Trine University PA Program: Emily's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Emily applied to two PA programs across two cycles, interviewed at one, and was initially waitlisted with a specific recommendation: raise her GRE score. She did, and was accepted five days after retaking the exam — with only a brief phone interview required. She came to PA school after six years as an ultrasound technologist and was 27 when she applied, deliberately staying near home because she had bought a house.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

I only interviewed with one school. My goal was to stay close to my current city because I bought a house and didn’t want to have to sell it. If I wasn’t accepted I would have applied outside the state/other areas. The school I interviewed with initially waitlisted me and recommended I go for a higher GRE score. They said if I got a higher GRE, then I would be admitted for the next cycle without another interview (just a quick phone interview) and so I did! I was accepted five days after I took the test!

In this post:

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

I was surprised how casual everything was! The instructors made me feel so relaxed and at ease during the whole process. They gave us a lot of information about the school and were so open with answers to our multiple questions. They did a group interview style and some scenario activities for us to do. It was actually fun!

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, the most valuable thing that happened to Emily was getting specific feedback. A waitlist with an explicit instruction — raise your GRE and you're in next cycle without a full re-interview — is far more useful than a rejection letter. If you're waitlisted, ask the program what would strengthen your candidacy. Some will tell you exactly what she was told. Her path through diagnostic medical sonography is also worth highlighting: radiology and imaging roles build substantial direct patient care hours and put you alongside PAs every day, which is how she discovered the profession in the first place.

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

The PA platform website was so beneficial with the application process and any questions leading up to that. I used the free printouts for help leading up to my interview and it was so nice to have that! I also have found an amazing and generous community on instagram with PA students and PA-Cs willing and ready to answer any and all questions. @lorae_the_pa and @lifeasapa have been my go-to PA/all around badass women inspo. 🙂

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Emily deliberately applied to only two programs, both close to home, because she had bought a house and didn't want to sell it. She swapped one letter writer between cycles in case programs frowned on repeats. [VERIFY] Confirm Trine University's current GRE requirements and minimum score.

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Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Don’t give up! The application process is long and frustrating but keep going! Reach out to any and all PAs you know for help and advice. I haven’t ran into any of them that were unwilling to help. Also, remember to relax and not stress (easier said than done of course!). PA school will have us stressing like crazy. Don’t get too worked up before you even begin!

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: B.S in Allied Health, A.A.S in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI.
Overall GPA: 3.46
Science GPA: 3.39
GRE: 299-Verbal: 150, Quantitative: 149, Writing 4.5
Total HCE hours: I didn’t put any on my application, although I feel the amount of PCE hours I have counts for HCE hours as well.
Total PCE hours: I’ve worked direct patient care (as an Ultrasound Technologist) for just over six years now. Going radiology first is a great way to get experience hours, and I never would have learned about the PA world without it!
Shadowing hours: Again, I didn’t put any on my application but I mentioned in my interview that I worked directly with PAs and learned a lot from them. I do wish I would have shadowed PAs in different departments to learn the broader spectrum of physician assistant care but I don’t think it will impact how I do in school.
Other volunteer hours: I mentioned that i’ve volunteered in an Alternative Spring Break and other non-healthcare related activites however, if I had been on a PA track since undergrad, I would’ve used more opportunities to get health care related volunteer experience! I think it not only looks good on an application, but you can learn so much from getting out and seeing what health care in different communities looks like!
LORs: Four! I had two of my PAs I work with, as well as two radiologists I worked with submit letters. Since I applied twice, I used the first two PAs again, but I had a different radiologist submit a new letter just in case schools frowned upon repeats
How many times did you apply?: Twice!
Age: 27 – 28 when I start school. ((I initially thought this was too old to start the PA process but through the PA instagram world, I learned its never too late to go after your dreams and make it happen! Its a risk, but the reward will be so worth it!))
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? Two.

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the Trine University PA program?

Emily was accepted with a 3.46 overall GPA and a 3.39 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm Trine's current published minimum GPA requirements directly with the program.

Does Trine University's PA program require the GRE?

Emily submitted a 299 GRE initially and was waitlisted with a recommendation to raise the score, which she did before being accepted. [VERIFY] Confirm the current testing policy and any minimum score before registering.

Does ultrasound technologist work count as patient care experience?

Yes. Emily logged just over six years of direct patient care as an ultrasound technologist. She recommends imaging and radiology roles as a strong route to PCE hours, and notes it's how she learned about the PA profession in the first place.

What should you do if you're waitlisted at a PA program?

Ask what would strengthen your application. Emily's program told her directly that a higher GRE would earn her a spot the following cycle with only a brief phone interview. Specific feedback from a waitlist is one of the most actionable things you can get.

Am I too old to apply to PA school at 27?

No. Emily was 27 when she applied and 28 when she started, after six years working as an ultrasound technologist. She initially assumed she was too old and found the opposite — professional clinical experience is an asset, not a liability.

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

Emily's acceptance came down to one number and one conversation. She was waitlisted, she asked what to fix, she fixed it, and she was in five days after the retest. If you're on a waitlist right now, find out what the program wants to see.

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Trine University PA Program: Emily's Acceptance Story