Well yesterday was the application deadline for the University of the Fraser Valley's January 2013 BSN intake. I'm just curious if there are any other anxiety-ridden current applicants out there like me. I'm hoping to create a place where maybe we can all help calm each other's nerves, but in all honesty probably just make each other much more anxious.
This is my first time applying to UFV's nursing program. Previously, my plan was to move to Ontario and complete my degree out there (where I'm originally from). I was accepted into my first-choice school, and made plans to go. Then many situations including money...and money...and well...more money ended up nixing those plans for me. I was BEYOND disappointed to eventually turn down a NURSING ACCEPTANCE, but I know in the long run it made more sense for me to stay local, and complete my degree here (and for about $50000 less since I won't have living expenses). I knew it was in my best interest to go through the program without loans and without having to work. The one positive thing was that I made room for another anxiety-ridden applicant to get a spot--it's one way to make light of the situation, I suppose.Anyway, so here I am.
I have been working my little buns off for the past two years trying to prepare myself for this application process. I upgraded 4 high school courses and I am currently registered to do two of my non-nursing classes for the fall 2012 semester. The school I was accepted to in Ontario didn't require volunteer hours, so I scrambled to complete them all this year since turning down my acceptance. I have completed 60ish hours in a long-term care home and I'm currently volunteering at a hospital emergency room (which just began, so unfortunately won't show on my application).I feel extremely ready for this program. I'm in the right mindset; I graduated 5 years ago, completing a post-secondary certificate through UFV and working full-time since. I have fairly good grades. I'm paying for the entire program myself and have no commitments...so I'm hoping that gives me a bit of an edge.If any of you are like me (psychotic, obsessive compulsive, over-thinkers), you'll probably have sifted through hundreds of other posts and are just as confused as I am on how the selection process works with UFV. Of course, I know they have their point system. I've read into incredible detail as to how this works, but even still I've read of people not being accepted with incredible grades, tons of volunteer hours, and a positive feeling from the interview/essay--while in the same intake, people with 40 hours volunteer, and pretty decent grades did get in (not bashing those people at all! In fact, they're the ones that gave me some confidence). I'm assuming a major chunk of this selection comes down to the maturity and approachability they experience from you in the interview/essay.
So really, my feeling is that any complete applicant has a fair chance up against each other.My ultimate goal is to get in for the September 2013 intake, as I know how competitive this process is and I'm just trying to be realistic with the timeline. This way though, if I'm not accepted into the January intake, I can at least get an idea of what I need to improve on.I would love to hear anyone else's journey thus far. And hopefully find some people to lean on throughout this process--people who fully understand the stress and determination we all feel going through this. I'm pretty sure my friends and family are ready to chop off my head off!
