North Greenville University PA Program: Emily's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Emily applied twice. On her second cycle she earned three interview invitations and was offered a seat at North Greenville University the same day she interviewed. Her stats, her MMI experience and her advice for reapplicants follow below, exactly as she shared them with us.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

3 invites so far

I chose to commit to North Greenville University. I was one of two students offered a seat in the program immediately following the interview. This is a fairly new program, but after meeting with the staff and current students, I knew it was the place for me.

Last cycle: one interview, one waitlist.

In this post:

Any red flags on your application?

Low GRE score.

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Emily's cycle is a good argument against ruling yourself out over one number. A 300 GRE sits below what most applicants assume is competitive, and she was still offered a seat on interview day. What changed between her first cycle and her second was not the test score. She doubled the size of her program list, brought in a mentor to sharpen her personal statement, and prepared properly for the interview itself.

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

I was surprised by the low key and relaxed nature of the interview! I was surprised by the questions asked during MMI but overall, I could sense that the questions were meant to show how I problem solve rather than the answer itself.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Being offered a seat the same day you interview is unusual, but it does happen — more often at newer or smaller programs that interview in small groups and decide quickly [VERIFY current North Greenville admissions timeline]. If a program signals a fast decision, treat the whole day as part of the evaluation, including the time you spend with current students between sessions.

Free Application Timeline → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/free-application-timeline/

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

My medical mentor was absolutely vital in writing and editing my personal statement! Once I landed the interview, I began reading the PA Interview Guide – it was such a huge help in calming my nerves! It opened my eyes to see that programs are inviting me because I am qualified – the interview is a way to show them my personality!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Stay true to yourself throughout the process! If there’s something you’re passionate about, stick to it. Use it as an opportunity to find where you belong as a future PA.

Always tell a story when answering an interview question. Any speaking opportunity is a chance to let your personality shine!

If you’re a applicant, try not to take it personally! Reach out to other current PA-S, Pre-PAs and PA-C for advice. You’ll be surprised just how willing our little community is to support one another. Find out where you can improve your personal statement, PCE/HCE, or interview style. Show these programs how resilient you are!

Where can we find you?

Instagram: @emily.a.pa

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: University of Georgia, Dietetics
Overall GPA: 3.68
Science GPA: 3.5
GRE: 300
Total HCE hours: 600 Dietetics practicum, Athens Pregnancy Center Nutrition Mentor and Medical Camp Counselor
Total PCE hours: 2500 Dietetic Technician and Medical Assistant
Shadowing hours: 90 Dermatology PA
Other volunteer hours: 200 Habitat for Humanity and church mission trips
LORs: Physician (from work), NP (from work), Pharmacist (Medical Mentor)
How many times did you apply?: 2 times
Age: 28
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 6 programs this cycle. 3 last cycle.

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the North Greenville University PA program?

Emily was accepted with a 3.68 overall GPA and a 3.5 science GPA. Program minimums change, so confirm the current requirements directly with North Greenville [VERIFY].

How many patient care hours did Emily have?

2,500 PCE hours as a dietetic technician and medical assistant, plus 600 healthcare experience hours.

Can you get into PA school with a low GRE score?

Emily did. A 300 was the one red flag she names on her application, and she was still offered a seat immediately after her interview.

Did Emily get into PA school on her first try?

No. She applied twice. Her first cycle produced one interview and one waitlist across three programs. Her second cycle, with six programs, produced three interview invitations and an acceptance.

Does North Greenville University use an MMI interview format?

Emily's interview included MMI questions, and she felt they were designed to show how she problem solves rather than to test for a correct answer [VERIFY current interview format with the program].

How can I be featured in an Accepted! post?

Email [email protected] to share your acceptance story and advice with other PA hopefuls.

CLOSING

Emily did not reinvent herself between cycles. She applied more broadly, leaned on a mentor for her personal statement, prepared for the interview before she needed to, and let her personality carry the room. If you are staring down a second application, that is a realistic model to work from.

If you’ve recently been accepted to PA school and would like to be featured in an “Accepted!” post to share your story and advice with other PA hopefuls, send an email to [email protected].

Pre-PA Counseling — start your own acceptance story → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/pre-pa-counseling/

North Greenville University PA Program: Emily's Acceptance Story