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EDGE-PA is a free, virtual pipeline program designed to expand access to Physician Associate (PA) education.

The program supports students who have faced significant personal or academic barriers. Through mentorship, educational enrichment, and admissions guidance, EDGE-PA helps students across the U.S. prepare to apply to PA programs with confidence.

Applications for the EDGE-PA 2027 Cohort are now open.

Application Window: July 1, 2026 to September 1, 2026
Program Start Date: January 2027
Program End Date: November 2027

Our History and Evolution

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Lucy W. Kibe, the EDGE-PA pilot program began with a focused mission: to support Black men, a group historically underrepresented in the PA profession (). Its early success with the 2022鈥�2024 cohorts demonstrated how targeted mentorship, application guidance, and community building can empower aspiring PAs.

In 2025, fueled by new partnerships and a broader vision, EDGE鈥慞A expanded its outreach to qualified applicants of all racial, ethnic, and gender identities, while preserving its core values of equity, access, and community impact.

Our Vision

A future where equal access to Physician Associate education empowers every qualified applicant to succeed.

Our Mission

To open doors to Physician Associate (PA) education for students who have faced significant barriers in life or in their academic journey.

What We Offer

Academic Enrichment

• Opportunity to audit real-time PA program courses to gain early exposure to the didactic curriculum.
• Review of anatomy and pathophysiology principles with clinical integration.
• Interactive patient case study sessions focused on enhancing clinical reasoning and critical thinking, led by PA faculty.

CASPA & Admissions Preparation

• Structured guidance on completing the CASPA application, selecting schools, uploading documents, and meeting deadlines.
• Individualized sessions and group workshops to craft authentic personal statements aligned with each applicant鈥檚 story.
• Mock interview practice with individualized feedback.
• Live interactive sessions with several PA program faculty and admissions teams from all over the country.

Preparation for the Rigor of PA School

Students learn and practice skills including:

• Lecture mastery
• Effective note-taking
• Study strategies
• Test-taking
• Memory/recall
• Emotional Intelligence
• Professionalism
• Teamwork
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Time management
• Maintaining wellness
• Effective communication

Mentorship & Long-Term Support

• Each student is paired with a practicing PA, PA student, or trained staff member for ongoing mentorship.
• Continued support while enrolled in PA school.

Professional Development

• Guest speaker series by clinicians, educators, and motivational speakers.
• Peer-to-peer engagement throughout the program.
• Students are encouraged to shadow licensed PAs in their communities.

Program Format

• 100% Virtual
• Asynchronous learning, with assignments and quizzes
• Live Zoom/TEAMS Sessions
• Individual mentorship meetings

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must have completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree or be on track to graduate by the Spring semester of the year they plan to submit their CASPA primary application.
• Applicants must have faced significant life or academic challenges on their path to becoming a physician associate. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Financial hardship.
  • First-generation college student status.
  • Academic setback.
  • Geographic barriers (e.g., limited access to healthcare mentorship or clinical experiences).
  • Previous unsuccessful PA school application (reapplicant status).
• Applicants must commit to allocating 5-7 hours per week to EDGE-PA program activities, including completing academic assignments, attending program and mentor-mentee meetings, and other program-related activities and events.

Become a Mentor or Shadowing Preceptor

Whether you鈥檇 like to offer mentorship or provide shadowing opportunities as a preceptor, your support can make a meaningful difference. As a Mentor, you鈥檒l share your expertise and guidance with aspiring healthcare professionals through virtual or in-person mentorship. As a Preceptor, you鈥檒l open your clinical setting to students seeking hands-on experience and real-world insights into healthcare.