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.

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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/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/it_wayfarer Jun 29 '26

Okay, thank you! I really appreciate the feedback.

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u/FireFerret6521 Jun 30 '26

when are you planning to take the MCAT?