Methodist University - Physician Assistant Program Interviews

Physician Assistant Program Interviews

Applicants who have met our recommendations will be notified within three to four weeks of a specific date to interview with the program's faculty. All applicants will be interviewed by three teams, in increments of fifteen minutes, with the Admissions Selection Committee (ASC). Each team consists of MUPA program faculty, Methodist University faculty, practicing physicians and/or practicing physician assistants. Selection into the program is the responsibility of the ASC and is based on the results of your interviews, academic performance, and is contingent upon successful completion of all required prerequisite courses and requirements.

Interviews typically begin in August (one year in advance) and continue once a month, on a Saturday, until the class and alternate lists are filled. All applicants must be interviewed to be accepted. Once receipt to accept our invitation to interview is received, applicants will be given a specific time to interview and expected arrival time. If chosen for an interview, the following information should be helpful in preparing one for their time on campus.

1. Directions, Hotel Accommodations, and Arrival:

Directions and hotel accommodations may be found on our website at: www.methodist.edu/paprogram/directions.shtml.

The Medical Science Building, also labeled Physician Assistant Program, is the two- story building located next to the BB&T Bank, just prior to entering our main campus.

Once at our building please park anywhere and enter into the first floor lobby. The program will provide a light breakfast or snack, along with juice and water. Applicants are to arrive only 45 minutes prior to their interview time. This will allow for a brief overview of the program with the Director of Admissions, and a brief meeting with our Program Director before your interview.

2. Dress:

Applicants are expected to dress professionally.

3. What to Bring:

Applicants are to address all prerequisite deficiency concerns or updates prior to arriving on campus. Updates for hours or coursework may be faxed to (910) 630-7643 and originals placed in the mail. The program will not have time to update files and interview teams on the day of your interview.

Applicants should also have questions prepared for the interview teams. Reviewing our website may be helpful in developing topics for questions.

Due to the PA program's clinical affiliates and clearance to obtain a license, national security and criminal background checks will be employed for each accepted student. Therefore, all applicants are required to bring a picture ID (driver's license) and sign our background check release form. Only those applicants accepted by the Admissions Selection Committee will have this background check run. Your acceptance will be contingent upon clearance from our Police and Public Safety Office. Refusal or non-clearance will result in the forfeiture of your acceptance into our program. This is a standing policy of the program and will help us expedite the background clearance early in the Admissions process, rather than waiting until an enrollment deposit has been paid.

4. Interview Teams:

Our interview teams will consist of current faculty in our program and from Methodist University. Faculty may include, but are not limited to, the Academic Coordinator, Clinical Coordinators, Program Medical Director, program adjunct faculty, Dean of School of Science and Human Development, etc.

Each team will have two interview team members, with a total of 3 teams. Applicants will interview with each team for twenty minutes, totaling one hour.

5. Conclusion of Interviews and Time on Campus:

At the conclusion of your interviews, current students are available for questions and answers, tours of our facilities, and tours of our main campus. Our students provide wonderful feedback on what to expect as a didactic and clinical student.

You should expect to be on our campus for no more than 2 hours. Please keep in mind, there may be other applicants interviewing afterwards. In many instances Program Faculty, Staff, and students may not be available after the conclusion of interviews and tours, due to their assistance of others. If you need further assistance, you may be expected to wait until presentations or interviews have concluded.

6. Cancellations:

Applicants needing to cancel or change interview days are asked to contact the program immediately. We strongly discourage last minute cancellations unless due to an emergency. A last minute cancellation does not allow the program to utilize other applicants that are qualified for an interview. You are expected to call the Director of Admissions at (910) 630-7615 or email at An email response will always be sent within 24 hours. If you do not receive an email response, you are expected to call.

Applicants that are "no shows" the day of an interview will automatically have their application withdrawn and will not be considered for any other dates.

Physician Assistant Program

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