UNT Health Science Center PA Program: Ashley's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Ashley's first cycle produced six applications and zero interview invitations. Her second produced nine applications, three interviews, and acceptances at both schools she actually attended interviews for — including her top choice, UNT Health Science Center. She applied with a 3.56 GPA and only 187 PCE hours at submission. She read the interview guide cover to cover four times and filmed herself answering questions.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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How many programs did you apply to?

Six the first time and nine this cycle

In this post:

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

I received no interview invites the first time I applied in 2018. This cycle, I received three interviews! I went to the first two interviews and declined the third interview. I was accepted into the first two schools I interviewed with! I was declined from one school shortly after applying and I have not heard back from the other five schools yet.

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, going from zero interviews to a 100% acceptance rate on the interviews you attend is usually explained by one of two things: a bigger, better-matched school list, or more hours. Ashley did both. She went from six applications to nine, and her PCE grew from 187 hours at submission to 465 by the time she was accepted. Her letter lineup is also unusually broad — five writers including a pre-health adviser, a chemistry professor, a patient advocate she volunteered alongside, and both a physician and a PA she shadowed. Her PCE was still low by most standards, which is a reminder that programs weigh the whole file. The rejection in her first cycle was information, not a verdict.

Where will you be attending?

University of North Texas Health Science Center!!

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Ashley recorded video of herself answering interview questions and had family members run mock interviews repeatedly. Watching yourself back is uncomfortable and unusually effective — it surfaces filler words, rambling, and flat delivery that you cannot detect from the inside.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

My first interview was MMI and they were right when people said to be ready for them to throw anything at you! I was very surprised by all the tasks they made us do, but I actually did enjoy the process even though I did not think I would! (My next interview was a very laid back 1:1) Honestly, be yourself!! And, what I think made me stand out was the confidence I portrayed. (and funny enough, even though I was almost sick to my stomach from nerves during the drive to both interviews, I was not nervous at all when I actually walked into the building and started my interviews!)

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

In preparation for interviews, I (of course) read Savanna's PA School Interview Guide! I think I read this book cover to cover four different times. I also recorded videos of myself answering most of the questions in the book and had family members do mock interviews with me quite often.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

After being so discouraged from the first time I applied, I never would have imagined that the second time I applied that I would get into my top choice PA program! I still cannot believe it. Just know that it will happen for you one day! If I can do it, so can you! Everything happens in time so do not give up. Take your disappointments and use them to fuel your determination to accomplish your dreams!

Where can we find you?

Instagram: ash_boehm

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Austin College
Overall GPA: 3.56
Science GPA: 3.43
GRE: 296
Total HCE hours: 355
Total PCE hours: 187 at time of application (465 when accepted)
Shadowing hours: 138 (PA and Doctor)
Other volunteer hours: 60 (Meals on Wheels and Hospice Care)
LORs: Pre-health Adviser, Chemistry Professor, Patient Advocate that I volunteered with, Doctor I shadowed, PA I shadowed
How many times did you apply?: 2
Age: 22
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the UNT Health Science Center PA program?

Ashley was accepted with a 3.56 overall GPA and a 3.43 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm UNTHSC's current minimum GPA requirements.

Does UNT Health Science Center require the GRE for its PA program?

Ashley submitted a GRE score of 296. [VERIFY] Confirm whether UNTHSC currently requires the GRE.

How many patient care hours do you need for the UNTHSC PA program?

Ashley applied with 187 PCE hours and had 465 by the time she was accepted, alongside 355 HCE hours and 138 shadowing hours. That's low relative to many applicant pools, so the rest of her application had to carry weight. [VERIFY] Confirm UNTHSC's current PCE requirements.

What should you change if you got no PA school interviews?

Ashley's second cycle differed in two measurable ways: she applied to nine programs instead of six, and she more than doubled her patient care hours. Adding hours, broadening a well-matched list, and strengthening your personal statement are the highest-yield changes between cycles.

Does UNTHSC use MMI interviews?

Ashley's first interview that cycle was an MMI with multiple tasks, and her second was a relaxed one-on-one. Formats differ by program and change between cycles. [VERIFY] Confirm UNTHSC's current interview format.

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

Ashley is the clearest kind of reapplicant success story: six applications and total silence one year, then acceptances at both schools she interviewed with the next, including her first choice. She didn't reinvent herself. She added hours, widened her list, and prepared for interviews with genuine rigor — four passes through the interview guide and repeated recorded practice. If you're sitting with a cycle that produced nothing, that's the work in front of you.

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UNT Health Science Center PA Program: Ashley's Acceptance Story