Admissions FAQ

General information

How can I get updated information about the Emory AA Program?

Review our website and email.

Where can I learn more about the AA profession?

The American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants is a great resource.

I am considering applying to your program. Can you give me feedback on the competitiveness of my application or my credentials?

No, due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot assess or provide feedback on individual credentials or application competitiveness before submission. Please refer to our website for comprehensive information about the qualifications of successful applicants, including GPA ranges, prerequisite coursework requirements and recommended clinical experiences. This information should help you evaluate your own competitiveness as an applicant.

How competitive is the application process?

All applicants should be aware that admission to the Emory Anesthesiologist Assistant Program is highly competitive. Meeting the general or minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. We encourage you to carefully review your transcript to assess whether you are a competitive candidate for the program.

What is the best undergraduate curriculum?

While some undergraduate schools offer specific pre-med programs, no particular program or course of study is required to apply to the Emory AA Program. However, all applicants must complete pre-medical prerequisites. We welcome students with a wide range of majors, including political science, education, art history and engineering. Strong writing, logic, analytical and organizational skills are essential for success in the program.

Do you accept AP credit?

We will accept some Advancement Placement (AP) as long as it appears on your undergraduate transcript. However, a solid background in the sciences is essential to do well on the GRE and on the MCAT science subtests and to be accepted to a rigorous AA Program. It is highly recommended that you complete the prerequisites as outlined. We expect students to have sound knowledge in these areas, prior to acceptance. If you have AP credit in any of these general science areas, you may find it helpful to take additional science courses - this is suggested not required.

Can I transfer to the Emory AA Program?

The AA Program does not process transfer students. All applicants must meet the admission requirements as outlined on the website. Some advanced science coursework completed at a master’s level will be assigned credit at matriculation.

Can I apply if I am completing my degree and have pre-requisite courses in progress during the admissions cycle?

Yes, you may be in progress with four (4) or less prerequisite courses and your degree program at the time of application. Official matriculation is contingent on successful completion of all classes as outlined and conferred degrees the summer semester prior to the fall start date. Proof of enrollment may be required.

What if I have been out of school for a while and I am a non-traditional student?

All requirements must be met as outlined. Many of our applicants have taken a year or more off after college. Some are leaving full-time jobs and/or have pursued other interests/careers outside of the medical field. We do not consider this a disadvantage.

Some applicants feel that they need to take a few post-graduate science courses to strengthen/refresh their knowledge in the sciences. Outside of the required coursework, this is not required, but consider that you will need to submit strong, science GPA and a recent GRE or MCAT score in order to be competitive.

Applying to the AA Program

Can I take prerequisite courses at a community college?

Yes, you are welcome to complete classes online and in-person at your local two- or four-year institution. Be sure to confirm that the institution is regionally accredited.

Explore classes that are outlined for science majors or pre-medical students (i.e., pre-med, biology-chemistry students). Biochemistry and physiology courses are typically not offered at community colleges (in this case online courses will suffice).

Course substitutions and survey courses will not be accepted (the course name will read Survey to- the name of the specific course). To best prepare, courses should be the highest level possible (highest course numbers offered) specific to this particular discipline (science based, pre-med, physics-calculus based).

Do I need to take the GRE and MCAT?

Emory applicants are required to take the GRE or MCAT regardless of academic experience, training, professional background or certifications. If your scores are over five years at the time of application, please register to retake the exam before applying to the program. If exams are taken multiple times, scores will be assessed separately.

Do I need official GRE or MCAT scores before I apply to the program?

Yes, only official test results should be submitted with your application. Applications without official scores will be considered incomplete.

Can I apply if I receive a D in one of the prerequisite courses?

No. For the strongest application, prerequisite courses in which a letter grade of D was received should be retaken as it is not considered a pass in grade. A letter grade of B or above is highly recommended for all listed prerequisite courses.

Do prerequisite courses expire?

Yes. Applicants must retake the course/s listed below if over five (5) years old at the time of application:

• Physics I and II
• Physiology
• A and P I and II or Human Anatomy
• Classes at the five (5) year mark at the time of application will be accepted

If an applicant has been out of academic practice, some students will take post-graduate science courses or revisit outdated classes to bolster and refresh their knowledge. This is NOT required but will assist in submitting a competitive application.

Does it matter when I turn in my application?

The Emory application cycle is scheduled to open every year in May. Yes, it can make a difference. Only complete applications will be selected for the reviewing process. The Admissions Committee will begin reviewing all competitive, complete and verified applications immediately. Although we continue to accept new applications until December 1, the class may already be full.

What is rolling admissions?

The Emory Anesthesiologist Assistant Program operates on a rolling admissions process. We begin accepting applications when the cycle opens, and we will continue to review submissions until we fill our class. Because the application process is competitive, candidates have the best chance of being reviewed by submitting their applications early (when most seats for the class are available.) Candidates may continue to apply until the cycle closes, the longer a candidate waits to apply in the cycle, the fewer the number of seats that may be available and their application might not have enough time to be considered for review or interview.

“Rolling” in our case refers to processing and reviewing applications as we receive them. We offer interviews over the course of several months, and we accept candidates as we go. Please note that even though our process will remain active until our class is seated (approximately 9.5 months), December 1 CASAA and Emory will discontinue accepting new applications in preparation for the approaching application cycle.

Is a criminal background check or a drug screen necessary to apply to the program?

