Lincoln Memorial University PA Program: Susanna's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Susanna applied to 18 programs, interviewed at 3, and came away with one waitlist, one denial, and one acceptance at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. She's from rural Southwest Virginia and wants to practice there. The most useful thing in her story is uncomfortable: one program told her directly, during the interview, that completing her prerequisites at a community college was a red flag on her application.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

Your Pre-PA Bestie Blog - everything you need to know to become a PA in one place.

Why PA?

The area I'm from, rural Southwest Virginia, has a serious need for providers and I believe the role of Physician Assistant would be the most beneficial! It ticked every box I was looking for in a career in medicine.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

18 (lol!)

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, what Susanna was told deserves a direct response: some programs do view community college prerequisites less favorably, and a few say so out loud. That is not a universal position, and plenty of programs accept community college coursework without comment — but it's real enough that you should check each program's policy before you enroll in a course. Where a program expresses a preference for four-year institutions, take it seriously. Notice also that the school that flagged it denied her while another accepted her, which is the whole argument for a list of 18 rather than 5. Her rural Southwest Virginia motivation pairs naturally with Lincoln Memorial, a program in Appalachia with a rural care mission.

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

3! One waitlist, one denial, and finally one acceptance!

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Susanna prepared by listening to recorded mock interviews on YouTube, answering each question herself first, then hearing how the other person handled it. It's a free, surprisingly effective substitute for a paid mock interview.

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Where will you be attending?

Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN!

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

The school that denied me told me outright that it was a "red flag" on my profile that I finished my prerequisites at a community college during the interview.

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

Savanna's book FOR SURE! I also listened to mock interviews on YouTube and tried to answer the questions and then listen to how the person answered them.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Push yourself. If you don't think that you'll get through it, think about where you'll be a year from now. This past year has been the hardest of my life, but it's all been worth it now that I know that it's paid off with an acceptance.

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: B.S. Biology
Overall GPA: 3.5
Science GPA: 3.2
GRE: 305
Total HCE hours: >5,000
Total PCE hours: 2,500
Shadowing hours: 80
Other volunteer hours: 200
LORs: A nurse I worked under, my anatomy professor, and two PA's I shadowed
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 25
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Lincoln Memorial University PA program?

Susanna was accepted with a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.2 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm Lincoln Memorial's current minimum GPA requirements.

Do PA schools accept community college prerequisites?

Many do, but not all view them equally. One program told Susanna directly during her interview that finishing prerequisites at a community college was a red flag on her profile, while Lincoln Memorial accepted her. Check each program's stated policy before enrolling in coursework. [VERIFY] Confirm current policies at the programs on your list.

Does Lincoln Memorial University require the GRE for its PA program?

Susanna submitted a GRE score of 305. [VERIFY] Confirm whether Lincoln Memorial currently requires the GRE.

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

Susanna applied with 2,500 PCE hours and more than 5,000 HCE hours, plus 80 shadowing hours and 200 volunteer hours. [VERIFY] Confirm the program's current PCE requirements.

How do you prepare for a PA school interview for free?

Susanna listened to mock interviews on YouTube, answered each question out loud herself, then compared her response to the recorded one. Combining that with peer practice and reviewing common questions costs nothing.

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

Susanna applied to 18 programs, laughed about the number, and needed all of them — three interviews produced one denial, one waitlist, and the acceptance that mattered. The program that rejected her told her why, and while hearing that your community college coursework counted against you is discouraging, it's also actionable information for anyone still planning prerequisites. She's headed back toward the rural region she came from, which is exactly the kind of coherence between motivation and program mission that works.

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Lincoln Memorial University PA Program: Susanna's Acceptance Story