Yale GEPN Fall 2010

U.S.A. Connecticut

Published

Okay, I know it's early, but Yale is my first choice, and I'm already terrified that I'm going to screw it up. My goal is New England (although I'm also applying to Pace because they have this Science Summer thing for those of us who haven't taken anatomy yet), and I want to be a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.

I eventually want to either have a mobile clinic for poorer older folks who can't afford more traditional options or who are home-bound, or make home-calls in some other way.

I think Yale will help me get there, but I don't think I'll get in. I have a lower GPA (but still above a 3.0) from UC Santa Cruz, and I spent the last two years teaching in Taiwan, only to find out I don't like teaching very much. I'm taking my GREs in three weeks and I'm starting some prereqs this summer.

I'm also applying to Simmons, Pace, Northeastern, MGH and Boston College.

Before I ramble on any longer, anyone else applying?

Hi all,

At this point you cant really change your GPA, maybe not even the GRE test score. My best advise is to focus on writing a really solid personal statement. You guys need to really understand why you want to become a nurse practitioner? Why your chosen field? What contributions do you see yourself making to the field of nursing? Dont forget to answer all of the questions in the order that they ask you to and make sure that your essay flows.

The admission committees look at the entire package. The way they get to know you and your dedication to the field is through your statement and your interviews.

Good Luck to all of you!!!!!

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Hi Yaliene,

Thanks for the advice! I'm assuming from your name (and I think i've seen you posting on this forum before) you go to Yale? I was just wondering how competitive it is? I've heard that it is pretty competitive, but I have also heard the opposite. Thanks again for your advice!

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hello maziemoo22,

i e-mailed you. generally speaking, it really depends on how many applicants the track receives and the stats of those applicants. right now, you cant really worry about the other applicants. you just have to focus on how to make yourself stand out. good luck!!!!

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I was accepted to Yale GEPN this year and wanted to offer up my experience applying to schools. I applied to Yale, UCSF, JHU, Vanderbilt, Columbia, Marquette, & Emory. UCSF wait-listed me, but was fortunate to get in everywhere else. Since I remember the stress and anxiety of applying all too well, I thought I'd offer my experience to anyone who is interested. To break it down: I have an English BA, 3.6 gpa, 1140 GRE, A's in Physiology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Psychology, Stats and Chemistry which I took at a Community College after graduating from college, B in Anatomy, and about 2 years work experience in a totally non-nursing related job. I did have a lot of health care volunteer experience. I also got some great letters of rec, but I'm sure most people do.

Agreeing with everyone else- it really is all about the "total package"...a lot of which is conveyed in the essay. I had at least 8 people read my essay and critique/edit it. Write the essay in essay form (don't answer each question seperately) and don't gloss over the research question (my interviewer called me out on that because I didn't really go into depth since I had basically no scientific research experience). My interviewer had a copy of my essay and had highlighted parts to ask me about- so yes, the essay is more important that grades I believe.

Only Yale and UCSF had interviews. JHU has an informal phone interview that was more like a questionnaire. Yale will tell you exactly when the interview decision is sent out and will actually send it at that time. At my interview they told us 200 people were selected for an interview and 150 would be offered admission. (At least to the best of my memory, that is what they projected) UCSF gives you a rough time frame then sends interview invitations sometime over Christmas. If you have questions about either interview later on down the road, let me know!

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Thanks!

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Hi all,

I am spending time on my essay now and it is daunting. Are we really supposed to answer all those ?s in 2 pages and make it personal and interesting! This is a follow up question to the research issue. Should we write about any academic research we have done, even if it was not relevant to health issues?

Thanks for your tips!

Anne

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I was wondering the same thing about the research thing. I wrote a thesis as an undergraduate, but it was on education, not healthcare.

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Yah, I think they want to know about ANYTHING (or so they say in the essay req's). I wrote a thesis about gender and dance in the Andes and included that so...hopefully it goes ok!

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Has anyone else gone to one of their online chat sessions? I went to one today, and I thought it was really informative.

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I haven't even heard of online chat sessions. How do we find out about when they are and what did you learn?

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Here's the link to the dates: Admissions Events. With the dates are the links to the actual chat sessions.

Some of the things I found out:

They get about 420 applicants. 200 are interviewed, 145 are admitted. The class is 85 people.

The two largest specialties are FNP and Midwifery with 13 people each. I'm looking at Acute Care NP, which takes 7-9 people.

For all three years, the average total cost is $150k-$160k. This includes living expenses.

Students are encouraged to stay full-time for the whole three years EXCEPT Acute Care. If you go part time it takes an extra year.

For the RN pre-specialty part of the program, clinical sites are within 45 minutes. Specialty clinical sites are within 60 minutes.

There are a few options for international nursing while studying. I don't remember everything they said about it, but I do know locations are based on specialty, except for S. Africa and Hong Kong. Anyone can go to Hong Kong to learn about eastern medicine, and S. Africa is also open to anyone.

They have no preference between people who are straight out of college versus career changers. It's all about the stuff in the application.

Hope to see you at the next chat!

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Yeah I remember Angela telling me how much Yale costs and my mouth dropped haha, it'll be worth it though.

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