Weekly check in......

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Hi everyone, and welcome back to my weekly summer blog post!

There’s a lot going on right now, so let’s dive in. I’ve officially restarted my fitness journey because I want to focus more on my health. This year has been tough—working three jobs, not eating well, and barely sleeping really took a toll on me. So before I go back to working full-time in August, I’m using this summer to build better habits and take care of myself.

First up—Disney World! We leave in just a few days, and I’m super excited. It’ll probably be a bit overwhelming (Disney is huge, after all), but I’m looking forward to it. Tomorrow, I’m getting my hair and nails done for the trip. Gianny already got her hair done and she’s ready to go! I just want to feel and look good while we’re away.

We’ll be in Orlando for three days and two nights. Here's the plan:

• Day 1: Aquatica water park

• Day 2: Magic Kingdom

• Day 3: Early back-to-school shopping—we’ll hit a few malls and stores before heading home.

Gianny is so excited, and honestly, I’ve had “take Gianny to Disney” on my vision board for years. I’m thrilled it’s finally happening.

Now, back to my fitness goals. I’ve been fasting for 16 hours a day, getting in 30 minutes of exercise, and paying close attention to my calorie intake. I'm also prioritizing high-protein meals. The last time I tried to lose weight, I focused mainly on working out but didn’t really change my eating habits, and I didn’t see the results I wanted. So this time, I’m doing it differently—and it’s actually working!

In other news, NSU hosted an info session yesterday for the post-bacc program I’m applying to. It was super informative. I’m still waiting on one more transcript, and then I can finally hit submit on my application. The deadline is July 1st, and interviews are scheduled for July 28th and 29th. Classes begin August 18th, so the countdown is on!

That’s it for this week—thanks for catching up with me!
Bye!

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NSU’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies Update

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share an important update about Nova Southeastern University's (NSU) post-baccalaureate program. Originally, the application was supposed to open in mid-May—but that never happened. Then, on June 1st, I received an email about the program. From what I can tell, they likely only contacted students who applied in the previous cycle and were denied, since there’s still no information posted on their official website.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Application Window: The application officially opened on June 1st and will close on July 1st—so it's only open for one month.

• New Application Platform: This year, NSU is using a new centralized application system called PostBacCAS. It allows applicants to apply to multiple post-bac programs using one platform, which is great if you're applying to several programs.

• Materials Didn’t Transfer: Unfortunately, none of my information from the previous cycle on CASAA transferred over. I had to start the application completely from scratch, which was frustrating and time-consuming.

• Cost: The new application costs $141 just to submit to one program. Also, you need to resend all of your transcripts and have at least one letter of recommendation to even hit "submit."

• Miscommunication: Some applicants are understandably upset because they already paid a $50 fee through the general NSU application portal, not knowing that a completely different platform would be used. That money is basically lost now.

It’s honestly disappointing that the process isn’t more streamlined, especially since they already have most of our information from the last cycle. Plus, with such a short window and the extra costs involved, I wouldn’t be surprised if fewer people apply this time around.

My advice: If you’re serious about getting in, start your application immediately and gather all your materials as soon as possible. The program is likely to be extremely competitive, and with only a month to apply, every day counts.

Hope this helps anyone who’s planning to apply—good luck!

Last Day of School, Year 6 of Teaching

 Today marks the last day of school at the middle school—and the end of my sixth year of teaching. It's wild how quickly time flies in education. Next year will be year seven, both in teaching and in what I originally thought would be a "gap year." I never imagined I’d dedicate seven years of my life to this profession, yet here I am. Life happens.

I want to be honest: I don’t see myself continuing in education long-term. I don’t mind teaching part-time at the college level, but middle school? Definitely not for me anymore. I’ve thought about switching to high school, but there aren’t any open biology positions at the schools I’d actually want to work at. The ones that are hiring are just too far away.

As for administration—assistant principal, principal—that path doesn’t interest me. I don’t want to get into administrative work. That’s not my passion.

Truthfully, I hope this is my last gap year. But some days, I feel really defeated. I wonder if the only reason I’m still stuck where I am is because I’ve never really had help. As a single mom, everything falls on me. If something were to happen to me, I often ask myself, Who would take care of my daughter?

I’ve been working and taking college classes since I was 16. In the beginning, my grades suffered because I was always working. Now I juggle three jobs, have a 4.0 GPA in my classes—but I still can’t find time to study for the GRE or MCAT. And that’s why I’m entering my seventh gap year. It sucks. I’m tired, and I don’t know what else to say.

I honestly can’t see myself doing another year like this after next year. I really can’t.

