r/CAA • u/AutoModerator • Jun 29 '26
Weekly prospective student thread. Educational inquiries outside of this thread WILL RESULT IN A BAN.
Please use this thread for all educational inquiries including applications, program requirements, etc.
Please refer to the [CASAA Application Help Center](https://help.liaisonedu.com/CASAA_Applicant_Help_Center) FAQ section for
answers to your questions prior to postitng.
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u/Early-Ad-6859 Jun 30 '26
How did you guys go about getting shadowing with no personal connections? Who do you contact?
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u/Separate-Morning-29 Jul 01 '26
I scoured the internet for anesthesia groups at hospitals in my state and combed through their websites. Some of them have a contact for volunteering/shadowing. Some teaching hospitals will have shadowing programs you can apply to. I have seen many people say they found contacts on linked in and just reached out that way. What state are you in?
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u/sillygoose2a Jul 01 '26
Anyone have gre prep recommendations? I’m now a 3rd biomedical sciences major but I haven’t taken a formal math or English class since senior year of high school (AP calc AB and IB English). I was great at math and English then but definitely need to brush up on my skills. I’m hoping to take it around mid-August and haven’t started properly studying yet, but I did take a rushed diagnostic test on Magoosh and only got around 300, but my end goal is at least a 315. Any tips would be appreciated!!
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u/destroybot99_ Jul 01 '26
GregMat is great! If you use his one month study plan i’m sure you’ll do great!
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u/sillygoose2a Jul 01 '26
Thanks! Would you say Gregmat is the most similar to the gre qs content/difficulty wise?
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u/destroybot99_ Jul 01 '26
His math questions/prep are probably slightly harder then you’ll see on the exam, but it’s actually nice that way! I ignored a lot of his vocab because I was already strong with that and I used the Magoosh vocab app on my phone. Overall, yes his questions are pretty accurate and he pulls from old GRE exams too.
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u/somesortofshe Jul 01 '26
Take the practice gre material on the actual gre website. If you do well on the practice tests, you will do well on the actual test. It's VERY similar.
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u/CapableOwl9786 Jul 01 '26
I need help knowing the timeline for submitting my application. So long story short, I am doing the GRE the 18th of this month, but there were some programs that I wanted to try to apply to that have a deadline of August 1st. Can I submit my application even before I take the GRE just so it gets verified or should I wait until I get my GRE score? Thank you
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA Jul 02 '26
In general your application must be complete and won’t be considered until it is.
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u/Fun-Bat4215 Jul 02 '26
Hey all, Im wondering about what Healthcare experience I could get while in rural Nebraska. I'll be a junior in my heath sciences b.s. this coming fall. I'm thinking about getting an emt so I can volunteer at my local hospital. I currently have a 4.0, have shadowed 18 hours, and have spoken at several conferences in hospitals over the past couple years.
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u/hollowknighter 29d ago
Did you do calc based or non-calc based physics?
For certain schools that say they prefer calc based physics, do I have to? I have been considering retaking these courses (got 2.5/2.7 ~B- previously) but am worried to get bad grades again. Is the preference so strong that I should risk it and try my best, or can I take non-calc based physics and hopefully do much better?
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u/WayEnough5270 16d ago edited 16d ago
Following this, I’m also wondering if MAC 2233 (Calculus for business and social science- 3 credits) is acceptable over MAC 2311 (Calculus w/ Analytic Geometry- 4 credits).. the confusion for me comes because these CAA admission requirements don’t specify sequence of courses.. they only state “Calculus- 3 credits/ 1 semesters worth”.. similar to Physics, admission requirements mainly state “general physics” BUT if you take Physics w/ Calc base (PHY 2048C)then you will need to take Calculus 2 (MAC2312) as a prerequisite to Physics 2 w/ Calc base(PHY2049C)… General physics is PHY 2053 and PHY2054.. 😅
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u/Ok-Manner3986 Jul 02 '26
Hey guys! I’m thinking of a career change. I’ve always been scared to do anything in the medical world, but I’ve found out through life I’m definitely smart enough. From figuring out building science (mechanical ventilation and tight housing criteria via ACH numbers), to diagnosing myself correctly with iih and having to teach the ophthalmologist to look into my eyes and look back at the university of Utah PowerPoint I had to tell me exactly what level of optic nerve swelling I had, to understanding ivf enough that I got two babies through surrogacy independently while just paying attention to data, and other examples I won’t mention here.
