South College Knoxville PA Program: Bree's Acceptance Story (Told She Wouldn't Get In)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Two academic advisors told Bree she would not get in — she had not graduated yet and, in their view, did not have enough experience. She applied to 5 programs anyway, interviewed at one, and was accepted. She did it at 21 with 520 PCE hours in inpatient phlebotomy, 24 shadowing hours, and 150 volunteer hours knitting baby hats for NICUs.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

Your Pre-PA Bestie Blog - everything you need to know to become a PA in one place.

Why PA?

I want to make patients feel comfortable and like they are being heard. PAs have the unique opportunity to spend more time with their patients while also making critical care decisions. I like that they have this advantage of getting to know who their patients are and I believe this can greatly impact the level of their care.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, advisors who tell students not to apply are usually generalizing from averages, and averages are not admissions decisions. Bree’s hours genuinely were on the light side, and at many programs that would have mattered. But she applied to programs whose requirements she met, told her story well, and got in on her first interview. Take advisor feedback as information about risk, not as a verdict — then go check the actual published requirements yourself.

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

I have interviewed at one school so far and got accepted.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Bree’s 150 volunteer hours came from knitting baby hats for NICUs. Service does not have to look like anyone else’s to count.

****INSERT FREE LEAD MAGNET FORM OR HTML BLOCK AND DELETE TEXT BOX*****

Where will you be attending?

South College-Knoxville

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

I expected to be more intimidated, however all of the staff were very nice and welcoming and that is why I am excited to be attending next fall!

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

I heavily relied on Savanna Perry’s interview guide book. It helped me prepare and I definitely recommend it! PA School Interview Guide.

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

Don’t doubt yourself. Be confident in the experience you have, what you’ve learned, and how that’s going to make you a good PA. I had two advisors tell me I wasn’t going to get in since I haven’t graduated yet and I didn’t have enough experience. I believed in myself anyways and just went for it because I was determined. If you stick to who you are and show why your experiences make you unique, you’ll stand out a lot more.

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

I’m on Instagram as @bree_r13

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Colorado State University
Overall GPA: 3.61
Science GPA: 3.53
GRE: 307; Verbal: 149, Quantitative: 154, Writing: 4.0
PA-CAT: N/A
Total PCE hours: 520 hours in inpatient phlebotomy. (About one year of part time work)
Total HCE hours: 260 hours as an in home caregiver. (Almost a year, during high school)
Shadowing hours: 24 hours by shadowing 2 different PAs. (One in women’s care and one in trauma surgery)
Volunteer hours: 150 knitting baby hats for NICUs. (About one year, working with the Madhatter Knits Foundation)
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 21
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the South College PA program?

Bree was accepted with a 3.61 overall GPA and a 3.53 science GPA. [VERIFY] South College’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages.

Does South College require the GRE for PA school?

Bree submitted a 307 (149 verbal, 154 quantitative, 4.0 writing) and listed the PA-CAT as N/A. [VERIFY] South College’s current standardized testing policy directly.

Can you apply to PA school before graduating?

Many programs allow you to apply during your final year with a degree conferred before matriculation. Bree applied and was accepted before graduating, despite advisors telling her not to. [VERIFY] each program’s degree completion and prerequisite deadlines.

Is phlebotomy good patient care experience for PA school?

It is generally counted as direct patient care. Bree logged 520 hours of inpatient phlebotomy over about a year of part-time work. [VERIFY] each program’s minimum PCE requirement, as 520 hours falls below many.

How many shadowing hours do you need for PA school?

Requirements vary widely. Bree was accepted with 24 hours across two PAs, one in women’s care and one in trauma surgery. [VERIFY] each program’s specific shadowing requirement.

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

Two people whose job was to advise her told Bree not to bother yet. She went anyway, interviewed once, and got in at 21. Be confident in the experience you actually have, she says — and let the programs decide what it is worth.

***INSERT HTML SERVICE BLOCK CTA****

South College Knoxville PA Program: Bree's Acceptance Story (Told She Wouldn't Get In)