Pre-AA Pathways

Episode 5: Pre-AA Perspectives on CASAA

In this episode, we discuss CASAA with a successful AA applicant and incoming S-AA for the 2026 school year: * How CASAA is structured * Why timing matters to apply & prep letters of recommendation * Financial Considerations * Decoding the CASAA GPA * Common pitfalls * Application strategy * & Practical tools used TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Welcome and what CASAA is all about 02:01 - Features of the updated CASAA portal and new sections 04:13 - Why timing your application to school cycles can make or break your chances 07:02 - How to strategize program selection while managing costs 11:18 - Letters of recommendation: when to ask and who makes a strong reference 17:05 - Navigating the sections of the portal — what each tab contains 19:56 - Tools for organization: spreadsheets and tracking hours 23:19 - How CASAA calculates the GPA and what can surprise you 25:31 - Common challenges: standardized testing 27:44 - Timeline tricks: when and how to input transcripts and supporting documents 29:56 - Drafting your personal statement and avoiding last-minute stress 31:52 - Strategic Takeaways & Next Steps RESOURCES & LINKS: * CASAA Portal [https://casaa.cas.myliaison.com/applicant-ux/] — your centralized application portal for AA applications * Anesthesia OneSource [https://anesthesiaonesource.com/] — program details and requirements listed here * Personal Statement Book Recommendation - Graduate Admissions Essays, Fourth Edition by Donald Asher [https://www.amazon.com/Graduate-Admissions-Essays-Fourth-School/dp/1607743213] — your go-to resource to for your personal statement * Google Sheets [https://sheets.google.com/] — your new best friend for tracking hours * Pre-AA Pathways Episode 3: All Things Pre-AA Statistics-GPA, GRE, MCAT & Competitiveness [https://preaapathways.riverside.com/e/episode-3-all-things-pre-aa-statistics-gpa-gre-mcat-competitiveness?_gl=1*xmojcu*_gcl_au*NDMyODE5MDM3LjE3NzI4NTAzMzMuMTU4NzIzMzI4MC4xNzc2MjA4MjAxLjE3NzYyMDgyMDI.*_ga*MjE0MjMyMTY0NC4xNzcyODUwMzMz*_ga_PF9PK8DC9Z*czE3NzkyMzk4NjEkbzQ3JGcxJHQxNzc5MjQyNDI3JGo2MCRsMSRoNTkxMTIxNzUz] Key Takeaways: * Make an account on CASAA early—familiarity reduces stress * Plan your timeline based on program openings and cycle variations * Start collecting recommendation letters at least 2 months ahead * Use tools like Google Sheets to organize hours and experiences * Remember: applying late doesn’t mean you’re out, but strategic early submissions help *Disclaimer: Tiffany and Adrienne are pre-AA applicants in the 2026 CASAA cycle. Victoria is an accepted incoming S-AA. Everything shared comes from personal experience, personal perspectives, and publicly available information. Pre-AA Pathways is not affiliated with CASAA, the AAAA, any AA program, or CAAHEP.

Episode 4: All Things Pre-AAs Need to Know About the AAAA Conference

This episode is about why showing up before you're accepted isn't just allowed. It's the point. ---------------------------------------- What we cover: * What the AAAA (American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants) National Conference is * Why in-person professional exposure builds a different kind of context than content consumption (and the cognitive science behind why) * How to actually show up: introducing yourself, which sessions to prioritize, what to ask practicing CAAs * 7 myths about attending as a pre-AA, busted * ... and MORE ---------------------------------------- Links & Resources * AAAA website [https://www.anesthetist.org/] + affiliate membership [https://www.anesthetist.org/join-aaaa] * Pre-AA Pathways website [https://preaapathways.com/] * Follow us on our socials HERE [https://linktr.ee/preAApathways] * Tiffany's Coffee Break episode about the AAAA [https://preaapathways.riverside.com/e/coffee-break-tiff-s-takes-on-the-aaaa-conference-26] (Ep 3.5) ---------------------------------------- Advocacy for CAAs * To learn more about advocacy, start HERE [https://slptocaa.com/advocacy]. * For Adri's framework on HOW to educate and advocate, visit HERE [https://slptocaa.com/advocacy]. ---------------------------------------- Disclaimer: Tiffany and Adrienne are pre-AA applicants in the 2026 CASAA cycle — not program-accepted CAAs. Nothing here is admissions guidance or a guarantee of outcomes. Verify all dates, fees, and membership details directly with the AAAA. Pre-AA Pathways is not affiliated with CASAA, the AAAA, any AA program, or CAAHEP.

