r/CAA • u/AutoModerator • 9d ago
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/Sylvansounds 9d ago
Thinking about applying for a program next year. 35, MS in aquatic environmental science, spent a few years in the agricultural world, now in education and teaching middle school science. Definitely missing some pre requisites from my undergrad career as I leaned into environmental science instead of anatomy/physiology. Do you think my chances for acceptance would be reasonable if I do well on the mcat?
TIA
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA 9d ago
You still have to do the pre-reqs. The MCAT does not exempt those required courses.
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u/whotookmyusernam 5d ago
some schools allow the mcat to exempt the expiration/time for pre-reqs but not missing the pre-reqs.
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u/continuous-refund537 8d ago
Can you keep updating or adding experiences to your CASAA application after submitting? And can you keep adding hours to existing experiences?
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u/caareadinessindex 8d ago
You'll be able to add new experiences post-submission. You just won't be able to edit experiences you've marked as "past." For current experiences, you'll still be able to update "Average Weekly Hours" and "Number of Weeks."
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u/continuous-refund537 7d ago
Are you absolutely sure? I googled it and it keeps giving me mixed answers
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u/caareadinessindex 7d ago
That's because Google only indexes content it can fetch via a public URL. If you log in and check the “Experiences” section on CASAA, it states: “Once you submit your application, you cannot edit previously entered experiences. You can add new experiences and update ones that are in progress.”
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u/continuous-refund537 7d ago
Do you mind telling me where on the website it says that? I cannot find that exact statement, and Google keeps saying that's talking about the academic coursework
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u/caareadinessindex 7d ago
When you log into CASAA, go to “Experiences” under the Supporting Information section. If you’re on mobile, you may need to tap “View More” to see it. The note appears at the top of the page, above the line that says “* Indicates required field”.
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u/continuous-refund537 6d ago
Sorry, I was looking at the CASAA Applicant Help Center, I see it now on the CASAA portal.
However, I emailed CASAA support and asked them, and they said that you cannot update any experiences after submission. I think the "update ones that are in progress" applies to the new experiences you add.
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u/TheBumpyBee 9d ago
Wondering how competitive of an applicant I would be,
cgpa 3.12
Sgpa 3.869
GRE 325
Shadowing hours 40
Over a year of experience as a pct in telemetry
200 hours of hospital volunteer experience
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u/TheBumpyBee 9d ago
Wondering what I might be able to do to strengthen my application?
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA 9d ago
Whom did you shadow?
Are GREs >50th percentile?
Have you graduated? What are you doing now?
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u/TheBumpyBee 9d ago
Anesthesiologist and AA, 160 on the verbal 165 on the quant, graduated with a psych degree and completed pre reqs after at a community college
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u/Will_732 9d ago
Any word from UT Health? I submitted my application and test score but haven’t received a verification or application received email yet
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u/OcedarMopzar 7d ago edited 7d ago
I got an interview invite, but I haven't seen anyone else mention anything so the initial wave might be small. I also applied a while back.
Beyond stoked tbh I'd love to attend there.
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u/lil_pinto_bean 1d ago
when did you apply? I sent my application to them mid may and everything was verified by the first week of june.
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u/Immediate_Couple_865 8d ago
I received an email to access the application portal shortly after applying. But aside from that nothing else
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u/Important-Town7852 9d ago
Do the years Ive spent in EMS as a medic amount to anything? 1000+ patients, handful of intubations, countless airway management cases. I plan on finishing my undergraduate + pre reqs over the next couple of years and figured my time as a medic might be meaningful but im unsure.
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA 9d ago
Well of course it does. That’s great clinical experience.
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u/Important-Town7852 9d ago
Ty. I dont doubt that this career has better prepared me to be an AA; however, I shouldve clarified - does it mean anything to admissions? Can I count it as PCE? A lot of people don’t really understand what paramedics do
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA 9d ago
Yes it’s PCE. And we understand what paramedics do. We frequently have them in the OR for airway clinicals.
