF)
• Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines: Joint Service Transcript (JST)

All George Fox courses must be taken as part of the PA cohort. No advanced placement options are available.

All applicants are reviewed on the following criteria:

• Successful completion of all admissions requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree, GPAs, prerequisites
• Evidence of alignment with George Fox’s mission
• Understanding and commitment to the PA profession
• Letters of recommendation
• Evidence of volunteerism
• Paid patient care experiences

Each of the items on the applicant matrix will be given a weighted point value (based on preset objective criteria) and the combined score will be used to rank candidates for interview. The higher the score, the better the odds of being interviewed.

This process will be repeated for each interview round. As we practice Rolling Admissions, offers of admission will be made after each round of interviews. However, a similar number of seats will be offered each round creating an equitable opportunity each interview round. It is to the applicant's best interest to submit their application (vis CASPA) at a time that would provide them with the highest score, rather than submitting early to be considered for the first round. Once an application is reviewed and scored it is not re-reviewed or re-scored. Please refer to the Admissions Timeline above for interview dates and final application deadline. 

An invitation to interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program. The George Fox PA program uses a rolling admissions process. Therefore, applicants who qualify for an interview may be invited to the next available scheduled interview date.

All interviews are conducted in person and are designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of each applicant’s skills, experiences, and fit for our program. The day includes group interviews, a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) session, a written essay, and a short panel interview with faculty, staff and trained interviewers. This structured format allows us to evaluate each candidate’s character, communication, professionalism, adaptability and alignment with our mission in a dynamic and interactive setting.

George Fox utilizes a holistic review process, evaluating candidates based on their CASPA application, interview performance, and alignment with our mission. Seats are offered on a rolling basis after each round of interviews, with a waitlist maintained until the program begins.

• Observe demonstrations, visual presentations in lectures and laboratories, laboratory evidence and microbiologic cultures, microscopic studies of microorganisms and tissues in normal and pathologic states
• Observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand
• Use the sense of vision, somatic sensation, and smell as part of the observation process

• Communicate professionally, effectively and sensitively with patients and families
• Communicate professionally, effectively and efficiently in oral and written forms with all members of the healthcare team
• Be able to speak, hear and observe patients in order to elicit information, perceive nonverbal communications, and describe changes in mood, activity and posture
• Utilize speech, reading, writing and computers as part of the communication process. In addition, candidates must possess the skills necessary to communicate effectively in small- and large-group discussions.

• Execute the movement required to provide patient care such as palpitation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers
• Execute movements required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. These skills require coordination of gross and fine muscular movement, equilibrium and sensation.
• Manipulate equipment and instruments necessary to perform basic laboratory tests and procedures required to attain curricular goals (e.g. needles, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, tongue blades, intravenous equipment, gynecologic speculum, and scalpel)
• Transport themselves from one location to another in a timely fashion in order to facilitate patient care responsibilities and receive educational training

• Comprehend three-dimensional relationships and the spatial relationship of structures
• Collect, organize, prioritize, analyze and assimilate large amounts of technically detailed and complex information within a limited time frame. This information will be presented in a variety of educational settings, including lectures, small-group discussions, and individual clinical settings.
• Analyze, integrate and apply information appropriately for problem solving and decision-making.

• Emotional health, maturity, sensitivity, intellectual ability and good judgment needed to complete all responsibilities associated with the diagnosis and care of patients
• The ability to tolerate physical, mental and emotional stress associated with training and the profession
• Qualities of adaptability, flexibility and be able to function in the face of uncertainty
• A high level of compassion for others, motivation to serve, integrity and a consciousness of social values
• Sufficient interpersonal skills to interact positively with people from all levels of society, all ethnic backgrounds, and all belief systems
• The ability to accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior

Admittance to the program is contingent upon a successful background check and negative 10-panel urine drug screen. If any background search or any drug screen reveals information that would prohibit a student from participating in clinical rotations, the seat offer will be rescinded or if already in the program the student will be dismissed (academically unable to fulfill course/program obligations).

Background Check

Background search to be completed prior to matriculation, before the clinical year begins, and as required by a clerkship site. All PA students are required to have a certified background check via an established third party. The background search looks for a history of:

• Criminal activity
• Sex offender registry
• National healthcare fraud and abuse
• Residence history
• Social Security alerts

The estimated cost for the background check is $150.

Urine Drug Screening

Ten-panel urine drug screen to be completed prior to matriculation, before the clinical year begins, and as required by a clerkship site. All PA students are required to have a 10-panel drug screen completed via an established third party.

The estimated cost for the ten-panel drug screen is $45.

Students will not be able to participate in patient care activities during the program if they have not completed and maintained their health and immunization requirements.

Students are required to show proof of:

• Two immunizations for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) or reactive titer for each.
• Immunization for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular Pertussis (TDaP) (Within last 10 years).
• Immunity to Hepatitis B (Hep B) which includes vaccination series and a positive/reactive quantitative titer:
  • Provide documentation of 2 (Hepislav-B) vaccines OR 3 doses of (Engerix-B or Recombivax HB) vaccines, and
  • Provide documentation of a quantitative positive antibody titer showing immunity to Hepatitis B.
  • Students without a positive/reactive titer and/or those who have not completed the vaccination series must be in the process of receiving the Hep B immunization series prior to matriculation.
• Two immunizations for Varicella administered 4 weeks apart or a positive/reactive titer showing serologic proof of immunity.  If the titer provided is negative, the 2 shot series must be repeated. A second titer is not required.
• Immunization for current season’s Influenza dated AFTER Sept. 15th of the current year or declination.
• Immunization for current season’s Covid-19 or completed exemption.

Students are also strongly encouraged to receive and show proof of:

• Immunization for Meningococcal ACWY (booster if the last dose was given more than 5 years ago).
• Immunization for Meningococcal B (booster if the last dose was given more than 3 years ago).

Tuberculosis Screening

• QuantiFERON-TB Gold blood test
• T-spot blood test
• 2-step PPD TB skin test (2-step PPD requires 4 visits to the provider)
• Negative chest x-ray and Infectious Disease clearance
  • Option if you have a history of TB or positive skin test.
• Completed Symptom Checklist and Risk Assessment

All are required to complete Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) and Operational Safety and Health Administrative (OSHA) training through an established third party. Prior to the clinical year, HIPAA and OSHA concepts will be reviewed by program faculty. If required by a clerkship site, this training will need to be repeated at the clinical site. Depending on circumstances, it may be done by a George Fox-established third party or through the clerkship site.

The cost of this training is estimated at $35.

All students must be certified in American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS and it must be current through the first day of class. Course must include the hands-on skills component.

All students are required to provide proof of personal health insurance. George Fox University does offer student health insurance if desired.

Acknowledging ability to meet technical standards required of the program.

Allowing George Fox to provide preceptors with status or results of immunizations, TB screening, drug screening, and background check.