University of Michigan-Flint PA Program: Emily's Third-Cycle Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Emily applied three cycles in a row — 8 programs, then 5, then 4 — and came close to giving up after her second round of rejections. She gave herself one more chance and earned 3 interviews, two waitlists, and an acceptance into the very first cohort at University of Michigan-Flint. Her stats: 3.5 overall GPA, 318 GRE, and 2500 PCE hours as a CNA, PT tech, and MA.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

Why PA?

I chose PA after shadowing various positions in the medical field. I saw how PAs were able to bridge the gap between patients and providers. They bring well-rounded care to those who need it. I wanted to have a career that allowed me to provide comprehensive care, while forming trusting relationships with my patients.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

8, then 5, then 4

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, the second round of rejections is where most applicants quit, and Emily very nearly did. What is worth noticing is that her third list was her shortest — four programs instead of eight. By that cycle she knew where she actually fit and stopped spreading herself across schools that were never going to be a match. A shorter, better-targeted list with a stronger file beats a long list every time.

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

3, two waitlist, one acceptance

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Emily’s interview advice is practical and underused: your mind really can go blank under pressure, so bring a small reminder note with the few points you refuse to leave without saying.

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

Where will you be attending?

University of Michigan – Flint (First Cohort!)

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

How quickly your mind goes blank! It’s like you get in there and you’ve never done anything in your life! Preparation (and maybe a little reminder note) is key!

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

I used the Personal Statement email process and found that helpful to keep me on track.

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

Keep going. When I had my second round of rejections, I was so close to giving up on PA school. I told myself I’d have one more chance because this was something that I wanted so badly and it paid off. I’m succeeding in PA school and have fallen more in love with the career. If it’s something you really want to do, go out and make it happen!

Where can we find you? (Instagram, TikTok, Website, etc)

Insta: @thatemmilygirl

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Ferris State University
Overall GPA: 3.5
Science GPA: 3.4
GRE: 318
PA-CAT: Did not take
Total PCE hours: 2500, CNA, PT tech, and MA for a plastic surgeon
Total HCE hours: 200, Pediatric Unit Volunteer (Candy striper!)
Shadowing hours: 20 – Shadowed Ortho PAs during downtime at work
Volunteer hours: 200, a variety of college and personal involvements throughout my college career
How many times did you apply?: 3
Age: 26
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the University of Michigan-Flint PA program?

Emily was accepted with a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.4 science GPA. [VERIFY] UM-Flint’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages, especially as a newer program’s numbers can shift quickly.

Does University of Michigan-Flint require the GRE for PA school?

Emily submitted a 318 and did not take the PA-CAT. [VERIFY] whether the GRE is currently required, optional, or not accepted at UM-Flint.

Should you apply to PA school a third time?

Emily did, after nearly quitting following her second round of rejections, and it worked. The key is changing something meaningful between cycles rather than resubmitting the same application. She is now succeeding in PA school.

Is it risky to join a PA program’s first cohort?

Emily is part of the inaugural cohort at UM-Flint. New programs typically hold provisional accreditation while they build a track record. [VERIFY] any program’s current ARC-PA accreditation status and what provisional status means for your graduation timeline.

How many patient care hours do you need for PA school?

Emily applied with 2500 PCE hours across CNA, physical therapy tech, and medical assistant roles, plus 200 HCE hours volunteering on a pediatric unit. [VERIFY] each program’s current minimum PCE requirement.

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

Three cycles, seventeen applications, and one decision to give herself one more chance — that is Emily’s story, and she is now in the first cohort at UM-Flint and more in love with the profession than when she started. If you are staring down another cycle, her words are the ones to carry: keep going.

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

University of Michigan-Flint PA Program: Emily's Third-Cycle Acceptance Story