University of Kentucky PA Program: Sophia's First-Cycle Acceptance Story
University of Kentucky PA Program: Sophia's First-Cycle Acceptance Story
By: Savanna Perry, PA-C
Sophia applied once to 10 programs, received 4 interviews, turned 2 down, and was accepted to 2 including the University of Kentucky. Her 500 volunteer hours came largely from a club she founded herself to provide healthcare to homeless individuals in her town, alongside 3,000 PCE hours as a Patient Care Assistant and 100 shadowing hours across five specialties.
Last Updated: August 2, 2026
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Why PA?
I loved getting to work with PAs in various settings. Observing the impact they had on their patients pushed me to want to become a PA.
How many programs did you apply to?
10
In our experience at The PA Platform, founding something is worth more than joining ten things. Sophia started a club to bring healthcare to homeless people in her town, which gave her leadership, a sustained commitment, and a concrete story about service to underserved populations — all in one line of her application. Her second piece of advice matters just as much: track your hours as you go. Reconstructing five specialties of shadowing and 3,000 PCE hours from memory at submission time is miserable and error-prone.
How many programs did you interview with and what were the outcomes?
4 interviews, 2 acceptances, and turned down 2 interviews.
Every Pre-PA Should Know...
Sophia shadowed 5 different PAs across ortho, trauma, cardiovascular surgery, ENT, and geriatrics. Breadth like that makes "why PA" answers concrete rather than theoretical.
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Where will you be attending?
University of Kentucky
Anything you found interesting about interviews?
I was surprised how laid back some of the interviews were! The program really just wanted to get to know me.
Were there any helpful resources (books, websites, webinars, etc) you used to get through prerequisites courses, the application or interview process?
Savannah Perry Interview Guide and GregMat + for GRE preparation. The PA Platform
Any advice for other pre-PA students?
Start getting experience early and keep track of everything! Also make sure you are ready to devote your life to school for 2+ years.
Where can we find you? (Instagram, TikTok, Website, etc)
Instagram @sophianorman
Need to Know:
Undergraduate education: University of Cincinnati
Overall GPA: 3.72
Science GPA: 3.6
GRE: 305
PA-CAT: Did not take
Total PCE hours: 3,000 Patient Care Assistant
Total HCE hours: 500- volunteering at a local hospital
Shadowing hours: 100- I shadowed 5 different PAs in various specialties: ortho, trauma, cardiovascular surgery, ENT, and geriatrics
Volunteer hours: 500- I started a club at my university dedicated to providing healthcare to homeless individuals in my town. I also served on the executive board for the pre-PA club at my university.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 22
Gender: Female
FAQ
Sophia was accepted with a 3.72 overall GPA and a 3.6 science GPA. [VERIFY] the University of Kentucky’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages.
Sophia submitted a 305, prepared with GregMat, and did not take the PA-CAT. [VERIFY] whether the GRE is currently required, optional, or not accepted at the University of Kentucky.
Sophia applied with 3,000 PCE hours as a Patient Care Assistant plus 500 HCE hours volunteering at a local hospital. [VERIFY] each program’s current minimum PCE requirement and which roles it accepts.
It can, substantially. Sophia founded a university club providing healthcare to homeless individuals, which demonstrated leadership, sustained service, and commitment to underserved populations in a single experience.
Requirements vary widely. Sophia logged 100 hours across five specialties, which is on the higher end and gave her broad exposure. [VERIFY] each program’s specific requirement.
Email [email protected] or use the contact form at The PA Platform to share your acceptance story.
CLOSING
Sophia built the thing she wanted to see, tracked everything as she went, and got into Kentucky on her first try at 22. Start early and keep records, she says — unglamorous advice that saves an enormous amount of pain at submission time.
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