Janie McDaniel, BSMT, MT(ASCP)SC Chair, CASPA Advisory Committee Director of Admissions Wake Forest University School of Medicine PA Program Welcome on behalf of FDI and CASPA Advisory Committee Admissions Tools of the Trade Webinar

 Pam Harrison Chambers, MPH, PA-C Clinical Outcomes Coordinator Des Moines University PA Program  Doris Dalton, MPA Director of Admissions University of Utah PA Program  Colleen Schierholtz Director of Admissions Oregon Health & Science University PA Program

 Turn on your computer speakers!  Use the Audio Setup in your control panel if you have any problems  If you don’t have speakers:  Dial:  Audio PIN: Shown after joining the Webinar  Turn on your computer speakers!  Use the Audio Setup in your control panel if you have any problems  If you don’t have speakers:  Dial:  Audio PIN: Shown after joining the Webinar  You can send us your questions at any time via the Questions section of the control panel  If we do not get to your question during the webinar, we will respond to you by Housekeeping Notes

Learning Objectives At the end of this session, participants will be able to:  Understand how the growing applicant pool can affect the application review process  Review strategies for screening applications in order to determine the most competitive applicants to be considered for admission  Identify available techniques to streamline the application review process  Compare and contrast an electronic versus paper application review process At the end of this session, participants will be able to:  Understand how the growing applicant pool can affect the application review process  Review strategies for screening applications in order to determine the most competitive applicants to be considered for admission  Identify available techniques to streamline the application review process  Compare and contrast an electronic versus paper application review process

WHY ARE WE HERE? To make your admissions life easier

CASPA APPLICANT DATA Tools of the Trade

CASPA Applicants % +16.6% +15.8% +11.7% +18.7% +16.8% +15.8%

CASPA Applicants +33% +30% +27%

Applicants Per Seat * # Seats2,5842,6362,9903,6943,3753,7153,835 Applicants5,0295,3876,1417,0887,6089,03110,550 Applicants per Available Seat * Beginning 2006, # of seats are determined by # of matriculants reported by programs at the beginning of their academic year through the admissions portal.

Designations per Applicant Programs Applicants4,6695,0475,8856,8127,6089,03110,55012,216 Designations

Tools of the Trade Application Screening Strategies Strategies

Best Practices Tip: When application is received, notify the applicant ( , postcard, etc.)

Who Handles Applications?  Initial Evaluation:  External Admissions Office  PA Program Staff  PA Program Faculty  Formal Review:  PA Program Faculty  Admissions Committee  Initial Evaluation:  External Admissions Office  PA Program Staff  PA Program Faculty  Formal Review:  PA Program Faculty  Admissions Committee

What Do You Look For? Application criteria is typically based on:  GPA (Overall, Science, etc)  Test Scores (GRE, MCAT, etc)  Healthcare Experience:  Direct patient care  Shadowing  Volunteer work  Personal Statement  Letters of Recommendation  Overall gestalt value Application criteria is typically based on:  GPA (Overall, Science, etc)  Test Scores (GRE, MCAT, etc)  Healthcare Experience:  Direct patient care  Shadowing  Volunteer work  Personal Statement  Letters of Recommendation  Overall gestalt value

When Do You Evaluate Applications?  Review as received  Make interview offers on a “rolling” basis  Review as received  Make interview offers only after all are evaluated and scored  Begin review only after all applications have been received  Review as received  Make interview offers on a “rolling” basis  Review as received  Make interview offers only after all are evaluated and scored  Begin review only after all applications have been received

Tools of the Trade Techniques for Streamlining Application Review

Best Practices Tip: Use all available resources to help with your application review Use all available resources to help with your application review

What Are Your Resources? People Technology Process

Resources - People  Review process annually  Identify and utilize current resources  Support from administration  Additional suggestions  Review process annually  Identify and utilize current resources  Support from administration  Additional suggestions

How Do You Assess Applications?  Scoresheet  Objective  Subjective  Other Considerations ( unscored assessment)  Age of science credits  Level of science credits  Reference from PAs  Scoresheet  Objective  Subjective  Other Considerations ( unscored assessment)  Age of science credits  Level of science credits  Reference from PAs

The Rubric as an Example of Assessment Criteria

How to Use Technology to Streamline the Process  Review available tools  Database programs  Spreadsheets  CASPA Portal  Research other available options  Other admissions departments  Other PA programs  Review available tools  Database programs  Spreadsheets  CASPA Portal  Research other available options  Other admissions departments  Other PA programs

Tools of the Trade Electronic vs. Paper Application Review Process Electronic vs. Paper Application Review Process

Best Practices Tip: An electronic review process is the wave of the future, but it takes buy-in and commitment!

What are the Advantages of an Electronic Process?  Space efficiency  Cost efficiency  Time efficiency  Ease of access  Greater security  Space efficiency  Cost efficiency  Time efficiency  Ease of access  Greater security

How Do You Transition to an Electronic Process?  Start slowly, know your resources  Utilize your CASPA tools efficiently  Consider applicant screening through the portal  Hold a workshop to demonstrate how to navigate electronic applications  Create an electronic scoresheet  Design a system to assure efficient “flow”  Start slowly, know your resources  Utilize your CASPA tools efficiently  Consider applicant screening through the portal  Hold a workshop to demonstrate how to navigate electronic applications  Create an electronic scoresheet  Design a system to assure efficient “flow”

How Does an Electronic Process Work? Application received; notify the applicant and review online for minimum requirements Does not meet minimum requirements: reject the applicant Meets minimum requirements Assign groups of qualified applicants to evaluators via e- mail/spreadsheet to review online Evaluators return scores electronically for processing Determine which candidates to interview (top scores) Interviewers have electronic files available to them during interviews, or may use printed materials if preferred

Summary Managing Your Growing Applicant Pool  Reject non-competitive applicants early  Evaluate the need for a change in requirements  Consistent application evaluation is imperative  Use people resources more effectively  Review your process annually  Evaluate available technologies  Consider transition to an electronic process  Give feedback to PAEA  Reject non-competitive applicants early  Evaluate the need for a change in requirements  Consistent application evaluation is imperative  Use people resources more effectively  Review your process annually  Evaluate available technologies  Consider transition to an electronic process  Give feedback to PAEA

Tools of the Trade Questions? Questions?

 Please do not turn off your browser until you see the survey. We would appreciate it if you would take a moment to offer your feedback  If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Toya Vigne : PAEA Meeting Coordinator  For information about CASPA, please contact Ayeshia Ellington Pompey : PAEA Coordinator of Applicant and Student Services  Watch for admissions sessions at the PAEA Education Forum in Portland, Oregon November 4 – 9, 2009  Please do not turn off your browser until you see the survey. We would appreciate it if you would take a moment to offer your feedback  If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Toya Vigne : PAEA Meeting Coordinator  For information about CASPA, please contact Ayeshia Ellington Pompey : PAEA Coordinator of Applicant and Student Services  Watch for admissions sessions at the PAEA Education Forum in Portland, Oregon November 4 – 9, 2009 Thank you for participating!