MUSC PA Program: Shannan's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Shannan spent five years working in radiology and computed tomography before applying, arriving with over 10,000 PCE hours and over 10,000 HCE hours plus a 3.85 GPA. She applied to 10 programs, interviewed at 3, and finished with 3 waitlists and an acceptance at the Medical University of South Carolina. She describes herself as not a typical PA applicant, and her advice is entirely about the value of hands-on critical thinking experience.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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How many programs did you apply to?

In this post:

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

3 interviews, 3 waitlists, 1 accept

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Shannan's point about imaging is one we'd extend to any applicant coming from radiology, CT, ultrasound, or a similar technical role. Five years of scanning patients means she has seen an enormous cross-section of pathology and knows how the diagnostic process actually unfolds — and she says directly that it has made didactic year more manageable. That's a real academic advantage, not just an application credential. Note her interview observation too: faculty wanted the parts of her that weren't on paper. When your application already documents a decade's worth of hours, the interview is where they find out who you are, so prepare to talk about yourself rather than re-narrate your resume.

Where will you be attending?

Medical University of South Carolina

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Shannan reports over 10,000 hours in both PCE and HCE categories. If your role spans both, track and report them carefully rather than lumping them together — programs with hard PCE minimums calculate from that number specifically.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

The faculty wanted to know about me personally, not my accomplishment but what you wouldn't know based on my application.

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

I feel that having as much hands on, critical thinking experience is what made me stand out. I'm not your typical PA applicant. I had a career before applying and wanted to further my education.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Get all the actual hands on/critical thinking experience you can get. I had the benefit of working in radiology for 5 years before applying. This not only exposed me to how the healthcare system works but many diseases and treatment that has helped make PA school much more manageable.

Where can we find you?

instagram – shannan.dieselberg

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Computed Tomography
Overall GPA: 3.85
Science GPA: 3.8
GRE: 301
Total PCE hours: Over 10,000
Total HCE hours: Over 10,000
Shadowing hours: 45
Other Volunteer hours: 50
LORs: 2 MD, 1 Clinical Instructor
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 25
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the MUSC PA program?

Shannan was accepted with a 3.85 overall GPA and a 3.8 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm MUSC's current minimum GPA requirements.

Does radiology or CT tech work count as patient care experience?

Generally yes, since imaging involves direct hands-on patient contact and positioning. Shannan logged over 10,000 PCE hours across five years in radiology and computed tomography. Confirm classification with each program, as policies vary.

Does MUSC require the GRE for its PA program?

Shannan submitted a GRE score of 301. [VERIFY] Confirm whether MUSC currently requires the GRE, as many programs have dropped it.

Does prior healthcare experience make PA school easier?

Shannan says it has. Five years in radiology exposed her to how the healthcare system functions and to a wide range of diseases and treatments, which she credits with making PA school more manageable. Familiarity with clinical vocabulary and workflow is a genuine head start.

What do PA school interviewers actually want to know?

Shannan found faculty were most interested in who she is personally rather than her accomplishments — specifically the things they couldn't learn from her application. Your file covers the numbers; the interview is where they assess fit, communication, and character.

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

Shannan changed careers into PA school from five years in medical imaging, and she's convincing about why that background matters beyond the hour count — she came in already fluent in pathology and the mechanics of the healthcare system. Her cycle wasn't effortless despite a 3.85 GPA and enormous experience: three interviews produced three waitlists and one acceptance. That's a normal outcome, and it ended exactly where she needed it to.

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MUSC PA Program: Shannan's Acceptance Story