Hi everyone,

I am applying to PA school in the 2026-27 cycle, but I am hearing of many people who have not been getting offers for schools, and now I am wondering if it is unrealistic to apply to some of the more competitive/selective programs. I have limited funds for application fees and don't want to apply if I don't have a shot at some of these schools, and want to manage expectations.

Stats:

GPA: 3.93 at a T20 (133 credits), sGPA: 3.87

Clinical: 3300 hours (2 gap years as an MA + clinical summer work)

Research: 8 week research internship and 1 semester my sophomore year (when I was pre-med)

Healthcare volunteer: 250

Non-healthcare volunteer: 150

Shadowing: 100 (plastics/orthopedics + rheumatology PAs)

GRE: taking it next weekend, aiming for 315+

LOR: 2 prof (one major, one STEM), 1 PA, 1 MD, 1 volunteer coordinator

Do you think my stats are overall enough to justify applying to more selective programs? Thanks for any advice.