University of Kentucky PA Program: Whitney's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Whitney applied to four PA programs, interviewed at one, and was accepted to the University of Kentucky's Morehead campus before the other three even extended invitations. As a student-athlete she logged 7,600 leadership hours alongside 3,500 PCE hours as a CNA, 2,100 HCE hours, 620 shadowing hours, and 3,450 volunteer hours. Her advice centers on getting genuinely involved with the program you want to attend.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

I had one interview with UK and was accepted before the other 3 programs extended interview invitations.

In this post:

Where will you be attending?

University of Kentucky – Morehead Campus (Go Cats!)

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Whitney's application is a case study in how experience can outweigh test scores. Her GRE was modest and her GPA was in the mid-3s, but she brought 3,500 CNA hours across four different care settings, 620 shadowing hours spanning four specialties, and deep involvement with the program itself. Committees notice when an applicant already understands their mission and community. Her advice to join your state PA chapter and attend program events is genuinely actionable and costs almost nothing — it also gives you specific, credible things to say in an interview.

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

I really enjoyed interviews because it allowed me the chance to know more about the students and staff, even future classmates! The interviews were much more of a conversation and I felt very comfortable.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Whitney was accepted to UK before her other three programs had even extended interview invitations. She combined CNA work with ER scribing — a pairing that builds both hands-on patient skills and exposure to clinical decision making. [VERIFY] Confirm the University of Kentucky PA program's current requirements and campus options.

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

I purchased the PA Interview Guide and read through it after submitting all of my CASPA and supplemental apps. I would go through and quiz myself on questions in the book and practiced with my family. I also scheduled a mock interview with Hanna while I was waiting for interview invitations. I was able to review how I interviewed and fine tune some of my weaker points.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

My advice for Pre-PA students is to become involved in your favorite PA program and your state’s PA chapter. Start learning about staff, the program’s mission, disparities in healthcare, attend your PA program’s fundraisers and join their pre-PA club if they have one! By the time I applied to UK I felt like I was part of a family (who all happen to be very intelligent and compassionate PA’s!) I would also say to enjoy your hours as a CNA or EMT and don’t be afraid to ask questions to ultimately learn more about medicine and science. I feel very strongly that patient care is the most valuable asset someone can possess as a future PA. You learn to appreciate not only how hard you work to pursue the PA profession, but how hard each individual in healthcare works to provide quality care to our patients. I would also suggest trying to scribe whenever possible! It’s a wonderful opportunity to shadow providers and learn about the medical decision making process!

Where can we find you?

Instagram: @_whitness5

Twitter: @_whitness5

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: I obtained my Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotions from the University of Kentucky in May 2018!
Overall GPA: 3.37
Science GPA: 3.42
GRE: 150 V / 147 Q / 4.5 A
Total HCE hours: 2,100 (Sterile processing assistant and ER scribe)
Total PCE hours: 3,500 (CNA in a variety of settings – nursing home, private, large university hospital, and rural hospital)
Shadowing hours: 620 (PA’s in different fields – ortho, ER, primary care, and pediatrics)
Other volunteer hours: 3,450
Leadership hours: 7,600 (Student-athlete)
Research hours: 0
LORs: 5 (PA, MD, APRN, Assistant Athletic Director, and a Professor)
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 21
Gender: Female
How many programs did you apply to? 4

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the University of Kentucky PA program?

Whitney was accepted with a 3.37 overall GPA and a 3.42 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm UK's current published minimum GPA requirements directly with the program.

Does the University of Kentucky PA program require the GRE?

Whitney submitted GRE scores of 150 verbal, 147 quantitative, and 4.5 analytical writing. [VERIFY] Confirm the current testing policy before registering for the exam.

Does CNA work count as patient care experience for PA school?

Yes. CNA work is widely accepted as PCE. Whitney logged 3,500 hours across nursing home, private, large university hospital, and rural hospital settings, which gave her a broad range of patient interactions to draw on.

Is scribing good experience for PA school?

Whitney strongly recommends it. Scribing exposes you to clinical decision making and functions somewhat like paid shadowing. Note that many programs classify scribing as healthcare experience rather than patient care experience, so check how each school categorizes it.

How can you stand out to a specific PA program?

Whitney's approach was to get genuinely involved — learning the faculty and the program's mission, attending fundraisers, joining the pre-PA club, and participating in her state PA chapter. By the time she applied she already knew the community, which gave her substantive things to discuss in her interview.

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

Whitney's file wasn't built on test scores — it was built on hours, variety, and real involvement with the program she wanted. If you have a specific school in mind, start showing up now. By the time you apply, you'll know the mission well enough to speak to it honestly, and that comes through in an interview.

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University of Kentucky PA Program: Whitney's Acceptance Story