Yale GEPN Fall 2011

U.S.A. Connecticut

Published

i thought i'd start a thread for those of us applying to yale for the fall of 2011 :-)

Hi ftrsfnurse,

Thanks for the advice. I think I am just really over thinking the whole essay because I am so nervous. I don't have an amazing GPA (3.2) so I really feel like my essay needs to shine, so thats why I am stressing so much. I am also hoping my work experience helps out my application too, but I know the essay is one of the most important aspects where you can really show who you are, so I want to make sure its great. I have written a super rough draft, so I definitely need to start to refine like you said. Thanks again and good luck with the process too! :)

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I agree, KKandes, the key is to keep refining it.

Don't think "OK, I'll do 3 drafts."

Work on it. Think about it. Work on it a little more. Cut it down a little. Work on it a little more. Do a hundred drafts. Show them to nurses and NPs, if you can, at key points. But be prepared that they may offer conflicting advice.

I honestly think the process of writing the essay is really, really valuable, and will help when you get your interviews. If you have been living right, studying right, preparing yourself right, doing the essay is going to be much easier, because you will have the right examples at your fingertips. Then your job is just to make every word count. If not, it doesn't mean you won't get in. Yale takes many people straight out of college, it just means you have to use the experience you do have. Just be honest.

Even if somebody could tell you what to say (I know that's not what you're asking!) it would not help you in the long run. Part of the admissions challenge is to find people not only capable of doing the conveyor-belt speed graduate work, but finding people who really understand what the job is and really want to be there.

The essay seems impossible, but it can be done. Just do not leave it until the last minute! If you're starting now, you're good. Look at it every couple of days for 15-20 minutes. I know it's loathsome. But you will see duplications, mistakes, places you're sick of yourself.

I would also line up a spare reference. One of mine had a heart attack! Fortunately, a small one, and was able to do the rec, but I felt horrible asking "OK, I hope you feel better, but like, how soon can you get out of CCU and do my rec?" after that (there was nobody else I could ask). I have heard too many other horror stories. You can always just send in the 3 you intended, or the first 3 that come in when you're ready to send.

I think they told us that at least 6 people looked at every application to get through to the interview stage. That means no one person can reject you for a pet peeve, or a philosophy, or for one mistake.

So don't fight the essay. Focus on your strengths. You'll do great!

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Abby Normal,

Thanks so much for the positive words and essay advice, I really appreciate it! Yesterday I got a lot done in the essay and just wrote. I always focus to much on making it sound pretty first, but I just needed to get my thoughts out and then will go back and do that later. I was wondering if you would be willing to read my essay once I finish it? You seem to be very knowledgeable about the admissions process and any extra eyes to critic my essay would be great :)

Thanks again for the advice about this program and essay, it has helped a lot throughout this stressful process!

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How is everyone doing with the application? I've been having some health issues that have been putting off my essay writing (although they might make it into my essay now that I've had them!), but I'm trying to get back on track.

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Hey Babymidwife1

My essay is going pretty well. I have a draft complete, but I am continuously adding and subtracting things. I am getting super nervous with November 1 fast approaching, but hopefully everything will turn out ok and we will all get great news! Good luck with the rest of the process!

KKandes

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I'm working on my application as well! Unfortunately I have to re-take the GRE's because my scores expired in April, wish me luck!

I have a question for everyone about the essay...I really have little to no research experience. Is anyone in this situation? I've taken a research methods class and that is about it, so I guess that is all I will write...is anyone else's essay "light" in this area?

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Hi Allie11! Taking my GRE's also in two weeks..I need to brush up for them! That essay is driving me nuts also-I'm on my third re-vision!! I used the experiment i conducted for my Experimental Psych. class. That's the advice I was given at orientation so that's what I've used. Hope that helps!

(I'm having the worst issues with getting my letters of reference back! UGH!!:uhoh3:)

Were you able to access the application online? Are we supposed to fill out the undergrad Yale app? I wasn't really sure about that & haven't heard back from admissions yet...Thanks in advance if you know!!

Where else have you applied, if you don't mind me asking?

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Angie,

Thanks for the advice about the research...I guess it is a good thing I don't have much experience, because I am running out of room on the essay! I find it much easier to talk about how my life experiences have defined who I am then my academic background!

If you go to the GEPN page, click on the Admissions tab in blue on the left of the screen. Once you get to the next page, on the right you will see a tab to apply on-line. You need to establish an account and that is where you will fill in the application info, upload your essay, resume/CV (I'm going resume...), they allow you a brief statement about your community service experiences and when you ready to submit, thats when you pay the $65 application fee.

I actually live about 45 minutes from Yale, and own a home, so I am looking close to home for programs. That being said, I'm applying to UCONN's MEIN program and the local community college programs as well. I think most of the Yale applicants are applying to other top graduate schools, so I think my list of schools is different than most! Where else are you applying?

I can't believe I have to take the GRE's again, my scores expired in April of this year! Ugh....

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Thank you, Allie, that's a huge help!.

I am truly having such an issue with the essay only. It seems as if we are in the same boat, you and I. I do not own a home but I've recently returned to CT so moving isn't what I'd like to do again:lol2: I hadn't thought about the CC b/c I hold a bachelors which I just completed last November.

I'm really hoping for the NP programs as they are my first choice! Perhaps I should consider the CC's too. I'm applying to BHSN; they have a program alligned w/ SHU for the Dns upon graduation. With the NP laws changing, it puts a rush on things..Yale is my first choice though..I have my finger crossed!!!

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Angie,

Yale is my first choice as well...I initially started the CC process as a back up, but from what I hear they get more applicants than the Yale program! Hopefully I'll be lucky enough to get to choose! I have a B.S. and a M.A....I'm just not interested in using either of them! Wish I could have come to this realization sooner, would have saved me alot of years!

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Allie11,

Did you know that since you have a Masters that you could ask for a GRE waiver? I just submitted my application in a couple of days ago to request this waiver. I have been talking to Admissions since early this summer and they said that if I could get in everything but my LOR's in by the end of Sept, they would review my application for the waiver. Have you talked to anyone there about this option?

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No....I didn't know that. I probably didn't talk with them early enough about it though. They had said I could use my old scores...but ETS purged them in July before I requested to have them sent to Yale, so, I'm planning on being back to square one, but I'll definitely give them a call next week and see if I can get considered...thank you!

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