If you’re reading this and your true passion is to become a doctor—go for it. Don’t wait. Don’t let a job get in the way. Quit if you can, and focus on your studies while you have the chance. I don’t have that option anymore. I have a child to care for, and I’m doing it alone.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about moving to the Caribbean to pursue medical school. But that would require going to court to get my daughter’s passport renewed—something else I have to figure out.

So yeah... there’s a lot on my mind.

Thanks for reading. Until next time.

Pre-requisites required for CAA School Part 2

 This Post is for South University:

-Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (I hold 2 Master's degrees.)

-This is from South's website: Required prerequisite courses are listed in the following table. Excluding English, the most advanced pre-requisite course in each subject area must have been completed within seven years of application date. Pre-requisite course subject areas: Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, and Math. Prerequisite courses completed prior to the seven-year window will be considered current in the following situations: official MCAT taken within one year of application demonstrating at least 50th percentile scores on each of the four sections.

So I don't want to take the MCAT, only the GRE. So I can't have any course older than 7 years. Except for English.

-ENGLISH OR ENGLISH LITERATURE: Completed in 2012

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-GENERAL BIOLOGY (UPPER LEVEL BIOLOGY COURSES WILL ALSO FULFILL THIS REQUIREMENT); LABS PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED: COMPLETED BIOLOGY 1: SPRING 2024. I HAD TO RETAKE THIS BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL WAS TAKEN IN 2012.

FOR BIOLOGY 2 I RETOOK IT SUMMER 2024, AND I ALSO HAVE UPPER BIOLOGY COURSES FROM MY MASTER'S PROGRAM.

-CHEMISTRY 1: TAKING NOW SUMMER  2025

-CHEMISTRY 2: PENDING FALL 2025

-ORGANIC CHEMISTRY; LABS ARE REQUIRED: TAKEN: SUMMER 2019 (ONLY 6 YEARS OLD)

-BIOCHEMISTRY (UPPER LEVEL); LABS PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED: TAKEN SUMMER 2020

-GENERAL PHYSICS; LABS PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED 2 SEMESTERS: 

-PHYSICS 1/LAB:CURRENTLY TAKING SUMMER A 2025

PHYSICS 2: I TOOK THIS SUMMER 2019 (SO ONLY 6 YEARS OLD)

-CALCULUS: TAKEN SUMMER 2024

-STATISTICS OR BIOSTATISTICS: TOOK THIS SUMMER 2019 (6 YEARS OLD)

I TOOK BIOSTATISTICS IN MY MASTERS PROGRAM(2020)

-CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, ANATOMY, AND PHYSIOLOGY: TAKEN BOTH.

THESE ARE PREFERRED

-FULL YEAR OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY TRIGONOMETRY OR CALCULUS BASED PHYSICS: TAKEN A FULL YEAR OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

AND 1 SEMESTER OF CALCULUS BASED PHYSICS

Pre-requisites required for CAA School

This post will be a little different—I'm going to go over the prerequisites required for the various schools I'm applying to. I'll talk about which ones I've already completed and which are still pending.

Keep in mind, I've probably taken most of these classes before, but some of them have expired, so unfortunately, I’ll need to retake them. I actually started taking prerequisites back in 2012, which means some of these courses are over 13 years old. Crazy, right?!

So I'm applying to NSU & South University. 

So here what' required for NSU:

1. Bachelors degree: Completed ( I actually now hold 2 master's degrees 😁)

2.Pre-requisites (For NSU, there is no expiration date on prerequisites)

-Anatomy and Physiology I (A & P I) with Lab: Completed Fall'23

-Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (A & P II): Completed Summer'24

*I have already taken both A&Ps in the past, so yes I retook them both. I have also taken both in my masters program. I now teach both of these courses as a college professor. My old professor is now my colleague interesting lol. Lol this is why I'm always nice to my students, you never know where you will see them again lol.  

- Chemistry I with Lab: Taking now for Summer'25

-Chemistry 2 with Lab: Completed Spring'2016 

-Biochemistry: Completed Summer 2020 (This course was apart of my masters program)

-Organic Chemistry 1 with Lab: Completed Summer 2019 (I took this course while 8 months pregnant with my daughter, in a summer b six week session)

-English Composition: Completed 2012 (Took these 2 courses as a dual enrollment student, while still in high school)

Calculus: Completed Summer 2024

-Physics I and II with labs

(Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or Calculus based)

Physics 1 w/calculus and lab: Taking it now in the Summer A 2025 session. Will be complete 6/25/25.

Physics 2 lab: Now for this course, I don't know if the version I took qualifies as trigonometry, pre-calculus, or calculus based, so I may unfortunately have to retake this. I only would have to retake the lecture and not the lab, so we shall see.  If I do retake it, It may be spring 2026. For South university, I don't have to retake it. They take any physics. 

So when I apply this cycle for NSU, I will only have the Physics 2 lab as pending, that's it.

