UC Davis PA Program: Megan's Second-Cycle Acceptance Story (322 GRE, 7 Interview Invites)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Megan applied twice. Her second cycle produced seven interview invitations from ten programs, four attended, three acceptances and a waitlist — and a seat at UC Davis, where she had also done her undergraduate degree. A 322 GRE was her standout number against C grades in organic chemistry, 30 shadowing hours and volunteer hours she herself called low.

Last Updated: August 3, 2026

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

7 interview invites, attended 4 interviews—3 acceptances and 1 waitlist

Will be attending University of California, Davis class of 2020!

In this post:

Any red flags on your application?

low Shadowing hours, low volunteering hours, C’s in Organic Chemistry

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Megan's advice to email admissions directly is the most reliable research method available and the least used. Program websites go stale, third-party directories lag a cycle behind, and prerequisite rules change quietly. A short, specific email to an admissions coordinator gets you an authoritative answer and creates a record you can point to later. Ask one clear question at a time, and keep the replies.

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

I encountered so many different types of interviews (3-person group interview, 10-person group interview, MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews), one-minute speech, observed group activities). It’s important to prepared for anything!

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Megan encountered five distinct interview formats across four programs — a three-person group interview, a ten-person group interview, MMI stations, a one-minute speech and observed group activities. The one-minute speech in particular catches people out. Have a sixty-second version of who you are and why PA ready to deliver cold.

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

PAEA Program directory (online), How to Write you Physician Assistant Personal Statement, individual program websites and emailing admissions at each program (the BEST way to get accurate information about prerequisites, deadlines, etc for each program)

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

If you’re a reapplicant, try not to get discouraged. Retake classes, shadow more, volunteer more, and WORK more. You might surprise yourself with how much more successful you can be with another year of experiences behind you! Also, every application has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to remember that your app will be looked at as a whole, and that your weaknesses can be balanced out by your strengths. Good luck!

Where can we find you?

Instagram: @meganinmed (feel free to DM me with questions!)

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: University of California, Davis – Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Overall GPA: 3.63
Science GPA: 3.54
GRE: 322 (V 157, Q 165, W 4.5)
Total HCE hours: 120 hours (volunteering at medical center in pediatrics and ED)
Total PCE hours: 2,800 at time of application—Back office MA in pediatric primary care, pediatric urgent care, and orthopedics
Shadowing hours: 30 (Orthopedic PAs, Dermatology PA, Pediatrician, Pediatric NP, Internal Medicine MD, Internal Medicine NP)
Other volunteer hours: 100 hours through sorority and honor society philanthropies, 50 hours at local food bank, one week volunteering at senior home in Costa Rica
LORs: Pediatrician (my boss), Pediatrician (my other boss), Orthopedic PA that I worked for, supervisor at food bank
How many times did you apply?: 2 times
Age: 24
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 10 programs

FAQ

Does reapplying to PA school work?

It often does. Megan’s second cycle produced seven interview invitations from ten programs and three acceptances. Her advice is specific: retake classes, shadow more, volunteer more and work more, because another full year of experience changes the application materially.

Can you get into PA school with C’s in organic chemistry?

Yes. Megan listed C grades in organic chemistry as a red flag alongside low shadowing and volunteer hours, and was accepted at UC Davis with a 3.63 overall and 3.54 science GPA. A 322 GRE and 2,800 patient care hours provided the counterweight. [VERIFY] Some programs require a minimum grade of C or B in each prerequisite.

Is 30 shadowing hours enough for PA school?

It can be. Megan had 30 hours spread across six different providers and named it a weakness, yet received seven interview invitations. Breadth across specialties partly offsets a low total. [VERIFY] Confirm each program’s shadowing requirement.

What is the best way to research PA program requirements?

Megan recommends emailing the admissions office at each program directly, calling it the best way to get accurate information on prerequisites and deadlines. She used the PAEA Program Directory and individual program websites as starting points, then confirmed by email.

Does medical assistant experience count as patient care for PA school?

Yes, back office medical assistant work is widely accepted as patient care experience. Megan accumulated 2,800 hours across pediatric primary care, pediatric urgent care and orthopedics. [VERIFY] Front office or administrative MA work generally does not count.

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

Megan's second application went to the same kind of programs with a better version of the same person — more hours, more shadowing, another year of medical assisting behind her — and produced seven interview invitations. She is honest that her shadowing and volunteering stayed thin. Weaknesses do not have to disappear, they just have to be outweighed.

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UC Davis PA Program: Megan's Second-Cycle Acceptance Story (322 GRE, 7 Interview Invites)