Lincoln Memorial University PA Program: Zeena's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Zeena applied to 25 PA programs in her first cycle, received eight interviews, and finished with three acceptances and a waitlist — enrolling at Lincoln Memorial University DCOM in Harrogate, Tennessee. Her overall GPA was 3.3 and her GRE was 298, and she found a major mistake in her personal statement after submitting. Because interviewing was her weakness, she arranged 14 mock interviews — deliberately with strangers rather than friends.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

8 interviews, 3 accepted, 1 waitlist, 3 waiting to hear interview results

In this post:

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

Lincoln Memorial University DCOM PA program in Harrogate, TN

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Zeena's recommendation to do mock interviews with strangers rather than friends and family is the most actionable tip in this post. Practicing with people who already like you doesn't reproduce the discomfort of a real interview. Fourteen mock interviews with people she found through social media is why she converted eight interviews into three acceptances despite a 3.3 GPA and a 298 GRE. Also note what she says about the personal statement mistake she found after submitting — it didn't cost her the cycle. Proofread carefully, but don't let one error convince you the application is ruined.

Any red flags on your application?

My Overall GPA, my GRE and I noticed a HUGE mistake on my personal statement after I submitted

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Zeena saved up specifically to fund 25 applications, which is expensive but produced eight interviews and three acceptances on her first try. She experienced every interview format and preferred the MMI. [VERIFY] Confirm Lincoln Memorial University's current PA program requirements.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

I was surprised at how comfortable staff and faculty made students feel during the interviews. I learned not only were schools interviewing me, but I was interviewing them as well. Throughout the 8 interviews, I was able to experience every interview style and found that MMI-style interviews were my favorite. It gave me a chance to breathe and reset between each mini interview and I enjoyed seeing a new face in each room.

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

I am big on using social media to find random people to ask questions. You will be surprised how helpful social media can be. I also used the ‘Physician Assitant School Interview guide’ by Savanna Perry, ‘How to “Ace” the Physician Assistant School Interview’ (affiliate link) and ‘Getting into Physician Assistant School’ by Andrew J. Rodican (affiliate link). In addition, I watched hundreds of youtube videos and listened to all of Savanna Perry’s podcasts. I used social media to ask random people if they can interview me as well and was able to have 14 mock interviews because interviewing was my weakness.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

BE CONFIDENT! Do not let your weaknesses and fears take over. Work on bettering yourself and your application in any way you can. If this is truly your passion, you will do whatever it takes to overcome any obstacles life decides to put in your path. Remember, it will only make you stronger! Do not be scared to ask for help! Reach out and use the internet and social media to your advantage. Practice, practice, practice before interviews. I recommend having strangers interview you instead of family and friends. Being nervous at an interview is normal and your interviewers are aware of this as they were in your position at one point in time. They want to make sure you are a human being capable of empathetically and compassionately take care of others.

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

instagram @zee9193. Please reach out to me if you have ANY questions or need help with anything. WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: B.S. in Interdisciplinary Health, Minor in Chemistry, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Overall GPA: 3.3
Science GPA: 3.5
GRE: 298, 4.5 writing
Total HCE hours: 304
Total PCE hours: 1,160 (CNA at Nursing home and hospital)
Shadowing hours: 124 (Orthopedic and ENT PA)
Other volunteer hours: 640 (Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, Delta Phi Omega Sorority, Incorporated, Crisis Nursery, Mission Trip to Peru)
LORs: 5 (1 professor, 1 Director of Nursing, 1 research professor, 2 PAs)
How many times did you apply?: once
Age: 25
Gender: F
How many programs did you apply to? 25 (only because I saved up JUST to apply for schools and wanted to have a better chance at getting accepted my first try)

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Lincoln Memorial University PA program?

Zeena was accepted with a 3.3 overall GPA and a 3.5 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm LMU DCOM's current published minimum GPA requirements directly with the program.

Does Lincoln Memorial University's PA program require the GRE?

Zeena submitted a 298 GRE with 4.5 writing. [VERIFY] Confirm the current testing policy before registering for the exam.

How many mock interviews should you do before a PA school interview?

As many as you need to feel unbothered. Zeena completed 14 because interviewing was her weakest skill, and she specifically recommends practicing with strangers rather than friends and family, since strangers better reproduce the discomfort of the real thing.

Does a mistake in your personal statement ruin your PA school application?

Usually not. Zeena discovered what she describes as a huge mistake in her personal statement after submitting and still earned eight interviews and three acceptances. Proofread thoroughly, but a single error is unlikely to be decisive.

Is it worth applying to 25 PA programs?

It's expensive but can work. Zeena saved specifically to fund 25 applications and converted them into eight interviews. A more targeted list built around programs whose requirements you clearly meet usually delivers similar results for less money.

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

Zeena knew interviewing was her weakness, so she did it fourteen times before it counted. That's the whole strategy. Identify the part of the process you're worst at, then practice it until it stops being the thing that scares you.

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Lincoln Memorial University PA Program: Zeena's Acceptance Story