MSHS PA Program Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ


How long is the MSHS PA Program?

The MSHS PA Program is 26 consecutive months in duration. There is a 10-month lecture-intensive didactic portion (preclinical phase) followed by a 16-month clinically-intensive portion (clinical phase) where students gain clinical experience in a variety of locations and settings (rotations). During the clinical phase, students complete a research project that requires an oral defense prior to graduation.



Is the MSHS PA Program an accredited PA Program?

Yes. The MSHS PA Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (arc-pa.org).



The MSHS PA Program has a !surgical focus! What does that mean?

As a PA Program, the MSHS PA Program provides training to PA students in primary care medicine. In addition, the curriculum has maintained much of its surgical coursework (!surgical focus!) to provide an opportunity for graduates to be competitive in the job-market for surgical opportunities.



Are classes held on the weekend?

No. Classes are scheduled Monday through Friday generally between 8:00am-6:00pm. There may be some classes that extend until 8:00pm. This intensive schedule provides opportunity to cover a significant amount of material in a short period of time.



May I attend the MSHS PA Program part-time?

No. The MSHS PA Program does not offer part-time enrollment. Due to the intensity of the coursework a full-time commitment is required of each student.



At the conclusion of training what credential will I have?

After successful completion of the MSHS PA Program all candidates will have earned a Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants. In addition, a Certificate of Completion will be granted to all graduates, enabling them to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the NCCPA (nccpa.net).



May I practice as a PA in primary care after I graduate from the MSHS PA Program?

Yes. The broad-based curriculum of the MSHS PA Program meets or exceeds standards established by ARC-PA to ensure consistency of training of Physician Assistants, but the MSHS PA Program offers additional instruction on surgical technique and care to prepare graduates for a competitive job-market and a PA practice that frequently requires advanced surgical knowledge and skills.


Admissions FAQ

How can I apply?


Applying requires completion of an online application through the Central Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA). The application process may be started at www.caspaonline.org and the MSHS PA Program has a deadline date of October 1st each year. (See the admissions section or caspaonline.org website for details.) The application process continues with a secondary application to more competitive applicants as well as a personal interview to selected highly competitive applicants here at the MSHS PA Program office in New York City.



What GPA would make me most competitive?

It depends on the applicant pool in a given admissions cycle. Since it is a very competitive process, GPA's and health care experience type and duration vary from year to year. To provide a perspective, the MSHSPA Program's class of 2010 had an overall mean GPA of 3.4 at the time they were enrolled into the PA Program.



What are the required prerequisite courses in order to attend the MSHS PA Program?

The MSHS PA Program requires the following:

  • Two full college semesters of Biology (each course must include a lab component) AND
  • Two full college semesters of Chemistry (each course must include a lab component) AND
  • One full semester of Microbiology AND
  • One full semester of English Composition (or equivalent college writing course)

Additional heath-related or advanced biology coursework is recommended but not required. Most competitive applicants have some additional science courses, including Anatomy, Physiology, and similar.



I am in college and in the process of taking (or plan to take) some of the prerequisite courses during the next semester. May I apply before completing all of the prerequisites?


Yes, Although the MSHS PA Program admissions committee encourages prerequisites to be completed as soon as possible, you may apply anytime during the admission cycle but must include courses in progress and/or "planned" on your CASPA application. All prerequisite courses and degree requirements must be completed by the conclusion of the Fall 2009 semester in order to be eligible to enroll in the class beginning March, 2010. The MSHS PA Program may request documentation regarding your progress in prerequisite coursework at any time during the admissions process. Please do not send any additional information to the MSHS PA Program unless requested by the MSHS PA Program Admissions Committee.
NOTE: Consideration will be given to applicants that have completed their prerequisites and earned their Bachelor's degree PRIOR to completing their CASPA application



I read that the MSHS PA Program begins classes in March. I will not have my degree until May. Will my application be considered?

No. All applicants must have all prerequisite coursework and a minimum Bachelor's degree completed by the conclusion of the Fall 2009 semester. If that is not possible, we suggest that the applicant apply during the following year's application cycle, to ensure these prerequisites and degree are completed and represented on the CASPA application. The CASPA application cycle starts in April of each year at www.caspaonline.org.


