Each year the admissions committee accepts 32 applicants to fill 32 available seats. We require accepted applicants to send a letter of intent to attend as well as send a non-refundable deposit to hold the offered seat. Rarely a student may be unable to attend and withdraw their application and we may offer a seat to additional qualified and competitive applicant to ensure a full class to begin in March, 2009.
Is the GRE exam required?
No. The GRE is not required at this time.
I am a Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG). Can I apply to the WCMC PA Program?
Yes. FMGs and graduates of foreign institutions may apply through the same on-line CASPA application process as US graduates. However, transcripts MUST be evaluated and a US equivalency must be determined. This evaluation may be performed by any of the services listed in our Admissions Section. This evaluation of the foreign transcript must be sent to CASPA prior to completing the online CASPA application to ensure it is sent with the initial CASPA-generated profile to the WCMC PA Program.
I have a foreign degree. Must I take coursework at an institution or university the United States?
While it is not required, we strongly recommend that the prerequisite coursework be completed at a US college or university.
Preclinical Phase FAQ
What is the duration of the preclinical phase?
The preclinical phase is approximately 10 months in duration. It is comprised of three semesters. There is a one-week break between each semester and several holidays.
When do classes begin at the WCMC PA Program?
Classes start during the last week of March. This begins with an orientation week with a white coat ceremony.
Can I work while attending the WCMC PA Program?
The course of study at the WCMC PA Program is extremely demanding and requires a significant amount of time and attention, therefore we do not encourage employment during your matriculation in the WCMC PA Program.
What is the typical day like in the preclinical phase?
Classes usually begin between 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Classes run until 5:00 pm or 7:00 pm with at least an hour for lunch. Classes are intense and require that the students come prepared having read for the lecture in advance. Lectures are often given with the support of PowerPoint and procedural video’s. All students have access to a student website where lecture material is posted for downloading. Learning is also facilitated through lab experience and Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions.
When not in class, many students take advantage of all the unique opportunities to be found in New York City: the theater, amazing parks, museums, unique restaurants, recreation, and more. Some of the more exciting attractions include: Radio City Music Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museums, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The American Museum of Natural History, Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, and Shea Stadium. Many restaurants and shops of every kind are also just blocks away.
What are the Grading Standards at the WCMC PA Program?
The WCMC PA Program follows the grading standards used by the Weill Cornell Medical College. Honors include a score of greater than 93%, High pass is 83-92, and passing is greater than 70%. Only letter grades are recorded on the transcript.
What types of lab sessions are included in the preclinical year?
A highlight of the preclinical year is the cadaver dissection. Here, small groups of PA students learn anatomy by dissection under the tutelage of the Anatomy department faculty. There are also clinical skills labs where bedside procedures are taught, including wound care, venous access, bladder catheters, etc. Students learn Physical Diagnosis skills using a PA student partner as well as professional models.
What type of patient contact will I receive during the preclinical phase of training?
Within the first two months of starting PA school, students spend time, almost every week, rotating on the wards (performing histories and physicals), in the operating room (observing, then participating as appropriate) or observing specialty care in affiliate institutions including NewYork Hospital. Students greatly appreciate the ability to apply their new skills in a real environment. Students are observed and receive faculty feedback to improve their skills.
Who will be the instructors during my training?
Most of your instructors will be the faculty of the WCMC PA Program as well as faculty of the Weill Cornell Medical College or its Graduate School of Medical Science. PA’s who are experts in their field are also invited to give select lectures to current students. As a PA Program with more than 30 years of experience, the teaching base is strong, committed, and well respected.
Can I waive out of or challenge a course?
No. All Students must successfully complete and pass all preclinical courses to be considered for promotion to the clinical phase of the Program.
What makes the preclinical curriculum unique?
Just some of the strengths of the preclinical coursework include active and innovative hands on learning (a wide variety of different laboratory sessions), well established based of faculty and instructors (supporting more than a 30 year track record of success), and early patient contact. This is all supported by the amazing resources of the Weill Cornell Medical College and its affiliates, which include the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and The Hospital for Special Surgery. Weill Cornell Medical College is among the top-ranked clinical and medical research centers in the country.
Clinical Phase FAQ
How long is the clinical phase?
The clinical phase is 16 months in duration. (Total duration includes rotations, vacation time and holiday breaks).
How long is each clinical rotation?
Each clinical rotation is 4 (four) weeks in duration. There are 15 (fifteen) clinical rotations.
Does the program allow rotations outside of New York or the United States?
Yes. These “external rotations” may be approved on an individual basis.
Does the Program offer rotations at institutions outside of the Weill-Cornell Medical College-NewYork Presbyterian Hospital affiliated institutions?
Yes. The WCMC PA Program has affiliations with other institutions throughout the NYC area as well as in several other states. Students are allowed to pursue external rotations only if approved by the WCMC PA Program. These are considered external rotations and may be approved on an individual basis, based on availability, and agreements between the WCMC Program and said institutions.
What are the core or required rotations?
There are 10 (ten) required clinical rotations. They include the following: Internal Medicine (x2), Surgery (x2), Pediatrics, Primary Care, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine and an equally divided rotation in Psychiatry/Geriatrics (2 weeks each).
How many elective rotations are there?
There are 5 (five) elective rotations in a variety of medical and surgical environments and specialties.
What are some examples of elective rotations offered to students?
Some examples of elective rotations include: Orthopedic surgery, Trauma, Burn Center, Breast Surgery, Cardiothoracic (CT) Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), Interventional Cardiology and Oncological Surgery. Some students have completed elective rotations in Forensic Medicine and HIV/Infectious Disease.
Are there classes during the clinical year?
Yes. At the end of each clinical rotation there are meetings at the WCMC PA Program classroom. These meetings include student as well as faculty presentations on a variety of topics. Boards review sessions are scheduled as well.
