Emory & Henry College PA Program: Lauren's Acceptance Story (315 PCE Hours)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Lauren applied once to 5 programs at 21, interviewed at 2, and finished with an acceptance and a waitlist. Notably, she got in with only 315 PCE hours — the lowest patient care total in this entire series — alongside a 3.92 overall GPA, a 3.82 science GPA, and 53 shadowing hours. Her advice is to find programs that fit you rather than contorting yourself to fit them.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

Your Pre-PA Bestie Blog - everything you need to know to become a PA in one place.

Why PA?

I started out wanting to work in medicine, but could never determine a specialty or even a job. I fell in love with PA after I shadowed an ENT PA and saw how her job varied from day to day, from seeing patients in the clinic to performing surgery, all while collaborating with her physician and fellow PAs and NPs.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, 315 patient care hours would not clear the minimum at a large share of programs, which makes Lauren’s story the clearest possible argument for her own advice. She applied to programs that fit her file rather than assuming every school wanted the same thing. If your hours are light, do not give up — but do the research to find the programs whose published requirements you genuinely meet, and be honest with yourself about which ones you do not.

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

I interviewed with 2 programs. One accepted me and the other waitlisted me.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

The best career advice Lauren ever received — major in something you actually like — came from a PA she met at an orchestra camp. Ask questions everywhere.

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Where will you be attending?

I will attend Emory & Henry College MPAS in Marion, Virginia

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

I engaged with current students more than I was expecting. It was a great time to ask about their experiences applying and ultimately choosing their program. I also got to ask about studying habits, lecture styles, and clinical assignments.

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

The PA Platform Interview Course, My PA Resource Personal Statement review, PA Platform mock interview, university career center mock interview, PA Platform webinars.

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

Apply to programs that fit you as a person and a candidate instead of trying to fit yourself (and your application) to specific programs. Get used to asking questions while shadowing, volunteering, interviewing, or even when you randomly meet PAs somewhere. The best advice I ever got (to major in something I liked and was interested in) was from a PA I met at an orchestra camp. Most PAs you meet genuinely want to help you, whether it’s with shadowing, your personal statement, or even just overall advice.

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

Instagram @lauren_noodle, TikTok @laurennewell8

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: The University of Alabama
Overall GPA: 3.92
Science GPA: 3.82
GRE: 309
PA-CAT: Did not take
Total PCE hours: 315 hours. I volunteered at my local hospital and worked as an Optimetrist Assistant at an Eye Clinic.
Shadowing hours: 53. I shadowed multiple PAs in orthopedic surgery, as well as a PA in children’s plastic surgery, and a PA in ENT.
Volunteer hours: 350. I went on two Christian mission trips and volunteered in my local hopsital.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 21
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Emory & Henry College PA program?

Lauren was accepted with a 3.92 overall GPA and a 3.82 science GPA. [VERIFY] Emory & Henry’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages.

Does Emory & Henry College require the GRE for PA school?

Lauren submitted a 309 and did not take the PA-CAT. [VERIFY] whether the GRE is currently required, optional, or not accepted at Emory & Henry.

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

It is possible at programs with low or no PCE minimums. Lauren was accepted with 315 hours, the lowest total in this series, supported by a 3.92 GPA. [VERIFY] each program’s published minimum before applying, as many require 500, 1,000, or more.

What should you ask current students on PA school interview day?

Lauren asked about study habits, lecture styles, clinical assignments, and how they chose the program. Current students give you a far more accurate picture of daily life than any brochure.

How do you choose which PA programs to apply to?

Lauren’s advice is to apply where you genuinely fit as a candidate rather than reshaping your application to match a program. Compare your GPA, hours, and prerequisites against each program’s published requirements and recent class profile.

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

Lauren got in at 21 with a strong transcript and a light hour count, by choosing programs that wanted what she actually had. Most PAs you meet genuinely want to help you, she says — which is worth remembering the next time you are hesitating to ask.

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Emory & Henry College PA Program: Lauren's Acceptance Story (315 PCE Hours)