University of Wisconsin-Madison PA Program: Kaylee's Acceptance Story (6 Acceptances from 7 Interviews)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Kaylee applied to 9 programs and converted them into 7 interviews, 6 acceptances, and 1 waitlist — the strongest outcome in this entire series. A first-generation college student with a 3.94 GPA and a 319 GRE, she built 2,200 PCE hours as a CNA and did all 22 of her shadowing hours virtually on YouTube. Her strategy: deliberately apply to programs with extra requirements.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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Why PA?

I found my interest in medicine during middle school when I realized it might be a little bit odd that I found myself constantly reading books about people who were sick and then I would go home and research the disease that they had because I needed to know more about it. I am a first generation college student and I originally set my sights on becoming a doctor because with my interest in medicine and affinity for school that is what made sense to me. However, once I started to really think about my life and my career in medicine I asked myself what kind of provider I wanted to be. I want to be someone that works with underserved communities by providing compassionate and comprehensive healthcare in a variety of setting. After doing more research and learning about the PA profession, I realized how much the profession resonated with me. I had been doubting my happiness with a career as a doctor and when I read about being a PA I just knew that was what I was meant to do.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, Kaylee has identified something most applicants get exactly backwards. Programs with extra requirements — supplemental essays, the CASPER, the PA-CAT — receive materially fewer applications, because friction filters people out. If you are willing to do the extra work, you are competing in a smaller pool for the same number of seats. Her 6-for-7 outcome is not only about a 3.94 GPA. It is about where she chose to spend her effort.

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

I had 7 interviews that resulted in 6 acceptances and 1 waitlist.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

All 22 of Kaylee’s shadowing hours were virtual, done on YouTube, and she still received 7 interview invitations. Program shadowing requirements vary far more than applicants assume.

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Where will you be attending?

UW-Madison

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

I felt that in all of my interviews the interviewers really just wanted to get to know who I am better. I felt that it was my chance to bring life into my application and I really enjoyed the interview process.

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

Apply smart and be willing to do more! The process is expensive, so make sure you are meeting all of the pre reqs for the schools you apply for- and take a look at their accepted applicants stats if they are available. Also- don’t be afraid to take the GRE, PA-CAT, CASPER, if you are able to and write those extra essays! A lot more people will apply to the schools with no additional requirements so if you want to be an applicant in a smaller pool go above and beyond!

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

My Instagram is @kaylee_jensen

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Minnesota State University- Mankato
Overall GPA: 3.94
GRE: 319
PA-CAT: N/A
Total PCE hours: 2,200 hours as a CNA. I first worked in a rehabilitation/ long term care facility and later worked as a float CNA for the Mankato area where I worked in a variety of setting and facilities such as memory care and assisted living.
Total HCE hours: 250 hours as a pharmacy technician
Shadowing hours: 22 hours of virtual shadowing on YouTube!
Volunteer hours: About 325 volunteer hours. I crocheted items and donated them to shelters, was a mentor for my school, and worked at a local food shelf!
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 24
Gender: Female

FAQ

What GPA do you need for the UW-Madison PA program?

Kaylee was accepted with a 3.94 overall GPA. Her science GPA was not recorded in the original post. [VERIFY] UW-Madison’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages.

Should you apply to PA programs with extra requirements?

Kaylee argues yes, and her results support it. Programs requiring the GRE, PA-CAT, CASPER, or supplemental essays draw fewer applicants, so completing the extra work places you in a smaller pool.

Does UW-Madison require the GRE for PA school?

Kaylee submitted a 319 and listed the PA-CAT as N/A. [VERIFY] UW-Madison’s current standardized testing policy directly.

Does virtual shadowing on YouTube count for PA school?

Some programs accepted recorded and virtual shadowing, particularly during the pandemic, and some still do. Kaylee logged all 22 of her hours this way. [VERIFY] each program’s current policy before relying on it.

Can a first-generation college student get into PA school?

Yes. Kaylee is a first-generation college student who initially aimed at medical school before finding the PA profession, and she earned 6 acceptances on her first cycle.

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

Six acceptances from seven interviews is the best conversion rate in this series, and Kaylee got there by going where other applicants would not bother. Apply smart and be willing to do more, she says. The extra essay is often the cheapest advantage available.

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University of Wisconsin-Madison PA Program: Kaylee's Acceptance Story (6 Acceptances from 7 Interviews)