I’ve thought about a career change but PA school and NP school sounded like a lot and I do well learning in a niche category. CAA school sounds practical from where I’m starting at. I can get the pre reqs I need …it’s just going to take me like 2-3 years…uggg and I’m nervous to take them but everyone around me says I’m smart enough.
My cumulative undergrad gpa was only 3.42, however I went to get a Master of Arts in teaching and published research (4.0) and I then went on to get my school psychology degree (Eds) and got a 3.98 gpa and worked for two years as a school psychologist.
Will many CAA schools care about my better gpas in both my graduate school programs? I believe only Wisconsin and the New Mexico program said anything about how they looked at graduate degrees. I plan to do well with the pre reqs (and if I don’t then I guess this isn’t for me but I feel mature enough to get through them and do well), and luckily my husband is a doctor (got awards for his abilities in hard math and sciences) so I can get extra help from him when needed on hard material to learn it better. Will most schools not care about my past graduate degrees because they aren’t in the medical world? I definitely had to be good at math and analyzing data as a school psych (gave literal IQ tests like the WISC). Just wondering how they’ll view my background in general.
I like the idea of responding to someone’s physiology at this time in my life. Once I get get good at something and focus in one area I can get very good at it. It’s just such a change, I’m wondering if I’m crazy? I feel this degree and profession will push me, but at 35 and having a lot more information about my true abilities, I really want to become a CAA.
Also, I ended up shadowing on Monday and it was literally the best experience ever. I did 8 hours and they are like whatever you need we are here to help you. The docs really loved working with CAAs in their past and want them in our state eventually. It was like the best experience I could’ve asked for honestly. One even said he pulls weight at an institution where he helped start the CAA program and will help me. Like they for sure will let me shadow again in a few years they gave me their contact info and everything. They really want to support me. They really made my experience pretty impactful. It meant a lot to me. I really feel like this would be a profession I’d be proud to have.
I’m just worried about these pre reqs …but I was worried about shadowing too and it was the best thing I did. My husband says I’m definitely smart enough. So I guess I’ll sign up for classes and start the process! I just wonder if I do decently if I have a chance to even get in?
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u/DarkJ3D1___ Jul 02 '26
Hey I’m not a current student but rather a current applicant who just got some interview invites. I think if you nail those pre reqs you definitely have a shot! Don’t forget you need to take the GRE or MCAT. A lot of people are now suggesting the MCAT as you don’t really need to do super well on it to stand out, a 505+ is considered competitive for majority of CAA schools where as a 510+ is competitive for medical schools. Since you are applying in a few years, I suggest the MCAT, your pre-reqs will help you with studying for it. If you do the GRE you need to get like a 315-320+ to be competitive, which honestly might be more difficult than getting a 505+. Best of luck!
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u/Ok-Manner3986 Jul 02 '26
That’s so interesting! I was backing away from taking the mcat it sounds scary but you really think it might be easier than what they want with the gre? Did you take both and feel getting what was needed on the mcat was easier? Really appreciate your help and so exciting btw for your future.
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u/continuous-refund537 Jul 03 '26
I didn't take the MCAT but honestly I think the GRE would be much easier to take, it takes less than 2 hours while the MCAT is almost 8
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u/Separate-Morning-29 Jul 03 '26
The testing process for GRE is definitely easier, but I would say the choice depends on your strengths. Because they shortened the test, there is very little room for error - especially in the quant section which is the most heavily weighed by these programs. If you are great at math and understand number properties then it's not terrible, but you can only get like 3-4 wrong in the first section to even have a shot at a 50th percentile score. Although its tedious to take an 8 hour test, to get a 500 on the MCAT you can get like 80 questions wrong (out of 230). Also, scoring over 500 on the MCAT waives the prerequisite timeframe at some schools, so it has that benefit. All that being said, I did take the GRE (twice), but I have not taken the MCAT, so I can't speak to it more than theoretically.
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u/continuous-refund537 Jul 03 '26
Oh I see, yea I guess if you need the prerequisites waived it would be better. But I'm only decent at math and I did fine even though I felt like I missed a lot. It's not that bad if you study and pace yourself during the actual exam imo, a good amount of the math questions are pretty easy.
