University of Utah PA Program: Laine's Acceptance Story (Nine Years, Two Countries)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Laine is a non-traditional applicant born and raised in Brazil, a former speech language pathologist, and a mother of two. After nine years of preparation she applied to 14 programs, interviewed at 5, and finished with 2 acceptances, 2 waitlists (one of which converted), and 1 rejection. She is going to the University of Utah’s Salt Lake City campus at 39.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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Why PA?

My desire to help people heal as a whole instead of just a small part of them, which I used to do as a SLP, led me to the PA profession. Learning about the higher level of care PAs are able to provide and their importance to underserved communities made this career the right fit for me. As a Brazilian, I know how much underserved areas suffer from a lack of medical care, and my main desire is to help these communities with medical care as much as I can.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Laine’s observation about the personal statement is one almost no applicant prepares for. Interviewers arrive with wildly different levels of familiarity with your file. Some will quote your essay back to you; others will not have opened it. Her rule is the right one: if nobody has asked about your personal statement by the end, assume they do not know it, and find a natural way to bring its core story into the room yourself. Her point about mission over minimums is equally sharp — meeting requirements gets you screened in, but fit is what gets you chosen.

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

I interviewed with 5 programs. I had one rejection (University of New Mexico). Two waitlists ( St. Francis University, Loretto – PA and University of the Pacific, Sacramento – CA. I was later pulled off from the UOP waiting list). And I had 2 acceptances (UTHSC, Memphis – TN and University of Utah, SLC campus)

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Laine wrote six drafts before landing on the personal statement she calls "the one." Nobody’s first draft is the one.

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Where will you be attending?

University of Utah

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

I found surprising that some interviewers really read your PS in details while others don’t. I learned that you have to be well prepared to answer not only specific questions about your PS, but also to highlight your PS for those interviewers who haven’t asked anything about it. In my opinion, If they didn’t ask anything about your PS, you should assume that they don’t know much about it.

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

The pre-PA club Facebook group and PA platform were essential to help me to go through all the steps from prerequisites to interview day. I used “My PA resource” for PS editing and for a Mock interview. I also bought the Interview guide book and the online course.

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

What I learned about this process. – Apply to schools that you think you can be a good fit. More important than the school’s requirements is the school’s mission. Schools are looking for applicants that will be a good fit to their program. – Apply to as many schools as you can afford, even if you think you don’t have a good chance. Sometimes the schools that you think that will not send you an interview invite are the ones that will. – Take the time to prepare your personal statement. It is true guys! It is the personal statement that will give you an interview. I used “My PA resource” service to review my first draft and it was essential to guide me to the right direction. After my 6th draft, I got “the one” personal statement. – Prepare for the interviews. I read the book from Savanna Perry, did her prep course and also did a mock interview. I kept practicing the questions as much as I could. I also tried to learn as much as possible from each school and faculty that I was going to have an interview. – Tell your story, be sincere, show your passion and determination in becoming a PA. – If you got a rejection it does not mean that you are a failure. It can be so many factors. It is okay to feel sad and discouraged for a little while, but do not give up. Keep preparing for the next interview. It only takes one! – And last, but not least. If you get waitlisted do not lose hope. You still have a chance to be called. I am a non-traditional applicant, born and raised in Brazil, and mom of two little girls. After nine years getting ready to apply, I am finally GOING TO BE A PA! And so are you! Like the fable of The Tortoise and the Hare. Do not compare yourself, keep your pace, and you will get to the finish line.

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

@lainetrent28

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: University of São Paulo – Brazil
Overall GPA: 3.9
Science GPA: 4.0
PA-CAT: N/A
Total PCE hours: I had 3,100 PCE hours. I gained my experience working as a Speech Language Pathologist in Brazil, and working as an Ophthalmic Assistant in the U.S.
Total HCE hours: Only 35 hours working in the Ophthalmic clinic’s call center triaging patients according to their chief of complaint. Also, assisting patients with scheduling, rescheduling and canceling appointments.
Shadowing hours: I had 96 in-person shadowing hours. I shadowed three PAs in three different specialties (dermatology, pediatrics, and general surgery.) I also had 18 hours of virtual shadowing from the virtual shadowing platform.
Volunteer hours: I had 161 volunteer hours. I did different types of volunteerism. For a period of time I visited women with terminal cancer in a hospital. I took care of children with special needs, so their parents could go on a date. I practiced Portuguese with Americans who were learning Portuguese as a second language. I volunteered in my kids’ schools. And I volunteered in kids’ Summer camps.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 39
Gender: Female

FAQ

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

Laine was accepted with a 3.9 overall GPA and a 4.0 science GPA. [VERIFY] the University of Utah’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages.

Does the University of Utah require the GRE for PA school?

Laine’s post recorded no GRE score and listed the PA-CAT as N/A. [VERIFY] the University of Utah’s current standardized testing policy directly.

Can you go to PA school as an international or non-traditional applicant?

Yes. Laine earned her degree at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, worked as a speech language pathologist there, and was accepted at 39. [VERIFY] each program’s requirements for foreign transcript evaluation and any prerequisite recency rules.

Does speech language pathology count as patient care experience for PA school?

Laine counted her SLP work in Brazil plus ophthalmic assistant work in the U.S. toward 3,100 PCE hours. Licensed clinical roles are generally strong PCE, but [VERIFY] how each program treats international clinical experience.

How important is the personal statement for PA school?

Laine credits hers with earning her interviews and went through six drafts to get it right. She also advises being ready to raise its themes yourself, since some interviewers will not have read it closely.

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

Nine years, two countries, two little girls, and a career she had already built once — Laine starts at the University of Utah at 39. Her closing image is hard to improve on: like the tortoise and the hare, keep your own pace and you will get to the finish line.

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University of Utah PA Program: Laine's Acceptance Story (Nine Years, Two Countries)