Paramedic to PA School: Amanda's Acceptance Story (7 F's, Academically Disqualified, 8,000+ PCE Hours)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Amanda's transcript includes seven F grades, several withdrawals and an academic disqualification from her first university. She rebuilt to a 3.17 overall and 3.38 science GPA, accumulated more than 8,000 patient care hours as a paramedic, EMT and ER tech, and applied to seventeen programs. Two interview offers, accepted after the first one, and she withdrew everything else.

Last Updated: August 3, 2026

Your Pre-PA Bestie Blog - everything you need to know to become a PA in one place.

A Note From Savanna

Meet Amanda. She reached out to share her story of how she was accepted into PA school this year with a low GPA. This is such a common concern with Pre-PA students, and it can be done! You still have to meet the minimums and make sure your application shines in as many ways as possible, but a few bad grades (or a lot) won’t completely disqualify you.

Make sure to follow Amanda as she starts PA school on Instagram by following @thisPAadventure

In this post:

How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?

2 interview offers, accepted after my first interview and declined the other interview. Withdrew all my other applications.

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, an academic disqualification is the single most intimidating thing an applicant can carry, and Amanda's outcome shows it is survivable. What made it work was volume and recency — a completed paramedicine degree at a different university, a 3.17 cumulative rebuilt from a very low base, and more than 8,000 hours of high-acuity patient care. Committees are assessing whether you can succeed now. Give them years of recent evidence that you can, and the old transcript becomes context rather than a verdict.

Any red flags on your application?

Low GPA, academically disqualified from my first University, 7 F’s and a few W’s

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Amanda practiced hundreds of potential interview questions and then abandoned every rehearsed answer on the day, going with instinct instead. That is not wasted preparation — rehearsing that volume is what made her fluent enough to improvise safely.

****INSERT FREE LEAD MAGNET FORM OR HTML BLOCK AND DELETE TEXT BOX*****

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

The school that I interviewed at, and was accepted to, was incredibly welcoming and made an effort to put the candidates feel at ease. I practiced hundreds of potential questions; but, when it came time for the interview, I didn’t use my rehearsed answers and just went with genuine gut feeling answers.

Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps) you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or interview process?

The PA Platform, YouTube, Physician Assistant Forum, Facebook groups: The Pre-PA Club and pre-pa rockstars. Book: How to “Ace” the Physician Assistant Interview, by: Andrew Rodican. (Amazon Affiliate Link)

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Don’t be discouraged if you have a LOW GPA or some bad grades. Make your application shine in other ways with stellar patient care hours or an amazing personal statement. Be true to yourself and show your passion. Remember, it only takes one!

Where can we find you?

Instagram @thisPAadventure

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Central Washington University, BS: Paramedicine
Overall GPA: 3.17
Science GPA: 3.38
GRE: 309 (Verbal:157 Quantitative: 152 Writing:5)
Total HCE hours: 520 hours
Total PCE hours: 8,000+ hours (Paramedic, EMT, ER Tech)
Shadowing hours: 30 hours (Emergency and family practice)
Other volunteer hours: 215 hours (Homeless and at-risk youth)
LORs: Chief of Emergency MD, Emergency PA, Paramedic preceptor
How many times did you apply?: First time
Age: 27
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 17

FAQ

Can you get into PA school after being academically disqualified?

Yes. Amanda was academically disqualified from her first university and had seven F grades and several withdrawals on her transcript, and was accepted on her first PA school application. She rebuilt with a paramedicine degree, a 3.17 cumulative GPA and over 8,000 patient care hours. [VERIFY] Some programs will not consider applicants with academic dismissals — check before applying.

Can you get into PA school with F grades on your transcript?

It is possible. Amanda had seven and still earned an acceptance, because her recent academic record and her clinical experience were both strong. Most programs calculate a cumulative GPA that includes failed courses, so the rebuild has to be substantial. [VERIFY] Confirm minimum prerequisite grade requirements.

Do paramedic hours count as patient care experience for PA school?

Yes, paramedic work is among the most highly regarded forms of patient care experience because of its autonomy and acuity. Amanda accumulated 8,000+ hours across paramedic, EMT and ER tech roles.

How many patient care hours can offset a low GPA?

There is no fixed exchange rate, but Amanda’s 8,000+ hours were substantial enough to overcome a 3.17 GPA and a disqualification. Very high hour totals in autonomous clinical roles give a committee concrete reason to weigh recent performance over old grades.

Should you withdraw your other PA school applications after being accepted?

Amanda declined her second interview and withdrew all remaining applications immediately after her acceptance. If you are certain of your choice, withdrawing promptly frees interview slots and seats for other applicants and saves you application and travel costs.

How can I be featured in an Accepted! post?

Email [email protected] or use the contact form at The PA Platform to share your acceptance story.

CLOSING

Seven F's and an academic disqualification, and Amanda was accepted at the first PA school that interviewed her. She did not erase any of it — she listed it plainly as a red flag. What changed was eight thousand hours of paramedic and emergency work and a second degree completed properly. Her own line covers it: make the application shine somewhere else, because it only takes one.

***INSERT HTML SERVICE BLOCK CTA****

Paramedic to PA School: Amanda's Acceptance Story (7 F's, Academically Disqualified, 8,000+ PCE Hours)