So, you’re looking at Drexel. Specifically, the Physician Assistant (PA) program. It’s got that big-city Philly energy, a solid reputation, and—honestly—a prerequisite list that can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube in the dark. If you're aimlessly scrolling through forums trying to figure out if your 498 hours of EMT work will cut it, stop. We need to talk about what Drexel actually demands for the 2026-2027 cycle, because "close enough" doesn't really work here.
Getting into PA school is already a marathon. Drexel makes it a marathon with hurdles.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
Let’s start with the hard line in the sand. Drexel University’s PA program requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 science GPA. Don't let someone tell you that a 2.9 is "basically a 3.0." CASPA (the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) does the math, and if that number starts with a 2, your application likely won't even be looked at.
Interestingly, for the Class of 2027, the average GPA of students who actually got seats was significantly higher—sitting closer to a 3.82 for some cohorts. It’s competitive. Like, really competitive.
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What about the GRE? Here is a bit of good news: Drexel does not require the GRE. They don't even look at it. If you’ve spent three months memorizing vocabulary words like "loquacious," you can save that for your first date, because Drexel doesn't care. They’ve moved toward a more holistic review, focusing on what you've actually done in a clinic rather than how well you can solve a geometry problem under pressure.
Coursework: The 10-Year Clock is Ticking
One thing that catches people off guard is the "recency" rule. For the current cycle, all your drexel pa program prerequisites must have been completed within 10 years of matriculation. If you took Bio I back in 2014, it’s basically ancient history in their eyes. You’re going to have to retake it.
Here’s the breakdown of what you need to have on your transcript:
- Biology: Two courses with labs. We’re talking the heavy hitters—General Bio I and II.
- Chemistry: Two courses with labs. Again, General Chemistry I and II.
- Anatomy & Physiology: This is a big one. You need two semesters (or three quarters) with labs.
- Microbiology: One course. A lab is recommended, but not strictly required.
- Organic Chemistry: One course. Same deal here—lab is recommended but they won't penalize you if you didn't have it.
- Psychology: One course.
- Statistics: One course.
- English Composition: Two courses (or a writing-intensive equivalent).
Quick tip: Drexel doesn't accept online labs for science prerequisites. If you took "Kitchen Chemistry" during the pandemic and did your labs via Zoom, you need to check if those specifically count. Generally, they want to see you've actually held a pipette in a physical room.
The Patient Care Hours Trap
This is where most people get tripped up. Drexel requires a minimum of 500 hours of direct, hands-on patient care experience.
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But here is the reality check: the average student getting in has somewhere around 2,633 hours.
If you apply with exactly 500 hours, you're competing against people who have been working as paramedics, nurses, or surgical techs for three years. It’s not just about "checking the box." They want to see that you’ve seen the "gross" side of medicine and you’re still coming back for more.
What counts?
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- EMT/Paramedic (The gold standard, basically).
- CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant).
- Medical Assistant (Back-office stuff doesn't count as much; they want "back-of-the-house" clinical work).
- Phlebotomist.
- Physical Therapy Aide.
- Scribe (Drexel does accept scribing, which is a relief for many, but hands-on roles usually carry more weight).
The Shadowing Requirement (or Lack Thereof)
Shadowing is "strongly recommended" but not technically a hard requirement with a set hour count. However, it's sorta a "read between the lines" situation. If you haven't shadowed a PA, how do you know you want to be one?
Drexel likes to see that you've shadowed in primary care. Why? Because the PA profession was founded on the idea of filling the primary care gap. Showing you understand that "front-line" medicine is a huge plus. Virtual shadowing is okay if you're in a pinch, but in-person is always the king of the mountain.
Letters of Recommendation: Don't Ask Your Mom
You need two letters. That’s it. But they have to be the right two.
Drexel prefers letters from people who have supervised you in a clinical setting or academic instructors who know your brain. A letter from a PA you shadowed for four hours isn't going to do much. A letter from a Lead Medic who watched you handle a cardiac arrest? That’s gold.
Deadlines and the "Rolling" Reality
The application cycle usually opens in late April and closes around September 1st.
Wait, I’ll say that again. It closes September 1st. Many other programs go until December or January, but Drexel wants their cohort settled early. Because they use a rolling admissions process, the earlier you get your CASPA verified, the better your chances. If you wait until August 30th to hit submit, you're fighting for the last few remaining interview spots.
Actionable Steps for Your Application
- Audit Your Transcript: Check the dates. Is your Chemistry 101 from 2015? If so, sign up for a community college course now. Don't wait for the rejection letter to realize you're outside the 10-year window.
- Beef Up the Hours: If you're at 600 hours, don't stop working. Keep logging those hours right up until you submit. High-quality hours (like ER Tech or Paramedic) beat high-quantity low-quality hours every time.
- Find a Primary Care PA: Reach out now for shadowing. Even 20 hours in a family practice clinic will significantly strengthen the "Why PA?" section of your personal statement.
- Draft Your Personal Statement Early: Drexel wants to know your "why." Avoid the cliché "I want to help people." Everyone wants to help people. Tell them about the time a patient's situation actually changed how you think about medicine.
- Calculate Your Science GPA: Don't rely on your school's transcript. Use a CASPA GPA calculator. They count every single attempt at a class. If you failed Bio and then got an A, CASPA averages them. Know your real number before you pay the application fees.