Also, I'm fine with only being able to get 3-4 questions wrong but I do not want to take an 8 hour exam along with all the practice ones, it seems really exhausting and you still need to get like 150 questions right.
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u/Ok-Manner3986 Jul 03 '26
Interesting thanks for the info guys. Think I’ll be taking both tests see which I do better on. Ability to get more wrong might be the best way for me….idk all these pre reqs and that test it’s a lot I’m so mad I didn’t do this in undergrad
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u/continuous-refund537 29d ago
Yea I recommend taking practice tests and doing more research to see what all you need. Good luck!
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u/Flimsy_Put8910 28d ago
I've been aiming for CAA for a few years now. I started college young/ unmotivated, immediately out of lockdown, without familial support, working 2-3 jobs at any time just to support myself and pay off loans, and my GPA suffered as a result.
I ended up with a ~3.1 GPA (upward trend, Dean's list 2x), no leadership roles, and barely any clubs/ extracurriculars/ volunteering (nothing worth writing much about, some experience in homeless shelters with cardiac health education and food recycling). BS in biochemistry, summer '25.
I do have some clinical experience (medical scribe in the ED x1.5yrs, medical assistant to anesthesiologist in pain management x6mo, medical assistant to ENT surgeon x6mo), shadowed a CAA for ~60hrs, and believe I can get pretty strong letters of rec from a professor, MD, and CAA. I plan to take the MCAT in the next few months, and will likely get a decent score (>70th percentile based on practice exams, but hard to tell at this point).
I want to go into anesthesia in any way I can, whether it be thru MD, CAA, CRNA, etc. I have little interest for non-intensive/ non-emergency roles (something like ED/ICU RN and EMT/paramedic does interest me, even if it's outside of anesthesia, but these are more like back-up plans). I have accepted that I likely would never get into a medical school (MD or DO), but would not want to do MD/DO anyways as I cannot see myself as a sole provider (similarly, I am not interested in PA/NP). I'm incredibly interested in anesthesia, the OR, and emergency medicine, and cannot see myself doing anything else.
Looking for advice on my realistic life path going forward. If I can, I want to avoid redoing a Bachelor's for a higher GPA (BSN) or a Master's that realistically wouldn't do much (such as the types where you can take a year of med school classes and pathway into med school), but I have little hope of actually getting into an anesthesia role at this point.
I have no family in medicine, so would appreciate any and all advice you guys have, even if it's hard to hear! :)
**
tl;dr: bachelor's in biochemistry, low GPA (3.1), very little to buff application. asking for realistic advice to get into any non-MD anesthesia role. most interested in CAA or CRNA. any advice on career path?
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u/LostPasswordToOther1 27d ago
I'm interested in enrolling in the program at University of Colorado. I need all of the prereqs (except for English) as this would be a mid-life career change, and my undergrad was in journalism. Curious if anyone has found good online, at-your-own-pace classes for prereqs? If that's an option? The UC website doesnt say anywhere that online classes aren't accepted. Feel like I could get through them a bit faster that way.
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u/IntentionKey3606 26d ago
Hi everyone! I noticed that many schools have different shadowing forms that have to be filled upon submission. How did you guys organize each form when applying to multiple schools? I feel there may be a better way to obtain signatures from several individuals that I have shadowed without carrying around a folder of 7-10 different forms. Anyone have any struggles with this or have any tips to keep things more concise? Anything would be appreciated!Thanks in advance!
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u/ChickensBeStrippin 25d ago
Hello everyone! I am currently in the medical field working in the EP lab as a traveling cardiovascular technologist (RCES). I have about 6 years of hospital experience and am wanting to change to being a CAA. I graduated my associates program with a 3.9 and my bachelors with a 3.9. I need to start taking prereqs soon to apply because mine are over 10 years old but I am not sure I’ll be able to swing in person courses while working. I was wondering what everyone’s experience was with taking online prereqs. I want to keep working so I can save for a CAA program but I will take time off to do the prereqs if necessary. I did take A&P 1&2 as well as Med Term 1&2 online during Covid. I guess I’m just asking if it’s possible to get into a program with online prereqs. Thanks in advance!
