UNT Health Science Center PA Program: Angelina's Acceptance Story (Applied as a Junior)

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Angelina applied during her junior year of undergrad with roughly 540 PCE hours and no GRE. She still pulled 4 interview invitations from 7 applications, attended 2, and declined the rest after her first acceptance at UNT Health Science Center. Two-thirds of her 90 shadowing hours were virtual.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

Why PA?

Growing up as a first-generation Asian-American and college student, I noticed my family members encounter many cultural barriers when seeking care. As a result, I developed a passion for closing gaps and helping those in underserved/rural areas. I knew that being a PA would help me achieve this goal. It also appealed to me as it provides the perfect balance of autonomy and collaborative care. Overall, I just love how diverse the career is and how well equipped the PAs I’ve met have been.

In this post:

How many programs did you apply to?

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, applying as a junior is a genuine option that most undergraduates never consider, and Angelina makes the case for it. She converted 7 applications into 4 interview invitations with only 540 patient care hours — which tells you those programs were weighing her trajectory, her clarity of purpose, and her academics rather than a raw hour count. If you are early in undergrad and wondering whether it is too soon, the answer depends entirely on which programs you target.

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

I had 4 interview invites and am still waiting to hear back from 1. I attended 2 out of the 4 and declined the rest after my first acceptance.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Angelina volunteered as a crisis text line counselor and a peer note taker — both roles that build genuine communication skills without requiring a clinical setting.

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Where will you be attending?

UNT Health Science Center

Anything you found interesting about interviews?

All the preparation in the world can’t completely prepare you for interviews, so do not burn yourself out in the process or worry about things out of your control. I really do think the cliche advice of being yourself is the best advice out there! These interviewers genuinely want to get to know you and whether or not you’re a good fit for their program.

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

The Savanna Perry interview guide helped me so much and I made sure to take advantage of all the resources my school had to offer. I also did a mock interview with The PA Platform which I think helped release all of my nerves!

Any advice for other pre-PA students?

It’s a long and daunting process but it’s so incredibly worth it! You are more than capable and need to remember that your goals are within reach.

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

IG: @medicallyangie

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: Texas A&M University
Overall GPA: 3.69
Science GPA: 3.63
GRE: N/A
Total PCE hours: I was a junior when I applied and had approximately 540 hours at the time. I gained my experience working as a student worker nursing assistant at A&M’s clinic and now work as a medical assistant at an electrophysiology practice.
Total HCE hours: I had 116 HCE hours that I gained through my job training. I also gained some hours through TAMECT (emergency care team), an organization that provided emergency care alongside EMTs.
Shadowing hours: I had 90 hours of shadowing. Only 40 of these hours were in person with a orthopedic surgery PA-C. The other hours were with a wide range of specialties virtually.
Volunteer hours: I had 164 volunteering hours. I was a crisis text line counselor and peer note taker. I also had some other opportunities to volunteer through my organizations.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 22
Gender: Female

FAQ

Can you apply to PA school as a junior in college?

Yes, at programs that allow it, provided your degree is conferred before matriculation. Angelina applied as a junior with about 540 PCE hours and received 4 interview invitations. [VERIFY] each program’s degree completion and prerequisite deadlines.

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

Angelina was accepted with a 3.69 overall GPA and a 3.63 science GPA. [VERIFY] UNTHSC’s current published minimum GPA and most recent accepted class averages.

Does UNT Health Science Center require the GRE?

Angelina listed her GRE as N/A and was accepted. Her post did not record a PA-CAT result. [VERIFY] UNTHSC’s current standardized testing policy directly.

Do virtual shadowing hours count for PA school?

Many programs accept them. Angelina had 90 shadowing hours, of which only 40 were in person with an orthopedic surgery PA and the remainder virtual across a range of specialties. [VERIFY] each program’s current policy on virtual hours.

How many patient care hours do you need for PA school?

It varies enormously. Angelina applied with roughly 540 hours as a student worker nursing assistant, which is below many programs’ minimums but sufficient at the ones she targeted. [VERIFY] each program’s published requirement.

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

Angelina applied a year earlier than most people would have dared, with hours most people would have called insufficient, and got in. Do not burn yourself out on preparation or worry about what you cannot control, she says. Your goals are closer than they look.

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UNT Health Science Center PA Program: Angelina's Acceptance Story (Applied as a Junior)