Coffee Break: Tiff's Takes on the AAAA Conference '26

Tiff goes solo and gets out some highlights while they’re still warm for this one while Adri’s recovering from gum surgery.  IN THIS EPISODE * The clinical sessions — what Tiff learned from Dr. Rishi Kumar's session on the physiologically challenging airway (and why the breathing tube going in is not the finish line), and Sarah Whitfield's breakdown of pacemakers vs. ICDs and why that distinction matters more than most people realize * Legislation — Washington state became the first state on the West Coast to license CAAs. What that fight actually looked like, what Representative Taylor said that every pre-AA needs to hear * The keynote — Shenandoah Chefalo on ACEs, belonging as the number one predictor of life outcomes, and why Tiff got personal * Mary Jeanne — watching your mentor show up as her truest self and achieve a lifelong dream in front of you * Emily Mycyk — the AAAA president who used to tend bar and started AA school at 29, and why her story matters for every non-traditional pre-AA listening _____ Shenandoah Chefalo Keynote speaker | Trauma-informed wellness expert https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/ [https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/] | https://www.linkedin.com/in/shenandoahchefalo [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shenandoahchefalo]  Dr. Rishi Kumar Speaker | Physiologically challenging airway session https://www.instagram.com/rishimd/ [https://www.instagram.com/rishimd/]  Sarah Whitfield, CAA Speaker | Cardiovascular implantable electronic device & Founder of AspiringCAA.com [http://AspiringCAA.com] → https://aspiringcaa.com/aspiringcaa.com [http://aspiringcaa.com] | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwhitfield [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwhitfield] Representative Jamila Taylor Washington State Legislature | 30th Legislative District Championed Washington's CAA licensure bill Chabely’s CAA Map: https://caa-state-practice-map.streamlit.app/ [https://caa-state-practice-map.streamlit.app/] Mary Jeanne Roberts CAA | https://www.instagram.com/awakenedanesthetist/ [https://www.instagram.com/awakenedanesthetist/]  Emily Mycyk AAAA President 2026  TAKE ACTION NOW The Anesthesia for All Act — HR6545 Federal legislation pushing for expanded CAA recognition. You can contact your congressional representative about this today. Find your representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representativehouse.gov/representatives/find-your-representative [http://house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative] ---------------------------------------- FOLLOW US Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/preAApathways [https://www.instagram.com/preAApathways] Tiktok → http://tiktok.com/@preaapathways [http://tiktok.com/@preaapathways] Website → preAApathways.com [http://preAApathways.com]

Episode 3: All Things Pre-AA Statistics - GPA, GRE, MCAT, & Competitiveness

As a Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant (Pre-AA) student, are you obsessing over GPA, standardized tests, and stats? There’s so much more beneath the surface, and understanding your numbers can transform your application approach. This Pre-AA perspectives episode is a look into what programs see, and how YOU could position yourself for success! IN THIS EPISODE: * Your GPA & how CASAA calculates it differently * Thoughts on what “competitive” really means * Holistic reviews & how your full profile matters * The role of standardized tests * The common pitfalls of comparison * Strategies to improve * Practical tips: log into CASAA, know your numbers, tell your story, and move forward TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - The real story behind GPA and application thresholds 00:15 - Why GPA calculations differ 01:24 - The importance of holistic review 03:33 - The truth about minimum GPA vs. competitive GPA 04:37 - Interpretation of test scores 06:10 - Why comparison is toxic and how bias skews perceptions 10:02 - Reframing your numbers 15:28 - Key Takeaways RESOURCES & LINKS: * CRI Score - Assess Your Readiness [https://criscore.org/] * CASAA Official Website [https://casaa.cas.myliaison.com/applicant/login] * Follow on Instagram & TikTok @PreAAPathways [https://www.instagram.com/preaapathways/]

Episode 2: Understanding the CAA Profession

This episode breaks down the role of certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs), their training, scope of practice, and how they compare to other anesthesia providers. Perfect for aspiring CAAs and those interested in anesthesia careers. Takeaways * Understanding the role of a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA) * Comparison of CAA with other anesthesia providers Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the CAA Profession 01:44 What does a CAA do?  03:18 The Daily Workflow of a CAA 05:04 Anesthesia and Similarities to Flying a Plane 07:08 CAA vs. CRNA vs. MD/DO 10:33 The Academic Path to Becoming a CAA 13:43 Salary and Return on Investment in CAA Career 14:45 Takeaways Resources & Links: * CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) [https://www.caahep.org/] * Jeff Steiner, DO - Anesthesia Made Easy (book) [https://www.amazon.com/Anesthesia-Made-Easy-Survival-Rotation/dp/0989840131] * GasWork [https://gaswork.com/] Connect with PreAA Pathways * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/preaapathways/] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@preaapathways] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@PreAAPathway] Remember: Know the role deeply. Passion, clarity, and understanding will set you apart in this competitive field. Share this with someone who needs to know—support their journey into anesthesia!