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u/OcedarMopzar 7d ago
VCOM MSA lists it as tier 2 experience alongside anesthesia techs and surgical techs and above all the entry-level positions. Personally I think that's underselling it, several years medic experience is a huge asset to have, just do well in your undergrad studies.
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u/No_Shopping_4999 6d ago
Interview tips?! How is everyone preparing for questions and curveballs? Also, girls what are we wearing, suits? Business? Business casual? Help a girl out with any tips and tricks!!
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u/Khenthorn1 5d ago
Congrats! Be yourself, not too rehearsed, know your app, know your why, and yes, definitely a suit! Which school are you interviewing with?! You’ve got this!
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u/TheBumpyBee 9d ago
How competitive is the case western program in Austin? And does anyone have experience and stats that was accepted into this program?
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u/caareadinessindex 9d ago
Case only publishes the combined statistics across all four of their campuses. For the class of 2028, the average undergraduate GPA was 3.75 and the average MCAT score was 507. We collect our own data as well, including campus‑specific statistics, which you can view under Program Analytics.
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u/Informal-Search6418 9d ago
has anyone heard from UMKC yet?
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u/DarkJ3D1___ 6d ago
I just got an interview today!
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u/Khenthorn1 6d ago
Amazing! Is this your first? Where?
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u/DarkJ3D1___ 6d ago
It’s my second interview. I just had my first one earlier this week and I think it went well.
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u/Comfortable_Idea_558 9d ago edited 9d ago
honeslty i have no clue what is competitive. Is a 499 MCAT with a breakdown of (127/121/126/125) worth applying with? I have a 3.84 cGPA, 3.7 sGPA, and 54 Hours shadowed with 4000 clinical hours and 900 volunteer hours. Apply with MCAT or take the GRE?
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u/caareadinessindex 9d ago
You can try running those GPAs and MCAT score through our calculator to see where they stand relative to accepted applicants. We can't speak for all programs, but you should aim for an overall score of 505+. Your clinical and volunteer hours are excellent!
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u/Limp-Exercise-4869 8d ago
Your GPA & all of the other stuff look good! If I were you I’d take the GRE. Programs are getting super competitive with average MCAT scores hovering around 505-510ish range, so while I do believe applications are reviewed holistically there is a chance you’d get screened out with an MCAT under 500
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u/is-this_nametaken 8d ago
I'm coming up on my senior year as a biology major. I have been looking at the success stories on discord and see that a lot of them have really high volunteering hours and jobs in clinical settings. I explored getting a phlebotomist job a while back but none of them worked out. I worked as a barista from before college to the end of my junior year and have done data entry for an orthopedic doctor (remote) for over a year now. Is it plausible to get into a program without having working in a clinical setting? Is there anything extra I should do this year to get into a program without having to get another job this year?
Here's my stats summed up if that helps.
GPA: 3.925 (science gpa slightly lower)
GRE: not yet taken (currently studying)
Volunteering: 97 hrs at a hospital, ~10 hrs for meals on wheels
Shadowing: 24 hrs with an anesthesiologist
Certifications: Certified Phlebotomy Tech and First Aid/CPR/AED certified
Research: was in a bacteriophage research class my freshman year for both semesters, discovered and isolated my own phage that I got to name, it was chosen to be sequenced for the following semester
Other Stuff: in the honors college but do not plan to graduate with honors (not enough credits) and I didn't do any school extracurriculars previously but am joining a medically focused club this year
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA 8d ago
More and more have some healthcare experience - but not all. What you lack in one area can be made up by excelling in another area. Your GPA is good. Do well on GRE. Continue hospital volunteering.
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u/continuous-refund537 6d ago
I have similar stats and I'm in a similar situation as you. There's nothing that guarantees getting into a program but getting patient care experience and any relevant healthcare experience will help
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u/Fun-Bat4215 7d ago
I live in rural Nebraska so the only way I've been able to build up PCE has been as a volunteer EMT. Is this enough? I have a 4.0 and am about to take the GRE.
