An Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) is a skilled person qualified by advanced academic and clinical education to provide anesthetic care under the direction of a qualified anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist who is responsible for the AA is available to prescribe and direct particular therapeutic interventions in the operating room and the intensive care setting.
Pre-AA is not a major, but rather a compilation of courses and experiences to prepare students for next steps. Professional schools evaluate achievement in required prerequisites, regardless of major. We recommend for students to choose a major they enjoy and in which they can excel. Students are encouraged to receive assistance in planning when to take these prerequisite courses by meeting with a Pre-Professional Advisor each semester in order to remain on track to apply to medical school.
Resources for Success
Study + Excel. A competitive GPA is essential when considering a career in the health field. We recommend maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA. Talk with your academic advisor, professors, and the Academic Success Center for help with study skills through various workshops and tutoring.
Résumé + Interviews. Create and/or improve your résumé. You can also gain confidence and develop your interview skills with a mock interview.
Volunteer + Lead. We recommend that you participate in volunteer activities that benefit others. Contact the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement for more information about volunteering with local weekly trips, Alternative Break Trips, and more. We also recommend that you participate in leadership seminars, workshops, retreats and LEAD courses.
Connect + Explore. Get to know your professors and local health care professionals. These individuals are valuable resources for research experience, volunteering, shadowing and letters of recommendation. Consider Study Abroad programs through the Office of International Programs and Services. Attend information sessions, workshops, field trips, and other events for pre-medical students offered by the Office of Career and Professional Development.
Biology Courses
- BIOL 1107/L: Principles of Biology I/Lab (4)
- BIOL 1108/L: Principles of Biology II/Lab (4)
Chemistry Courses
- CHEM 1211K: Principles of Chemistry I/Lab (4)
- CHEM 1212K: Principles of Chemistry II/Lab (4)
- CHEM 3401: Organic Chemistry I/Lab (4)
- CHEM 3402: Organic Chemistry II/Lab (4)
- BCHM 3200: Principles of Biochemistry (3) or BCHM 5201: Biochemistry I/Lab (4)
Mathematics and Physics Courses
- MATH 1113: Pre-Calculus (3) (if necessary)
- MATH 1501: Calculus I (4)
- MATH 1401: Elementary Statistics (3)
- PHYS 1111K or 2211K: Intro to or Principles of Physics I/Lab (4)
- PHYS 1112K or 2212K: Intro to or Principles of Physics II/Lab (4)
Social Science Courses
- PSYC 1101: Intro to General Psychology (3)
Additional courses to consider, depending on primary degree:
- BIOL 3131: Principles of Physiology (3)
- BIOL 3134: Cell and Molecular Biology (3)
- SOCI 1101: Intro to Sociology (3)
Most AA programs will accept either GRE or MCAT scores. As of 2020, University of Colorado is the only program that requires the MCAT.
GRE – (Graduate Record Examination)
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a graduate-level admissions exam used by graduate level programs to uniformly compare all applicants irrespective of academic background or country of origin.
Cost: $220
Length of Test: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Score Range: 260 – 340
Test/Retest Policy:
Applicants may take the GRE:
- Once every 21 days
- Five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period
This applies even if you canceled your scores on a test taken previously. The retaking of a test policy will be enforced even if a violation is not immediately identified (e.g., inconsistent registration information).
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess your problem solving, critical thinking and knowledge of natural, behavioral and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.
Cost: $330.00
More information about fees
Length of Test: 7 hours, 30 minutes
Score Range: 472 to 528
Test/Retest Policy:
- You can only register for ONE seat at a time,
- Single Testing Year: The MCAT can be taken up to three times,
- Two Consecutive-Year Period: The MCAT can be taken up to four times,
- Lifetime: The MCAT can be taken up to seven times in a lifetime.
- Voids and no-shows count toward your lifetime limit.
You are expected to have 8-10 hours minimum of documented anesthesia exposure by observation in the operating room but are highly encouraged to complete additional hours of shadowing. Shadowing can typically be with an anesthesiologist, AA, or CRNA; you are not required to shadow an AA specifically since programs understand that your access to these professionals may be limited. However, if you can shadow with an AA, it would be very beneficial. Shadowing experience demonstrates that you understand the profession, and it is recommended that you try to experience as much provider/patient interaction as possible so that you can make informed decisions about which career track is right for you.
To prove that you have completed the required shadowing hours, you will need to complete a Shadowing Experience Verification Form which can be found on many of the individual program websites in their “Requirements” sections. Please note that shadowing means hands-off observation only and that some programs do stipulate that the shadowing cannot be completed as part of a class or internship.
Volunteering
Anesthesiology Assistant programs are also looking for students who demonstrate clear evidence of compassion, enjoy working with people and are dedicated to serving their community. Volunteering can be done in a clinical setting such as a hospital or hospice, but it can also be done with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society, or any other organization (on-campus or off-campus) that the student is passionate about. Admissions committees appreciate students that show depth of commitment and substantial involvement and leadership in the community.
There are currently 12 AA programs in the US.
- Emory University – Atlanta, Georgia
- Case Western Reserve University
- Austin, TX
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Houston, Texas
- Washington, D.C.
- South University – Savannah, Georgia
- Nova Southeastern University – Denver, Colorado
- Nova Southeastern University – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Nova Southeastern University – Jacksonville, Florida
- Nova Southeastern University – Tampa, Florida
- University of Missouri-Kansas City – Kansas City, Missouri
- VCOM Auburn – Auburn, Alabama
- University of Colorado – Aurora, Colorado
- Medical College of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Wisconsin (This program only takes Wisconsin residents)
- Indiana University – Indianapolis, Indiana