What are the components of the CASPA application?

Providing applicant demographics, healthcare experience information, entering completed "in progress" and/or "planned" coursework, submitting official transcripts and letters of reference/recommendations are among the required components. See www.caspaonline.org for details and to begin your application.



Do I need to have letters of reference/recommendation to apply?

Yes. At least two letters of reference/recommendations are required for your CASPA application to be considered complete. These letters of reference/recommendations must include at least 1 from a Physician or Physician Assistant and must be included in your initial CASPA application. If the initial CASPA-generated applicant profile does not include the above, the file will not be considered for admission to the MSHS PA Program.



How much healthcare experience (HCE) is required to apply?

While HCE is required to apply -we do not have a minimum number of hours requirement. The range of healthcare experience varies significantly from several hundred hours to several tens of thousands of hours experience. The experience may be volunteer or paid, and in various settings, including hospitals, offices and clinics. NOTE: The MSHS PA Program gives preference to applicants that have experiences that include direct patient contact.



How many applications are received by the MSHS PA Program each admissions cycle?

We currently average 600-700 applications per year. This provides a very competitive applicant pool as there are only 32 available seats each year to fill.



What materials may I send to the MSHS PA Program?

No materials should be sent to the MSHS PA Program directly unless requested by the MSHS PA Program admissions committee. All application material should be sent directly to CASPA, as they will generate an applicant profile that will be forwarded to the MSHS PA Program office when complete. Any application materials sent to CASPA must arrive at CASPA prior to the October 1st deadline.



When are interviews held at the MSHS PA Program?

Interviews are offered to the most competitive applicants in writing and we are planning to start interviewing this year as soon as July, and continue through the end of the year. Interview dates and times vary each year depending on the applicant pool and number of qualified, competitive and completed applications received.



How many applicants are accepted each year?

Each year the MSHS PA Program admissions committee accepts applicants to fill 32 available seats. We require accepted applicants to send both a letter of intent to attend, as well as a non-refundable deposit to hold the offered seat. Rarely a student may be unable to attend and withdraw their application and we may offer a seat to additional qualified and competitive applicant to ensure a full class to begin in March, 2010.



Is the GRE exam required?

Yes. The GRE exam is required of each applicant.



I am a Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG). Can I apply to the MSHS PA Program?

Yes. FMGs and graduates of foreign institutions may apply through the same on-line CASPA application process as US graduates. However, transcripts MUST be evaluated and a US equivalency must be determined. This evaluation may be performed by any of the services listed in our Admissions Section. This evaluation of the foreign transcript must be sent to CASPA prior to completing the online CASPA application to ensure it is sent with the initial CASPA-generated profile to the MSHS PA Program.



I have a foreign degree. Must I take coursework at an institution or university the United States?

While it is not required, we strongly recommend that the prerequisite coursework be completed at a US college or university.


Preclinical Phase FAQ

What is the duration of the preclinical phase?

The preclinical phase is approximately 10 months in duration. It is comprised of three semesters. There is a one-week break between each semester and several holidays.



When do classes begin at the WCMC PA Program?

Classes start during the last week of March. This begins with an orientation week with a white coat ceremony.



Can I work while attending the WCMC PA Program?

The course of study at the WCMC PA Program is extremely demanding and requires a significant amount of time and attention, therefore we do not encourage employment during your matriculation in the MSHS PA Program.



What is the typical day like in the preclinical phase?

