For the last few years, the Master of Science in Anesthesia Program at Case Western Reserve University has seen increasing class sizes in Cleveland, Houston, and Washington. Coupled with nationwide changes in graduate student demographics—in which universities across the country are seeing larger populations of career changers and non-traditional applicants—the MSA Program will institute a new deadline structure to ensure the program is open to more qualified prospective students each year.
Moving forward, the Program will have an early decision deadline of October 1 with a regular decision deadline falling in winter each year. For prospective students who have missed this year's early decision deadline, which passed earlier this week, and who are interested in beginning the program in May 2019, the regular decision deadline for this cycle will be February 1, 2019.
Why should a prospective student complete the early decision deadline?
Candidates who apply for the early decision deadline essentially have a jump on their peers. For example, qualified applicants who apply for early decision will be interviewed earlier, will receive an admissions decision well in advance of the usual notification date, and will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with Jennifer Puin, our Network Admissions Director to strengthen their application. They also have an advantage in terms of on-boarding for the summer start, as their early decision allows for more time to find housing, complete their background checks, and complete their immunizations.
Perhaps most significant, early decision applicants are guaranteed consideration. The Program typically fills a significant number of seats during the early decision period, and does not guarantee seats for regular decision applicants.
The Admissions Timeline
Moving forward, the admissions process will follow the timeline outlined below:
- March: Application is available
The CASAA application opens in mid-March. The MSA Program begins reviewing applications in verified status.
- October 1: Early decision application deadline
The CASAA application must be submitted and complete by this date for consideration for early decision, unless this date falls on a weekend, in which case the deadline will be the next business day. It can take up to four weeks for CASAA to verify your application, so we recommend that applicants complete their applications as early as possible.
- September-December: Interviews held and offers of admission made
Qualified applicants who apply before or by the early decision application deadline are invited to interview and will interview at their location of preference as indicated on their application. Offers of admission will be made on a rolling basis, and all early decision applicants will receive an admissions decision from the program in advance of the usual notification date (usually by the end of December).
- February 1: Regular decision application deadline
The CASAA application must be submitted and complete by this date for consideration for admission, unless this date falls on a weekend, in which case the deadline will be the next business day. It can take up to four weeks for CASAA to verify your application, so we recommend that applicants complete their applications prior to the final deadline if possible.
- January-February: Interviews held and offers of admission made
If seats are still available, qualified applicants who apply after the early decision deadline or by the regular decision application deadline are invited to interview and will interview at their location of preference as indicated on their application. All regular decision applicants will receive an admissions decision from the program by mid-March.
- March-May: Offers extended to alternates
If seats come open, offers of admission will be extended to applicants on the alternate or wait-list. The program will notify the student immediately in the event of an open position or once enrollment is closed. Students on the alternate list should make sure their coursework is in order in case an offer of admission is made to them.
- May: Classes begin
The MSA Program starts in the summer semester, the day after Memorial Day.
Prospective students can find more information on the admissions process here or answers to frequently asked questions here. The application for the Class of 2021 will be open for regular decision applicants starting today, October 5.
We encourage you to reach out to the main office at 216.844.8077 or by email for additional questions.