I was invited for an interview to both schools last year. I ended up in the Army program in Texas at Ft. Sam Houston. I am in my 3rd month of school right now.
So...for Mercer I can't be much help other than what my app looked like as I did not actually go to the interview. Basic stats were 9 years EMT including 5 years as an Army medic, 18 months Surgical/Truama ICU and CVICU RN experience, GPA 3.9, GRE 1100, ADN-BSN completed just before the interview. No CCRN, no Sigma Theta Tau. Invited for interviews at UNCC, MUSC, Mercer, MCG...Accepted to UNCC, MUSC, Army, turned down MCG, Mercer.
UNCC was my first choice (after the Army). The interview process is a panel model with 8 interviewers taking turns asking questions. Questions ranged from personal preparation for school to clinical knowledge. I asked and was told that SRNA's at UNCC would be taught central line placement on dummies but never get to do one on a real patient. Regional block experience seemed limited and required distant site rotations clearly spelled out on their website. Core classes are taken at the hospital/school site, but the others such as stats, research, etc...were taken at the main campus across town. Too much of a commute for me. Seemed like you would be sharing cases with MDA's at the hospital there in Charlotte.
My 2 cents. Be yourself at the interview. Easier said than done. If you can crack a joke and get them laughing it might help. They (UNCC) asked me how I was going to pay for the program so I told them I was playing the powerball and had a real good feeling about the numbers that day. Got a little chuckle. When asked how many schools I had applied to, I did not lie (they can see from your GRE report anyway) and I did not tell them that I only had eyes for their program. I stated " I want to be a CRNA. I have applied to 5 schools and have already been accepted to the Army program. If I am not accepted here, I will be wearing green in the fall. I will attend school this year whether you accept me or not". I can't be sure, but felt like they liked the honesty. I got in anyway.
Hope this helps and does not come off too bragadocious. When I was going through the process I just wanted straight answers, and numbers not vague humility.
If I can do anything to help anyone who reads this, let me know and I will be glad to do what I can. In addition if anyone is interested in the active duty or reserve army program, let me know that also. It is great getting paid to attend the #2 program in the country with autonomy second to none.
Best of luck.
Brownie
Originally Posted by glhrn
If anyone has heard anything about these two schools please let me know!
Thanks in advance.
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