Low GPA to PA School: Natasha's University of Washington Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Natasha holds a BA in Media and Communications from an Australian university and applied with a 2.96 overall GPA — a 3.60 across her last 60 credits — plus more than 11,000 PCE hours as a medical assistant and X-ray technician and 296 shadowing hours. Her second cycle produced 13 applications and exactly one interview, which became her acceptance at the University of Washington. Her advice on standing out is the most specific in this batch.

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?

1, accepted! – it only takes one! 🙂

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Natasha's interview observation contradicts several other applicants in this wave and both can be true — she found her interviewers had thoroughly reviewed her application and asked follow-up questions building on her written answers, while others found interviewers knew nothing about them. The safe conclusion is to prepare for both: know your own application by heart, and be ready to introduce yourself from scratch. Her file is also a strong argument for the last-60 metric. A 2.96 cumulative with a media and communications degree from an Australian university would be screened out almost everywhere, and a 3.60 over her final 60 credits plus 11,000 patient care hours got her in. Thirteen applications yielding one interview is the realistic conversion rate at that GPA.

Where will you be attending?

University of Washington

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Natasha's advice on being memorable is unusually practical: find something non-medical that makes you unforgettable, whether that's making jewelry or cooking for your dog. Everyone in the room is passionate about medicine — that's the baseline, not the differentiator.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

Surprisingly, they really just want to get to know you. The focus won't be on your stats, that only gets your foot in the door, it's about how your personality will fit the rest of the cohort, they look at you as a future student and colleague. The interviewers will thoroughly review your application so make sure you know it by heart and can answer questions based on your answers. I had a group interview which consisted of different interview panels, and the common theme with each panel is interviewers building upon your answers by asking follow up questions. It was more conversation like so as long as you're confident and know your application inside out it will be smooth sailing. The faculty is also aware of how stressful the day is for everyone so they tend to be more accommodating and comforting.

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

The PA Platform, Physician Assistant School Interview Guide, Physician Assistant Forum, beaphysicianassistant.com, thepalife.com, mock interview service with the PA Platform, Instagram of various PAs

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Don't stress by comparing yourself to other pre-pa students. We all have our own journey that makes us unique and worthy to be a PA. I am not by any means a traditional PA applicant, at times that discouraged me but I kept on persevering. Never give up, there will be that one school that is a perfect match for your vision and goals as a future PA. Find your niche and make sure that shines, find something that will make you unforgettable, it doesn't even have to be medically related but anything that will make you stand out, it can be as simple as you make your own jewelry, or cook for your dog, anything that will make the interviewers remember you. It's already a given that we are passionate about this profession and this is the career for us so make sure you don't only focus on that aspect during the interviews or even while writing your personal statement. Make your personality shine!

Listen: Low 2.99 CASPA GPA to PA School Acceptance! (How She Did It!)

2.99. One hundredth of a point under the number everybody says is the cutoff.

Episode show notes & key takeaways

2.99. One hundredth of a point under the number everybody says is the cutoff.

Sarah Matthews applied with that GPA and got in. She's now practicing in OB-GYN and urogynecology.

I want to be careful here, because this is not me telling you GPA doesn't matter. It does, and a 2.99 makes everything harder. What Sarah's story shows is that programs read whole applications, and the rest of yours has to be strong enough to carry the number.

So we get into what she did - how she handled the GPA question head on, what she built around it, and how she chose where to apply. Being strategic about your program list matters enormously when you're below a threshold.

If you've been told a low GPA disqualifies you, this is the counterexample. Just don't mistake it for permission to stop working on your grades.

What we cover

Applying with a 2.99 CASPA GPA and what that felt like
Building the rest of an application strong enough to carry it
Addressing a low GPA without making excuses
Choosing programs realistically
Life as an OB-GYN and urogynecology PA
What she'd tell someone sitting just under a cutoff

Resources

Follow The Pre-PA Club: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · All episodes

Where can we find you?

Instagram: @vs22mix

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: BA Media and Communications at the University of New South Wales (Australia)
Overall GPA: 2.96 (last 60 credits: 3.60)
Science GPA: 3.39
GRE: 300
Total PCE hours: 11,000+ as a Medical Assistant/ X-ray Technician
Shadowing hours: 296 (from PA's in different fields: urgent care, primary care, neurology, women's health, and an MD)
Volunteer hours: 213
LORs: 2 PA's, 2 MD's, 1 Biology Professor
How many times did you apply?: 2
Age: 29
Gender: Female

FAQ

Can you get into PA school with a 2.96 GPA?

Natasha did, at the University of Washington, with a 3.60 across her last 60 credits and more than 11,000 patient care hours. A sub-3.0 cumulative requires clear evidence of recent academic strength and an exceptional clinical record, and it will sharply limit how many interviews you receive.

Can you go to PA school with a non-science degree?

Yes, as long as you complete the required prerequisites. Natasha holds a BA in Media and Communications and had a 3.39 science GPA from her prerequisite coursework. Programs care about the prerequisites and your science GPA more than your major.

Does a foreign degree work for PA school applications?

It can, though it typically requires credential evaluation and some programs have restrictions. Natasha earned her degree at the University of New South Wales in Australia. [VERIFY] Confirm each program's policy on international transcripts and whether a course-by-course evaluation is required.

Does the University of Washington PA program require the GRE?

Natasha submitted a GRE score of 300. [VERIFY] Confirm whether the program currently requires the GRE.

Do PA school interviewers read your application beforehand?

It varies by program. Natasha's interviewers had reviewed her application thoroughly and asked follow-up questions based on her written answers, while other applicants report interviewers knowing nothing about them. Know your own application by heart and be prepared to introduce yourself either way.

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

Natasha describes herself as not by any means a traditional applicant — a media degree from Australia, a 2.96 cumulative, and 29 years old on her second cycle — and she got into the University of Washington on the strength of 11,000 patient care hours, 296 shadowing hours, and a 3.60 over her final 60 credits. Thirteen applications yielded one interview, and one was enough. Her point about finding a non-medical detail that makes you memorable is the most useful interview advice in this wave.

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Low GPA to PA School: Natasha's University of Washington Acceptance Story