Sullivan University PA Program: Rida's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Rida applied to 17 PA programs as a first-time applicant, interviewed at eight, and finished with two acceptances, three waitlists, and one rejection — enrolling at Sullivan University. She came from a business background with a degree in Management Information Systems and built 2,000+ PCE hours as an ER scribe, internal medicine medical assistant, and ENT scribe. Two or three withdrawals on her transcript came up in every single interview.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

8 programs

(Accepted to 2 programs, waitlisted at 3 programs, no response yet from 1 interview, cancelled 1 interview as I was accepted, and denied at 1 program)

In this post:

Where will you be attending?

Sullivan University

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Rida's warning about withdrawals is worth taking literally. Two or three Ws prompted a question at essentially every interview she attended. Withdrawals are not disqualifying, but each one becomes a conversation you'll have repeatedly, so drop a course only when the alternative is genuinely worse. Her career-change background is also a real asset when framed well — her letter from a corporate manager speaks to professional maturity that a 21-year-old applicant simply can't demonstrate. Her framing that average stats plus a distinctive story can beat strong stats with a generic one is accurate, and it's what her eight interviews reflect.

Any red flags on your application?

I had 2-3 Ws on my transcript from undergrad and I had to explain this EVERY time when asked about it, so be careful with withdrawals!

Also, my GRE score was VERY average compared to some of my candidates

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

One program had Rida do a white coat fitting the moment she walked in for her interview. She was also struck by how basic many interview questions turned out to be after months of preparation. [VERIFY] Confirm Sullivan University's current PA program requirements.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

One interview that I was at had us do a white coat fitting the second we walked in! I thought this was quite interesting as no other school did this

I was also surprised at how comfortable the interviews were and how BASIC some of the questions they asked were. It was so important to remain calm and collected because you prepare so much for something that turns out to be so quick and casual!

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

I highly highly highly recommend Savannah’s book- PA School Interview Guide! This is an awesome first book to purchase to get started with understanding how one should approach interviews. It breaks down SO much, and i would re-read it on my kindle through my phone the day of interview.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Don’t give up! If someone like myself can get this far, so can you. My stats are pretty average but my story wasn’t and I mastered on conveying this message to interviewers! Be authentic and be honest! Try to be as competitive as possible by doing MORE than the minimum requirements for school and schools WILL notice that. And for those of you that are career changers, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is SO worth it 🙂

Where can we find you?

Instagram: @pa.RIDS

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: University of Houston with a degree in Management Information Systems-Business
Overall GPA: 3.5
Science GPA: 3.7
Total PCE hours: 2000+ hours (ER Scribe, Internal Medicine Medical Assistant, ENT Scribe)
Shadowing hours: 300+ hours (PAs from different specialties such as orthopedics, family practice, urgent care, allergies, VA, etc)
Other volunteer hours: 300+ hours
LORs: 1 from Professor, 2 from Doctors, 1 from PA, 1 from Corporate America ex-manager
How many times did you apply?: 1st time applicant
Age: 25 years old
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 17 programs

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Sullivan University PA program?

Rida was accepted with a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.7 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm Sullivan University's current published minimum GPA requirements directly with the program.

Do withdrawals hurt your PA school application?

They invite questions. Rida had two to three Ws on her transcript and reported having to explain them at essentially every interview. They didn't prevent eight interview invitations and two acceptances, but be prepared to address each one.

Can you go to PA school with a business degree?

Yes. Rida's degree was in Management Information Systems from a business school, and she completed the required science prerequisites separately — finishing with a 3.7 science GPA. Your major matters far less than your prerequisite coursework and performance.

Does scribing count as patient care experience for PA school?

It depends on the program. Rida counted ER and ENT scribe work alongside medical assistant experience toward 2,000+ PCE hours, but many programs classify scribing as healthcare experience rather than patient care. Confirm with each school on your list.

How do career changers get into PA school?

By leaning on what makes them different. Rida came from a business background and included a letter from her former corporate manager alongside clinical letters. Her advice is to be authentic about your path, exceed minimum requirements where you can, and master telling your own story.

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

Rida describes her stats as average and her story as anything but. Eight interviews from 17 applications suggests she's right. If you're changing careers, the years you spent elsewhere aren't a gap to explain away — they're the part of your application nobody else has.

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Sullivan University PA Program: Rida's Acceptance Story