These are a list of their preferred course, so not required, but I guess you get bonus points for completing them.

Preferred Courses - Not Required
Biology I and II with Labs	I have completed both
Biochemistry Lab	Did not complete.
Cellular and Molecular Biology	Completed
Microbiology with Lab	Completed
Organic Chemistry II with Lab	Completed

-GRE Score                    Taking July 2025

-8 hours of shadowing:     I have 28 hours

-Summary of an Article:     Completed.

I'll do south university in a separate post.

Exploring NSU’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies

 Hi everyone! Today’s blog post is all about an amazing opportunity for students interested in becoming anesthesiologist assistants: the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies at Nova Southeastern University (NSU).

If you applied to AA school but didn’t get accepted in the last cycle, this one-year certificate program could be the perfect way to strengthen your application during your gap year. Even better, it offers a potential guaranteed pathway to acceptance or an interview at NSU’s Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) program.

Program Overview

• Location: Palm Beach, Florida

• Format: Mostly online (except for lab courses)

• Duration: One year (starts every Fall in August)

• Labs: Conducted in person over one weekend during the winter semester

The structure is designed with flexibility in mind — you don’t need to relocate unless you want to. The limited in-person commitment makes this program accessible for those balancing work, family, or living outside of Florida.

Perks of the Program

• Guaranteed interview or acceptance if you meet GPA benchmarks

• Choose your campus upon auto-acceptance — NSU has five, including Fort Lauderdale

• Financial aid is available, including federal student loans up to the cost of attendance

• No need to repeat the AA application immediately — this program strengthens your profile for the next cycle

If you’re passionate about becoming an AA and didn’t get in this year, this could be your second chance. Personally, I’m planning to apply myself when applications open mid-May every year!

Important Note:

To be eligible for this program, you must have applied to the previous CASAA cycle and had a verified application submitted by the prior deadline.

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Admission Requirements

• $50 application fee (non-refundable)

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

• Minimum 2.75 GPA, but stronger performance is recommended

• GRE or MCAT scores

• 8 hours of shadowing

• Resume

• Interview

• Summary of a medical or anesthesia-related article

Course Prerequisites (all with a grade of C or higher):

• English: 3 credits

• Anatomy & Physiology I & II (with labs): 8 credits

• General Chemistry I & II (with labs): 8 credits

• Organic Chemistry (with lab): 4 credits

• Biochemistry (lecture): 3 credits

• Physics I & II (with labs, no algebra-based physics): 8 credits

• Calculus: 3 credits

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Auto-Acceptance & Interview GPA Thresholds

• Auto Acceptance: Cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher

• Auto Interview: GPA between 3.3 and 3.59

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Program Curriculum

Fall Semester:

• RCP 5081 – Introduction to the AA Profession (2 credits)

• RCP 4011 – Intro to Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology (3 credits)

• RCP 5462 – Introduction to Pharmacology (3 credits)

Spring Semester:

• RCP 5012 – Basics of Medical Equipment with Lab (3 credits)

• RCP 5013 – Basics of Ventilation with Lab (3 credits)

• RCP 5014 – Patient Monitoring & Assessment with Lab (4 credits)

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Final Thoughts

The only real downsides are the added tuition (~$13,000) and the fact that it makes your anesthesia school journey feel more like 3 years instead of 2. But if you’re truly committed to becoming an AA and didn’t get accepted this cycle, I believe this program is 100% worth considering.

Just keep in mind — it’s a competitive program with only 24 seats, so apply early and put your best foot forward.

If you didn’t get any interviews at all, this might be a great route. However, if you did get interviews, it may be smarter to refine your application and reapply directly, depending on your finances.

Best of luck to everyone applying — and don’t forget, applications open mid-May!

Weekly Check In

 

Hey everyone! Time for another weekly check-in. Today is May 9, which means I’ve got just 10 days before heading back to college for the summer semester—and only 10 days until summer classes begin. That gives me 9 more days to really enjoy this break.

In just 14 days, I’ll also be finishing up my time at the middle school. Honestly, it feels a little strange—like I’m constantly counting down. I think that’s what happens when you're doing work you're not passionate about. This is my last year working at the middle school, and I’ve made the decision not to return in Fall 2026. It’s just too much, and I can’t keep pushing myself through something that doesn’t bring me joy. I’d rather earn less and actually be happy.

Looking ahead, my plan is to reapply to a CAA (Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant) school and hopefully start in Fall 2025. There are only two CAA programs near me, so I’m really hoping to get into one—but at this point, I’m willing to move wherever I’m accepted.

If that doesn’t work out, I’ve been seriously considering moving to the Caribbean to attend medical school. The truth is, I’m still figuring out what I really want to do. It’s a lot to think about, but I’m keeping faith and praying for clarity.