Learn about applying
The University of California San Diego School of Medicine Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program is committed to building and sustaining a diverse academic community of faculty, staff, and learners. We aim to attract and admit diverse learners with the potential for clinical excellence, whose interests align with the mission, vision, and core values of the program. The program is dedicated to a holistic admissions process that considers the lived experiences, attributes, and academic achievements of each applicant, recognizing their unique potential to serve as future clinicians.
Secondary Application and Fee
The Secondary Application and Fee for the 2025-2026 application cycle opens on April 24, 2025, and will close on August 1, 2025, at 11:59 ET/8:59 PM PT. The secondary application questions are available in the CASPA Application portal (under Program Materials) once the UC San Diego Atkinson Physican Assistant Education Program is selected.
Payment of the Secondary Application fee must be completed through the payment portal found at: [insert link] and is required AFTER submitting the CASPA Application. Applicants who do not submit the Secondary Application fee payment of $135 USD, will not be processed. Applicants should keep a copy of the payment receipt for their records should the program be unable to confirm payment was made before the August 1 deadline.
Secondary Application Fee Waiver
Applicants who have received a CASPA fee waiver may have their UC San Diego Secondary Application fee waived. Proof of CASPA fee waiver is required. Applicants who qualify for a fee waiver should NOT pay the Secondary Application fee and should instead upload the CASPA fee waiver to the CASPA application under the Program Materials-Documents section.
Refunds
The Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program will not refund Secondary Application fees due to CASPA-related issues (e.g., non-verification, late-verification, and non-completion), or any expenses incurred by applicants during the application and/or interview process, regardless of accreditation status.
All programs and initiatives coordinated by the School of Medicine and its units are designed and implemented in full compliance with Proposition 209 and the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy. More information about Proposition 209 can be found here. More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here