University of South Dakota PA Program: Madeline's Acceptance Story (Off Two Waitlists at 21)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Madeline was accepted to her top choice, the University of South Dakota, after starting on the interview waitlist and then sitting on the program waitlist. She applied once to 12 programs at 21, received four interview offers, and attended only two. Her file: a 3.95 GPA, 2800 combined PCE/HCE hours as a CNA and ER technician, and 30 virtual shadowing hours.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

Why PA?

My mom was really sick when I was young and so an early exposure got me very interested in medicine. Also in some way I wanted to take care of others the same way my mom was taken care of. I knew I wanted to be a PA specifically when I met with one and everything they were describing was exactly what I wanted out a career.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, most applicants do not realize there is such a thing as an interview waitlist — a queue to even be offered a slot. Madeline moved through two separate waitlists before her acceptance at her top choice. If you are on either kind, the correct posture is the same: stay reachable, respond quickly, and do not read the wait as a decision. Her other point is worth acting on today: talk to current students. They will tell you what a program is actually like faster than any brochure.

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

I got four interview offers and went to two of them. I only interviewed at 2 because I got accepted into my top one. The other interview I got I got a waitlist offer. For the program I got accepted I started out on the interview waitlist and than was on the program waitlist before being accepted. Don’t let a waitlist email scare you!

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Madeline knew she wanted USD the minute she talked to current students during her interview day. Those conversations are data, not small talk.

****INSERT FREE LEAD MAGNET FORM OR HTML BLOCK AND DELETE TEXT BOX*****

Where will you be attending?

University of South Dakota

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

They were actually pretty fun and taking with other applicants made the process not seem so scary! I knew I wanted to go to USD the minute I talked to current students during the interviews. I also found it surprising how everyone was so welcoming and the interviews felt more like a conversation!

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

The PA interview guide from the platform really helped me. It exposed me to possible questions and helped me feel better prepared.

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

Take a deep breathe! The process can be scary but it can also be fun! I would also recommend finding a PA to shadow sooner rather than later because schools like to see that you have a good understanding of the role of a PA.

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Boise State University
Overall GPA: 3.95
Science GPA: 3.92
GRE: 302
Total PCE hours: I had 2800 hours of PCE/HCE by working as a CNA both in assisted living and skilled nursing. I also worked for a year in an ER as an Emergency Room Technician.
Shadowing hours: I had 30 and due to the pandemic I did mine virtually via pre-health shadowing.
Volunteer hours: I had 310 and I got them through volunteering at the Idaho Food Bank, volunteering in a clinic in Peru, and being a Sunday school children’s leader.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 21
Gender: Female

FAQ

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

Madeline was accepted with a 3.95 overall GPA and a 3.92 science GPA. [VERIFY] USD’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages, which will be lower than hers.

Does the University of South Dakota require the GRE for PA school?

Madeline submitted a 302. Her post did not record a PA-CAT result. [VERIFY] USD’s current standardized testing policy directly.

What is an interview waitlist for PA school?

Some programs maintain a queue of applicants waiting to be offered an interview slot, separate from the post-interview waitlist. Madeline moved off an interview waitlist, then off a program waitlist, before being accepted.

Do virtual shadowing hours count for PA school?

Many programs accepted them during the pandemic and some still do. Madeline’s 30 shadowing hours were entirely virtual. [VERIFY] each program’s current policy on virtual shadowing.

Can you get into PA school at 21?

Yes. Madeline was accepted at 21 with 2800 combined PCE and HCE hours built as a CNA in assisted living and skilled nursing plus a year as an ER technician. [VERIFY] whether your target programs require a completed bachelor’s degree before matriculation.

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

Two waitlists, four interview offers, and an acceptance at her first choice — all at 21. Madeline’s advice is the right closing note: take a deep breath, find a PA to shadow sooner rather than later, and do not let a waitlist email scare you.

***INSERT HTML SERVICE BLOCK CTA****

University of South Dakota PA Program: Madeline's Acceptance Story (Off Two Waitlists at 21)