Applying to CRNA School - advice needed.

[Gump]

I have met with the Director of the school to which I am applying twice. I left my first meeting with recommendations to retake two classes in effort to increase my GPA. Two weeks ago, I had my second meeting with the director (after retaking the two classes as recommended). We reviewed my grades and the director simply told me that "you are now definitley competitive and we will be looking forward to receiving your application." Which only means that now I have a 'chance' to get accepted. My question for you all is, can anyone (CRNA or SRNA) provide me with any further insight on what I need to do to gain and edge, you know, to really separtate myself from the others?

I have been working in critical care for over 6 years, I have done a 3 month intership in the OR, I have been shadowing a CRNA once a week for the last few months(which reaffirmed that becoming a CRNA is the correct profession for me); I have good references, and good grades. Is there anything else I can do? Or am I just too uptight right now?

My thoughts are that the interview and what I write are the only ways that the acceptance committee can determine what kind of candidate I really am.

Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

[smiling_ru]

You sound very competetive to me. I think you are right the interview and essay are key now.

I struggled with what to write, ended up just going with where I have been and what I learned at each juncture. I don't know if that was good, bad, or made no difference. Maybe someone else out there knows of a really good theme for those things.

[CRNA, DNSc]

What have you done that demonstrates your commitment to your profession. Do you belong to any professional organizations, are you active in them, have you lobbied on behalf of nursing? What have you done on your unit- above and beyond- committe work, write policies, given inservices, been a preceptor? Yes, GPA counts, yes GRE counts (if used by your school) but the competition is stiff so demonstrate that you are the kind of RN that will not only succed in school but will make a positive contribution to the profession!!!!!! Good Luck:roll

[yoga crna]

I agree with CRNA,DNSc. While I am not an educator, if I were on an admissions committee, I would look for applicants who are committed to the profession. It also helps to have some hobbies and interests outside the medical profession.

YogaCRNA

[Gump]

Thank you all for the advice!

[Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

What school are you looking in to?

[Gump]

I'm actually looking at a few. The University of Alabama Birmingham is my first choice; but I will also apply to Samford and Emory.