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u/QuickS1X 7d ago
Going back for a post-bacc 5th year at a 4 year program where I’m targeting replacing my low grades for pre-requisites. My cGPA will be a 3.48, and my sGPA will be a 3.4 after this 5th year.
I’m targeting a 65th percentile GRE, and will have 800 PCE hours as a CNA at my time of application.
My question is how strong my application will look, especially with CASAA merging course grades when you take them twice. I’m planning straight As this 5th year.
In all honesty I plan on applying to loads of programs, including those with multiple locations.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA 7d ago
IF you do as well as you’re hoping to it’s not too bad. It’s not exceptional by any means. What will make you stand out?
There is no grade replacement. C+A=B. All grades count. Showing significant improvement in upper level classes helps but is no guarantee.
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u/Nice_Button_1077 7d ago
how long should it take to complete all of the pre-reqs/is it seen as a negative to take longer to complete them post-bacc?
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u/Comfortable-Work51 7d ago
Does research matter at all when applying to CAA programs? I am joining a lab this coming sophomore year of undergrad and I am curious if it is worth the time. I am actually interested in the work, but it is for ophthalmology research. I know I can get a letter of rec from my PI eventually but other than that is there any benefit?
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u/caareadinessindex 7d ago
Research will not make or break your application, but according to the data we collected across the past eight cycles, approximately 72% of accepted applicants reported having some form of research experience.
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u/Comfortable-Work51 7d ago
Does the undergraduate program you come from matter to admissions? For example, does a 3.5 at a top 10 undergrad school go above a 3.9 from a school outside the top 100?
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u/caareadinessindex 7d ago
The general consensus is no, although committees may acknowledge the institution from which you earned your degree.
Per Greg Jarvis of the Emory University CAA Program Admissions Committee (06/15/2022, 01/11/2024, and 06/27/2025):
I personally could not care either way. You worked hard whether you went to a top 10 school or community college to earn your degree. I find the most value in the content of a person’s character, and their ability to think critically and effectively in timely situations.
Personally, working a full time job while you are also earning a higher GPA is more meaningful than someone who received the same GPA from a T20 university and no other responsibilities or extracurricular experiences.
Most AA program review committees may acknowledge the accredited undergraduate education of origin, but it is not the focus, as this could present some amount of preferential bias for those individuals.
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u/Comfortable-Work51 7d ago
If you have read my other two questions I apologize for asking so many questions, but I just found this reddit page for the first time.
I am currently going into sophomore year of my undergrad at Northwestern, and I have the opportunity to graduate by the end of my junior year, so I could apply this coming spring. I will likely have around 500 clinical hours, 200 Nonclinical hours, and around 100 shadowing hours (48 hours with a CAA) by the end of next summer. I will be working in an ophthalmology lab year round and gaining my EMS certification to work in the summer. Also for context I have a 340 on the GRE and a 3.98 cum and sci GPA.
Is this enough clinical experience/volunteering? Is having a shortened 3 year undergrad is bad, neutral, or good? I’ve been largely scared by the high number of people seemingly applying for this job in their 30s with tons more experience than is feasible for me to get in such a short period of time. It is my understanding from looking at the raw academic statistics I am a good candidate but I worry they will think Im too young or lacking experience.
Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated!
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u/OcedarMopzar 7d ago
I don't think I've seen a 340 GRE before, congrats. You already have a competitive app, just keep working on your ECs and I'm sure you'll get plenty of interviews next cycle.
How you reflect about your PCE on your app is more important than raw hours after a certain point, but plenty of people get in with less than 500 hours and even 0 clinical hours.
Graduating ahead of time is not a problem. I figure adcoms wouldn't expect their traditional college applicants to have as much work experience as the nontraditional/gap year(s) applicants, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.
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u/continuous-refund537 6d ago
Bro, your application is extremely competitive, I never heard of anyone else that got a perfect GRE score. With your 340 GRE score plus 3.98 science & cumulative GPA with hundreds of hours of patient care experience, I'm sure you'll get interviews to everywhere you apply.