Classes are scheduled Monday through Friday generally between 8:00am-6:00pm. There may be some classes that extend until 8:00pm. This intensive schedule provides opportunity to cover a significant amount of material in a short period of time. The coursework is intense and requires that students come prepared having read for the lecture in advance. Lectures are often given with the support of PowerPoint presentation formats and procedural videos. All students have access to a student website (Blackboard.com) where lecture material is posted for downloading. Learning is also facilitated through lab experience and Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions.
Students are also exposed to various clinical settings through a process called Clinical Exposure and Experiences (CEEs). During the CEEs sessions, students are introduced to specialty practice settings as well as meet with various PA's and healthcare providers in clinical practice. Throughout the preclinical phase, students have regularly scheduled patient encounters where they practice history-taking and physical examination skills.
When not in class, many students take advantage of all the unique opportunities to be found in New York City: the theater, amazing parks, museums, unique restaurants, recreation, and more. Some of the more exciting attractions include: Radio City Music Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museums, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The American Museum of Natural History, Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, and Citi Field. Many restaurants and shops of every kind are also just blocks away.


What types of lab sessions are included in the preclinical year?

A highlight of the preclinical year is the cadaver dissection. Here, small groups of PA students learn anatomy by dissection under the tutelage of the Anatomy department faculty. There are also clinical skills labs where bedside procedures are taught, including wound care, venous access, bladder catheters, etc. Students learn Physical Diagnosis skills using a PA student partner as well as professional models and simulators.



What type of patient contact will I receive during the preclinical phase of training?

Within the first two months of starting PA school, students spend time, almost every week, rotating on the wards (performing histories and physicals), in the operating room (observing, then participating as appropriate) or observing specialty care in affiliate institutions including NewYork Hospital. Students greatly appreciate the ability to apply their new skills in a real environment. Students are observed and receive faculty feedback to improve their skills.



Who will be the instructors during my training?

Most of your instructors will be the core faculty of the MSHS PA Program as well as faculty of the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Weill Cornell Medical College. PA's who are experts in their field are also invited to give select lectures to current students. As a PA Program with more than 30 years of experience, the teaching base is strong, committed, and well respected.



Can I waive out of or challenge a course?

No. All Students must successfully complete and pass all preclinical courses to be considered for promotion to the clinical phase of the Program.



What makes the preclinical curriculum unique?

Just some of the strengths of the preclinical coursework include active and innovative hands on learning (a wide variety of different laboratory sessions), well established base of faculty and instructors (supporting more than a 30 year track record of success), and early patient contact. This is all supported by the amazing resources of the Weill Cornell Medical College and its affiliates, which include the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and The Hospital for Special Surgery. Weill Cornell Medical College is among the top-ranked clinical and medical research centers in the country.


Clinical Phase FAQ


How long is the clinical phase?

The clinical phase is 16 months in duration. (Total duration includes rotations, vacation time and holiday breaks).



How long is each clinical rotation?

Each clinical rotation is 4 (four) weeks in duration. There are 15 (fifteen) clinical rotations.



Does the program allow rotations outside of New York or the United States?

Yes. These “external rotations” may be approved on an individual basis.



Does the Program offer rotations at institutions outside of the Weill-Cornell Medical College-NewYork Presbyterian Hospital affiliated institutions?

Yes. The MSHS PA Program has affiliations with other institutions throughout the NYC area as well as in several other states. Students are assigned to these rotations regularly. External rotations may be approved on an individual basis, based on availability, and agreements between the MSHS Program and said institutions.



What are the core or required rotations?

There are 10 (ten) required clinical rotations. They include the following: Internal Medicine (x2), Surgery (x2), Pediatrics, Primary Care, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine and an equally divided rotation in Psychiatry/Geriatrics (2 weeks each).



How many elective rotations are there?

There are 5 (five) elective rotations in a variety of medical and surgical environments and specialties.



What are some examples of elective rotations offered to students?

Some examples of elective rotations include: Orthopedic surgery, Trauma, Burn Center, Breast Surgery, Cardiothoracic (CT) Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), Interventional Cardiology and Oncological Surgery. Some students have completed elective rotations in Forensic Medicine and HIV/Infectious Disease.



Are there classes during the clinical year?

Yes. At the end of each clinical rotation there are meetings at the MSHS PA Program classroom. A course in directed and applied research is offered throughout the clinical phase at End of Rotation (EOR) meetings as well as through an on line format. This coursework supports each student as they develop and complete the research project. These meetings also include student and faculty presentations on a variety of topics. Boards review sessions are scheduled as well.


 
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