University of the Pacific PA Program: Victoria's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Victoria applied to PA school across four cycles — 36 applications total — and interviewed at six programs, getting waitlisted at five of them. She had already begun her fourth cycle when the University of the Pacific pulled her off a waitlist from the previous year, offering a seat on December 11, 2018 for a January 3 start. Her GRE was her weakest point, with a 2.5 writing score, offset by 5,500 HCE hours and 1,680 shadowing hours.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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How many times did you apply?

I had started my 4th cycle but was accepted in to a program that I was waitlisted at during my 3rd cycle.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

1st cycle – 6
2nd cycle – 12
3rd cycle – 12
4th cycle -6

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Victoria's story is the clearest example we have of why you should never write off a waitlist. She was offered a seat nine months after her interview, in December, for a January start — and she had already begun her fourth application cycle. Waitlists move late, and they move when other admits decline. Stay in contact with programs that waitlist you, keep your file updated, and don't stop your next cycle in the meantime. Her point about not getting the chance to explain a year away from healthcare is also a useful reminder: if there's a gap in your file, find a way to address it in your personal statement rather than hoping the question comes up.

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

Throughout the entire process I interviewed at 6 programs. During my second cycle I interviewed with four programs and was waitlisted at all four. I actually got pulled from the waitlist and was offered a seat at one of the programs but they ended up not getting there initial accreditation (was a blessing in disguise). My third cycle I interviewed at two programs, one was a no and the other I was waitlisted at.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

One program pulled Victoria off a waitlist and offered her a seat, then failed to receive initial accreditation. She calls it a blessing in disguise. Always verify a program's accreditation status before accepting. [VERIFY] Confirm University of the Pacific's current accreditation and program details.

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Where will you be attending?

I started on January 3, 2019 at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento, CA. I was waitlisted at this program in March 2018 after my interview but was offered a seat on December 11, 2018. Best day of my life.

Any red flags on your application?

Low GRE score. Only a few of the programs I interviewed at questioned this but I assured them that this was not indication of my test taking skills. I also did not work in the healthcare field for an entire year. This did not get brought up formally during my interview but I think it hurt me at one interview because I didn’t get a chance to explain why.

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

The faculty and staff really wanted to get to know me. There was only one interview where I felt that I was being interrogated.

I felt that I was interviewing the school as well. Were they a good fit for me? Could I see myself thriving in this atmosphere?

Majority of the schools I interviewed at made me feel welcome but also made it clear that there was high expectations from students, faculty and staff.

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

Khan academy was a lifesaver during majority of my prerequisite courses.

Powerprep tools on ETS and Kaplan quizzes to study for the GRE.

I googled common interview questions for PA school, made a long list and would practice in the mirror or have family or friends ask me questions.

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

Sometimes things may not work out right away or how you imagined. It is easy to feel discouraged and that is okay! Remember that this is a tough process. Stay focused and continue to work toward your goals. When it’s meant to happen, it will. Feel free to message me with any questions.

Where can we find you?

Instagram @victoria_blair

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Nutrition/Dietetics at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL
Overall GPA: 3.65
Science GPA: 3.54
GRE: Verbal – 145, Quantitative – 151, Writing – 2.5
I took the GRE multiple and my scores fluctuated in all sections every time I took the test.
Total HCE hours: 5,500 (ER scribe and scribe for a pulmonologist)
Shadowing hours: 1,680
Other volunteer hours: 40
LORs: 3 (2 MD, 1 PA)
Age: 26
Gender: Female

FAQ

How long can you stay on a PA school waitlist?

Longer than most applicants expect. Victoria was waitlisted in March 2018 and received her offer on December 11, 2018 for a January 3, 2019 start. Waitlists move as accepted students decline seats, which can happen very late in the cycle.

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

Victoria was accepted with a 3.65 overall GPA and a 3.54 science GPA. [VERIFY] Confirm the program's current published minimum GPA requirements directly.

Does the University of the Pacific PA program require the GRE?

Victoria submitted GRE scores of 145 verbal, 151 quantitative, and 2.5 writing after taking the exam multiple times. [VERIFY] Confirm the current testing policy before registering for the exam.

Should you check a PA program's accreditation status?

Absolutely. Victoria was offered a seat at a program that then failed to receive initial accreditation. Verify a program's ARC-PA accreditation status — provisional, continuing, or probation — before accepting an offer, since it affects your eligibility to sit for the certification exam.

Does scribing count as healthcare experience for PA school?

Usually as HCE rather than PCE. Victoria logged 5,500 hours as an ER scribe and pulmonology scribe, classified as healthcare experience. Confirm how each program on your list categorizes scribe work, since some count it toward patient care requirements and others don't.

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

Victoria applied 36 times across four cycles and was waitlisted at five programs before one of them called. She had already started the next round of applications when the offer came. If you're on a waitlist right now, stay in touch with the program — and keep going in the meantime.

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University of the Pacific PA Program: Victoria's Acceptance Story