St. Ambrose University PA Program: Raelynn's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Raelynn applied across three cycles — 5, then 11, then 19 programs — interviewed at four, and was either accepted or listed as an alternate at every one, enrolling at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. Her junior year GPA dropped after ankle reconstruction surgery cost her significant class time. She built 4,436 PCE hours moving from CNA to medication administration to a patient care assistant role at Mayo Clinic.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

I interviewed with 4 programs, and was either accepted or listed as an alternate.

In this post:

Where will you be attending?

I will be attending St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. The PA program at SAU is relatively new but graduates highly sought after PAs in our Midwestern area. The new health sciences graduate center and small class sizes were most appealing to me when considering where to further my education.

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Raelynn's line that you're already good enough on paper once you have an interview is the healthiest reframe an applicant can carry into the room. The screening is over; the interview is about fit. Her career progression is also a model worth copying: CNA in long-term care, then medication administration in the same facility, then a patient care assistant role at Mayo Clinic in pre- and post-op surgery. Each step increased responsibility and broadened her exposure, which gives her far more to draw on than a single role with the same hour count would. Her advice to treat shadowing as relationship building rather than hour collection is equally sound.

Any red flags on your application?

My junior year GPA took a hit and brought my overall GPA down due to significant time away from classes because of ankle reconstruction surgery. My coursework during this year was my toughest and missing class because of surgery affected my academic performance. I made sure to address this topic in any interview, and highlighted my active involvement on campus and in the community hoping to show how I gave extended efforts to be involved in many aspects as a student, student-athlete, volunteer, employee, and community member.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Raelynn was accepted or waitlisted at all four programs she interviewed with. She used no interview prep books, relying instead on PAs she'd shadowed and current students she knew. [VERIFY] Confirm St. Ambrose University's current PA program requirements.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

What surprised me about interviews was actually how laid-back and informal each was. I expected my interviews to be very direct, one-sided, and specific, but each time I interviewed I felt very at-ease and comfortable. The interviews were more of an engaging conversation; the program faculty is trying to get to know you, as well as sell their program to you. When you get an interview, you’re already good enough on paper—be excited about that! Take the interview opportunity to actively communicate with faculty and current students, ask questions, and be interested! Interviewing for me was a surprisingly pleasant experience.

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

No, I didn’t use any outside resources as far as materials are concerned. What I found most helpful was reaching out to PAs I’ve shadowed for advice during interviews or wording on applications, or current student whom I knew for previous interview questions and information regarding specific programs.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Take every opportunity to be involved! I was active in the classroom, research opportunities, honor societies, athletics, working part-time, and volunteering at our Mayo children’s hospital as well as with Big Brothers, Big Sisters. A classroom “field trip” or project seeming so irrelevant has the potential to have an impact, and you can use each opportunity to take a leadership role and highlight that involvement on your application. Additionally, make as many connections in health care as possible; the more people you meet and build a professional relationship with will only add to your success towards acceptance and further down the road in your career. I’m happy to answer any further questions and help when able!

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

Instagram: @raelynnn_mae

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Saint Mary’s University, Minnesota
Overall GPA: 3.6
GPA: 3.3
GRE: 307
Total HCE hours: 4,696
Total PCE hours: 4,436 – I worked as a CNA in a long-term care facility with assisted-living and memory-care units. I then began doing medication administration to residents in this same care facility. Next, I transferred to Mayo Clinic as a PCA in our pre- and post-op surgical units. I really learned so much from being exposed to such a variety of patient care settings.
Shadowing hours: 200—Always stay professional and be an active learner during shadowing opportunities. Often times, the medical professionals you shadow will turn into references, future contacts, or colleagues. It’s important to start building those professional relationships early on, and to really take advantage of the opportunity to learn as possible during your time shadowing.
Other volunteer hours: 165 – I volunteered with pediatric inpatients at our children’s hospital wing at Mayo Clinic. Additionally, I volunteered throughout high school and college as a mentor for a young girl through the program Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Volunteering isn’t a second job and doesn’t require extensive hours, find opportunities in your community and spend just a couple hours when your schedule permits—it makes a world of difference!
How many times did you apply?: 3 application cycles
Age: 23
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 5, 11, 19 each cycle, respectively

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the St. Ambrose University PA program?

Raelynn reported a 3.6 overall GPA and a 3.3 GPA figure in her stats. [VERIFY] Confirm St. Ambrose's current published minimum GPA requirements directly with the program.

Does St. Ambrose University's PA program require the GRE?

Raelynn submitted a 307 GRE. [VERIFY] Confirm the current testing policy before registering for the exam.

How do you explain a bad semester caused by illness or surgery?

Address it directly. Raelynn's junior year GPA dropped because ankle reconstruction surgery kept her out of her most demanding coursework. She raised the topic in every interview and paired the explanation with evidence of her broader involvement rather than leaving it as an excuse.

Does CNA work count as patient care experience for PA school?

Yes. CNA work is widely accepted as PCE. Raelynn built 4,436 hours by progressing from CNA in long-term care to medication administration and then to a patient care assistant role at Mayo Clinic, which gave her exposure to several very different care settings.

How should you approach shadowing a PA?

As professional relationship building, not hour collection. Raelynn notes that the providers you shadow often become references, contacts, or colleagues. Stay professional, ask questions, and be an active learner — she later returned to those PAs for interview and application advice.

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

Raelynn went four for four at her interviews after three application cycles, without using a single prep book. What she used instead were the relationships she'd built with PAs she shadowed and students already in programs. Start those conversations early.

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St. Ambrose University PA Program: Raelynn's Acceptance Story