A criminal background check and drug screening are not required for application to the Emory AA Program. However, both are mandatory in the summer prior to matriculation for admitted students (at the admitted student's own cost). While criminal history does not affect the application review process, students must pass a criminal background check to participate in clinical rotations at partner hospitals and to obtain CAA licensure. Applicants must sign a form acknowledging that if the background check or drug screening reveals information that would prevent credentialing at clinical rotation sites, the offer of admission will be withdrawn. Acceptance into the Emory AA Program or its completion does not guarantee that a student will be able to obtain licensure or employment. Detailed information on these requirements can be found in the Attestation Forms found on this website.

Can I have the Emory or CASAA application fee waived?

You may request an application fee waiver through CASAA when you submit your application. Fee waivers are not offered through the AA Program Office.

Do I need to send my transcripts or updates to the AA program?

No. All of your coursework will be evaluated and verified by CASAA. Please be sure to keep all added information updated in CASAA, do not send your transcripts or updates to the program office. If you are offered a seat with the program, you will be asked to submit official, final transcripts from all schools attended schools to the program office prior to matriculation.

Is preference given to Georgia residents?

No. All students are evaluated holistically and equally, regardless of the state where they reside. Tuition and fees are the same for in-state and out-of-state students. The admissions process is the same for all applicants to the program.

I completed my degree outside of the United States/Canada.

All applicants must complete a four-year undergraduate college degree program. If your undergraduate degree is from a college or university in the United States or Canada, the college or university must be regionally accredited in order for you to qualify for admission to the Emory AA Program. If your undergraduate degree is from a college outside the United States, you must complete all prerequisite course requirements as outlined on the prerequisite list at a regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution.

After applying to the Emory AA Program

After my application is complete, what should I expect?

All completed, competitive applications will be pre-screened for additional review with the Selection Committee. If you are invited for an interview following review, you will be notified by email, please be sure your contact information is updated in CASAA.

Approximately 160 applicants will be invited for an interview between late July-Feb. (subject to change).

We expect to receive over 600 applications this year for up to 40 seats. Not all qualified applicants will be interviewed. Those who are not invited for an interview will receive notification via email as soon as the status of the application changes. Applicants must be invited to an interview in order to be considered for admission.

The Admissions Committee will select interviewed applicants to be accepted as early as two (2) weeks following the official interview. Letters of acceptance are emailed, and a formal phone call can be expected.

If you are interviewed, but not selected following your interview, status updates will be emailed to you immediately. No additional information is required at this time.

When the last committee meeting takes place in Feb., and the final round of acceptance invitations are emailed, the committee will determine which interviewed applicants will be offered a place on the waitlist. Waitlist notifications will be communicated via email. Those that are waitlisted can potentially be accepted throughout the summer and early fall until the class is filled.

How long will it take before I know if I will be invited for an interview?

Invitations to interview are extended right up until the end of the cycle in Feb. The order in which applicants are interviewed is largely (although not entirely) based upon how early a complete/competitive application is received, it is a great idea to complete your application as soon as possible.

All updates will be sent via email. Please limit calls and emails checking the status of your application. Due to the volume of emails during this time, emails expressing continued interest are appreciated but not necessary.

Once your application is completed and verified you will be updated. It will remain in active review status throughout the application season unless you receive an invitation to interview. In most cases no competitive candidate is rejected during the interview season. Your patience is appreciated.

If I am a current applicant, can I visit the office, join a lecture or make an individual appointment to discuss my plan?

With well over 1,000 eager prospective candidates, it is impossible to meet with all who would like to discuss their individual applications. If you would like to address admission concerns, you should submit a request in writing to Admissions via email.

After applying to the Emory AA Program, am I able to reach out to get a status update?

No. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual status updates via email, phone or other communication channels. Once you have submitted all required documents and received confirmation that your application is complete, please be assured that your application is being pre-screened or under review by our Admissions Committee. We will proactively contact you when we have information regarding your application status after the review process.

When does the program start?

The program is scheduled to begin the third week in August (fall semester). Dates will be listed on the Admissions Calendar.

What are the program hours?

Students operate on a full-time academic schedule and will have a mandatory program schedule all week, Monday through Friday. Classes and clinical hours may be scheduled between 6 a.m.-6 p.m. A student could typically be involved in class and clinical activity for approximately thirty hours per week. 

If I am accepted, can I be a part time student?

Due to the intense nature of the program, we do not recommend that students work while enrolled. Students should be prepared financially before entering the program.

If I am not admitted or do not receive an interview, will you give me feedback on my application so that I can improve for the next cycle?

No, we cannot provide individualized feedback on why applications were not selected for interviews or why candidates were not admitted following interviews. The volume of applications we receive makes this impossible. We encourage you to review our website for information about competitive applicants and use this information to assess and strengthen your future application.

I was not admitted during this application cycle; can I apply again? How many times can I apply?

Yes, we welcome candidates to reapply if they are unsuccessful during prior admissions cycles. When reapplying, we expect to see substantive improvements or meaningful changes to your application that address potential weaknesses from your previous submission. If you have applied unsuccessfully two times, any subsequent applications will only be reviewed with prior approval from the Program Directors.

Financial aid

How will I pay for this program?

Interviewed candidates who will need consideration for financial aid or documentation for loans must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We highly recommend that all interviewed candidates complete FAFSA. Upon acceptance to Emory, financial consideration can be provided in a timely manner only if the required documentation is already on file with the Emory University Financial Aid Office.

Is there a Financial aid advisor available?

Yes. After being accepted to the program, you will be provided with direct access to an advisor in the Office of Medical Education and Student Affairs (OMESA). AA scholarships are not available.

Are there jobs available for new Anesthesiologist Assistants?

Yes. AAs continue to be in high demand.

What are the placement rates of your graduates?

We have a 100% job placement rate for our recent Emory AA graduates.