Rutgers PA Program: Rachel's Acceptance Story (2.5 GPA to PA School)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Rachel is the lowest-GPA applicant in this entire series and one of the most experienced. She became a mother during undergrad at 20 and graduated with a 2.5, then completed 70 post-bacc credits at a 3.75 to bring her CASPA cumulative to 2.76. She applied to 26 programs, received 6 interview invites, attended 3, and was accepted to 2 — backed by more than 10,000 PCE hours and over 3,000 volunteer hours.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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Why PA?

A career as a PA will allow me to combine my love of community service with my passion for medicine. It is my ultimate goal to become a primary care PA and provide high-quality care to those who would otherwise go without––both at home and abroad. And while I am excited at the thought of practicing primary care, it is equally as satisfying to know that as a PA, I will have the ability to work in another speciality––as I see fit or a need for in my community. The versatility of the PA profession is incredibly appealing. I am excited by that fact that, as a PA, I will receive a solid medical education, coupled with thousands of hours of hands-on clinical experience that will prepare me to enter the workforce more quickly than other career paths. Further, during my numerous healthcare experiences, I have witnessed the positive impact that patient-centered care has on health outcomes. I look forward to playing an integral part in healthcare team, and collaborating with my future colleagues to deliver high-quality care.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Rachel’s application is a masterclass in strategy under constraint. A 2.5 undergraduate GPA screens out at most programs, so she did four things at once: 70 post-bacc credits at a 3.75 to move the CASPA number, the PA-CAT and Casper to give committees additional academic evidence, more than 10,000 patient care hours in exactly the underserved setting she wants to practice in, and a 26-program list built on programs whose minimums she actually met. Any one of those alone would not have been enough. Together they made her undeniable.

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

I was offered 6 interview invites in total––I declined the last 3 as I had made my final decision. I was accepted to 2 of the 3 programs I interviewed at.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Rachel took both the PA-CAT and Casper on top of the GRE. When your GPA is the weak point, additional standardized evidence gives a committee something else to weigh.

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Where will you be attending?

Rutgers!

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

How comfortable the interviews actually felt! You will be nervous no matter what, but remembering that those interviewing you are truly trying to get to know you as a human, was comforting. After each of my 3 interviews, I looked back on the experiences as having been surprisingly laid-back (but professional).

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

The PA Platform, of course! I also found a lot of useful information, support, and resources in the Pre-PA Club on Facebook, as well as the “Low GPA’ Pre-PA Group.

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

As difficult as it is not to compare yourself to other applicants, don’t! Be confident in yourself, your experiences, and all that you have to offer. You are enough! It’s so cliché, but it’s the truth. As a low-GPA applicant, I truly enjoy offering advice to other applicants with similar academic circumstances. When you have a low GPA, you have to work that much harder than the average applicant. My biggest advice to others who are experiencing this, is to apply strategically! This means: thoroughly researching potential programs and their requirements to be sure you meet them, applying as early as possible, and approaching the application cycle as well-organized and prepared as possible! Play up your strengths, and make your application shine.

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

On Instagram @thechili

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: University of Minnesota
Overall GPA: 2.5 ***I am a non-traditional applicant (I became a mom in undergrad at 20!) I completed 70 credits of post-bacc work at a 3.75 GPA*** My cumulative CASPA GPA was 2.76
Science GPA: 2.5 (2.76 in CASPA with post-bacc work)
GRE: Total 293; 152 verbal, 141 quant, 5.0 writing.
PA-CAT: Yes, 540 composite score; I also took Casper and scored 75-100th percentile.
Total PCE hours: >10,000. I have experience as a CNA in both med/surg hospital, and assisted living settings, and as Lead Diabetes Coordinator for a free clinic. The patients I cared for were all uninsurable, underserved, immigrants. My role as Lead Diabetes Coordinator was unique in that I worked collaboratively with providers to come up with treatment plans for patients with type II diabetes. I also drew blood, took detailed patient histories and vitals, and counseled patients regarding lab values, medications, insulin titration, and nutrition. I also participated in community outreach events. This experience solidified that my desired work as a PA will be with underserved groups, likely in a primary care setting.
Total HCE hours: ~5,000 hours. For HCE I worked as a Spanish Interpreter, and a PCA.
Shadowing hours: For the purposes of documenting in CASPA, I had around 50 hours of shadowing; however, I have shadowed countless hours with numerous MDs in my PCE roles. I shadowed PAs in 5 specialties including cardiology, primary care, emergency medicine, hospital medicine, and functional medicine. I also shadowed an APRN CNM.
Volunteer hours: I have always enjoyed volunteering and being of service to those in need. This was probably one of the strongest aspects of my application. I have accumulated over 3,000 hours volunteering for various organizations and causes that are special to me. Some examples include working with dogs at an animal shelter, bridging the language barrier as a volunteer Spanish interpreter, serving meals at a homeless shelter, and providing companionship over the phone for an elderly, Spanish-speaking woman who was isolated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
How many times did you apply?: 2
Age: 30
Gender: Female

FAQ

Can you get into PA school with a 2.5 GPA?

Rachel did, but not with the 2.5 alone. She added 70 post-bacc credits at a 3.75, bringing her CASPA cumulative to 2.76, plus a PA-CAT score, Casper, and over 10,000 patient care hours. [VERIFY] each program’s published minimum GPA, since many will not review below 3.0.

Does a post-bacc help with a low GPA for PA school?

It is often the only thing that moves the number meaningfully. Rachel completed 70 credits at a 3.75. Note that CASPA typically averages rather than replaces grades, so substantial credit volume is required to shift a cumulative GPA.

What is the PA-CAT and should you take it?

The PA-CAT is a PA-specific admissions exam. Rachel scored a 540 composite and also took Casper, using both to strengthen a file with a low GPA. [VERIFY] which programs on your list accept or require the PA-CAT.

What GPA do you need for the Rutgers PA program?

Rachel was accepted with a CASPA cumulative of 2.76. [VERIFY] Rutgers’ current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages, which are typically considerably higher.

How should low-GPA applicants choose PA programs?

Rachel’s advice is to apply strategically: research each program’s requirements carefully to confirm you actually meet them, apply as early as possible, and stay organized. She applied to 26 programs and received 6 interview invitations.

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

Rachel became a parent at 20, finished undergrad with a 2.5, and then spent years methodically dismantling every reason a committee might have had to pass on her. She is going to Rutgers with plans to practice primary care for underserved patients. If your GPA is the thing keeping you up at night, hers is the story to read twice.

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Rutgers PA Program: Rachel's Acceptance Story (2.5 GPA to PA School)