University of Utah PA Program: Tallie's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Tallie was offered eight interviews, attended four, and finished with two acceptances and a waitlist before withdrawing her last application to take her spot at her number one choice, the University of Utah. She had a 3.79 GPA, 4,300 healthcare experience hours, and 65 shadowing hours — 40 of them with a single PA who wrote one of her four letters. She worked full time while moving quickly through school, and her advice is that you don't have to.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

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

I was offered 8 interviews and I went to 4 of them. 2 acceptances, 1 waitlist, and I withdrew the final app after accepting my spot at my #1 pick.

In this post:

Where will you be attending?

University of Utah

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Tallie's framing of the interview is the most accurate one-sentence description we've seen: they've already established from your file that you can handle the coursework, so the interview is about personality and fit with the program's philosophy. That last part matters. Programs have genuinely different identities — primary care missions, rural focus, research emphasis, cadaver labs, international rotations — and interviewers are assessing alignment, not just competence. Her advice about slowing down is also well placed coming from someone who did the opposite. She compressed school while working full time, got in on her first try, and still tells other applicants that taking longer is fine.

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

Everyone says it but honestly the interviewers really just want to know who you are as a person. They've seen you on paper and know you're capable of succeeding in the program. Now they just want to see what your personality is like and if you mesh with their program philosophy. It's okay to be nervous but don't let the nerves over power how hard you've worked to be there!

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Tallie spent more than 40 hours with a single PA and that person wrote one of her letters. Forty focused hours with one clinician who then vouches for you is worth more than a scattered tour of many practices.

****INSERT FREE LEAD MAGNET FORM OR HTML BLOCK AND DELETE TEXT BOX*****

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

It's okay to slow down and enjoy the process! I zoomed through school while working full time and was super busy. I personally like that environment but it's okay if it takes a little longer to graduate and accumulate hours to make your application stellar! The goal is to become a PA-C, it doesn't matter how fast or long it takes!

Where can we find you?

instagram – @talliealder

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Microbiology at Brigham Young University
Overall GPA: 3.79
Science GPA: 3.68
Total HCE hours: 4,300
Shadowing hours: 65ish
Other Volunteer hours: 350ish
LORs: 4: 1 from a PA I showed for 40+ hours, 1 from a professor, 1 from a supervisor, and 1 from a co-worker
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 23

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the University of Utah PA program?

Tallie was accepted with a 3.79 overall GPA and a 3.68 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm the University of Utah's current minimum GPA requirements.

Does the University of Utah PA program require the GRE?

Tallie's stats don't include a GRE score, which may mean she didn't take it or the program didn't require it. [VERIFY] Confirm the University of Utah's current GRE policy.

How many healthcare experience hours do you need for the University of Utah PA program?

Tallie reported 4,300 HCE hours along with 65 shadowing hours and roughly 350 volunteer hours. [VERIFY] Confirm the program's current HCE and PCE requirements, and note that programs distinguish between the two.

Can you withdraw a PA school application after accepting a seat?

Yes, and you should. Tallie withdrew her final application once she accepted her spot at her top choice. Withdrawing promptly frees interview slots and seats for other applicants and is considered good practice.

How fast should you move through prerequisites and hours?

At whatever pace produces a strong application. Tallie moved quickly while working full time and still advises others that taking longer is completely fine — the goal is becoming a PA, not getting there on a particular schedule.

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

Eight interview offers on a first application cycle is a strong result, and Tallie built it on solid grades, 4,300 healthcare hours, and a real relationship with a PA she shadowed for over 40 hours. Her closing thought is the one worth carrying: she moved fast because she likes that pace, not because it's required. Slower is fine, and often produces a better application.

***INSERT HTML SERVICE BLOCK CTA****

University of Utah PA Program: Tallie's Acceptance Story