University of Nebraska Medical Center PA Program: Keyla's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Keyla applied to three programs, received three interview invitations, and ended up with two acceptances — declining her third interview once her top choice came through. She had 5,504 HCE and 4,992 PCE hours, the bulk of it as a Certified Medical Interpreter, which every program she applied to counted as patient care experience. She was 32, a mom, retaking a prerequisite she'd withdrawn from during a high-risk pregnancy, and she got in on her first attempt.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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How many programs did you apply to?

In this post:

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

3 interview invites, two acceptances. I attended two interviews and declined the third interview because I was accepted into my top choice school.

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, medical interpreting is one of the most overlooked sources of patient care experience, and Keyla's case shows why it's worth asking about. All three of her programs validated her Certified Medical Interpreter work as PCE, which is what let her walk in with nearly 5,000 hours. That said, PCE classification is program-specific and not guaranteed — if you're in a role that sits in a gray area, email admissions directly and get an answer in writing before you build your whole application around it. Keyla also did something we rarely see work out so cleanly: she applied to only three programs and got interviews at all three, which speaks to how well her list matched her profile.

Where will you be attending?

UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center).

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Keyla was accepted with an open prerequisite — she was still retaking the Biochemistry of Metabolism course she had withdrawn from during a high-risk pregnancy. A withdrawal with a clear, legitimate explanation and a documented plan to complete the course is a very different thing from an unexplained one. [VERIFY] Confirm UNMC's current policy on outstanding prerequisites at the time of matriculation.

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Any red flags on your application?

A W grade in one class. I dropped because of a high risk pregnancy. I'm currently retaking it as my last pre- requisite class (Biochemistry of Metabolism).

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

They were both very different. One interview was classic PA school interview and the other one was MMI interview style.

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

The Pre-PA club podcast with Savanna Perry.
My PA resource (used for my personal statement).
Followed lots of current PA students social media accounts and blogs and followed their advice/tips.
Book: "How to Ace the Physician Assistant school interview" by Andrew Rodican, PA-C.
The PA platform website.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

"Studying doesn't suck as much as failing". Believe in yourself, if you've made it this far, you can reach your goal!.

For mom students out there, don't feel guilty, just spend "quality time" with your kids, away from your phone. Our kids are watching us and learning that hard work pays off!. Don't disappoint them, be your best version!

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

Instagram @keylasanchezm

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: BS from University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Major: Neuroscience.
Overall GPA: 3.7
Science GPA: 3.4
GRE: 150 verbal. Quant 150. Writing 4.0
Total HCE hours: 5504
Total PCE hours: 4992 (all the schools I applied validated my Certified Medical Interpreter as PCE).
Shadowing hours: 59
Other volunteer hours: 819
LORs: one family medicine MD, one college professor (organic chemistry), one local hospital president (Methodist Hospital).
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 32
Gender: female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the UNMC PA program?

Keyla was accepted with a 3.7 overall GPA and a 3.4 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm UNMC's current minimum GPA requirements.

Does medical interpreting count as PCE for PA school?

It can. All three programs Keyla applied to validated her Certified Medical Interpreter experience as patient care experience, which accounted for the bulk of her 4,992 PCE hours. Because classification varies by program, confirm in writing with each school's admissions office before counting it.

Does UNMC require the GRE for its PA program?

Keyla submitted GRE scores of 150 verbal, 150 quantitative, and 4.0 analytical writing. [VERIFY] Confirm whether UNMC currently requires the GRE.

Can you get into PA school with a W on your transcript?

Yes. Keyla had one withdrawal, from a course she dropped because of a high-risk pregnancy, and she was retaking it as her final prerequisite. A withdrawal with a legitimate reason and evidence you've since completed or are completing the course is usually manageable.

Is 32 too old to apply to PA school?

No. Keyla applied at 32 as a parent and was accepted on her first attempt to her top choice, with three interview invitations out of three applications. Career changers and older applicants often bring substantially more patient care experience, which is an advantage.

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

Keyla went three for three on interview invitations and got into her top choice on her first attempt, at 32, as a mom, with an unfinished prerequisite on her record. The pieces that made it work were a well-matched school list, an enormous amount of genuine patient care experience through medical interpreting, and letters from people who could speak to her clinically, academically, and professionally. Her advice to parents in the applicant pool is worth repeating: the guilt isn't productive, and your kids are learning what effort looks like by watching you.

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University of Nebraska Medical Center PA Program: Keyla's Acceptance Story