Elon University PA Program: Linneah's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Linneah applied to seven programs, interviewed at three, and finished with two acceptances and a waitlist — choosing Elon University. She had a 3.9 overall GPA and a 4.0 in science, took neither the GRE nor the PA-CAT, and brought over 3,000 PCE hours working her way from a local health clinic to an OBGYN medical assistant role at a major hospital network. She was accepted at 27.

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 to become a PA instead of a physician because I'm a curious person. I wanted the flexibility of being able to change my specialty if something new struck my interest. Also, seeing the way PA's and physicians work together, I realized I liked the collaborative nature of the PA role. Finally, there was one PA in particular who I shadowed who was just amazing with his patients. I want to "be like him" when I grow up.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Linneah's shadowing arrangement is worth copying if you can. She used a formal student shadowing program at the hospital network where she already worked, which solves the two hardest parts of shadowing at once — finding willing clinicians and getting cleared to observe. If you work in a hospital system, ask whether such a program exists before cold-emailing anyone. Her file is also an early example of the PA-CAT question. She took neither the GRE nor the PA-CAT and was accepted to two of three programs she interviewed with, which is only workable if you've confirmed that the programs on your list don't require either. Her point about interviewing the school back is well earned, since faculty connection is what decided her among multiple offers.

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

I had three interviews. I was accepted to two programs and waitlisted at the third.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Linneah's science GPA (4.0) is higher than her overall (3.9), which is the favorable direction. If your prerequisite science coursework is your strongest work, that reads very well to programs weighting science GPA.

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Where will you be attending?

Elon University

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

It really is true, you are interviewing the school as much as they are interviewing you. The connection I had with the faculty who interviewed me really helped me to narrow down my choice of program since I was given multiple offers.

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

The PA Platform

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

Take it step by step and then let it go. Love the moment you're in, throw yourself into the challenge that is before you in this moment and don't worry so much about things falling into place. If you work hard at the small things each day, they will.

Where can we find you?

@Linneah_anne_olsen on Instagram

Need to Know:

Undergraduate Education: Liberty University
Overall GPA: 3.9
Science GPA: 4.0
GRE: Did not take
PA-CAT: Did not take
Total PCE hours: 3000+ I worked in a local health clinic before transferring to a major hospital network where I now work as an OBGYN MA.
Total HCE hours: 1000. I started taking calls at the desk in a local health clinic and also worked in a hospital pharmacy during the COVID-19 vaccine roll out.
Shadowing hours: 100. I shadowed PAs and physicians at the hospital network where I worked through a student shadowing program.
Volunteer hours: 50. I volunteered at my church in the youth ministry and summer camps.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: I am 28, but was accepted at 27
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Elon University PA program?

Linneah was accepted with a 3.9 overall GPA and a 4.0 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm Elon's current minimum GPA requirements.

Does the Elon University PA program require the GRE or PA-CAT?

Linneah took neither the GRE nor the PA-CAT and was accepted. [VERIFY] Confirm Elon's current testing requirements, as policies on both exams vary by program and change between cycles.

What is the PA-CAT?

The PA-CAT is a standardized exam covering prerequisite science content, used by some PA programs as an admissions metric. Not all programs require or accept it — Linneah didn't take it and was still accepted to two programs. [VERIFY] Confirm which programs on your list currently require it.

How many patient care hours do you need for the Elon PA program?

Linneah applied with more than 3,000 PCE hours, progressing from a local health clinic to an OBGYN medical assistant role, plus 1,000 HCE hours and 100 shadowing hours. [VERIFY] Confirm the program's current PCE requirements.

How do you find shadowing opportunities at a hospital?

Ask whether your employer has a formal student shadowing program. Linneah shadowed PAs and physicians through exactly that at the hospital network where she worked, which handled both the introductions and the access clearance.

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

Linneah was accepted at 27 with excellent grades, no standardized tests at all, and a clinical record she built by moving steadily from a front desk to an OBGYN medical assistant role. Her advice is unusually calm for this process — work hard at the small things each day and stop trying to force the timeline — and coming from someone who went two-for-three on interviews, it holds up.

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Elon University PA Program: Linneah's Acceptance Story