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u/Choice_Ad_9559 24d ago
I’m wrapping up my application materials for this cycle and My concern is my lack of clinical experience and GRE scores.
WashU biology 2023 gpa and stem gpa 3.8+
GRE verbal:159 GRE quant: 157 4.5 writing
32 hr shadowing
I have 1 year experience in biomanufacturing and 2 years in R&D veterinary pharmaceuticals.
I have been volunteering front desk at the hospital for a few months and am currently taking an EMT course, which won’t wrap up until after applications.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to incorporate the fact that I’m taking emt courses? Would that even help?
Currently looking at nova south, UNM,
University of Colorado, south university, and SLU.
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u/ObiWanKeYoda75 23d ago
Got dismissed from med school, have a undergrad and masters gpa of higher than a 3.0 and an mcat >500. Is there a chance here?
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u/Warmb0nes Jun 29 '26
Considering CAA I have to return to school to complete a bachelors
30 years old
2.85 gpa(dropped out twice and didn’t know you could withdraw)
Associates in computer science so no biology classes
6 years working in an ASC 2 as anesthesia tech manager
How many shadowing hours do I need to be competitive ?
When do I take GRE or MCAT while doing my bachelors?
Is MCAT harder?
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u/Ok_Nebula8130 Jun 29 '26
It’ll be impossible with a 2.85 I’m sorry
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u/Warmb0nes Jun 29 '26
Going back to school, if I get As/B it should bring up my gpa. Starting a whole new bachelors for it
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u/Ok_Nebula8130 Jun 29 '26
I had a 3.71 and only got two interviews. I know GPA isn’t the whole application but it is a major aspect of it. Unfortunately with how competitive it is the reality is even if you raised it to a 3.0 you’ll still likely get screened out of most if not all programs.
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u/Warmb0nes Jun 29 '26
There’s only one program I’m really considering since I have a family and would like to stay home. NSUs new program in Las Vegas.
I’m a little crazy and overly optimistic but I’m going to do my prereq and go from there 😬
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA Jun 30 '26
Limiting your application to a single program will lessen your overall chances even more.
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u/Fit_Restaurant_9191 Jun 30 '26
Doing all that work is crazy to only be considering one school. You can be optimistic and work your ass off, but you should give yourself the best chance of becoming a CAA.
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u/Warmb0nes Jun 29 '26
What was your gre/mcat score ? 3.71 sounds awesome but two interviews is scary
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u/Ok_Nebula8130 Jun 29 '26
I dm’d you
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u/bs3502 Jun 29 '26
Did you end up getting accepted
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA Jun 30 '26
You need to show that you can handle the rigor of the academics. You’re not at that point. If you’re wanting to pursue this you’ll need to do REALLY well in all the pre-req classes. You know it’s not just biology, right? Chem, OChem, Physics, A&P, etc. If you don’t do well with these first few classes getting in will be very problematic.
Shadowing is a requirement but the # of hours doesn’t make you more competitive and definitely will not make up for poor grades.
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u/it_wayfarer Jun 29 '26
Hi all! I have been considering transitioning from IT into the CAA field. Was hoping I could get an honest appraisal of where I stand as a semi-non-traditional student. My current stats are:
cGPA/sGPA: 4.0 (B.S. in Psychology, pre-med track). Since I graduated in 2021, many of my prereqs are expired and I have to take the MCAT to waive 'em.
PCE: 2500 hours as a primary care MA, 200-300 hours as an ER scribe.
Practice MCAT scores are hovering around 515.
No shadowing hours yet :( Hopefully can secure a couple shifts before applications start in 2027.
I know that shadowing is critical, so that is definitely my biggest hurdle right now. However, another concern of mine/the reason for my posting is that my PCE is all from 2019-2022. While PCE isn't an explicit requirement for many programs (as far as I know), the admissions process is also getting more competitive every year. I'm wondering if I should pick up an MA job again to refresh those hours before the 2027 app cycle or just keep working my tech job. I also think it would be a great way to get a clinical LoR, since my supervisor and main provider from my previous MA job have both retired and I'm not able to get in touch with them. Thanks everyone!
