STEP for MPAS Applicants

Support To Entry Program (STEP) for prospective Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Applicants

STEP for MPAS Applicants

The Support to Entry Program (STEP) is a Cumming School of Medicine initiative designed to help remove barriers for applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to people who self-identify as Black, racialized, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, from a rural or remote community, persons with diverse abilities or those facing financial barriers.

STEP-MPAS provides supports for Parallel Admissions Pathway applicants to the Masters of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. This program is open to individuals who are applying for entry in the fall of 2025 through the MPAS Parallel Admissions Pathways, and who will be submitting their MPAS application by the Feb. 2, 2025 deadline. 

Supports will include an information panel on writing your MPAS Parallel Admissions Pathway Essay and support for Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs).

Note that your application is valid for the 2024-25 MPAS admissions cycle only; you will need to apply annually to STEP-MPAS if interested in supports for future years.

Questions? Contact STEP@ucalgary.ca

STEP-MPAS Registration Form

Click on link below to apply to register for STEP-MPAS. 

Registration Form

Equity Admissions Pathway Essay Support

Those applying to MPAS through a Parallel Admissions Pathway are required to submit a 500-word essay. Linked below is a handout that provides guidance on preparing a Admissions Pathway essay.

MPAS Parallel Admissions Pathways Essay Support Guide

MPAS Application Essay Support Panel

Participants in STEP-MPAS are invited to register for a virtual Application Essay Support Panel session, taking place on:

Date: January 7, 2025
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm 

This free session will provide general information about the application essay required when applying to the University of Calgary CSM - MPAS program, as well as insights and tips from the panel members on their own application essay experiences. Plenty of time will also be available for your questions. This session will be facilitated by of current MPAS students at the Cumming School of Medicine and will take place on Zoom.

Participation in this session is limited to those planning to apply for entry in 2025 to the Cumming School of Medicine MPAS program