UTMB PA Program: Jennifer's 4.0 GPA Acceptance Story
UTMB PA Program: Jennifer's 4.0 GPA Acceptance Story
By: Savanna Perry, PA-C
Jennifer applied to six programs with a perfect 4.0 GPA in both overall and science coursework, plus 5,091 hours as a pharmacy technician. She received five interview invitations, attended four, and finished with two rejections, one waitlist, and an acceptance at UT Medical Branch. That outcome is a useful reminder that a 4.0 doesn't guarantee anything once you're in the interview room.
Last Updated: August 2, 2026
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How many programs did you apply to?
6
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?
Got 5 interview invites and I only attended 4 of them. I received 2 rejections, a waitlist, and an acceptance.
In our experience at The PA Platform, Jennifer's cycle is the single best argument we can point to for why interview preparation matters as much as your transcript. She walked in with a 4.0 in every category, over 5,000 hours of healthcare experience, and shadowing across three specialties — and still collected two rejections and a waitlist. Perfect grades get you the invitation; they do not get you the seat. She also notes she felt most confident by her last interview, which is the usual pattern and an argument for scheduling a lower-priority program first if you can. One practical caution: her hours came from pharmacy technician work, which many programs classify as healthcare experience rather than direct patient care experience. If your hours come from a similar role, confirm how each program will count them.
Where will you be attending?
University of Texas – Medical Branch
Every Pre-PA Should Know...
Jennifer's GRE was 299 — a fairly average score alongside a 4.0 GPA. The two often don't correlate, and programs know it. If your grades are strong, a middling GRE is unlikely to be what holds you back.
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Anything you found surprising about interviews?
In my experience they were a lot more laid back than I had anticipated. By my last interview I felt more confident going into it about just being myself and being honest.
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, apps, etc…) that you used to get through prerequisite courses, the application or the interview process?
The PA Platform
Any other advice for Pre-PA students?
Be yourself in interviews and utilize your resources for advice and help with the application process. Practice interviewing!
Where can we find you?
On Instagram @jennifer_lambert
Need to Know:
Undergraduate Education: University of North Texas
Overall GPA: 4.0
Science GPA: 4.0
GRE: 299 (149 – Verbal, 150 – Quantitative, 4.0 – Analytical Writing)
Total HCE Hours: 5,091 hours as Pharmacy Technician
Shadowing Hours: 74 hours (Ortho PA, Pediatric PA, Primary Care PA)
Other Volunteer Hours: 63 hours (Hospice Volunteer)
LORs: 4 (1 PA I shadowed, 2 Pharmacists I worked with, and my Biology/Genetics Professor)
How many times did you apply? 1
Age: 23
Gender: Female
FAQ
Jennifer was accepted with a 4.0 overall GPA and a 4.0 science GPA, though she was also rejected by two other programs that cycle. [VERIFY] Confirm UTMB's current minimum GPA requirements.
No. Jennifer had a perfect GPA and still received two rejections and a waitlist out of four interviews. Programs evaluate patient care experience, letters, your personal statement, and above all how you perform in the interview.
It varies significantly by program. Jennifer reported her 5,091 pharmacy technician hours as healthcare experience rather than patient care experience. Some programs count it as PCE, others do not, so confirm in writing before building your application around it.
Jennifer submitted a GRE score of 299 (149 verbal, 150 quantitative, 4.0 analytical writing). [VERIFY] Confirm whether UTMB currently requires the GRE.
Later, if you have the option. Jennifer says she felt noticeably more confident and more herself by her final interview. Interviewing is a skill that improves with repetition, so putting a lower-priority program early gives you a practice run.
Email [email protected] or use the contact form at The PA Platform to share your acceptance story.
CLOSING
Jennifer had the strongest transcript in this entire batch and a harder cycle than several applicants with GPAs a full point lower. That's not bad luck — it's how holistic review works. Her advice is simple and, given her results, worth heeding: practice interviewing, and be honest when you're in the room. Grades open the door; the conversation decides what happens next.
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You May Also Like:
PA School Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
What Counts as Patient Care Experience for PA School?
How to Practice for Your PA School Interview
What to Do If You Are Waitlisted for PA School
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