University of Oklahoma Health Science Center PA Program: Nick's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Nick applied once to 7 programs, earned 4 interviews, and finished with 3 waitlists and an acceptance at his top choice, OU Health Science Center in Oklahoma City. His 4000 PCE hours came entirely from working as an EMT on a rural 911 BLS unit, and he got in with a 294 GRE.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

Your Pre-PA Bestie Blog - everything you need to know to become a PA in one place.

Why PA?

Versatility. I have many interests and the ability of the PA to work in an OR one day and a family practice clinic the next is exciting. In an era of burnout and exhaustion, I think the ability to change specialties on a whim will lead to a longer, happier, more fulfilling career.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Nick’s parenthetical about office hours is the most quietly useful line in this whole series. The students who show up repeatedly, ask questions, and make themselves known do better in the class and end up with faculty who can write a letter with something specific in it. It feels awkward the first few times. Do it anyway. It is also worth noting that a 294 GRE alongside 4000 hours of rural 911 experience produced 4 interviews from 7 applications.

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

4 interviews; 3 waitlists; 1 acceptance (at my top choice!)

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Nick’s entire 4000 PCE hours came from a rural 911 BLS unit — an environment that produces exactly the kind of autonomy and decision-making stories interviewers remember.

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Where will you be attending?

University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in Oklahoma City

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

They are actually very low stress. At this point in the application process, they know you want to be a PA. They know your stats and your story. The faculty really just wants to put a name to a face and a voice.

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

I leaned heavily on office hours for pre-reqs (I’ve learned the most annoying students tend to have the most success). For the application, I just took my time and was thorough. For the interviews, I used Savanna Perry’s interview guide which helped ease my nerves.

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

If you really want it, you will get there. It is a long, gauntlet of a process, but everyone has to go through it – you are not alone.

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

ormsby_nick – I don’t post a lot, I’m a lurker!

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Oklahoma State University (GO POKES!)
Overall GPA: 3.48
Science GPA: 3.52
GRE: 294
Total PCE hours: 4000 as an EMT on a rural 911 BLS unit
Total HCE hours: N/A
Shadowing hours: 60 shadowing a PA in an urgent care
Volunteer hours: 660 as a religious missionary
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 25
Gender: Male

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the OU Health Science Center PA program?

Nick was accepted with a 3.48 overall GPA and a 3.52 science GPA. [VERIFY] OU Health Science Center’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages.

Can you get into PA school with a 294 GRE?

Yes. Nick was accepted to his top choice with a 294 alongside 4000 EMT hours. A lower score is much easier to absorb when experience and GPA are solid, but [VERIFY] whether any program on your list enforces a hard GRE minimum.

Is EMT work good patient care experience for PA school?

It is widely accepted as direct patient care. Nick built all 4000 of his PCE hours on a rural 911 BLS unit and reported no separate HCE hours. [VERIFY] each program’s minimum PCE requirement.

Do you need healthcare experience hours as well as patient care hours?

Not always. Nick listed his HCE as N/A and was still accepted. Many programs count a combined total or weigh direct patient care most heavily. [VERIFY] whether each program requires HCE separately.

Are PA school interviews stressful?

Nick found his surprisingly low stress. By interview stage the committee already knows your stats and your story, and the conversation is largely about putting a person behind the application.

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

Nick went to office hours, took his time on the application, and turned four years of rural 911 calls into an acceptance at his top choice. It is a gauntlet, he says, but everyone walks it — you are not doing it alone.

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University of Oklahoma Health Science Center PA Program: Nick's Acceptance Story