Updated · 6 min read
PCOM PA Program Interview: Format, Dates and Questions
Key facts (2026-27)
PCOM runs one PA program at two campuses, Philadelphia and Suwanee, Georgia, and each needs its own CASPA application.
- Format
- Required interview. PAEA's directory lists a traditional interview
- Where
- Virtual
- Also required
- PCOM-specific questions inside CASPA (no separate supplemental), $75 PCOM fee per campus, due December 15, 2026, paid through an emailed link after CASPA verification
Dates for 2026-27
By email at any point from August through February. Applicants not selected hear after the last session in February or March 2027
Interview invitations
Typically August through February. Interviews for June 2027 entry began in August 2026
Interviews
Usually within five weeks of the interview. The unranked waitlist runs from February until classes start in June
Offers and decisions
Checked November 2026 against PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements and PCOM PA Studies: Frequently Asked Questions. Confirm details in your invitation.
PCOM PA admissions in brief
PCOM PA asks for a 3.0 science and cumulative GPA for interview consideration, 200 hours of patient care and health care experience, three letters and no standardized tests. For June 2027 entry, CASPA must be verified by December 1, 2026, and PCOM materials and the $75 fee per campus are due December 15. Interviews are virtual, August through February.
The PCOM PA program interview format
PCOM requires an interview for its PA Studies program, holds it virtually, and schedules it from August through February. Invites can come at any point in that window because admission is rolling, and decisions for interviewed candidates usually come within five weeks. PCOM runs the program at two campuses, Philadelphia and Suwanee, Georgia, with a separate application for each.
| Item | What PCOM says |
|---|---|
| Required | Yes, an interview is required for admission |
| Mode | Virtual |
| Interview months | August through February, though some may fall outside that window. Interviews for June 2027 entry began in August 2026 |
| Interview type | Traditional (PAEA program directory) |
| Who is invited | Applicants with a 3.0 science and cumulative GPA who are competitive in the wider pool |
| Decisions | Usually within five weeks of the interview |
| Not invited | An email goes out after the last interview session in February or March 2027 |
| Waitlist | Not ranked. Seats are filled from February until classes begin in June |
| Length, number of interviewers, who interviews | Not published |
As of November 2026, PCOM doesn't publish how long the interview lasts or who interviews you. PCOM's FAQ adds that interviewed candidates may bring any updates they think would help their application. In a PCOM article on interview prep, current students describe the interview as a conversation in which staff want to get to know you.
PCOM reviews applications on a rolling basis and says to apply as soon as possible. Your CASPA application has to be verified by December 1, 2026, so an early submission gives you more interview dates to land in.
What PCOM looks for
The program's mission is to educate and mentor highly qualified PA students to become competent providers "prepared to advance the health of diverse communities." Its core values are grouped under honor, values and commitment, and they include accountability, compassion, AAPA ethics, honesty and respect for all people.
The application page lists what the admissions committee weighs. Beyond grades and degrees, it names patient care, health care, PA shadowing, volunteer and leadership experience, problem solving, decision making, communication skills, professional comportment, commitment to the profession, personal preparedness and congruence with the program's philosophy and mission. PCOM says successful applicants generally exceed the minimums.
As an osteopathic college, PCOM describes its PA program as offering a holistic view of health care, one that considers all areas of well-being.
The program in brief
- Degree and length: a Master of Science in Health Sciences, Physician Assistant Studies, over 27 months: 15 months of classroom work and 12 months of clinical rotations.
- Start: June, with orientation in early June.
- Campuses: the main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and PCOM Georgia in Suwanee, which launched its PA program in 2016. Each needs its own CASPA application and $75 PCOM fee.
- Class size: ARC-PA allows up to 70 in Philadelphia and 40 in Georgia. For 2026, PCOM lists 3,012 applications and 68 new students in Philadelphia, and 1,993 applications and 37 new students in Georgia.
- Clinical year: seven five-week core rotations in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, prenatal and gynecology, general surgery, pediatrics and behavioral medicine, plus two four-week electives.
