USC PA Program: Naia's Second-Cycle Acceptance Story (6 Interviews, 299 GRE)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Naia's second cycle produced six interviews out of twelve applications, plus three more invitations she deferred once she had an acceptance in hand. Illness during her sophomore year pulled her GPA down, so she added a second major and took harder upper-level coursework to answer it, and raised her GRE ten points on a retake. She will attend the University of Southern California.

Last Updated: August 3, 2026

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Why did you choose PA?

I have always been interested in medicine since a tumor was found in my mom’s ovaries when I was 13. I wasn’t sure what a PA was until I attended my first medical mission trip to Honduras as an undergrad. The PA who accompanied us inspired me to pursue this career. I love the flexibility in practicing in different fields/specialties as I am someone who loves to learn. I also love that not only could I see patients autonomously but will also be working in a team of other medical professionals. At the end of the day, I think being a PA fits my personality compared to MD or ARNP

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, few applicants realize they can decline or defer interview invitations once they hold an acceptance, and Naia did exactly that with three of her nine. If you are certain you would not attend a program, withdrawing promptly saves you travel costs and returns the slot to the waitlist. Do it in writing, thank them for the invitation, and do it as early as you can. It is also worth noting she still attended six interviews before that acceptance arrived — the deferrals only became possible because she cast a wide net first.

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

6 and 3 I deferred since I was accepted so it would have been a total of 9From the 6 I was rejected by 2, waitlisted in 3 and accepted to 1.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Naia's patient care hours were 800 at the time of application and 2,600 by the time she wrote this. CASPA lets you list hours you plan to complete before matriculation, and continuing to work through the cycle gives you something concrete to report at interviews when a program asks what has changed since you applied.

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Where will you be attending?

University of Southern California

Any red flags on your application?

Definitely my GPA and GRE scores. I did not want admissions thinking I am a poor student academically speaking. My GPA was lower due to illnesses I endured during my sophomore year of undergraduate (which I reiterated in my interviewed if the topic came up). I proved myself by taking a rigorous upper level course work and picking up a second major. As for my GRE I lacked studying incentive the first time and improved my score by 10 points the second time.

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

It was non-intimidating (for the most part). The schools I interviewed with genuinely wanted to know more about me and my application.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

DO NOT GIVE UP. I had several mental breakdowns and self doubts towards the end of this 2nd cycle as I was considering applying for a third cycle. If you really want to be a PA then persistent is key. It doesn’t matter that others are getting there before you, your time will come. Always find ways to improve whether it is taking another class to increase the GPA, finding another job to increase PCE or retaking the GRE.

Where can we find you? (website, instagram, etc)

Instagram: naiaalessandra **I will be changing my username to The_PA_Mission come fall when I start to share my journey and because medical mission trips hold a special place in my heart. I am hoping to do more trips as a professional upon certification**

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: University of South Florida -dual degree: bachelor of science in cellular & molecular biology and Bachelor of Arts in psychology
Overall GPA: 3.53
Science GPA: 3.35
GRE: 299 overall – 149 quantitative 150 qualitative 4.0 writing
Total HCE hours: 4000+
Total PCE hours: 2600 to date (800 at time of application)
Shadowing hours: 100 (PA in sarcoma oncology, PA in thoracic oncology; cardiologist MD; internal medicine MD; ARNP dermatology)
Other volunteer hours: 260
LORs: 4 (1 PA, 1 ARNP, 1 supervisor and 1 science professor)
How many times did you apply?: 2
Age: 25
Gender: female

FAQ

Can you get into PA school with a 299 GRE?

Yes. Naia was accepted at USC with a 299 composite (149 quantitative, 150 verbal, 4.0 writing) on her second cycle, having improved ten points from her first attempt. She named it as a red flag but offset it with 4,000+ healthcare hours and a dual degree. [VERIFY] Many programs no longer require the GRE.

How do you explain a low GPA caused by illness?

Naia’s GPA dropped during a period of illness in her sophomore year, and she raised it in interviews whenever the topic came up rather than waiting to be asked. She paired the explanation with evidence — rigorous upper-level coursework and a second major completed afterward. Context plus demonstrated recovery is the formula.

Can you decline a PA school interview after being accepted somewhere?

Yes. Naia deferred three of her nine interview invitations once she had an acceptance. Withdraw in writing and as early as possible so the program can offer the slot to another applicant.

Does adding a second major help a PA school application?

It can serve as evidence of academic capability. Naia added a Bachelor of Arts in psychology alongside her cellular and molecular biology degree specifically to demonstrate she could handle a heavy load after her grades dipped. The upward trend matters more than the second credential itself.

Is it normal to feel like giving up during a second PA school application cycle?

Naia is candid about having several breakdowns and serious self-doubt late in her second cycle while contemplating a third. That experience is extremely common, and it does not predict the outcome — she was accepted to USC. If the process is affecting your wellbeing, lean on people around you rather than carrying it alone.

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

Naia applied twice, interviewed six times, and spent the back half of the second cycle wondering whether she would need a third. What she actually had was nine invitations and a seat at USC. Her advice — keep finding one thing to improve, whether that is a class, a job or a test score — is what turned the first cycle into the second.

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USC PA Program: Naia's Second-Cycle Acceptance Story (6 Interviews, 299 GRE)