Sacred Heart University PA Program: Kendall's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Kendall applied to 21 programs on her second cycle, interviewed at 6, and finished with 1 acceptance, 3 waitlists, and 2 rejections — with 15 programs still unanswered when she shared her story. She came in with 10,000 HCE hours and 7,000 PCE hours, which is among the highest totals we've published. Her best piece of advice is about how you treat the other applicants on interview day.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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Why PA?

1. Career versatility 2. Team based care 3. Giving back to the community

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Kendall's advice about fellow interviewees is genuinely underrated. Many programs use group activities or simply observe how applicants behave during downtime, and admissions committees are explicitly assessing whether they want to spend the next two to three years with you. Treating the room as future classmates rather than competitors is both more pleasant and more strategic. Her hours are extraordinary — 17,000 combined — and worth noting alongside her outcome: 21 applications produced 6 interviews and 1 acceptance. Even with enormous experience and a solid 3.6, a 3.4 science GPA and a 298 GRE meant she needed a large list. That's a realistic picture of how competitive this is.

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

6- 1 acceptance, 3 waitlist, 2 rejections. Haven't heard back from 15 programs yet.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Every interviewer commented on Kendall's dog being named Tyrion. Small, specific, human details in your application give interviewers something easy to open with — and they tend to remember you by them.

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Where will you be attending?

Sacred Heart University

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

How much the interviewers wanted to know about my personal life and the how I like to enjoy myself outside of work and school. Most notably everyone commented on my dog being named Tyrion from Game of Thrones.

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

100% the PA Platform! I utilized the pre-PA assessment, Mock interview and used My PA Resource for personal statement help. It was a hugely helpful in maintaining confidence throughout the arduous waiting game of applying.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Treat your fellow interviewees like they are already your classmates! I believe what sealed the deal for me was my interaction with not just my interviewer but those who I was also interviewing with because it allowed me to SHOW not just TELL how I would be as a member of their program.

Where can we find you?

instagram – @kennnelll

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Simmons University
Overall GPA: 3.6
Science GPA: 3.4
GRE: 298
Total HCE hours: 10,000
Total PCE hours: 7,000
Shadowing hours: 50
LORs: 4
How many times did you apply?: 2
Age: 24
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Sacred Heart University PA program?

Kendall was accepted with a 3.6 overall GPA and a 3.4 science GPA on her second application cycle. [VERIFY] Confirm Sacred Heart's current minimum GPA requirements.

Does Sacred Heart University's PA program require the GRE?

Kendall submitted a GRE score of 298. [VERIFY] Confirm whether Sacred Heart currently requires the GRE, as many programs have dropped the requirement.

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

Kendall applied with 7,000 PCE hours and 10,000 HCE hours, well above typical minimums, plus 50 shadowing hours. [VERIFY] Confirm the program's current PCE requirements.

Do PA schools evaluate how you interact with other applicants?

Often, yes. Many programs include group exercises or observe applicants during breaks and tours. Kendall believes her interactions with fellow interviewees are what sealed her acceptance, because it demonstrated how she'd function as a classmate rather than just describing it.

How many PA schools should you apply to on a second cycle?

Kendall applied to 21. When your first cycle didn't produce an acceptance, widening the list is one of the most direct levers you have — particularly if your science GPA or test scores are the limiting factor rather than your experience.

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

Kendall's second cycle worked, and the numbers behind it are instructive: 21 applications, 6 interviews, 1 acceptance, with 17,000 hours of healthcare and patient care experience behind her. If you take one thing from her story, take the interview-day advice. Being generous and genuinely interested in the people around you isn't a tactic so much as a demonstration, and committees are watching for exactly that.

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Sacred Heart University PA Program: Kendall's Acceptance Story