Thomas Jefferson University PA Program: Katelyn's Acceptance Story (4 Acceptances at 21)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Katelyn applied to 9 programs at 21 and pulled 6 interview invitations, turning one down. She finished with 4 acceptances (one off a waitlist), 2 waitlists, and 2 rejections, and chose Thomas Jefferson University’s Center City campus. Her 1530 PCE hours came from working part time as a physical therapy aide throughout undergrad.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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Why PA?

I have always been fascinated by medicine and considered many different careers in healthcare. I liked how flexible the PA profession was in terms of specialty and education. I didn’t have to worry about being placed in a residency far from my support system if I went into medical school and I enjoyed the PA’s role in the collaborative healthcare team. I also love how new the profession is and how much advocacy goes into making this career great.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, physical therapy aide work is one of the most underrated PCE routes for undergraduates. It is part time, it fits around a class schedule, and it accumulates — Katelyn reached 1530 hours without ever taking a gap year. Her outcome, 6 invitations from 9 applications at age 21, shows what a near-perfect GPA plus steady hours can produce when you start early rather than trying to catch up later.

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

6 interview invitations (1 I turned down) 4 acceptances (1 from a waitlist) 2 waitlists (1 from a program not doing interviews) 2 rejections

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Katelyn was waitlisted at one program that did not conduct interviews at all. Some schools make decisions entirely on the written application, so your CASPA file has to stand alone.

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Where will you be attending?

Thomas Jefferson University-Center City

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

How nice most of the interviewers are! Most of my interviews were more conversational and less formal than I imagined. This allowed me to confidently answer questions. Remember you were invited to interview for a reason! These people want to see you succeed.

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

The PA Platform interview guide, State Pre-PA conferences, and The Pre-PA Club Facebook page

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

Take your time and stop comparing so much! A little comparison is healthy to be the best applicant but don’t let it consume you; everyone has different strengths.

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

Instagram: white_coat_bound

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Stockton University
Overall GPA: 3.94
Science GPA: 3.9
GRE: 315
Total PCE hours: 1530- Part time PT Aide throughout undergrad
Total HCE hours: 165- Hospital volunteer in TCU, MedSurg, ED, and PT
Shadowing hours: 64- Shadowed in Cardiac ICU, outpatient Rheumatology, and inpatient Orthopedics
Volunteer hours: 15- Red Cross blood drive volunteer
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 21
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Thomas Jefferson University PA program?

Katelyn was accepted with a 3.94 overall GPA and a 3.9 science GPA. [VERIFY] Thomas Jefferson’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages, which will be lower than Katelyn’s numbers.

Does Thomas Jefferson University require the GRE for PA school?

Katelyn submitted a 315. Her post did not record a PA-CAT result. [VERIFY] Thomas Jefferson’s current standardized testing policy directly.

Does physical therapy aide work count as patient care experience?

Many programs accept it as direct patient care. Katelyn built 1530 PCE hours as a part-time PT aide throughout undergrad. [VERIFY] how each program on your list classifies PT aide work.

Can you get into PA school at 21 without a gap year?

Yes. Katelyn was accepted to 4 programs at 21 by accumulating patient care hours part time during undergrad rather than after graduating. [VERIFY] whether your target programs require a completed bachelor’s degree before matriculation.

How many volunteer hours do you need for PA school?

Fewer than most applicants assume. Katelyn had only 15 volunteer hours from Red Cross blood drives and still received 6 interview invitations. Sustained patient care experience generally carries more weight.

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

Four acceptances at 21, and Katelyn still says the hardest part was not comparing herself to everyone else. Her reminder for interview day is the right one to carry in: you were invited for a reason, and the people across the table want you to do well.

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Thomas Jefferson University PA Program: Katelyn's Acceptance Story (4 Acceptances at 21)