Northwestern PA Program Interview: Format, PBL Case and Dates

What happens on the interview day

The interview day is on Zoom and has three parts. Northwestern says it uses a traditional, conversational interview model and does not use MMIs.

• Information session. The program introduces itself.
• Group PBL patient case. A group activity built on an interactive problem-based learning patient case. PBL is also how the program teaches.
• Several one-on-one interviews. With PA Program faculty, alumni or clinical partners. Northwestern does not publish the exact number or length.

How offers are decided

Northwestern uses holistic review and does not favor any specific group. Offers are made to selected applicants after their interview.

• What counts. Academic record, patient care and healthcare experience, evaluations, personal statement and supplemental essays.
• After the interview. You get an offer, a place on an unranked waitlist, or word that you are no longer being considered. The waitlist closes when the program starts in late May or early June.
• Not invited. Applicants who are not invited hear when the interview season ends, typically in December.
• $1,000 deposit. Non-refundable, due within 10 business days of your offer.

How you get an interview

Applications are reviewed in the order they become complete, and invitations go out in rounds as the cycle goes on. Applicants who meet the minimums stay under consideration all season.

• GPA of 3.30 or more. Both overall and science GPA, as calculated by CASPA at verification. Recent students averaged 3.83 overall and 3.78 science.
• 1,000 patient care hours. Direct patient care, done by the time you submit. Many roles CASPA calls Healthcare Experience count, but hours done for a degree or certification program do not.
• Hands-on roles preferred. Preference goes to roles that need training and involve direct patient care. Service to underserved people is highly valued.
• PA shadowing. Northwestern says shadowing a PA carries the most impact within an application and strongly encourages it.
• 3 to 5 evaluations. At least one from a healthcare professional who has seen your patient care. References from friends or family are not accepted.
• No tests. No GRE, MCAT, PA-CAT or Casper. The TOEFL is needed only if you do not have a degree from a US or English-speaking Canadian college.

Dates and other details

The class entering in 2027 is the Class of 2029, starting in late May or early June 2027 for a 24-month program.

How to prepare

Northwestern says it looks for interpersonal and communication skills in the interview, so practice talking, not just knowing.

• Rehearse a group case. Work through a short patient case with friends on a video call. Practice summarizing, asking questions and sharing the floor.
• Prepare conversational stories. One-on-one interviews reward clear stories about patients, teamwork and setbacks. Keep each to about two minutes.
• Talk about shadowing. Since PA shadowing carries weight here, be ready to describe what you saw a PA do and how it shaped your choice.
• Know the team model. Northwestern's goals stress collaboration on interprofessional teams. Have an example of working well with nurses, physicians or other staff.

Practice questions

Questions in the style of a Interviews + PBL group (online) station, written for applicants to Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine PA Program. They are practice questions, not the school's own. Open one for what a strong answer does.

Frequently asked questions