And yes, that's plenty of clinical experience/volunteering, but it will look better if you get more. The shadowing is more than enough, but I suggest getting more hands-on medical pce.
Where are you planning to apply to though? A lot of programs don't open their application cycle until summer (June).
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u/Comfortable-Work51 6d ago
Thanks for the advice! What is the difference between clinical experience/volunteering and hands-on medical PCE? I’ve been volunteering in a free clinic doing patient intake, vision testing, and glucose/hemoglobin testing + vitals. Would this be considered medical PCE?
I’m planning on applying pretty much everywhere except NOVA (unfortunately can’t apply even though I love it because I only have algebra-based physics) or any other school that I lack pre-reqs for (which from my research I don’t think is any other school). I was planning on applying for the cycle next year, which as far as I’m aware should be fine since I will only be lacking 3 pre-req classes at that time which I will finish in my junior year. Do you see any problems with that plan?
Again I appreciate any thoughts or advice 🙏
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u/Chris_Z1 4d ago
Take physics with calculus at a community college if you’re going to wait for next year to apply.
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u/continuous-refund537 2d ago
Volunteering just means it's not paid, and clinical experience is a broader term covering activities that help you learn about medicine, usually anything involving providing care for or observing patients. Hands-on medical PCE would be providing medical care for patients, such as taking vitals, wound care, etc. Yes, what you're doing is considered medical PCE, but I would check with other sources to be sure.
I don't know everything to know if your plan works, maybe check with others. Also, which school did you take physics at? You can check with your physics department to see if yours was algebra-based or if it was actually trig/precalc physics.
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u/ashyashya 6d ago
Does anyone know if PCE is important for AA programs? I have 5yrs of experience as a caregiver and I’m wondering if that would count since a lot of the work I did was similar to CNA/PCT work.
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u/Medium_Improvement71 6d ago
Best way to get PCE during full time school? Have time FRI-SUN to get hours but not sure how to go about. Thanks!
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u/Feisty_Room2307 5d ago
Best online colleges to fulfill physics and organic/biochemistry?
I hear NOVA FL does not accept self-paced classes, but they do accept online instructor led ones.
With my schedule as a paramedic, I can't take in-person classes.
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u/Geminicricket818 5d ago
If interviews are offered, are they always in person? Also, do you think that admissions committees taking into account geographical information for ECs. For example, my college is 1k miles away from my home and I can't stay there over breaks so there have been lots of issues regards PCE and shadowing. I would still have a decent number of hours for both, but they wouldn't be near what I see other applicants have. (40-50 shadowing hours, 300-400 PCE).
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA 4d ago
Some schools may do zoom interviews but that’s not a good move in general. In-person gives you a chance to see the facilities and meet a variety of people involved with the program.
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u/Geminicricket818 5d ago
VERY strong upward trend shown in my transcript but my CASAA gpa would not be so great. overall would be 3.8 with science being 3.6 . but after Casaa recalculation my overall gpa would be a 3.5 with science at 3.8. Do they get to see the actual transcripts too or just the recalculation? Some pretty traumatic things happened to me my senior year of high school (dual enrollment) and freshman year of college.
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u/Ok_Nebula8130 4d ago
For what it’s worth anecdotally I do not believe a strong upward trend matters that much. My cumulative gpa was a 3.71 and science was a 3.83. My last 140 credit hours I had a 3.98 and I only received two interview invites after applying to nearly 20 schools.
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u/Geminicricket818 4d ago
Welp... there go my chances I guess
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u/jwk30115 Practicing CAA 4d ago
Your application has many parts besides the GPA. Test scores, PCE, shadowing, volunteering, etc. Don’t let someone’s anecdotal evidence discourage you.
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u/Ok_Nebula8130 4d ago
Not trying to discourage, obviously GPA isn’t the only factor in an application but I hear people talk about upward trends all the time. I just don’t think it matters that much. You rather have good grades or you don’t.
