[mitchsmom]

I'm just wondering how many months out you started your application process? When did you first contact them? (I know I can check deadlines, get the app, etc. online)

[anapurnas]

it was about 2.5 months before I started classes. I was actually applying about 5 months out for a later admission date, but all my materials got in soon enough for the earlier one. I also had to be really fast about contacting folks for letters of reference and securing a clinical site.

BTW, Frontier is awesome. I love it!

[mitchsmom]

Thanks for the info... also, if you happen know... does the one year of experience have to be completed before application or just as long as it's before you start classes?
And do you start clinicals right away or when? From reading the website, it seemed like clinicals were mostly later in the program but I'm not clear about that.

[anapurnas]

I don't know about the 1 year timeline...I am already an FNP so it wasn't an issue.

You start clinicals towards the end of the program while completing the last Level (they have 4 levels of didactic courses). I am still finishing up Level I, and will start Level II in August or September.

You will be impressed with the other students. Frontier attracts a very bright and self-motivated group. I was a little worried doing a distance program, but once I secured the same clinical site OHSU CNM students use (OHSU is a top 5 CNM program) and met the faculty and other students at Frontier, I knew I wasn't short-changing my education one bit. It is challenging and well-designed. Enjoy!

[mitchsmom]

Thanks again

Just curious, is there a reason that you chose Frontier instead of OHSU since you are already there?

[anapurnas]

If I lived in Portland, I would probably have gone to OHSU, but I didn't want to move. I am 5-6 hours from any university-based CNM program. Frontier was highly recommended to me by Holly Kennedy, director of the UCSF program, who was also a graduate of Frontier. And she is a stellar midwife, higihly respected in the profession clinically and regarding research. I figured if she recommends it, it has to be great!