Rocky Mountain College PA Program: Kylie's Second-Cycle Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Kylie applied to a single school her first cycle, then broadened to 13 programs the following year. She received 2 interviews, declined one, and was accepted to Rocky Mountain College. Her file: a 3.97 overall GPA, a 3.96 science GPA, a 310 GRE, and 2964 PCE hours as a PT aide, camp nursing assistant, and nursing facility caregiver.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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Why PA?

After shadowing, something with PA just clicked. I love the flexibility of the profession but also that I can still diagnose and treat patients. Also, all the PAs who I shadowed were so kind and patient with their patients and I want to be able to be that person for patients I work with.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, applying to one school is not really applying — it is buying a lottery ticket. Kylie learned that and went from a single application to thirteen, which produced two interviews and the acceptance she wanted. Her point about the gap year matters too: the confidence she built working directly with patients is exactly what interviewers are trying to detect, and it is hard to fake in a room.

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

2- one acceptance, one interview that I declined

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Kylie was accepted with only 12 shadowing hours across two PAs. Some programs weight shadowing heavily and others barely at all — check before assuming yours is insufficient.

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Where will you be attending?

Rocky Mountain College

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

How kind my interviewers were. They really wanted to know me and made me feel comfortable

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

Savannah’s interview guide and being able to connect with other pre-PAs. PA School Interview Guide.

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

Taking a gap year is okay! I took one and I think it really helped me grow in my confidence in working with patients. Also, when you’re interviewing don’t be afraid to be yourself!

Where can we find you? (Instagram, TikTok, Website, etc)

Instagram-llamaswithsharkhats

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Colorado State University
Overall GPA: 3.97
Science GPA: 3.96
GRE: 310
Total PCE hours: 2964- PT aide, Nursing assistant at summer camp, caregiver at nursing facility
Total HCE hours: N/A
Shadowing hours: 12- shadowed pain management PA and orthopedic PA
Volunteer hours: 158- various volunteering including Girl Scouts, volunteer camp counselor, and helping with an organization that takes food from grocery stores and gives it to food banks
How many times did you apply?: 2 although last year I only applied to one school
Age: 22
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Rocky Mountain College PA program?

Kylie was accepted with a 3.97 overall GPA and a 3.96 science GPA. [VERIFY] Rocky Mountain College’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages, which will be lower than hers.

Does Rocky Mountain College require the GRE for PA school?

Kylie submitted a 310. Her post did not record a PA-CAT result. [VERIFY] Rocky Mountain College’s current standardized testing policy directly.

How many PA programs should you apply to?

Kylie applied to one school her first cycle and 13 the second. A single application leaves no margin for a program’s particular preferences; a broader, well-researched list meaningfully improves your odds.

Should you take a gap year before PA school?

Kylie took one and credits it with building her confidence working with patients. A gap year is most valuable when it targets a specific gap — hours, grades, or clinical maturity.

Is PT aide work good patient care experience for PA school?

Many programs accept it as direct patient care. Kylie combined PT aide work with a camp nursing assistant role and caregiving at a nursing facility for 2964 hours. [VERIFY] how each program classifies PT aide hours.

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

One application became thirteen, and thirteen became an acceptance at Rocky Mountain College. Kylie’s takeaway is worth holding onto if you are staring down a gap year you did not plan for: it is okay, and you will probably be a better candidate on the other side of it.

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Rocky Mountain College PA Program: Kylie's Second-Cycle Acceptance Story