CASPA GPA scale and grading policy
Quick answer: Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA GPA) uses the caspa recalculates undergraduate gpa on a 4.0 scale and reports multiple gpas: overall, science, bcp, non-science, and post-baccalaureate. CASPA averages all grades from all transcripts — retakes do not replace original grades. AP credit is generally not included. The CASPA GPA, not your school GPA, is what PA programs see.
| Metric | CASPA Standard |
|---|---|
| Typical admit GPA | PA programs: 3.5 - 3.7 CASPA GPA |
| Good standing minimum | 3.0 (typical pre-PA floor) |
| Dean's List threshold | 3.6+ for competitive PA program admission |
| Scale type | CASPA recalculates undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale and reports multiple GPAs: overall, science, BCP, non-science, and post-baccalaureate. |
How CASPA recalculates GPA for admission
CASPA averages all grades from all transcripts — retakes do not replace original grades. AP credit is generally not included. The CASPA GPA, not your school GPA, is what PA programs see. The number you submit on your transcript and the number CASPA uses in its admission decision may differ. Use the calculator above to model both — switch the preset to match CASPA's policy.
Maintaining a good CASPA GPA
- Track cumulative GPA, not just semester GPA. Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA GPA) reports both. Most academic warnings trigger on the cumulative number.
- Use the credit-weighted scoring above.A 4-credit course's grade affects your GPA 33% more than a 3-credit course's grade.
- Plan for honors. 3.6+ for competitive PA program admission. Use the GPA Goal Calculator to see what grade average you need next semester to qualify.
- Check the grade replacement policy. CASPA, like most universities, has a grade-replacement policy for retaken courses. Removing a low grade from the cumulative is the single biggest GPA lift.