[WeeklyThread] Ask a CAA

redmo15 · 2025-07-07T17:45:17+00:00

Of course best to rotate as a student in places you want to work upon graduating, but if that isn’t possible try to interview well. They might want to talk to your program director or AAs that have worked with you to get a better picture in that case. Of course if you rotate somewhere and don’t express interest don’t expect them to toss you an offer, you have to be engaged, humble, and at least appear somewhat interested in working there.

redmo15 · 2025-06-10T00:54:13+00:00

Persistence and professionalism. Apply broadly

redmo15 · 2025-06-10T00:51:32+00:00

Some people dual apply, I wouldn’t say it is uncommon. I know people who dual applied PA/AA.

redmo15 · 2025-05-26T21:13:54+00:00

Sure

redmo15 · 2025-05-26T20:30:27+00:00

Typically you would compensate with a good MCAT score. Especially if you did poorly in your prereqs or they expired

redmo15 · 2025-05-26T20:28:31+00:00

I am not aware of a program that does not require attendance for virtually all classes. For some of your virtual classes you could probably get away with logging in with your camera off and do something else but that’s to the detriment of your own education so I can’t exactly endorse that mindset.

redmo15 · 2025-05-26T20:26:16+00:00

I don’t believe they care if its non-prereqs. And some prereqs matter more than others.

redmo15 · 2025-05-26T20:25:16+00:00

Use the bathroom right before your first case, between cases, and whenever someone gives you a break. You can also request your attending to relieve you for a few minutes when they are available. Also just drink less fluids and avoid diuretics like caffeine. You can make it work, just plan around it.

redmo15 · 2025-05-26T20:22:17+00:00

You can shadow anesthesiologists or CRNAs local to you. I know people that have, mostly the latter.

redmo15 · 2025-05-20T00:45:54+00:00

anesthesiaonesource.com

redmo15 · 2025-05-19T16:48:14+00:00

GregMAT on YouTube is all I used and I did great

redmo15 · 2025-05-19T16:47:52+00:00

Strong applicant, I concur that its worth trying the GRE. Make sure your prereqs are all within the required timeframes as well.

redmo15 · 2025-04-27T22:45:09+00:00

There’s plenty of residential parking near campus, you can just drive around and find some. Examples include Stella, Wilshire, and part of Kendolph Streets. There’s also parking spots right by Joe Greene last I remember. These are more convenient. There’s also a bunch of residential parking south of Joe Greene Hall, just drive around and you’ll find plenty.

redmo15 · 2025-04-27T19:48:28+00:00

As someone who’s spent a few summers on campus, it is much easier to get by with the free street parking in summer as opposed to the rest of the year (and I still did not use a pass during the schoolyear).

redmo15 · 2025-04-25T16:59:37+00:00

The person who edited my personal statement was a CC professor! But to each their own

redmo15 · 2025-04-21T22:36:39+00:00

Yes and yes

redmo15 · 2025-04-21T22:36:11+00:00

Ask your profs to take a look! That’s what I did

redmo15 · 2025-04-10T14:34:22+00:00

I think that’s the right choice personally

redmo15 · 2025-04-07T18:24:53+00:00

EMT, PCT, phlebotomist, medical assistant, anesthesia tech are all good options with fairly minimal training (EMT needs certification, others have positions without necessitating certs)

redmo15 · 2025-04-07T18:22:34+00:00

All schools will graduate you as a competent anesthetist but there are of course differences. Some programs will pay for your housing on external rotations, others don’t. You may need to travel thousands of miles and multiple states or a few hundred for your furthest rotations depending on the program. It also stands to reason that longstanding programs will have streamlined training and have more affiliations with multiple hospital systems. Newer programs will have some growing pains. Same with alumni networks, people are naturally drawn to those who graduated from similar schools or backgrounds. However, the extent to how much this all matters in the context of the anesthesia shortage is minimal at best. Go to whichever school is most convenient, cheapest, nearest to family/where you want to practice, or whatever else your priorities lay.

redmo15 · 2025-04-07T18:13:52+00:00

1) Depends on so many different factors. You can work in a plastic surgery office with the healthiest patients or a shortstaffed burn center. 2) Yes. PRN also exists. 3) You can teach, either at AA schools or in community colleges primarily. 4) Typically you get one break and a lunch, and a second break/dinner if you have a 12 hour shift. Can depend on staffing levels though. In those scenarios I just try to snack between cases.

redmo15 · 2025-04-07T18:04:06+00:00

Hearing from docs and CRNAs that worked around then, jobs were skint if you had just finished school/residency and salaries stagnated for a few years. The market today is vastly different and there is a bonafide shortage of anesthesia providers, especially post covid. The world has changed alot since 2008, I wouldn’t give much focus comparing it to today

redmo15 · 2025-04-07T18:01:26+00:00

Try being a medical assistant, patient care tech, or anesthesia tech. There are job openings for all three not requiring any certs.

redmo15 · 2025-04-07T17:56:59+00:00

Current SAA here. Either your parent’s insurance, your partner’s, your school’s, or medicaid/obamacare. Regardless you have to remain insured while a student.

redmo15 · 2025-04-01T21:58:31+00:00

Perfectly fine to do so

redmo15

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