Bethel University PA Program: Megan's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Megan applied to three PA programs near her home mostly to get comfortable with the process, interviewed at one, and was accepted to Bethel University in Minnesota. She had a 3.77 GPA, 1,200 PCE hours, and just 6 shadowing hours. At her interview she was noticeably younger than the other candidates, most of whom had post-undergrad experience. Her advice: start everything earlier than you think you need to.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

I only interviewed at one school: Bethel University, and I got accepted and that is where I will be enrolling. One of the other schools I applied to does not do interviews and I have yet to hear back from them, and the third school I did not receive an invite to interview at. I honestly wasn’t expecting to get accepted my first time, I basically applied to schools around my area to get comfortable with the system!

In this post:

Where will you be attending? (if you’re comfortable sharing)

Bethel University in Minnesota, Class of 2021

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, applying as a practice run is more common than people admit — and it works often enough that you should treat every application as if it might succeed. Megan didn't expect an acceptance and got one. Two details are worth noting: her withdrawal from Calculus II never came up, which is typical since a single W rarely registers as a concern, and she was accepted with only 6 shadowing hours. Shadowing requirements vary widely, so check whether your target programs set a minimum before assuming you need dozens of hours. Her group interview observation is also useful preparation — those portions assess collaboration, not dominance.

Any red flags on your application?

I had a “W” my first semester of college in Calculus II because I was taking a lot of credits and I changed my major, but I was never asked about it.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Megan's letters came from a professor she TA'd for, an RN who has known her since childhood, and her campus priest — none of them a PA. Letters that speak credibly to your character and work ethic count. [VERIFY] Confirm Bethel University's current LOR and shadowing requirements.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

My biggest shock was how young I was compared to the other interviewees! Many of them had a couple years post-undergrad where they gained a lot of experience which was a little nerve-wracking for me. Also, the group interview portion was a little awkward because you had to read the room really well in order to stand out without being rude or disruptive!

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

I listened to the PA Platform podcast a LOT! It helped me feel so confident going into interviews because it was really informative about everything from PA programs to interview processes to the life of a PA. I also got the e-book for “PA School Interview Guide” and that was super helpful too!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Start everything as early as possible! Start your personal statement (even if it is just a sentence), get familiar with CASPA, research programs and plan your pre-reqs, do whatever you can to shadow PAs, MDs, and NPs, & get those patient care hours!! Also, stalk PAs on social media! YouTube, podcasts, & Instagram are all great resources and will not only keep you motivated but will also educate you on everything you need to be successful in getting into PA school!

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

Instagram: @meganroseberger

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: University of Minnesota Duluth
Overall GPA: 3.77 at time of application (doesn’t include senior year)
Science GPA: 3.66 at time of application (doesn’t include senior year)
GRE: Verbal: 149, Quantitative: 156, Writing: 4.0
Total HCE hours: 50
Total PCE hours: 1,200
Shadowing hours: 6
Other volunteer hours: ~500; I volunteered a lot! I went on a 3-week mission trip to France, a therapeutic horse riding center, and a pony camp as well as spent a lot of time in leadership volunteer positions such as leading music ministry at church, leading bible studies, being a part of my church’s leadership team, and helping to lead retreats.
LORs: I had three LORs: one professor that I was a TA for, one RN who has known me my whole life, and one from my priest on campus
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 22
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 3 programs

FAQ

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

Megan was accepted with a 3.77 overall GPA and a 3.66 science GPA at the time of application, not including her senior year. [VERIFY] Confirm Bethel's current published minimum GPA requirements directly with the program.

Does Bethel University's PA program require the GRE?

Megan submitted GRE scores of 149 verbal, 156 quantitative, and 4.0 writing. [VERIFY] Confirm the current testing policy before registering for the exam.

How many shadowing hours do you need for PA school?

It varies enormously. Megan was accepted with only 6 shadowing hours, while other applicants log hundreds. Some programs set a firm minimum and others don't require shadowing at all. Check each program's stated requirement rather than chasing a general number.

Does a W on your transcript hurt your PA school application?

Usually not much. Megan withdrew from Calculus II her first semester and reported that she was never asked about it. A pattern of withdrawals is a different matter, but an isolated W rarely draws attention.

What is a group interview at PA school like?

Programs use group portions to watch how you collaborate. Megan described needing to read the room in order to contribute meaningfully without being disruptive. Aim to build on others' ideas and make space for quieter candidates rather than trying to dominate the discussion.

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

Megan applied expecting to learn the system and ended up with a seat in the Class of 2021. If you meet a program's requirements, submit the application — a practice cycle you take seriously is just an application, and it might work.

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Bethel University PA Program: Megan's Acceptance Story