Arcadia University PA Program: Alyssa's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Alyssa applied to four programs while still finishing undergrad, interviewed at two, and was accepted to both — choosing Arcadia University. She had a perfect 4.0 in both overall and science GPA, and 33 patient care hours. Thirty-three. She had just started as a medical assistant when she submitted, and alumni she talked to told her to apply anyway.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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Why PA?

After seeing PAs work (ER & gastroenterology), I really loved that they were able to bridge a gap in healthcare, helping more patients be seen while still providing high-quality care to all. Not to mention, they can spend more time with the patient, which can really help a visit feel more personable. I also love the lateral mobility aspect of the profession; I'm not exactly sure what speciality I want to go into yet, but I know that I will be able to find one that I really enjoy.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Alyssa's application is the most extreme version of a pattern worth understanding: 33 patient care hours and 4 shadowing hours would be screened out at a large majority of programs. What makes her a two-for-two admit is a flawless 4.0, 612 scribe hours, 469 volunteer hours, and — critically — a school list of only four programs that she clearly chose for fit rather than volume. She picked places where the rest of her file could be read holistically. If your hours are genuinely minimal, that's the only viable version of this strategy: research each program's stated minimums carefully and apply where you actually qualify, rather than hoping a strong GPA overrides a hard requirement.

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

2 interviews, 2 acceptances

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Alyssa arranged two free mock interviews through her university's biology advising department — one individual and one group format. Campus pre-health advising is an underused resource, and it's already paid for by your tuition.

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Where will you be attending?

Arcadia University

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

Both programs I interviewed at (Pace & Arcadia), had such wonderful environments. Although the candidates were technically "competing" for spots, everyone was so kind and supportive of each other. The interviews were more relaxed than I anticipated, which really helped ease my nerves and allowed my true personality shine through.

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

Savanna Perry's PA interview book taught me all the strategies I needed for the interviews. I also reached out to my school's Biology advising department to do 2 mock interviews, a 1-on-1 and a group interview, which really helped me work on articulating answers.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

If you're a younger applicant still finishing up your undergrad but want to keep the ball rolling, don't hesitate to apply! Especially if you've been working towards your goal while in school! I didn't think I had enough or *good* enough healthcare hours, but most of the alumni that I talked to encouraged me to apply anyways. Definitely glad to have listened to them!

Also, don't just apply to random programs. Really look to see what makes each program unique. I'm so thankful my friend told me about Arcadia; they are highly involved in their community and have amazing international opportunities which have me extremely excited to attend! So, definitely find a program that fits you. 🙂

Where can we find you?

instagram – @lyssachi

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Old Dominion University
Overall GPA: 4.0
Science GPA: 4.0
GRE: 108
Total PCE hours: 33 (had just started as an MA when I sent my application!)
Total HCE hours: 612 (ER scribe)
Shadowing hours: 4 (only one opportunity)
Other Volunteer hours: 469 + a lot of involvement in the Filipino organization at my school! 🙂
LORs: 3 (1 PA, 1 Professor, 1 Mentor)
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 21
Gender: Female

FAQ

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

Alyssa was accepted with a 4.0 overall GPA and a 4.0 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm Arcadia's current minimum GPA requirements.

Can you get into PA school with very few patient care hours?

It's rare and it depends heavily on the rest of your file. Alyssa was accepted with 33 PCE hours, but she also had a perfect 4.0, 612 scribe hours, and a short, carefully chosen school list. Most programs set PCE minimums well above that. [VERIFY] Confirm each program's current requirements before applying.

Should you apply to PA school while still in undergrad?

You can, and Alyssa recommends it if you've been building toward the goal during school. She applied at 21 while finishing her degree, on the encouragement of alumni who told her not to talk herself out of it.

Does Arcadia University's PA program require the GRE?

Alyssa reported a GRE figure of 108, which does not match the current 130-170 per-section scale and may reflect a different reporting format. [VERIFY] Confirm Arcadia's current GRE policy and the intended score format.

How do you choose which PA programs to apply to?

Look at what makes each one distinct rather than applying broadly. Alyssa chose Arcadia specifically for its community involvement and international opportunities, and she credits a friend for pointing her toward it. Fit matters both for your application's persuasiveness and for your experience once enrolled.

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

Alyssa went two for two with 33 patient care hours, which is not a repeatable formula so much as proof that a perfect transcript, a well-chosen short list, and genuine enthusiasm can carry an application further than the hour counts suggest. The generalizable parts: use your campus advising office for free mock interviews, and pick programs for specific reasons you can name out loud.

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Arcadia University PA Program: Alyssa's Acceptance Story