Northeastern University PA Program: Maddy's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Maddy applied to 12 PA programs in her first cycle, received six interview invitations, attended four, and finished with two acceptances and two waitlists — landing at her top choice, Northeastern University. She had a 3.67 overall GPA, roughly 1,400 PCE hours, and a quantitative GRE score in the 51st percentile. Her key observation: prestige doesn't predict fit, and a smaller program may impress you more than a famous one.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

I interviewed at 4 schools (6 invites, declined 2) and I was accepted at 2 and waitlisted at 2.

In this post:

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

My top choice, Northeastern University!!!

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Maddy's advice about prestige is something applicants figure out only after they've visited a few campuses. Program reputation says very little about whether you'll thrive there. What matters is class size, clinical rotation sites, faculty accessibility, PANCE pass rates, and whether the culture fits how you learn. Visit with an open mind and pay attention to how current students talk about their program. Her Health Professions Advising Committee letter is also worth noting — if your undergraduate institution offers a committee letter, it can carry meaningful weight.

Any red flags on your application?

My quantitative score on the GRE was low (51st percentile) and I had a B- on my transcript. Otherwise, I don’t think there were any red flags.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Maddy declined two of her six interview invitations and still ended up at her first-choice program. Her only listed red flags were one B- and a 51st-percentile quantitative GRE. [VERIFY] Confirm Northeastern's current PA program requirements.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

An interview at a “top school” may disappoint you and an interview at a smaller, lesser known school might really impress you! So, keep an open mind!

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

I used How to Ace the Physician Assistant Interview by Andrew Rodican. I used Magoosh for the GRE and followed blogs like The PA Platform and other blogging resources.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Keep an open mind and say yes to any opportunity that presents itself. You never know what lessons you could learn or people you could meet from different experiences. Also, be kind to yourself. This is a hard path but it is worth it. Keep working!!

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

My instagram is the.pa.diaries!

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Villanova University, B.S. in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience
Overall GPA: 3.67
Science GPA: 3.46
GRE: 158 Verbal, 153 Quantitative, 5.0 Written
Total HCE hours: 104
Total PCE hours: ~1,400
Shadowing hours: 35
Other volunteer hours: ~200
LORs: 4 Total (1 from a professor, 1 from a PA, 1 from an NP, and 1 Health Professions Advising Committee Letter)
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 23
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 12

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Northeastern University PA program?

Maddy was accepted with a 3.67 overall GPA and a 3.46 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm Northeastern's current published minimum GPA requirements directly with the program.

Does Northeastern's PA program require the GRE?

Maddy submitted a 158 verbal, 153 quantitative, 5.0 written GRE. [VERIFY] Confirm the current testing policy before registering for the exam.

Does PA program prestige matter?

Less than fit. Maddy found that an interview at a top-ranked school disappointed her while a smaller, lesser-known program impressed her. Evaluate class size, rotation sites, faculty access, PANCE pass rates, and culture rather than reputation alone.

What is a Health Professions Advising Committee letter?

It's a composite letter from your undergraduate institution's pre-health committee, summarizing your candidacy on behalf of multiple faculty. Maddy included one among her four letters. If your school offers one, it can add credibility — check whether your target programs accept or prefer it.

Does a low quantitative GRE score hurt your PA school application?

Not necessarily. Maddy's quantitative score was in the 51st percentile and she received six interview invitations from twelve applications. Programs generally read GRE scores in the context of your GPA and coursework rather than in isolation.

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

Maddy ended up at her top choice on her first cycle, and her most useful takeaway is about how to evaluate programs rather than how to impress them. Go to interviews genuinely curious about whether you'd want to spend two years there. The name on the building tells you almost nothing.

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Northeastern University PA Program: Maddy's Acceptance Story