Georgia PA School: Tarika's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Tarika applied to PA school twice, sending five applications in her second cycle, and was accepted at a Georgia program with another decision still pending. She brought a 3.8 GPA, 4,500 PCE hours as a medical assistant and scribe, and 1,000 shadowing hours. Her biggest lesson from the first attempt: never ask for a letter of recommendation from someone who barely knows you.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

so far, 2. Accepted from one, waiting on the other.

In this post:

Where will you be attending?

Not sure yet, but somewhere in Georgia!

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Tarika's letter of recommendation mistake is one of the most fixable reasons applicants get rejected. A letter from a PA who shadowed you once reads as generic, and admissions committees can tell immediately. A strong letter comes from someone who has watched you work over months and can cite specific moments. If you are early in your journey, start building those relationships now rather than scrambling for signatures in the spring. Her 4,500 PCE hours across MA and scribe roles also show a useful pattern: combining a hands-on clinical role with a documentation-heavy one builds both patient skills and clinical reasoning.

Any red flags on your application?

I still have a prerequisite to complete. The first time I applied, I asked a PA who I only shadowed ONCE to write me a letter and that was a mistake.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Tarika applied with a prerequisite still outstanding and was accepted anyway. Many programs allow in-progress coursework as long as it will be complete before matriculation. [VERIFY] Confirm outstanding prerequisite policies with each program on your list.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

My interviewers were surprisingly super warm and they made me feel really comfortable! They just wanted to get to know me rather than “grill me” with hard questions.

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

I read “how to get into PA school” by Andrew Rodican. (Affiliate Link)

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Have patience! Good things happen when the time is right. Don’t lose focus and don’t give up if this is something you really want! Form good relationships with the PA’s/Doctors you shadow and work with because your recommendation letters really matter! DM me if you have any questions!

Where can we find you?

@tarika03 on instagram!

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Overall GPA: 3.8
Science GPA: 3.7
GRE: 314
Total HCE hours: 250
Total PCE hours: 4500 (MA and scribe)
Shadowing hours: 1000
Other volunteer hours: 320
LORs: 3 (1 PA, 2 physicians)
How many times did you apply?: 2
Age: 24 (by the time I start)
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 5

FAQ

What GPA do you need for PA school in Georgia?

Tarika was accepted with a 3.8 overall GPA and a 3.7 science GPA. Georgia PA programs vary in their published minimums. [VERIFY] Confirm current GPA requirements with each Georgia program you're considering.

Can you apply to PA school with a prerequisite still in progress?

Often yes. Tarika applied with an outstanding prerequisite and was accepted. Most programs allow in-progress coursework provided it is completed before you matriculate, but policies differ. [VERIFY] Check each program's rules.

Who should write your PA school letters of recommendation?

Someone who knows you well. Tarika's first application included a letter from a PA she had shadowed only once, which she described as a mistake. Her successful cycle used three letters — one PA and two physicians — from people with real working relationships with her.

How many patient care hours do you need for PA school?

Tarika had 4,500 PCE hours from medical assistant and scribe work, well above most program minimums. Requirements typically range from a few hundred to a couple thousand hours depending on the school. Quality and depth of the role matter alongside the raw total.

Is it common to apply to PA school more than once?

Very. Tarika was accepted on her second application. Reapplying is normal, and the time between cycles is an opportunity to add hours, finish prerequisites, and secure stronger letters.

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

Tarika's second application succeeded largely because she fixed what went wrong the first time. If you are heading into a repeat cycle, audit your letters first — they are often the quietest weakness in an otherwise strong file, and the easiest one to correct with a little planning.

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Georgia PA School: Tarika's Acceptance Story