Navigating the Maze of PA School Admissions: Rolling vs. Non-Rolling Strategies

The path to securing a seat in a Physician Assistant (PA) program is fraught with strategic decisions, notably choosing between rolling and non-rolling admissions systems. In rolling admissions, PA programs evaluate applications as they arrive, thus early birds might snatch the available spots well before the application deadline. This gives a head start to those who submit their applications promptly. On the other hand, non-rolling admissions programs level the playing field by evaluating all candidates equally, regardless of whether their applications were submitted at the beginning or at the close of the application period.

For the eager beavers among applicants, understanding whether a program operates on a rolling basis can be pivotal. Some programs explicitly advertise this policy, whereas others might hint at it through early application deadlines. A good detective—or applicant in this case—might also scour online forums for the timing of interview invitations, which can reveal whether a program starts their selection process before the official deadline.