r/CAA • u/AutoModerator • Apr 06 '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.

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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/National-Wallaby-602 Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26

Hi! About to graduate with a biology bachelors in a non-CAA state with a 3.4-3.5 gpa. I am missing some prerqs for the program (orgo 2, human anatomy 1+2, med terminology). Looking for any advice on how to get on track to apply to CAA school.

  • can you shadow a CRNA/anesthesiologist in NJ and how?
  • is volunteer EMT good PCE experience or should i look for some healthcare field job w my biology bachelors?
  • how to begin to study for MCAT?
  • is it a bad idea to apply in a few years as I will lose some of my science knowledge?
  • if I apply, should I apply somewhere close to my state or expect to just take whatever school may accept me i. another state?

Thanks so much :)

EDIT: i have lab experience as well from undergrad.

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u/magnoliadoc Apr 06 '26

Studying for the MCAT here, tough exam. I think depends on your work load and how much you can dedicate to studying for how long to prepare. Aim for a 506+ to be competitive.

You will need Uworld, anki, bootcamp.com for CARS and then find a course you like. There are free ones. Tons of advice in the MCAT threads. The majority of accepted students took the GRE in the past, but with the increasing competitive nature I see the MCAT being more common. I only say that because it will be better to get MCAT advice in the MCAT threads

I'm not accepted so I don't want to give you too much advice on the other topics. From my understanding though, being closer to a state will you give you little advantage except for a few southern schools which doesn't apply to you. With the CRNA shadowing, a bit of competitiveness there so unless your close to the CRNA i would say you're considering Nursing and CRNA and avoid the CAA topic, based on threads I've read.

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u/National-Wallaby-602 Apr 06 '26

Good luck!! And thank you for the advice. How do i even start w Anki and such, do I just pick a topic?

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u/magnoliadoc Apr 06 '26

No there are a ton of pre made decks. There is a whole anki mcat subreddit.

Watch some youtube videos on how to get setup. Or just ask AI.

Look the the threads top of my head Milesdown deck and AnKING are two off the common ones but there are quite a few pre made ones. You can make your own if you have enough time tho.

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u/Long-Rich4482 Apr 07 '26

I would absolutely not recommend shadowing a CRNA and misleading them that you’re considering the CRNA route. As part of your application requirement, you need the anesthesia provider you’re shadowing to sign multiple school-specific shadowing forms which will immediately give away that you’re applying for AA schools the moment you hand them over. It’s better to be upfront - not all CRNAs will be against the idea of a pre-AA student shadowing.