St. Ambrose University PA Program: Haley's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Haley applied to six PA programs, received five interview invitations, and finished with two acceptances, two waitlists, and one rejection — enrolling at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. She had a 3.72 overall GPA with C's in both organic chemistry courses, 1,200 PCE hours as an ER technician, and 210 shadowing hours weighted heavily toward dentistry. She also warns about getting addicted to refreshing the PA forum.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

5 interviews (2 acceptances, 2 waitlists, and 1 rejection)

In this post:

Where will you be attending?

I will be attending St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA.

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, a five-interviews-from-six-applications rate is exceptional, and Haley's file shows why: a strong overall GPA, a full year in a genuine hands-on role as an ER technician, and five letters from people across different parts of her life. The organic chemistry grades didn't sink her because the rest of her science coursework was strong, which is exactly how reviewers read isolated weak grades — in the context of the pattern around them. Her warning about the forum is worth heeding. Reading other applicants' stats while you wait is a reliable way to make yourself miserable without changing a single outcome.

Any red flags on your application?

I received a C+ in Organic Chemistry I and a C in Organic Chemistry II. Luckily, I received A’s in most of my other science courses to strengthen my GPA, but organic chemistry was definitely a challenge for me.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Haley's 210 shadowing hours were mostly in dentistry and dental specialties rather than PA settings — a reminder that programs care about clinical exposure broadly, though PA-specific shadowing is what informs your 'why PA' answer. [VERIFY] Confirm St. Ambrose University's current shadowing requirements.

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Anything you found surprising about interviews?

I was surprised at how welcoming and friendly the interview environments were. I enjoyed talking to other applicants about the PA admissions process, as it was nice to relate to others going through the same ups and downs as myself.

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

Khan Academy and Chegg were helpful resources used for my prerequisite courses. To prepare for the GRE, I used the “5 lb Book of GRE Practice Problems” by Manhattan Prep (affiliate link) as well as a vocabulary app. For interview preparation, I used the “Physician Assistant School Interview Guide” by Savanna Perry, PA-C and YouTube for sample MMI questions. I referenced many websites including the AAPA website, paplatform.com, and thepalife.com. Throughout the interview process, I went on physicianassistantforum.com to get additional knowledge on the application process for other students in my same position. However, I may have become too addicted to checking the forum in anticipation for interviews/acceptance from schools. Use the forum wisely if you choose to

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

My advice is to get started on the application process early, and be organized! There is so much that goes into CASPA while also having to study for the GRE and getting your patient contact hours in. It was useful for me to create a spreadsheet with all of the prerequisites and deadlines, so I could ensure I would not overlook any part of their requirements. Also, try your hardest to be patient throughout the process! I drove myself crazy by checking my email and the forums, so try to dive into other activities to keep yourself busy.

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

@hmresnick

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Coe College- Cedar Rapids, IA. I majored in biology and neuroscience and minored in chemistry.
Overall GPA: 3.72
Science GPA: 3.53
GRE: 151v/151q/4.5w
Total HCE hours: 215- I worked as an administrative assistant in a dental office and volunteered in the ER and rehabilitation unit at the nearby hospital.
Total PCE hours: 1200- I have worked as an Emergency Room Technician for a year.
Shadowing hours: 210- 36 hrs (family practice PA), 144 hours (dentist and dental specialties), 30 (physicians such as ophthalmologists, cardiologists, ER physicians)
Other volunteer hours: 50
LORs: I had 5 letters of recommendation- biology professor, public speaking professor, tennis coach, family practice PA, and work supervisor
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 22
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 6

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the St. Ambrose University PA program?

Haley was accepted with a 3.72 overall GPA and a 3.53 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm St. Ambrose's current published minimum GPA requirements directly with the program.

Does St. Ambrose University's PA program require the GRE?

Haley submitted GRE scores of 151 verbal, 151 quantitative, and 4.5 writing. [VERIFY] Confirm the current testing policy before registering for the exam.

Can you get into PA school with C's in organic chemistry?

Yes. Haley earned a C+ in Organic Chemistry I and a C in Organic Chemistry II and received five interview invitations from six applications. She earned A's in most of her other science courses, which gave reviewers context for the two weaker grades.

Does ER technician work count as patient care experience?

Yes. ER tech is widely accepted as PCE because it involves hands-on patient care. Haley logged 1,200 hours in about a year in that role, which formed the core of her experience section.

Should you use the Physician Assistant Forum while applying?

Carefully. Haley found it useful for understanding the process but admits she became addicted to checking it while waiting for decisions. Reading other applicants' stats during the waiting period tends to increase anxiety without improving your outcome.

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

Haley applied to six programs and got five interviews, which is about as efficient as an application cycle gets. Her method wasn't complicated: start early, build a spreadsheet of every requirement and deadline, and gather letters from people who actually know you. Then find something to do while you wait.

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St. Ambrose University PA Program: Haley's Acceptance Story