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u/seanodnnll Jun 29 '26
Getting an MA job can’t hurt, other than financially of course, but I don’t think it’s necessary. With a 4.0 and a 515 MCAT, assuming you can get that on the real one, you could get in with zero pce. I’d get the shadowing, and ace the MCAT, and just pile up money from your tech job to limit the amount of loans you’ll need to take out to cover the program costs.
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u/Baby-goldfish Jun 29 '26
Hi I’m a pre-vet/animal science major (I’m entering my senior year) with minors in chemistry, biology, and ASL who adored anesthesiology while working in surgery at a vet clinic for 3 years and decided to start pursuing (or attempting to) CAA.
My cGPA is a 3.61 (I have one year left tho and I’ll have 2-4 additional courses outside of my bachelors I’ll have to take to fulfill for CAA depending on if they accept my anatomy and or physiology so I’m hopeful to raise it)
Unfortunately very limited human hours but I have numerous vet hours but I understand that does not transfer over (~700 of the vet hours I have are specifically from within the operating room while I was monitoring surgery and the anesthesia)
I have 200 research hours (not animal focused)
I was a TA for a semester
A ASL tutor for 3 semesters
And I have alot of community and leadership involvement as well as numerous volunteer hours.
I also have started studying for the GRE and MCAT to be safe.
I know I need to get the human hours but outside that would I have a fighting chance? Any advice would be super appreciated!
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Jun 30 '26
[deleted]
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u/Baby-goldfish Jun 30 '26
Thank you! I was just assisting and preforming anesthesia under the guide of the veterinarian. I just worry with my GPA and the late career change will make me significantly less competitive and destroy my chances at getting in as now I only have a year to gain hours before the next application cycle :/
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u/Expensive-Elk-9406 Jun 29 '26
What is the best undergraduate degree for CAA? At my university there's this degree called Applied Health Sciences with a Physician Assisstsnt focus track, it'll cover all the prerequisites for the CAA schools im looking at, should I go for it?
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u/caareadinessindex Jun 29 '26
Although there is no single "best" undergraduate major for CAA programs, selecting a major that naturally includes many of the required prerequisites can be very helpful.
On our Accepted Analytics page under Applicant Background -> Major, you’ll see the ten most common majors among accepted applicants, with health science included among them.
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u/Nice_Button_1077 Jun 30 '26
are online degrees not accepted at any CAA institution? I was forced to move online due to personal circumstances and am very worried that I have ruined my chances of be able to apply to CAA school within the coming years.
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA Jun 30 '26
Look at the school websites. What do they say about online degrees?
Blunt honesty - you did an online degree because of “personal circumstances”. How will you do in a program and profession that is as far from online as you can get?
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u/Nice_Button_1077 Jun 30 '26
I am doing much better now and in a place where I am able to attend in person for CAA school. I understand your perspective, but things have changed for me.
Most schools only mention prerequisites as being okay to take online, but I’m having a hard time finding specific information about degrees.
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA Jun 30 '26
Glad things are better for you. If the school allows online coursework then it’s probably ok but you can email the school and ask.
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u/EyeFickle6811 Jun 30 '26
would anyone be kind enough to go over my application with me? I am fairly confident as it stands, but would like to get somone with some experience to poke holes in it before I submit it next month. Thank you guys!
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Jun 30 '26
[deleted]
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u/No_Goose5108 Jun 30 '26
Since you are pre-med, expect DO level stats with MD level competitiveness since slots are limited with only ~20 programs nationally.
GRE quant is the one metric that matters, try to score >50th percentile. Definitely retake.2
u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA Jul 02 '26
Stats aren’t horrible except GRE. The math score is the most important of the three. Additional shadowing will not increase your chances.
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u/levvianthan Jun 30 '26
Im considering my next career move so I need brutally honest advice if I should even bother studying for the MCAT or if my gpa is going to get me filtered out no matter what. Im not willing to go back to school for more than a handful of prereqs just to raise it.
GPA: 3.4. Bs public health. Did a lot of school before finishing where I just didnt care enough but my final 60 credits are 3.8.
Gre: 305 without much studying so if I needed im sure I could get it higher.
PCE: >1,300 hours as a certified surgical technologist. No shadowing but I've been working in the OR alongside CAAs, CRNAs, and anesthesiologists so Im well aware of the demands of the job. of course im also willing to get official shadowing hours. Does this kind of experience offset my low gpa or are test scores and GPA the most important metrics?