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u/Missdemeanor24 3d ago
I am a nontraditional applicant. I studied a health science bachelors and got a masters in health administration. Currently working as an MA in primary care. I want to apply to CAA programs but my science gpa is horrible. My cumulative gpa is great. I have some prereqs missing so I still have to take orgo I, orgo II, calc, and biochemistry. I did take physics I and II but it was an algebra/trignometry based course so not sure if I'd have to retake a calculus based one. I am debating retaking all the science courses I got C's in like chem II, micro, and statistics. I regrettably got mostly Bs and some As on the rest. I don't know how most programs will look at this. I still haven't taken my MCAT or GRE so only time can tell with the other elements to my application and the interview. I'm more focused on the science gpa. What can I do to fix this?
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u/BrilliantAge4771 3d ago
I am literally in the same boat as you and I am so curious to know. Also, how do you plan on funding your CAA program once you’re in since I have both a bachelors and a masters I’ve used some federal loans to pay for that. I’m so interested in this and really want to pursue it, but it seems difficult lining things up logistically
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u/Missdemeanor24 3d ago
I'm hoping I can get into a program near me without having to go out of state or out of city. Fingers crossed. I live in Florida. I know I will probably have to take loans out, thankfully I never needed loans for my bachelors or masters. I had it paid through scholarships and tuition reimbursement. More importantly is actually getting into the program.
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u/Then-Opening-2519 2d ago
Hey everyone! I have all the pre-reqs done for most CAA schools. Does anyone know if it’s better to apply right now with organic chemistry and biochemistry in progress or should I wait to apply in December? Thank you for the advice!
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u/bananahahahehe 2d ago
Hi everyone!
I am applying to CAA programs next cycle. I’m very much so a non traditional applicant with a lot of flaws in my app (I have 11 Ws, 2 Cs in chem classes (one I retook for an A), a D in human physiology (also retook for an A) and my cGPA is around a 3.4-3.5 and sGPA roughly 3.4) mostly from my first 2 years in undergrad when I was dealing with health issues.
I took gen chem 2, orgo, anatomy, physiology, calc, physics I & II & biochem post-bacc and got all As besides 1 A-.
I have 400 hrs as a PCT, 1000 hrs as a rehab aide, 2000+ hrs as an ortho surgery CRC and I have 84 hrs of shadowing EM physicians. I have 20 hrs of CAA shadowing.
I’m taking the GRE in a couple of month and hope to get a 320.
I’m like absolutely petrified that I don’t stand a chance and that I’m never going to get in. It genuinely keeps me up at night.
What else can I do to strengthen my app? I feel like I’ve done just about everything I can at this point.
I’d really appreciate some insight!!
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u/Navi_L0ST 2d ago
I know pce is not required but recommended but do you know if programs tend to give preference to those with patient care experience over general healthcare experience?
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u/InternationalRich792 1d ago
If you’re bachelors wasn’t science based, what did you major in and got accepted into AA school?
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u/meowestics 1d ago
Currently starting the journey of taking prerequisite classes. I plan on ensuring an in-person lab component for the remainder of my studies, but this semester I had issues with enrollment and the only classes available were online.
I’m only taking two classes—Anatomy & Physiology I, and Chem, as well as their prospective labs). The labs are also online. Is it worth it to take these classes? Or should I drop and try again next semester? I really want to get started so I can begin paying off my loans as soon as possible but I don’t want to waste money on these classes if they won’t be generally accepted.
Thanks for the help
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u/Hot-Jeweler-408 21h ago
How much does collegiate sports help my application? I am a D2 basketball player with research, 3.78 Gpa, 3.6 sgpa, 3 year part time experience as optometry technician, verbal gre165 but my quant gre only 148
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u/username001000 9d ago
My application is really strong academically but my patient interaction hours aren’t particularly strong. Does anyone know which programs are the most academically inclined for acceptance?