Western University of Health Sciences PA Program: Demy's Acceptance Story

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Demy applied to 11 PA programs without taking the GRE, was invited to seven interviews, attended six, and finished with two acceptances and two waitlists — landing at Western University of Health Sciences. He had a Master's in Sociology, very low undergraduate science grades that forced him to retake his science coursework from scratch, and 6,500+ HCE hours. He was 29 when he applied.

Last Updated: August 2, 2026

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

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

I was invited to 7 interviews, 6 of which I attended. Out of the six I was waitlisted at 2, accepted at 2, and the rest is history.

In this post:

Where will you be attending?

Western University of Health Sciences

In Our Experience

In our experience at The PA Platform, skipping the GRE entirely is a legitimate strategy as long as you build your school list around it deliberately, which is exactly what Demy did. He knew it would narrow his options and accepted that trade — and still generated seven interview invitations. His career-change question is also one that trips up a lot of nontraditional applicants. If you are switching fields, programs are not testing whether your past is relevant; they are testing whether you can articulate why medicine now and whether you can handle the science load. Retaking his coursework from scratch answered the second half of that question with evidence.

Any red flags on your application?

I had REALLY low science grades in my undergraduate years! Chemistry in particular was difficult. I had to retake all my science courses and basically started from scratch about three years ago. Also, I received a few questions about why I switched majors! That was a tough one to answer during my interviews. Why would someone with a Master’s in Sociology switch to Healthcare and how would I do in the rigorous science coursework in these PA programs?

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Demy rebuilt his entire science transcript starting about three years before he applied, going from REALLY low undergraduate science grades to a 3.32 science GPA. Seven of eleven programs invited him to interview. [VERIFY] Confirm Western University of Health Sciences' current prerequisite recency policy.

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

Anything you found surprising about interviews?

I was surprised by how inviting they were and also how different each one was. I was so nervous for my interviews but the faculty and staff at each one made sure to make me feel very welcomed and wanted at each program. The diversity of programs is also a testament to the diversity of what these programs look for when building their class. People should be aware the no two interviews are the same and they should prepare themselves accordingly.

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

I actually used three books (affiliate links):

The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into Physician Assistant School by Andrew J. Rodican
How to “Ace” the Physician Assistant School Interview by Andrew J. Rodican
How To Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement by Duke Pasquini, Stephen Pasquini, and Sue Edmondson

I also watched a lot of videos by James Kim and Adana the PA ,and followed a lot of tips from Jazmine K. The online community is truly an amazing resource and Pre-PAs should most definitely reach out!

Any other advice for other pre-PA students?

I know people hear this a lot, but trust the process. By no means is it easy or quick. It takes hard work, patience, dedication, and a passion for the profession. And yea, sometimes we cry and that is totally okay. I know I felt this rush of anxiety and impatience, and I faced times when I questioned my abilities and qualifications. Quitting seemed to be the easiest option. However, keep in mind the reasons behind why you want to be a PA and really hold onto that during the application process because that will serve as motivation. Write it down on a sticky note and post it up somewhere where you will see it everyday. Do not compare yourself to other applicants because you are unique and have experiences that only you can bring to the profession and to the programs. Play up your strengths and use them to your advantage, but do not be afraid to confront and discuss your weaknesses. Remember, you are exactly where you are supposed to be, despite sometimes feeling otherwise.

Where can we find you?

Instagram: @thispa_bettawerk

Need to Know:

Undergraduate education: BA in Sociology and English
Overall GPA: 3.65
Science GPA: 3.32
GRE: I actually chose not to take it! I knew this would impact my choices for schools to which I could apply, but I was okay with that as most of the schools in which I was interested did not require it. I took it once to get into my Master’s program for Sociology and decided I didn’t want to do it again.
Total HCE hours: 6500+
Total PCE hours: 300+
Shadowing hours: 15+
Other volunteer hours: 700+
LORs: 4 total. Three Physician Assistants and one MD.
How many times did you apply?: 1
Age: 29 and feeling fine!
Gender: I identify as male.
How many programs did you apply to? 11

FAQ

Do you have to take the GRE for PA school?

Not always. Demy chose not to take the GRE and applied only to programs that didn't require it, receiving seven interview invitations from eleven applications. A growing number of PA programs have dropped the requirement, but skipping it will narrow your list, so verify each program's policy first.

What GPA do you need for the Western University of Health Sciences PA program?

Demy was accepted with a 3.65 overall GPA and a 3.32 science GPA achieved after retaking his science coursework. [VERIFY] Confirm the program's current published minimums directly.

Can you go to PA school with a non-science degree?

Yes. Demy holds a BA in Sociology and English plus a Master's in Sociology. What matters is completing the required prerequisite science courses and performing well in them. Expect interview questions about why you changed direction.

Should you retake science classes with low grades before applying to PA school?

It can transform an application. Demy retook all his science courses roughly three years before applying and moved from very low undergraduate grades to a competitive science GPA. Note that CASPA averages both attempts rather than replacing the original grade.

Am I too old to apply to PA school at 29?

No. Demy applied at 29 after a Master's degree and a career in a different field, and received seven interview invitations. Programs often value the maturity and life experience that career changers bring.

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

Demy's application had almost every feature applicants worry about — a non-science degree, a career change, weak early science grades, and no GRE score. He addressed each one deliberately and ended up with six interviews and multiple offers. His closing thought is worth keeping: you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

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

Western University of Health Sciences PA Program: Demy's Acceptance Story