St. John's University PA Program: Zainab's One-Interview Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Zainab applied to 20 programs on her first cycle, received exactly one interview, and converted it into an acceptance at St. John’s University. Her file included a 3.6 overall GPA against a 3.15 science GPA, 1805 PCE hours as a full-time urgent care medical scribe, 465 volunteer hours with Peer Health Exchange, and zero shadowing hours.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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How many programs did you apply to?

In this post:

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

1 and got accepted

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, one interview from 20 applications usually points to something in the file that screens hard — here, most likely the 3.15 science GPA and zero shadowing hours. Zainab converted the single opportunity she got, which is a real achievement, but her story is also a case for shadowing. It is one of the cheapest signals you can add, and its absence is conspicuous to a committee reading a stack of applications.

Where will you be attending?

St. John’s University

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Zainab logged 465 volunteer hours teaching 9th graders about substance use and decision making through Peer Health Exchange — sustained, health-related service that stands out from one-off hospital shifts.

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

The PA Platform, Magoosh GRE Prep

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

@zainabpalife on Instagram

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: CUNY – The City College of New York
Overall GPA: 3.6
Science GPA: 3.15
GRE: 305
Total PCE hours: I had 1805 PCE hours at the time of submitting my application. I gained this experience by working full time as a medical scribe at urgent care.
Total HCE hours: I had 65 HCE hours by volunteering at the emergency department at a local hospital.
Shadowing hours: 0
Volunteer hours: I had 465 hours by volunteering with Peer Health Exchange during my college years. I was a leadership member and would volunteer to teach 9th grade students at a local high school about substance use and decision making skills.
How many times did you apply?: I applied one time and got accepted the first time!
Age: 23
Gender: Female

FAQ

Can you get into PA school with no shadowing hours?

Zainab did, with 0 shadowing hours and an acceptance to St. John’s University. It is possible where a program has no shadowing requirement, but it removes a signal most applicants use. [VERIFY] each program’s shadowing requirement before skipping it.

What GPA do you need for the St. John’s University PA program?

Zainab was accepted with a 3.6 overall GPA and a 3.15 science GPA. [VERIFY] St. John’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages.

Does St. John’s University require the GRE for PA school?

Zainab submitted a 305 and used Magoosh to prepare. Her post did not record a PA-CAT result. [VERIFY] St. John’s current standardized testing policy directly.

Does medical scribing count as patient care experience?

Programs differ, and many classify scribing as HCE rather than PCE. Zainab logged her 1805 urgent care scribe hours as PCE. [VERIFY] how each program on your list categorizes scribe work, as this single distinction can change your eligibility.

How many PA programs should you apply to?

Zainab applied to 20 and received one interview. A broad list is a reasonable hedge when part of your file is weak, though improving the weak component usually raises your interview rate more than adding applications.

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 interview, one acceptance. Zainab made her single opportunity count and is headed to St. John’s, which is a reminder that the number of invitations matters a lot less than what you do with the one in front of you.

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St. John's University PA Program: Zainab's One-Interview Acceptance Story