Every anesthesiologist assistant program we checked requires an interview, and the formats are specific. Emory holds three one-on-one interviews and a group session, in person only. MCW runs two 35-minute panel sessions. Case Western lets you choose Zoom or in person. Here is what each program says.
From AA programs’ own admissions pages and CASAA2026-27 cycleChecked October 28, 2026
Practice with a mock interviewOne-on-one on Zoom with Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP.
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Interview formats at named programs
Applications go through CASAA, which opened March 10, 2026 and closes February 26, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET (CASAA). Programs interview on a rolling basis, so applying early matters.
| Program | Format | What their page says |
|---|---|---|
| Emory University | In person only; 3 one-on-ones plus a group session | “Interviewing applicants have three (3) one-on-one interviews and a group session over a two and a half hour period as well as opportunities to interact with our current students.” “All candidates selected to interview must be interviewed in person.” Source |
| Medical College of Wisconsin | Virtual; two panel sessions | “You will have two 35-minute interview sessions with a panel of two to three interviewers.” Virtual interviews run September to April. Source |
| Case Western Reserve University | In person or Zoom, your choice | One-on-one interviews with the admissions committee. “The prospective student’s choice of interview format will not affect the committee’s decision on their application in any way.” Source |
| Indiana University | In person | “Personal interviews are offered to the most qualified applicants to assess interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism and leadership. Interviews are required for admission consideration.” Source |
How selective the interview stage is
MCW publishes three-year averages: 856 applicants, 55 interview offers, and 18 admitted students. It says “we typically accept the top 2-3 applicants for admission from each interview group”, and applicants offered admission or declined usually hear within one week of the interview day (MCW). Getting an interview is the hard part; about one in three interviewees is admitted.
Emory admits on “a combination of academic performance and demonstration of other non-cognitive characteristics including professionalism including reliability and accountability; honesty and integrity; compassion and respect; maturity including tolerance of anxiety and stress management; leadership; motivation for providing health care; and co-curricular and work experience.” (Emory)
Casper and other requirements
Case Western requires Casper, “an online, open-response situational judgment test”, taken no later than the November 12, 2026 test date, and it won’t invite you to interview until your Casper score is released (Case Western). See our Casper test guide for how it works.
Practice questions
Most programs don’t publish their questions. These are my practice prompts, not questions any program has published:
- Why anesthesiologist assistant rather than CRNA or anesthesiologist?
- Describe the anesthesia care team and your place in it.
- Tell us about a time you handled stress or anxiety in a high-pressure setting.
- Tell us about a time you were accountable for a mistake.
- What did you see while shadowing in the operating room?
- How do you lead without formal authority?
- Why our program and location?
How to prepare
- Know the care team model. Be ready to explain how AAs work under anesthesiologists, and how that differs from CRNA practice.
- Prepare stories for Emory’s list: accountability, integrity, compassion, stress tolerance, leadership, and motivation.
- Plan for a group session if you interview at Emory. Listen, build on others’ ideas, and don’t dominate.
- Take Casper early where it is required, so it doesn’t hold up your interview invitation.
- Practice two 35-minute panels back to back if you interview at MCW, so your energy holds.
Your interviewers may have your application in front of them, so reread your own anesthesiologist assistant personal statement before the interview. If you haven’t submitted yet, see our anesthesiologist assistant personal statement examples, or work with Lauren Hammond, PhD, our personal statement editor.
Also considering nurse anesthesia? See our CRNA interview guide. For other professions, see our allied health interview guide.
For how to come across clearly in front of several interviewers at once, see panel interview tips from Julie Cunningham, a licensed speech-language pathologist.
Practice with a real interviewer before the real one. My wife, Julie Cunningham, MA, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist who runs mock interviews on Zoom for anesthesiologist assistant applicants. She coaches every format: one-on-one, panel, MMI, and recorded video interviews such as Kira Talent. She works on how your answers come across: clear key words, pace, voice, filler words, organizing an answer so it has a point, staying steady when you’re nervous, and how you look and sound on camera. It’s $250 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
Do anesthesiologist assistant programs require an interview?
Yes, at every program on this page. Emory says a personal interview is mandatory, and MCW and Indiana say interviews are required for admission consideration.
What is the Emory AA interview like?
In person only: three one-on-one interviews and a group session over about two and a half hours, plus time with current students.
How long is the MCW AA interview?
A half-day of activities, with two 35-minute interview sessions, each with a panel of two to three interviewers.
Can I interview for an AA program on Zoom?
At Case Western, yes: you can choose in person or Zoom, and the program says the choice won’t affect its decision. Emory requires in-person interviews.
When does CASAA close?
CASAA opened March 10, 2026 and closes February 26, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET.
Related guides: Medical school, Medical school secondary essay prompts, PA school, Residency, and Fellowship. See all interview guides by program.
Every number and quotation on this page comes from the program’s own admissions page or CASAA, linked where it appears. Last checked October 28, 2026.