Just submitted your CASPA application? Here’s what happens next—including the verification timeline, when schools start reviewing apps, and the most important things to do while you wait

You submitted your CASPA application—cue the deep breath, the happy dance, and the mini panic spiral. 🎉😅

We get it. You worked your tail off to pull together your personal statement, experience paragraphs, and every last detail of your app. And now… it’s just out there.

So, what happens now? When will you hear back? Is it normal that your status still says “In-Progress”? What should you actually be doing while you wait?

Let’s break it all down.

✅ CASPA Verification: What It Means and How Long It Takes

After you hit “Submit,” your application enters the verification process. This is when CASPA reviews your coursework entries and matches them to your official transcripts to calculate your GPAs.

Key things to know:

• CASPA will not start verifying your application until all your transcripts and payment have been received.
• Once your app is considered “Complete,” it moves to “In-Progress” and then finally to “Verified.”
• Verification can take anywhere from 2–4 weeks, especially during peak season (June–August).

📌 Pro tip: Log in regularly to make sure your transcripts have been marked “Received.” If one is missing, your application won’t move forward.

🕐 When Do PA Schools Start Reviewing Applications?

This depends on the school—but here’s a general rule of thumb:

• Many programs begin reviewing applications as soon as they’re verified (especially those with rolling admissions).
• Some schools wait until their internal deadline to review all applications at once.
• Schools that use rolling admissions often fill interview spots early, so earlier verification = better chances.

⏳ If your app is submitted and verified by June or July, you’re in a great spot.

📝 What You Should Be Doing While You Wait

Just because your app is in doesn’t mean your work is done. Here’s how to stay productive (and strategic):

1. Prepare for Interviews
Start practicing common PA school interview questions, especially behavioral ones. You don’t want your first interview to be your real interview. Once you receive your first interview invite, do a Mock Interview the week before your big day!

2. Continue Gaining Experience
Whether it’s patient care, volunteering, or shadowing—keep going. Schools love to see commitment even after submission, and you can always update them later. Aim for 3-4 hours of PA shadowing AND volunteering every month until accepted, and as many PCE/HCE hours as you can get.

3. Track Your Applications
Create a spreadsheet with:

• School names and deadlines
• Submission and verification dates
• Whether they accept updates
• Status (interview, rejection, etc.)

4. Update Schools (When Allowed)
If you complete new certifications, gain additional hours, or receive a new grade in a prerequisite, some programs allow updates. Check their policy before sending anything.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Submitting CASPA is a huge step—so take a moment to celebrate how far you’ve come. But don’t ghost your journey now. Your most competitive, confident self keeps showing up even after you hit submit.

You’ve got this. And we’ve got your back every step of the way.