What does the ARC-PA think about AI in the admissions process?

We asked them at the 2025 PAEA annual conference, and here's what they said

We decided to ask the ARC-PA directly: are you ok with PA programs using artificial intelligence to assist with their admissions process? In case you didn't know, the ARC-PA is the governing body for the certification of PA programs across the United States. They are known for rigorous standards, to say the least.

We were at the annual 2025 PAEA conference a few days ago in San Diego, and two representatives from the ARC-PA were at the vendor booth. They had peanut-covered M&M's, so we were compelled to stop and chat. These two ARC-PA members were exactly opposite of the stereotype—warm, welcoming, and with years of experience as former PA program directors. Other program directors we talked to at the Meshwell booth were drowning in applications, and they badly wanted to use artificial intelligence to help with the process.

So we decided to ask the ARC-PA about the bottom line. Is it compliant with the ARC-PA for PA programs to use artificial intelligence in the application process? Yes, absolutely they said. Whether humans or AI review applications, the important thing is that programs continue to practice the selection criteria that they state publically on their website. If you're giving extra points to veterans, the ARC-PA wants you to state that clearly on your site. If you're giving special considerations to students interested in rural medicine, that needs to be reported too.

Whether humans or AI review applications, the important thing is that programs continue to practice the selection criteria that they state publically on their website.

At some point, someone said that anything worth knowing is worth writing down, so we asked the ARC-PA to memorialize their answers on their anonymous Q&A forum. Here's the screenshot of our question to them on Padlet:

Within the afternoon, we checked back on the message board, and voila! Here was their unequivocal response: The standards do not prevent programs from using AI is a part of the admissions process as long as the criteria that the program uses to assess the applicants are published to the prospective students.

We were assured, and also not surprised. In our extensive discussions with program directors across the country, it's clear that the academic PA community is thoughtful and future-focused when it comes to the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education. In the case of running admissions for PA schools, AI makes good sense. Unburden faculty from screening thousands of applications, give more students the opportunity to interview with AI-powered interviews, lower the cost of application fees, and protect faculty from burnout. Upwards and onwards! 🚀

–Meshwell Staff