Applying to Physician Assistant (PA) Schools

The application service for PA schools is CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants).

To Do Now

  • The last day to declare your Intent to Apply by completing the Qualtrics Form is April 1, 2023. You must complete the ITA to be added to our applicant listserv and be eligible for a RMA appointment and Committee Letter.  
  • Pay attention to CASPA's website for information that may impact the cycle.

February-April 2023

  • Gather your experiences in one place, using CASPA's directions to begin to categorize your activities. 
  • Research school programs. Create a spreadsheet of schools you will apply to, noting their deadlines, required courses, and minimum hours of health care experience. Be sure you will have all requirements fulfilled. 
  • Begin contacting who you will ask for Letters of Evaluation.
  • Draft your personal statement.
  • The CASPA application cycle opens April 25. Create an account, complete the Colleges Attended and Evaluation sections.
  • Complete the GRE or MCAT.

At least 10-12 weeks prior to the first deadline

  • Ask the Duke Registrar's Office to send an official transcript.
  • Begin entering coursework into your application.
  • Confirm that your evaluators have received a request from CASPA.

At least 6-8 weeks prior to the first deadline

  • Submit and complete your application; CASPA will then verity your courses and grades and transmit data to your selected schools; schools will begin to screen applicants and send secondary applications.

Fall 2023 to Spring 2024

  • Complete secondary applications.
  • Interview.
  • Accept admission offers from fall to spring; CASPA closes in March but some applicants may be accepted off the waitlist from March to July

     

Applying to Veterinary Schools

The application service for veterinary schools is VMCAS (Veterinary Medical College Application Service). 

To Do Now

  • Declare your Intent to Apply by completing the Qualtrics Form by April 1, 2023. You must complete the ITA to be added to our applicant listserv. 

January 2023 - April 2023

  • VMAS opens (3rd week in January) for personal information and primary essay.
  • Gather information you will need for your application.
  • Ask for Letters of Evaluation.

May 2023

  • VMCAS school pages opens. Begin working on your application.
  • Send a final transcript to VMCAS after spring grades are posted.

August 2023

  • Submit primary application to VMCAS. VMCAS will verify your courses and grades and then release applications to veterinary schools.   

September 2023 - April 2024

  • September is the last month to take the GRE, but it is better to do it much sooner. Check first to see if the schools where you are applying require the GRE (only 5-6 schools still require the GRE).
  • Primary applications close in mid-September.
  • In September and October, complete and submit supplemental applications if not included in VMCAS primary application.
  • Interview.
  • Receive decision of acceptance, waitlist or rejection by mid-March. See individual school websites for their interview and decision timelines. On April 15, you can hold only one acceptance in a veterinary school.
Application Resources: https://applytovetschool.org/ (this is VMSAR now free on-line hosted by AAVMC).


Applying to Pharmacy Schools

The application service for Pharmacy schools is PharmCAS (Pharmacy College Application Service).

To Do Now

  • The last day to declare your Intent to Apply by completing the Qualtrics Form is April 1, 2023. You must complete the ITA to be added to our applicant listserv and be eligible for a RMA appointment and Committee Letter. 

February - June 2023

  • Gather information you will need for your application.
  • Research schools.
  • Ask for Letters of Evaluation.
  • Work on your personal statement.
  • Complete the PCAT in January, June or July.

July 2023

  • Submit primary application to PharmCAS.
  • Send final transcript to PharmCAS after spring grades are posted. Once PharmCAS verifies your courses and grades, they will release your application to schools.

August 2023 - June 2024

  • In August, you may be invited to complete supplemental applications or obtain supplemental application on the PharmD program website.
  • Interview.
  • In December-January, complete the required Academic Update in PharmCAS.
  • Send official summer/fall transcripts to PharmCAS if appropriate.
  • Acceptances may be received from August through June. On March 1, you may hold only one acceptance in a pharmacy school on this date; offers from waitlists may be extended up to first day of classes.
  • In May-June, complete the required Academic Update in PharmCAS. Send official spring transcripts to individual schools you have been accepted to.