Augusta University PA Program: Omotola's Acceptance Story (Accepted With 275 HCE Hours)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Omotola applied to only five programs, received four interview invitations and was accepted at all three she attended, choosing Augusta University. Her clinical hours were the lowest in this series — 275 HCE and 40 PCE at the time of application — which she compensated for with 434 shadowing hours, a 3.74 GPA, deliberately strategic program selection, and monthly hour updates sent to every program.

Last Updated: August 3, 2026

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

4 interview invites. Declined 1 invite. Attended 3, accepted to all 3.

In this post:

Where will you be attending?

Augusta University PA Program

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, sending programs monthly updates on newly accumulated hours is a tactic almost no one uses, and Omotola used it deliberately because she knew her totals were low. Programs generally accept application updates, and a short professional email noting new hours keeps you visible and shows the number on your CASPA was a floor rather than a ceiling. [VERIFY] Some programs explicitly do not accept updates after submission, so check each one's policy before sending.

Any red flags on your application?

Both my HCE and PCE were quite low, so applying strategically was key for me! I did however have a fair amount of shadowing as well as a solid GPA which I believe balanced things out.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Omotola's shadowing total of 434 hours is more than ten times her patient care hours. That inversion is unusual, and it worked because shadowing demonstrated she genuinely understood the PA role — which is precisely the doubt low clinical hours normally raise.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

My overall interview experience was quite relaxing and welcoming. It was comforting to know that I was not just a number, but that these programs truly desired to know me. During my interviews, I was asked the standard traditional questions as expected (“Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to be a PA? Why our program?”). Remember that these programs already know you on paper, all they now want to see is that you’re personable and that application “you” actually matches up with the in-person “you”. Lastly, ask questions! Although you’re the interviewee, remember that you are also interviewing these programs as well to ensure that their program is a truly a great fit for you.

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

For the GRE, I used Magoosh and the ‘5 lb GRE’ book, and would highly recommend both. For the interview process, I used the “Physician Assistant School Interview Guide” which was extremely helpful and one of my favorite tools to date. I also connected with other Pre-PAs, PA-S, and PA-C’s through social media!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Do not compare yourself to other applicants! Self-discouragement will disqualify you from the journey before you even have a chance to get started. It’s very understandable to research the statistics of the typical applicant, but know that there are other components that allow you to shine and stand out (i.e. your personal statement). This is where you get to tell your story, one that cannot be duplicated by any other applicant. Hundreds of other applicants may have the same GPA as you, the same PCE/HCE as you, or hey, even the same name as you. But one thing that will always be original and unique about you is your story, so do not be afraid to tell your “why?”. Do not underestimate the weight of that personal statement!

Where can we find you?

Instagram: @tolaknowsbest

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: University of Georgia, B.S. in Nutritional Sciences
Overall GPA: 3.74
Science GPA: 3.61
GRE: 305 (Verbal- 153, Quantitative- 152, Writing- 4.5)
Total HCE hours: 275 at the time of application (Medical Scribe at a gastroenterology clinic)– Aware that my hours were on the low end, I made sure to give the programs that I applied to monthly updates on any new hours gained as this was an ongoing HCE.
Total PCE hours: 40 (Medlife Mobile Clinic in Ecuador)
Shadowing hours: 434 (324- Orthopedic Surgeon, 100- Hospitalist PA, 10- Orthopedic PA)
Other volunteer hours: 80 (Volunteering at a local free clinic)
LORs: 3 (1 PA, 1 MD, 1 Professor)
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 22 (at the time of application)
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 5

FAQ

Can you get into PA school with very low patient care hours?

It is possible at programs with low or recommended minimums. Omotola applied with 275 healthcare hours and 40 patient care hours and was accepted at all three programs she interviewed with, offset by a 3.74 GPA and 434 shadowing hours. She stresses that strategic program selection was essential. [VERIFY] Most programs set a hard PCE minimum — confirm eligibility before applying.

Can you update PA programs with new hours after submitting CASPA?

Often yes. Omotola sent monthly updates on newly earned scribe hours to every program she applied to, since the job was ongoing. Keep updates brief and professional. [VERIFY] Some programs do not accept post-submission updates.

How many shadowing hours do you need for PA school?

Most programs recommend somewhere between 20 and 100 hours, and some require none. Omotola logged 434 across an orthopedic surgeon, a hospitalist PA and an orthopedic PA, using shadowing to demonstrate understanding of the profession when her clinical hours were thin. [VERIFY] Confirm Augusta University’s current requirement.

Does medical scribing count as healthcare experience for PA school?

Scribing is typically classified as healthcare experience rather than patient care experience, since you are documenting rather than delivering care. Omotola listed her 275 gastroenterology scribe hours as HCE. [VERIFY] A minority of programs count scribing toward PCE.

How important is the personal statement for PA school?

Omotola argues it is where you separate yourself, since many applicants share your GPA and hour totals but none share your story. She credits it as the component that let her stand out despite low clinical hours.

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

Omotola had 40 patient care hours and got into every program that interviewed her. That happened because she picked five programs whose requirements she could actually meet, built an unusually deep shadowing record, and kept every one of them updated as her hours grew. Strategy did the work that raw numbers could not.

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Augusta University PA Program: Omotola's Acceptance Story (Accepted With 275 HCE Hours)