- Accreditation: Accreditation-Continued from ARC-PA. PCOM's page gives the next validation review as March 2028, and ARC-PA's history document lists the next review as January 2028.
PCOM's DO program has its own interview. See our Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine interview guide. GPA, prerequisites, hours, letters and deadlines are in the admissions table below.
How to prepare for the PCOM interview
- Know your own application. PCOM's interview prep article tells applicants to be ready to expand on anything in the personal statement, resume or experiences.
- Bring an update if you have one. Interviewed candidates may bring updates. A new certification, more hours or a finished course is worth mentioning.
- Prepare for "why this campus." If you applied to Philadelphia, Georgia or both, have a specific reason for each.
- Show the committee's soft skills. Problem solving, decision making and communication are on PCOM's list. Have a short story for each.
- Connect to diverse communities. The mission is about advancing the health of diverse communities. Name the communities you have served and what you learned.
- Set up for video. The interview is virtual, so test your camera, light and sound, and dress as you would in person.
PCOM PA practice questions (written by us, not PCOM)
As of November 2026, PCOM doesn't publish its interview questions. These are ours, built from its mission, values and selection criteria.
- Tell us about yourself and how you came to the PA profession.
- Why PCOM, and why the Philadelphia or Georgia campus?
- What does treating the whole person mean to you in a short clinic visit?
- Tell us about a time you made a decision with incomplete information.
- Describe a patient whose background was very different from yours. How did you adjust?
- Walk us through your patient care and shadowing hours. What did you learn about the PA role?
- A classmate copies your lab report. What do you do?
- Tell us about a leadership role and one thing you would do differently.
- The clinical year averages 40 or more hours a week. How will you stay well?
- What has changed in your application since you submitted it?
- Where do you see yourself practicing in five years?
For a wider set, see our PA program interview questions guide, or practice them out loud in a scored PA school mock interview.
A drill for the PCOM interview
- Reread your CASPA personal statement and write three follow-up questions an interviewer might ask about it.
- On a video call with a friend, answer those three plus five from the list above, one follow-up each.
- Practice a 60-second answer to "Why this campus?" for each campus you applied to.
- Write a short update you could share if asked what has changed since you applied.
- Watch the recording and cut any answer that runs over two minutes.
If you don't have a partner, Confetto's PA school interview prep runs AI mock interviews that ask follow-up questions based on what you said and give rubric-based feedback.
PCOM PA interview FAQ
Is the PCOM PA interview virtual?
Yes. PCOM's FAQ says interviews for the program are conducted virtually throughout the year.
When does PCOM send PA interview invites?
At any point from August through February, by email. Applicants who aren't selected hear after the last interview session in February or March 2027.
Does PCOM require the GRE or CASPer?
No. PCOM says standardized test scores are not required or reviewed, except English language testing for some applicants.
Which PCOM campuses offer the PA program?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Suwanee, Georgia. You need a separate CASPA application and a $75 fee for each.
What are the PCOM PA program requirements?
A bachelor's degree by enrollment, a 3.0 science and cumulative GPA, 200 hours of patient care and health care experience, three letters and the prerequisites with a C or better. Admission is open only to US citizens and permanent residents for 2027-2028.
Applying elsewhere? See our guides to the George Washington University PA program and Emory PA program interviews, or our how many PA schools to apply to guide.
Sources: PCOM Physician Assistant Studies application requirements, FAQ, program overview, mission and core values, program description, program data, PCOM Georgia PA and interview prep article, ARC-PA's accreditation history, and PAEA's program directory entry.
Confetto isn't affiliated with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Everything here about the program comes from its public pages, checked in November 2026.
Formats and dates can change between cycles, so go by your invitation email.
