PA Direct Entry

The Trine University Direct Entry path allows a unique opportunity for a select number of incoming first-year students who excel academically and demonstrate an advanced level of maturity to gain "direct entry" into our PA program after completing an approved* undergraduate plan of study in three years or the traditional four years path . Up to 10 seats are reserved for this direct admission program.

Admission to this path first requires the student to be admitted to an undergraduate major. Students must select a major in either biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or biomedical engineering. Upon admission to the undergraduate program, the candidate then applies to the PA Direct Entry program 

Direct entry can be achieved through selecting a 3+2.5 path, three years of accelerated undergraduate work followed by the seven-semester master's program, or the more traditional 4+2.5 path, four years of undergraduate work plus seven semesters of the master's program in physician assistant studies. Direct entry is a highly selective program and seats are limited to 10 students each year on a first come first serve basis.**

PA Direct Entry Admission Process

1. Candidates must first complete an application and be admitted to an approved Trine University undergraduate program, which meets the requirements of the PA Direct Entry program.

• High school transcript showing minimum 3.50 GPA (4.0 scale)
• A minimum ACT Composite of 25 or SAT (R+M) 1210
• Select biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or biomedical engineering as a major

Once accepted to Trine University, a candidate will complete the Application for Direct Entry into the PA program and agree to the Technical Standards (deadline: May 1).

• Included in the application, a student will also need to submit a brief essay describing how any extra-curricular activities or work-related experiences may have prepared you for a career as a physician assistant
• Candidates will be contacted for an Interview with a Trine University PA program admission representative

Once admitted to Direct Entry, a formal letter of admission from the Director of the Physician Assistant program will be sent to the applicant. This will include a Letter of Intent, which must be signed, dated, and returned to the Trine University Master of Physician Assistant Studies Program by June 1. If the letter is not returned by June 1, the next person on the waitlist will be admitted to Direct Entry.

To maintain your eligibility into the master of physician assistant studies during your undergraduate years, the following criteria must be met:

• Maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA in all undergraduate course work
• Maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA in all undergraduate prerequisite course work
• Incoming Freshman Direct Entry students are required to satisfy all other entry requirements prior to formal admission to the graduate professional program

* A plan of study that enables students to complete their undergraduate degree in 4 years while also meeting all PA program admission requirements must be approved by the undergraduate program chair, and the PA program director. ** Students in the Direct Admit degree program will not be eligible to receive any institutional scholarships during the years when they are considered a graduate student. (For 3+2.5 students, this is years four, five, and six. For 4+2.5 students, this is years five, six and seven.) Students are encouraged to investigate alternative funding opportunities to complete graduate school during these last years.