If you didn’t major in biology or something medical, and now you’re panicking about whether that disqualifies you from PA school—deep breath. You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not doomed.

One of the most common questions we get at Pre-PA Clinic is:
“Do I have to be a science major to get into PA school?”

The short answer? Nope.

PA schools don’t actually care what your major is—what they do care about is how well you’ve met their prerequisites and whether your overall application shows you’re ready for the rigor of PA school.

Let’s break down what that means—and what to do if your major wasn’t in the sciences.

What PA Schools Are Actually Looking For

PA programs are built to train medical providers, but they understand that future PAs come from all kinds of academic backgrounds. Your major doesn’t need to be in biology or chemistry—what matters more is that you’ve successfully completed the required coursework.

Here’s what admissions committees focus on when reviewing your application:

• Completion of prerequisite courses (like A&P, Microbiology, Chemistry, etc.)
• Strength of your science and overall GPA
• Evidence that you can handle rigorous academic material
• Clinical and healthcare experience
• Your understanding of the PA profession
• Your personal statement and letters of recommendation

If you majored in psychology, business, education, or even theater—amazing. That diversity of thought and background actually brings value to the profession. The key is making sure you’ve covered your prereqs and built a strong application around them.

But What If You Didn’t Do Well in Science Courses?

Here’s where things get a little more nuanced. If you weren’t a science major and your science GPA is low, you’ll likely need to put in some extra work to show you’re academically ready.

PA school is no joke. It’s intense. And schools want to be confident that you can handle that kind of pressure. If you didn’t do well in your initial science courses or if your GPA is borderline, consider:

• Retaking key science classes
• Taking upper-level science courses (like Biochem, Genetics, or Pathophysiology) to demonstrate improvement
• Completing a post-bacc or a few semesters of targeted GPA repair

The goal here is to show an upward trend and prove that you’re serious, capable, and academically prepared—even if your transcript started off a little rocky.

How to Use a Non-Science Major to Your Advantage

This is where it gets fun.

You might be thinking your business, English, art/dance, or communications degree puts you at a disadvantage—but it can actually be a huge asset.

Your unique background brings skills and insights that science majors may not have. For example:

• English or journalism majors are usually strong communicators—something that is essential for PAs in both patient care and interdisciplinary teams.
• Business majors bring leadership skills, organizational strategy, and a systems-based mindset that can thrive in clinical settings.

The trick is weaving your background into your personal statement and CASPA experiences to show how your major adds to your perspective as a future PA. Make the connection clear: how did your major shape your understanding of healthcare? How does it make you a better provider?

Don’t just explain your path—own it.

You’re Not Behind. You’re Just Taking a Different Path.

Your major doesn’t define your future. What matters is what you do with the experiences, education, and opportunities you’ve had.

If you’ve completed your prereqs, gained solid clinical experience, and can articulate why you’re pursuing this path—you’re already on track.

And if you’re still not sure how to frame your major, tell your story, or stand out in a sea of biology degrees—that’s exactly what we help with inside our Application to Acceptance Course. We walk you through every step of building a competitive application, no matter what your major was.

The path to PA school isn’t one-size-fits-all.
But if you’re willing to do the work, there’s space for you at the table.

➡️ Ready to build your strongest application? Learn more about our A2A course here! You’ve got this. And we’ve got you. 💙