UT Health Science Center PA Program: Matthieu's Acceptance Story
UT Health Science Center PA Program: Matthieu's Acceptance Story
By: Savanna Perry, PA-C
Matthieu applied to 12 programs, received 7 interview offers, declined 4, attended 3, and came away with 2 acceptances — choosing the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He had a 3.53 GPA, 1,450 PCE hours, and five letters including two from PAs and one from the founder of an international public health organization. Five of his applications were denied at the submission stage.
Last Updated: August 2, 2026
Your Pre-PA Bestie Blog - everything you need to know to become a PA in one place.
Why PA?
I truly wanted to begin a career in medicine that would allow me to play a big role in decision making as well as give the ability to gain experience in different specialties.
How many programs did you apply to?
12
In our experience at The PA Platform, the number in Matthieu's breakdown that deserves attention is the five applications denied at submission. That means five programs rejected him before any interview stage, most likely on prerequisite or screening criteria rather than on the substance of his file — because the other seven offered him interviews. When almost half your applications die at intake, it's usually a requirements-matching problem rather than a competitiveness problem. His letter from the founder of an international public health organization is also worth noting: a letter from outside clinical medicine can strengthen a file when it speaks to leadership or commitment that nothing else on your application captures.
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?
12 applications 7 total interview offers 5 denied application submission 4 declined interview offers 3 attended interviews 2 acceptances
Every Pre-PA Should Know...
Matthieu reported zero healthcare experience hours alongside 1,450 patient care hours. Programs overwhelmingly weight PCE, so if you have to choose where to spend your limited time, direct patient care is where it counts.
****INSERT FREE LEAD MAGNET FORM OR HTML BLOCK AND DELETE TEXT BOX*****
Where will you be attending?
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Anything you found surprising about interviews?
Being yourself is strongly suggested because it's true! Faculty really want to learn about the real you and learn everything about you that's not on the application.
Any other advice for other pre-PA students?
Stay positive and trust the process!
Where can we find you?
IG: Personal @_mattyymatt Medical: @_mattymeds
Need to Know:
Undergraduate education: University of Florida
Overall GPA: 3.53
Science GPA: 3.4
GRE: 300
Total PCE hours: 1,450
Total HCE hours: 0
Shadowing hours: 63
Volunteer hours: 310
LORs: 5 ( 2 PA, 1 MD, 1 clinical supervisor, 1 Founder of an international public health organization)
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 22
Gender: Male
FAQ
Matthieu was accepted with a 3.53 overall GPA and a 3.4 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm UTHSC's current minimum GPA requirements.
Matthieu submitted a GRE score of 300. [VERIFY] Confirm whether UTHSC currently requires the GRE, as many programs have dropped it.
Usually because a screening requirement wasn't met — a prerequisite, a minimum grade, a GPA cutoff, or an hours threshold. Five of Matthieu's 12 applications were denied at submission while seven offered interviews, which points to requirements mismatches rather than a weak file.
Matthieu applied with 1,450 PCE hours, 63 shadowing hours, and 310 volunteer hours, with no healthcare experience hours reported. [VERIFY] Confirm the program's current PCE requirements.
Sometimes, if they can speak to something meaningful. One of Matthieu's five letters came from the founder of an international public health organization. Most programs still want the core letters from clinicians and faculty. [VERIFY] Confirm each program's rules on who may write letters.
Email [email protected] or use the contact form at The PA Platform to share your acceptance story.
CLOSING
Matthieu's outcome — 7 interview offers and 2 acceptances from 12 applications — was solid, but the most instructive figure is the five applications that never made it past submission. Before you pay a dozen application fees, check every program's screening requirements line by line against your transcript and hours. He got where he wanted to go regardless, and his advice fits the story: stay positive and trust the process.
***INSERT HTML SERVICE BLOCK CTA****
You May Also Like:
PA School Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Apply
How to Choose Which PA Schools to Apply To
Who Should Write Your PA School Letters of Recommendation?
What Counts as Patient Care Experience for PA School?
The Pre-PA Newsletter
Real PA admissions updates, new free resources, this week's podcast, and the one thing to focus on this week of the cycle.
Your email address is safe with us .We never share your information with anyone