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Pathologists' Assistant Program

FAQ

About the Program

How many students are admitted to each cohort?
Our inaugural cohort (2026) will offer 6 spots, with the intention to increase enrollment up to 12 students per year.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
UW Graduate School requires applicants to have a 3.0 GPA. At this time, they calculate GPA in a variety of ways which are outlined in Graduate School Policy 3.1: Admission

Can I work during the program?
This is a rigorous, full-time program of at least 20 in-class hours per week. Outside work, though highly discouraged, is not banned. You will be asked to notify us of outside work commitments, but school is expected to be the priority and accommodations for outside work will not be made.

Can all or some of the program be completed remotely or online?
The program is only offered in person.

Do you accept transfer students from other programs?
No, we do not accept transfer students from other programs

Is there a part-time option?
There is no part-time option at this time. However, a few other programs have recently released new tracts that include part-time options which is a very exciting opportunity for the profession.

Do I get to choose where I complete my rotations?
Rotation placements are not guaranteed, but preferences will be considered as much as feasible when creating rotation schedules.

Do I need to provide my own housing and transportation for off-site practicums?
Yes, transportation and housing are outside the scope of what our program provides at this time. You will get your rotation schedule with enough advance notice to find housing and transportation, if necessary.

Does my coursework for an MLS/MLT program qualify as prerequisites or as program credits for this program?
Congratulations on your MLS/MLT! We are happy to have you as part of the pathology and laboratory workforce. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that your coursework fulfills all the prerequisites for our program. None of your coursework will count towards program credit.

 

About the Application Process

1. When do applications open and when is the deadline?
Applications are currently closed for the 2026 cohort. We expect the application window for the 20287 cohort to be July 1 – Nov 15.

2. Where do I apply?
You can start an application from the UW Graduate School Apply Now page

3. What materials do I need to submit?
A Completed online application includes

    • GRE scores
      • upload an official score report to your application and
      • add the UW code (4854) in ETS when you take the GRE
        • Scores take 10-14 days to become accessible and must be received by Dec 1 for your application to be considered
        • If you are concerned that it won’t make the deadline, send the GRE Score report to pathassist@uw.edu
    • Unofficial transcripts (official required if admitted)
      • must show all prerequisite coursework
      • if you haven’t completed all prerequisite coursework by the application deadline, See #5!
    • Resume or CV
    • Essay
    • Shadowing experience documentation (see #7)
    • Three letters of recommendation

4. What are the prerequisite coursework requirements?

  • College-level English
  • College-level Algebra or higher
  • General Biology with labs
    • one-year sequence;
    • this should be a sequence of courses usually required prior to upper-level biology coursework. Random biology-prefix courses will not count, unless the entry-level sequence was a prerequisite to those courses.
  • General Chemistry with labs
    • one-year sequence
  • Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry
    • at least one term
    • with labs if offered*
  • Microbiology with lab
  • Total: 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of science
    *Labs are required unless your institution does not offer them (provide documentation for a waiver).

5. Do I need to have completed all prerequisite courses before applying?
No. You may apply while finishing prerequisite courses, but you must complete all required courses by the time you start the program (matriculation). If you have not completed all coursework you must submit a prerequisite plan that includes the courses you have left to complete, when/where you plan to take them, and the date they will be completed.

Please Note: On the application you agree to send transcripts as soon as you have them for all ongoing coursework. Admissions will be contingent on completing the prerequisite coursework before matriculation.

6. Are GRE scores required and is there a minimum score?
Yes, GRE scores are required for all applicants. There is no minimum GRE score for application review—applications are reviewed holistically. However, we expect successful applicants to have scores that are average or above average.

NOTE: You do not need to complete the GRE before submitting your application, so long as you complete the GRE before the application deadline. Official scores can be sent to UW using code 4854 and must be received and processed through UW before you can matriculate. Attach your official Score Report to your application or send it to pathassist@uw.edu by Dec 1.

7. Is shadowing required and how do I document it?
Yes, shadowing is required for all applicants.

  • Note: Work as a grossing tech or observing a PA while being paid to do other work does not count as shadowing in surgical pathology.
  • You can attest to shadowing hours in surgical pathology, autopsy or forensic pathology, pediatric pathology, and other relevant areas within the application.
    • You will be asked to document who you shadowed with for verification purposes, if needed.
  • Do not include work or volunteer experience that is already listed on your resume in the Shadowing Experience section of the application.

8. Recommendations

Letters of recommendation are required by Dec 1.
Your recommender will be notified once you add them to your application and will be responsible for completing the evaluation through their own access portal. You will not be able to upload the recommendation for them.
You can log in to the application portal to confirm that evaluations have been received after submitting.
Note: We highly suggest that you waive access to the letters of recommendation in the portal.

19. How are applications reviewed?
Applications are reviewed holistically, considering academic preparation, relevant experience (work, volunteer, or shadowing in patient care and lab/pathology settings), your essay, references, and overall fit with program values.

10. When and how will interviews and admissions decisions be communicated?
Interviews will be held via Zoom in January, following the application deadline.
Admissions decisions will be announced no later than March 15, but likely earlier.

11. Is there an opportunity to see campus and meet faculty?
Yes! Applicants who are admitted or waitlisted will be invited to a “Slide Into UW Day” on campus. This event offers a guided opportunity to explore Seattle, walk around campus, see our lab and classroom facilities, and meet the faculty and staff before making a final decision about attending.
Those invited to interview will receive more details about the Slide Into UW Day in their invitation so you can prepare in advance for travel or time off work, if needed.

12. How many students are admitted each year?
We expect to admit 6 students for 2026, 9 for 2027, and up to 12 students per cohort beginning in 2028.

13. Can I get help or ask questions during the application process?
Yes!

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