UT Southwestern PA Program: Maddie's First-Cycle Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Maddie applied once, to 9 programs, and landed 3 interviews that produced a waitlist, a rejection, and an acceptance to UT Southwestern. She got there with a 3.32 overall GPA, a 3.2 science GPA, a 307 GRE, 1000+ PCE hours as an RBT, MA, and PCA, and 518 volunteer hours. Her advice: apply even if you do not feel competitive.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

Why PA?

Love more time seen w patients(patient-centered care), lateral mobility, work-life balance

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, the single most common regret we hear is from applicants who sat out a cycle because they had talked themselves out of being competitive. Maddie’s numbers are a useful counterweight: a 3.32 overall and 3.2 science GPA got her an acceptance to one of the most competitive programs in Texas on her first try. Meeting the requirements and being able to articulate what you bring is genuinely the bar for hitting submit — the admissions committee gets to make the rest of the decision.

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

3; 1 waitlist,1 rejection, 1 acceptance

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Maddie logged 188 shadowing hours across surgery, pain management, and pediatrics, including 24 hours of virtual shadowing — a reminder that virtual hours can meaningfully round out your exposure when in-person access is limited.

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

Where will you be attending?

UTSW

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

How arbitrary the MMI questions can be

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

Savanna Perrys interview and personal statement guide books, facebook support groups

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

APPLY even if you think you aren’t competitive. As long ad you meet the requirements and believe you can bring something to the table, do it.

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

Ig:@maddieinscrubs

Need to Know:

Undergraduate Education: UT Austin
Overall GPA: 3.32
Science GPA: 3.2
GRE: 307, 4.0 writing
PA-CAT: Did not take
Total PCE hours: 1000+; RBT, MA, PCA
Total HCE hours: 934; scribe, hospital volunteer
Shadowing hours: 188; PA (surgery and pain management and pediatric), 24 hrs virtual shadowing
Volunteer hours: 518, hospital volunteer, nursing home, autistic center, etc
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 23
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for UT Southwestern’s PA program?

Maddie was accepted with a 3.32 overall GPA and a 3.2 science GPA. [VERIFY] UT Southwestern’s current published minimum GPA and the most recent matriculating class average, as both change by cycle.

Does UT Southwestern require the GRE for the PA program?

Maddie submitted a 307 with a 4.0 writing score and did not take the PA-CAT. [VERIFY] whether the GRE is currently required, optional, or not accepted at UT Southwestern before you sit for it.

Can you get into PA school with a 3.3 GPA?

Yes. Maddie applied to 9 programs with a 3.32 overall GPA, earned 3 interviews, and was accepted to UT Southwestern on her first cycle. Strong experience hours and a clear application narrative can carry real weight alongside GPA.

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

Maddie had 1000+ PCE hours as an RBT, MA, and PCA, plus 934 HCE hours as a scribe and hospital volunteer. [VERIFY] the program’s current minimum PCE requirement and which specific roles it will accept.

What is the UT Southwestern PA school interview like?

Maddie interviewed in an MMI format and said the biggest surprise was how arbitrary the MMI questions can feel. [VERIFY] UT Southwestern’s current interview format, since programs change between MMI, traditional, and hybrid formats.

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

Maddie’s story is the argument for applying instead of waiting one more year to feel ready. She met the requirements, told her story well, and got in on the first attempt at a program plenty of applicants assume is out of reach. If you are weighing whether this is your cycle, our application resources can help you make that call with real information instead of guesswork.

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

UT Southwestern PA Program: Maddie's First-Cycle Acceptance Story