Pre-AA Pathways

Adrienne and episode guest Stephanie Rauda break down the GRE from the perspective of non-traditional pre-AA applicants. They discuss the GRE over MCAT, how the current exam is structured, and what helped improve their scores. They also discuss timing, costs, score reporting, study resources, testing formats, and how to approach the exam while balancing work, prerequisites, and application preparation.

Key topics

• Why Ste...

Hold onto your textbooks pre-anesthesiologist assistants! There’s a wild legal saga unfolding that impacts your future funding. Get the scoop, stay sharp, and skip the legal rollercoaster — or at least scream with your eyes open.

In this episode:

• The latest updates on federal court stalling the "narrower professional degree list" law
• How these legal hiccups impact pre-AAs
• Practical Steps and actions you can tak...

Ever wondered how much volunteer work you actually need as a pre-AA, or what kind of volunteering even counts? You're not alone! Tiffany and Adri discuss these questions and more, to help you navigate the wild world of volunteering as a Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant student.

In this episode:

• How many volunteer hours are needed
• What kind of volunteering activities counts
• The link between volunteering and clinical experience
• ...

In this episode, Tiffany and Adrienne walk through shadowing from two pre-AA perspectives: how they found anesthesia observation hours, where to look, how to frame a request that gets a "yes," and how to show up once you're in the room.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:52 — The shadowing question that shows up constantly in pre-AA spaces

01:42 — 24 jurisdictions: why this is a structural access gap, not a personal failure

03:03 — W...

Adrienne and Tiffany break down what it actually takes to build clinical experience from the outside — the real barriers, the most common entry points in pre-AA communities, and what seems to matter once you're building hours.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why getting your first clinical role is harder than "just get your hours" suggests

• The pay cut and scheduling realities that don't get talked about enough

• Common clinica...

Episode 7 — Pre-AA Perspectives on Prerequisites

Adrienne and Tiffany both started here — pulling up a program page, doing the math on their transcripts, and realizing there was more ground to cover than expected. This episode breaks down what AA program prerequisites actually consist of, where the details get complicated, and how to build a real inventory of where you stand.

Chapters

00:00 — Intro & disclaimer <...

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 sec...

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 practicin...

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 mat...

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...

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 ...

Welcome to the very first episode of the Pre-AA Pathways podcast!

In this inaugural episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the inspiration behind this platform. We discuss the unique challenges of the Pre-AA journey, the need for a dedicated community for aspiring Anesthesiologist Assistants, and our mission to provide the clarity and resources you need to navigate this journey.

Whether you are just discovering the AA p...