Applicants

MEDEX Northwest requires applicants to meet the following academic requirements to qualify: 

1. Bachelor’s degree 
• Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent degree from an accredited foreign institution by December 31st in the year of application. No specific degree discipline or major is required.  
2. Academic course prerequisites 
• All prerequisites coursework must be completed with a minimum combined GPA of 3.2 or better on a 4.0 scale by the application deadline.  
• Courses must be taken at a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S. or an equivalent course from an accredited foreign institution fora letter grade or grade on a 4.0 scale. Before registering for courses, applicants should check the accreditation status of the institution(s)(both online and local) here: Council for Higher Education Accreditation.   
• Coursework must be completed within 7 years of the application.
• Each prerequisite course must be taken as a “standalone” course, separate from other prior certificate training programs and professional degree programs.   
• Read about the academic prerequisite requirements required to apply to the program.  
• Prerequisite courses completed on a pass/no pass grading scale for courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, between Jan 2020 – December 2022 will be accepted.

All applicants must meet a minimum of 2,000 hours of paid, direct, hands-on clinical patient care experience. The most competitive positions will have significant patient care responsibility that includes development of clinical skills and medical decision-making. Competitive examples include: military medicine (corpsman, healthcare specialist, medic, etc.), emergency medicine (paramedic, EMT, ER tech), nursing fields (RN, LPN/LVN), and international medical graduates.

Click here for more detailed information about clinical requirements required to apply to the program.  

English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Please visit the UW Graduate School Policy 3.2: English Language Proficiency Requirements for more information. Applicants who choose to demonstrate proficiency using the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) should submit scores via their CASPA application prior to the application deadline using code #3709. Minimum TOEFL score is 4.5. If offered admission to MEDEX, each prospective student will then be required to apply to the UW Graduate School and non-native English speakers will be required to provide demonstration of English Proficiency. 

MEDEX is not requiring GRE scores. Please provide if available. Scores will not be considered in the application process and will be for internal programmatic data-tracking only. 

A minimum of three (3) letters of reference are recommended with a maximum of five (5) letters allowed through the CASPA application.
A competitive MEDEX applicant will have 3-5 recent references from healthcare professionals who can comment on qualifications and aptitude for the PA profession. The best references will be comprehensive from a source that knows the applicant well, with at least one from a PA.  

Military applicants should submit a DD214 and a Joint Services Transcript or CCAF transcript. To request a DD214 and other proof of service documents please visit the Veterans Service Records web site.  

Social Security numbers must be redacted on all submitted documents.

Applicants are required to submit a personal statement on the CASPA application. This is limited to 5,000 characters and asks the applicant to describe why they want to be a PA. 

Applicants are required to submit a program-specific statement (limited to 1,000 words total) addressing the following questions:   

1. Tell us how your values, strengths, and lived experiences make you a strong fit for MEDEX and its mission and values. 
2. What factors influenced your decision to pursue PA practice, and how have your prior experiences including any interactions with advanced practice providers prepared you for this transition? 
3. What challenges do you anticipate in returning to school, and how do you plan to manage them? 
4. Do you believe your academic history reflects your ability to succeed in PA school? Please explain. 

Applicants who have applied within the last five (5) years are asked to submit a personal narrative (no more than 500 words) that describes what they have done to strengthen their application since previously applying. 

First time applicants during the 2025-2026 application cycle will not be required complete this statement.

Shadowing experience is preferred but not required. A competitive MEDEX applicant will have spent hours shadowing or working directly with a PA in order to understand the role of the profession. The strongest applicants will have experience with PAs in various medical specialties in order to develop a broadened exposure to healthcare.  Virtual shadowing is accepted however in-person is preferred.

Volunteer hours are preferred but not required as MEDEX Northwest continues its core mission to educate highly capable physician assistants who serve the community with uncompromising commitment and compassion. Competitive MEDEX applicants will have a history of volunteerism and connection to their community. While individual short-term volunteering opportunities are valued, applicants with long-term volunteering commitments will be viewed as more competitive.

The program is not able to provide visa sponsorship.