PCOM PA admissions: GPA, prerequisites, patient care hours and deadlines
Every line below links its source: PCOM PA's own pages, PAEA's program directory and ARC-PA's public records, checked November 2026. Confirm dates in the school's portal before you submit.
| What | Detail and source |
|---|---|
| Degree, length and campuses | Master of Science in Health Sciences, Physician Assistant Studies, over 27 months (15 didactic, 12 clinical), starting in June. Offered in Philadelphia and in Suwanee, Georgia, with a separate application for each. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Program Description, PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements, PCOM PA Studies: Frequently Asked Questions |
| CASPA deadline (June 2027 entry) | CASPA must be submitted, complete and verified by December 1, 2026. PCOM materials and the $75 fee per campus are due December 15, 2026. Admission is rolling. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements |
| GPA minimum | A 3.0 undergraduate science GPA and a 3.0 cumulative GPA, as CASPA calculates them, for interview consideration. The 2026 entering class averaged a 3.86 in Philadelphia and a 3.77 in Georgia. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements, PCOM PA Studies: Program Data |
| Prerequisites | General biology I and II, another biology, anatomy and physiology (8 credits), general chemistry I and II, another chemistry, a health-related science or physics, 9 credits of social science and two math courses. C or better, science and math within 10 years, and no more than two science or math courses in progress when you apply. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements |
| Patient care and health care hours | At least 200 hours of patient care and health care experience, paid or volunteer, documented in CASPA when you apply. Roles such as CNA, EMT, scribe and pharmacy technician count, and veterinary hours don't. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements |
| Shadowing | In-person health care shadowing counts toward the hours and is highly recommended. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements |
4 more PCOM PA admissions factsLetters, GRE, CASPer and PA-CAT, Interviews, Class size and accreditation
| What | Detail and source |
|---|---|
| Letters | Three through CASPA, and one must come from a physician (MD or DO), a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements |
| GRE, CASPer and PA-CAT | None required. PCOM doesn't require or review standardized test scores, except English language testing for some applicants. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements |
| Interviews | Required and virtual, usually August through February. Decisions typically come within five weeks of the interview. PAEA lists a traditional interview. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements, PCOM PA Studies: Frequently Asked Questions, PAEA Program Directory: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| Class size and accreditation | ARC-PA allows up to 70 students in Philadelphia and 40 in Georgia. Accreditation-Continued, with the next review given as March 2028 by PCOM and January 2028 by ARC-PA. Source: PCOM PA Studies: Program Data, PCOM PA Studies: Program overview, ARC-PA: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine accreditation history |
Not published on PCOM PA's site as of November 2026: interview length and number of interviewers, average patient care hours of admitted students, average science GPA of the entering class on PCOM's own page.
PCOM PA application steps (June 2027 entry)
PCOM has no supplemental application, but you answer PCOM-specific questions inside CASPA before you submit. After CASPA verifies your application, PCOM emails a link to pay the non-refundable $75 fee, one fee per campus, and everything is due by December 15, 2026.
For the 2027-2028 year, admission is open only to US citizens and permanent residents. Applications from medical school graduates aren't accepted. If you are admitted, PCOM asks for a $1,000 non-refundable tuition prepayment.
How CASPA works, step by step: CASPA application guide. Writing the CASPA essay: PA school personal statement. Building your list: how many PA schools to apply to.
PCOM PA admissions FAQ
What GPA do you need for PCOM PA?
At least a 3.0 science GPA and a 3.0 cumulative GPA for interview consideration. The 2026 entering class averaged a 3.86 cumulative GPA in Philadelphia and a 3.77 in Georgia.
Does PCOM PA require the GRE?
No. PCOM doesn't require or review standardized test scores, other than English language testing for some applicants.
When is the PCOM PA deadline?
December 1, 2026 for a verified CASPA application, and December 15, 2026 for PCOM materials and the $75 fee per campus. Admission is rolling, so earlier is better.
What is the PCOM PA acceptance rate?
PCOM lists 3,012 applications and 145 acceptances for 2026 in Philadelphia, about 4.8 per 100, and 1,993 applications and 104 acceptances in Georgia, about 5.2 per 100.
Checked November 2026 against PCOM PA Studies: Program Description, PCOM PA Studies: Application Requirements, PCOM PA Studies: Frequently Asked Questions, PCOM PA Studies: Program Data, PAEA Program Directory: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, PCOM PA Studies: Program overview and ARC-PA: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine accreditation history.