University of Mount Saint Vincent 6301 Riverdale Avenue Riverdale, New York 10471
40.912485839967765, -73.90255576987842
Summarized from the program’s official admissions / selection-process pages. Always confirm current details on the program’s website.
★ Straight From the Program — 2026 PAEA Virtual Admissions Fair
The message for comeback applicants was consistent and kindly blunt: recent excellence matters, but the program's stated minimum GPAs are gates you clear before holistic review starts, not factors traded off against strengths elsewhere. Strong recent science coursework, clinical work, leadership, service and career growth all count once the door is open. Applicants may apply with a course in progress and should mark it as such, but decisions rest on verified grades available at review, so update the file when a final grade lands. The program does not publish an average accepted GPA. It does not weight in-state and out-of-state applicants differently, and applicants from Canadian universities are evaluated on the same criteria as anyone else. On experience, the team was direct that not every patient-facing job carries the same weight; the responsibilities of the role are what get read.
Shared by this program’s admissions team at the PAEA Virtual PA Admissions Fair on August 22, 2026, and paraphrased here. Admissions guidance changes between cycles — always confirm requirements, deadlines and prerequisites on the program’s official website.
Format: One-on-one interview Where: On campus
The committee invites its most highly qualified applicants for an on-campus interview comprised of individual interviews plus a proctored essay scored with the Candidate Essay Scoring Rubric. The interview evaluates emotional intelligence, communication skills, self-awareness, motivation, and critical thinking, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview invitation.
Summarized from University of Mount Saint Vincent’s own admissions and interview pages — verified 2026-08-01. Interview formats and dates change between cycles, so confirm with the program before you make travel plans. See the program’s interview page.
The Mission of the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s Master of Physician Assistant Program is to prepare and mentor students to deliver high-quality primary and specialty healthcare that is affordable, compassionate, and accessible in collaboration with physicians and other members of the interprofessional health care team. The program accomplishes this mission by building upon and prioritizing the Graduate Core Competencies of the physician assistant profession. The curriculum design places emphasis on preparing students to practice within diverse and culturally sensitive communities while also developing the critical thinking skills vital in today’s expanding healthcare environment.
A free 10-day email course on actually getting into PA school — the three kinds of deadline and which one quietly ends applications, what your CASPA GPA really is, how to build a school list you qualify for, and what committees are looking for in your essay and your interview. One short email a day, written by a practicing PA.
