First-Cycle PA School Acceptance: Sara's Story (Embryologist to PA, 3,000 HCE Hours)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Sara applied to five programs, interviewed at two and finished with one acceptance, one waitlist and three rejections. She was working as an embryologist and nearly did not apply at all, held back by a year of medical school in Poland straight out of high school where she performed poorly in two classes. A 3.6 overall, 3.7 science GPA and 3,000 healthcare hours made the case.

Last Updated: August 3, 2026

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

2 interviews (1 acceptance, 1 waitlist), 3 rejections

In this post:

Any red flags on your application?

Right after high school, I went to med school in Poland for a year to see if I would be interested in the medical field. Lacking a background in medicine that many of my classmates had (most were college graduates), I performed poorly in 2 classes. I believe that may have deterred programs from accepting me.

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, coursework from a foreign institution is one of the trickiest parts of a CASPA application, and Sara's year of medical school in Poland is a good example. Foreign transcripts usually require evaluation by an approved credentialing service before CASPA will process them, and how those grades factor into your GPA varies. If you have studied abroad, start that evaluation months before you plan to submit. [VERIFY] Confirm CASPA's current foreign transcript evaluation requirements and approved agencies.

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

At the interview at Baylor College of Medicine, I was thrown off by a couple of questions in regards to what the definition of certain words were.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Sara's three letters came from a health educator, a residence hall director and an orthopedic PA — only one clinician and no faculty member. Her volunteer list is also unusually heavy on animal care and peer education rather than clinical settings. It is a genuinely unconventional file that still produced an acceptance.

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

DoseofPA, thepalife

I thoroughly researched the school websites in order to get a better understanding of their mission statement and what made them stand out from other programs. This was helpful for both supplemental applications and interview preparation. I also compiled a list of questions to ask the faculty because not only are they interviewing you, but you are also interviewing them. You want to see if the school is a good fit for you as well.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Don’t lose sight of why you want to become a PA. No matter what other people tell you or what you may think, do not be discouraged. I know that I doubted myself for the longest time, but I knew I’d regret it even more if I didn’t apply. You’ll always wonder, “What if..” I was comfortable where I was in life, working as an Embryologist, but I wanted more patient interaction. Since I was afraid of being rejected, I almost didn’t apply. After talking to friends and family members, I tried my best to make up for short-comings in my application, I applied, and expected nothing in return. Seek help from PA students. Have confidence in yourself and try your best. Feel free to reach out to me as well if you have any questions! We’re here to help. You got this!! (:

Where can we find you?

Instagram: @theadventurouspa

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Stony Brook University – Double Major: Biology & Psychology
Overall GPA: 3.6
Science GPA: 3.7
GRE: 313
Total HCE hours: 3000
Shadowing hours: 200 (Orthopedic PA), 220 (Neurological Surgery Research Assistant)
Other volunteer hours: 320 (Veterinary Hospitals), 107 (Animal Care/Rehabilitation Assistant), 85 (CHOICE Peer Health Educator), 60 (Health Psychology Teaching Assistant), 40 (Undergrad TA for Transfer Students)
LORs: Health Educator, Residence Hall Director, Orthopedic PA
How many times did you apply?: 1
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 5

FAQ

Can you get into PA school after doing poorly in a foreign medical program?

Sara spent a year at a medical school in Poland right after high school, performed poorly in two classes, and believes it cost her at some programs — but she was still accepted on her first cycle with a 3.6 overall GPA. Address older coursework directly and show what has changed since. [VERIFY] Foreign coursework generally requires a credential evaluation for CASPA.

Can you switch from a research or lab career to PA school?

Yes. Sara was working as an embryologist and wanted more patient interaction. Career changers bring depth that traditional applicants often lack, though you should make sure enough of your hours qualify as direct patient care rather than laboratory work.

What kinds of questions get asked at a PA school interview?

They vary a lot by program. Sara was caught off guard at Baylor College of Medicine by questions asking her to define specific terms. Reviewing basic medical terminology and the vocabulary in your own personal statement is cheap insurance. [VERIFY] Confirm current interview format at any program before you go.

How many PA programs should you apply to on your first cycle?

Sara applied to five and received two interviews, which is on the low side. Most advisers suggest eight to twelve to give yourself reasonable odds, since interview invitation rates are low even for strong applicants.

Should you prepare questions to ask at a PA school interview?

Sara compiled a list of questions for faculty and points out that you are interviewing the program as much as it is interviewing you. Thoughtful, program-specific questions drawn from the mission statement signal genuine research and give you the information you need to choose well.

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

Sara almost did not apply. She had a comfortable job as an embryologist, a rough year on a foreign transcript and a real fear of rejection, and she submitted anyway after talking it through with people who knew her. Three rejections later she had a seat. Applying is the only step that is entirely within your control, and it is the one most people talk themselves out of.

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First-Cycle PA School Acceptance: Sara's Story (Embryologist to PA, 3,000 HCE Hours)