Updated October 28, 2026
UC San Diego PA program acceptance rate
For the Class of 2028, UC San Diego Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program reports 2,081 applicants and 123 interviews, with 30 students enrolled. That puts the acceptance rate at about 1.4% (enrolled per applicant).
- Acceptance rate
- 1.4%
- enrolled per applicant, Class of 2028
- Applicants
- 2,081
- applicants
- Interviewed
- 123
- Class of 2028
- Class size
- 30
- Class of 2028
- Average GPA
- 3.80
- Class of 2028
- Average patient care hours
- 4,661
- health care hours, Class of 2028
- Interview format
- Virtual MMI (Zoom)
Every number is from UC San Diego's own PA program pages, checked October 28, 2026. Rate: 30 students enrolled out of 2,081 applicants.
UC San Diego's interview: virtual MMI
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How the UC San Diego rate is worked out
UC San Diego publishes its own admissions numbers for the Class of 2028: 2,081 applicants, 123 interviewed, 30 enrolled. 30 divided by 2,081 is 1.4%. Source
The program does not publish how many offers it made, so this counts students who enrolled. The share offered a seat is somewhat higher, because some admitted applicants go elsewhere.
What UC San Diego asks of applicants
- An overall GPA and a science GPA of at least 3.0, undergraduate or graduate. Source
- At least 500 hours of paid or volunteer health care experience. The GRE, PA-CAT and MCAT are not required. Source
- Prerequisites include human anatomy and human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, chemistry, organic chemistry or biochemistry, statistics and 8 more semester credits of biology. Source
- The entering class's average science GPA was 3.77 (Class of 2028). Source
Check where your grades land with our CASPA GPA calculator, which follows CASPA's own grade and subject rules.
UC San Diego deadline for 2027 entry
The secondary application for the 2026-2027 cycle opened April 30, 2026 and closed August 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern, and CASPA applications had to be verified by September 1. Both dates have passed. Source
The UC San Diego PA interview
UC San Diego interviews on Zoom in September and October using a virtual multiple mini interview (vMMI). At each station you get two minutes to read a scenario or question, then eight minutes with a rater. Source
About the UC San Diego PA program
- The Class of 2027 had 2,855 applicants and 121 interviews, and 30 students enrolled. Source
- The Class of 2026 had 2,061 applicants and 87 interviews, and 30 students enrolled. Source
- 93% of the Class of 2028 are California residents. The program aims to recruit and graduate learners who reflect California's diverse population. Source
- It first offers admission to 30 applicants, then fills any open seats from an alternate list. Source
Questions people ask
What is the UC San Diego PA program acceptance rate?
For the Class of 2028, UC San Diego Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program reports 2,081 applicants, 123 interviewed and 30 students enrolled. That is 1.4% (enrolled per applicant). The share offered a seat is somewhat higher, because some admitted applicants choose another program.
How many applicants does UC San Diego interview?
123 of 2,081 applicants were interviewed for the Class of 2028, about 5.9%. 30 enrolled.
What GPA do you need for the UC San Diego PA program?
UC San Diego reports an average overall GPA of 3.80 (Class of 2028). The average science GPA was 3.77. These are typical figures, not minimums. The program's own minimums are listed under requirements on this page.
What is the UC San Diego PA interview like?
UC San Diego interviews on Zoom in September and October using a virtual multiple mini interview (vMMI). At each station you get two minutes to read a scenario or question, then eight minutes with a rater.
What are the UC San Diego PA program requirements?
An overall GPA and a science GPA of at least 3.0, undergraduate or graduate. At least 500 hours of paid or volunteer health care experience. The GRE, PA-CAT and MCAT are not required. Prerequisites include human anatomy and human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, chemistry, organic chemistry or biochemistry, statistics and 8 more semester credits of biology.
When is the UC San Diego PA program deadline?
The secondary application for the 2026-2027 cycle opened April 30, 2026 and closed August 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern, and CASPA applications had to be verified by September 1. Both dates have passed.
Compare other PA programs
Confetto is not affiliated with UC San Diego Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program or UC San Diego School of Medicine. Every figure on this page is from the program's own website (La Jolla, California), checked October 28, 2026. Programs update these pages each year, so check the source links before you apply.