Des Moines University PA Program: Jada's Acceptance Story (7 Interview Invites at 21)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Jada received 7 interview invites on her first cycle, attended 2, and was accepted to both — including Des Moines University — all at age 21. She initially scored a 299 on the GRE and had no plans to retake it until a top program asked her to. One month of studying later she scored a 309 and stayed in the running.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

I received 7 interview invites. I interviewed and was accepted at 2 of them (denied the other 5 invites). And I was rejected from 4 programs.

In this post:

Where will you be attending?

Des Moines University

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, the moment a program tells you it needs a better GRE score to keep considering you, that is not a rejection — it is an invitation. Jada took it and gained ten points in a month. Applicants routinely leave those openings on the table because they read a request as a formality. It rarely is. And her shadowing tip is the single most efficient one in this whole series: at the end of every shadowing day, ask who else you should meet.

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

At the time, it was very nerve-wracking, but looking back, everyone was so nice and welcoming! They all tried to make the process less stressful, which spoke to the quality of the program.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Jada started her personal statement at her university’s writing center, which cost nothing. Free editing from people who read essays professionally is available on almost every campus.

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

For my personal statement, I first had it edited by the writing center at my university for free. Then I had a few other people look at it. Lastly, I had it reviewed by www.myparesource.com! I used The Pre-PA Club Facebook group a lot to ask questions about the application process. I also just googled a lot of dos and don’ts of applying to PA school. Once I got an interview invite, I scheduled a mock interview through www.thepaplatform.com. Lastly, I reached out to a few PA-C and PA students on Instagram – they were all super helpful!

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

Your hard work will pay off! And it definitely will take a lot of hard work, but it’s worth it! Also, believe in yourself! I know it sounds cheesy, but throughout the whole application process, I didn’t know if I would even get an interview invite. So, have faith in how far you have come and be purposeful and confident in the progress you have yet to make.

Where can we find you? (Instagram, TikTok, Website, etc)

@BecomingA_PA on Instagram! I absolutely love helping pre-PA students so feel free to DM me. I’d love to chat!

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Iowa State University
Overall GPA: 3.66
Science GPA: 3.63
GRE: The first time I took the GRE I scored a 299. I wasn’t going to retake it, but was asked to do so by one of my top programs in order to be further considered. I studied for a month straight and got a 309 (154V/155Q/4W) the second time around!
PA-CAT: Did not take
Total PCE hours: 1,454 hours through my positions as a CNA at a nursing home and Plasma Care Technician at BioLife.
Total HCE hours: 337 hours as a Dietary Aide.
Shadowing hours: I had 45 hours of PA shadowing (family med & urgent care), 18 hours of physician shadowing (ED), and 10 hours of shadowing a dietitian at a cancer clinic (I was a dietetics major). I filled out a shadowing request form at a local hospital, shadowed a family member, my primary care provider, and my grandma connected me with the dietitian. Once you have shadowed someone, ask if they know of anyone in a different specialty that also allows students to shadow!
Volunteer hours: 736 hours. I volunteered at a local animal shelter, two emergency departments, two food banks, one short experience while abroad, and one other position within a hospital. All these experiences were long-term commitments except the one I did in Europe.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 21
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Des Moines University PA program?

Jada was accepted with a 3.66 overall GPA and a 3.63 science GPA. [VERIFY] Des Moines University’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages.

Should you retake the GRE for PA school?

Jada scored a 299 and had no plans to retake it until a top program asked her to in order to stay under consideration. One month of focused studying produced a 309. If a program signals that a score is holding you back, a retake is usually worth it.

Does Des Moines University require the GRE?

Jada submitted GRE scores and did not take the PA-CAT. [VERIFY] whether the GRE is currently required, optional, or not accepted at Des Moines University.

How do you find PA shadowing opportunities?

Jada filled out a shadowing request form at a local hospital, shadowed a family member and her own primary care provider, and was connected to a dietitian through her grandmother. Her tip: after every shadowing experience, ask that provider who else in a different specialty allows students to shadow.

Can you get into PA school at 21?

Yes. Jada was accepted on her first cycle at 21 with 1,454 PCE hours as a CNA and plasma care technician. [VERIFY] whether your target programs require a bachelor’s degree to be complete before matriculation.

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

Seven interview invites, two acceptances, and a ten-point GRE jump she never planned to attempt — Jada packed a lot into one cycle at 21. She also offers to chat with pre-PA students on Instagram, which is exactly the kind of generosity this profession runs on.

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Des Moines University PA Program: Jada's Acceptance Story (7 Interview Invites at 21)