UIC Grad School

Gennaver, MSN · Feb 20, 2007

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has had or is currently having any experiences with UIC's Graduate Nursing school. I applied to an NP program and have been called for an interview by UIC. Does anyone know what percentage of people interviewed are accepted? Does UIC have a long waiting list? The reason I'm asking is because I don't want to put my eggs all in one basket and find out I didn't get accepted at the last minute. I'm thinking of applying to other Chicagoland programs, perhaps. Any info would be great. Thanks.

Hello,

edit: I see by your screen name that you are already an RN, my post may not be of interest to you but, I have heard great things about UIC.

You may also find information in the graduate student forum: direct entry/NP/PhD" direct entry students one. If you are a direct entry look here https://allnurses.com/forums/1936712-post1.html

I applied for UIC direct entry and was called to one of the interviews.

There were about thirty of us there and we had group interviews of four to five people. I was a candidate for their second cohort to start Jan 2006.

Luckily for me they passed me over. I was told by another interviewee that she heard that since I mentioned and interest in PhD that I was right out of the running.

So, luckily I had my application in at DePaul's MENP program and ended up starting in Fall 2005, (versus Jan 2006 as I would have with UIC). I am also one quarter away from completing my MS in Nursing generalist, (versus only sitting for NCLEX with no degree as I would at UIC).

Top it off with many of my classmates are also beginning the 9 month process to start in this fall for the FNP versus the nearly 5 year at UIC.

Now, they are different programs with different focus and each attract different candidates. UIC is an NP entry and DePaul is a MS entry for Nurse Generalist with the option to follow to work towards a post masters NP certificate.

DePaul is a private institution and costs more, UIC is a state schoo. DePaul's program is 22 months, UIC has you sit for the NCLEX with a certificate at 15 months and no degree and you do not earn the MSN, NP until you complete the program, (about five years).

Recently I found out my entrance to the Army was held up so I thought I would try to go to UIC for the post masters NP certifcate, I do not qualify for them since I do not have years of RN experience and....at DePaul, since I am there already I can start the FNP this fall.

Good luck and welcome!!

Gen

MidwestRN34 · Feb 21, 2007

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me. I , too, have heard really good things about UIC's nursing programs. I know DePaul also has a great nursing program, undergraduate as well as graduate. It was smart that you gave yourself some options in terms of schools, and I think I will be doing the same. Good luck with your career and best wishes.

mvanz9999, RN · Feb 23, 2007

I have applied to UIC as well. No one can tell you what the number of interviewees or ratio accepted is going to be this year, since it would vary year to year.

I haven't been invited for the interview yet, but I hope that will come soon.

Cheers!

studentpaula · Feb 28, 2007

Because of the wait and it being so hard to get inot BSN programs, I have opted to complete my BS in psych and then try Depaul or UIC. I've spoken to both schools today and both told me there are roughly 30-50 applicants trying to get into roughly 36 spots and 40 --can't remember off the top of my head which school said what in terms of how many.

Here is my concern, how bad is traffic? I am coming from the far west suburbs --closer to 80 though. How long can I be expected to be traveling? Ughhhh... I don't even want to think about it. I've always wanted to be a FNP so this is worth the sacrifice. I am looking at both the GEP at UIC and MSN direct-entry at Depaul.

Does anybody know how many days per week these classes are? What about parking?

Thanks!!

mvanz9999, RN · Mar 1, 2007

Because of the wait and it being so hard to get inot BSN programs, I have opted to complete my BS in psych and then try Depaul or UIC. I've spoken to both schools today and both told me there are roughly 30-50 applicants trying to get into roughly 36 spots and 40 --can't remember off the top of my head which school said what in terms of how many.
Here is my concern, how bad is traffic? I am coming from the far west suburbs --closer to 80 though. How long can I be expected to be traveling? Ughhhh... I don't even want to think about it. I've always wanted to be a FNP so this is worth the sacrifice. I am looking at both the GEP at UIC and MSN direct-entry at Depaul.
Does anybody know how many days per week these classes are? What about parking?
Thanks!!

Depaul has roughly 50-100 people for 40 spots. UIC has hundreds of applicants for 40 spots. I don't know who told you that about UIC, but they've got WAY higher ratios of applicants to spots.

Commuting is horrendous. I reverse commute (work in the west suburbs, live in city). I would not want to be doing the standard commute because it wastes SO much time. I would guess roughly 2 hours each way, if you're going the standard commute. But who knows what it will be like next year (or even later this year).

cookielady,rn · Apr 10, 2007

Hello,
I applied for UIC direct entry and was called to one of the interviews.
There were about thirty of us there and we had group interviews of four to five people. I was a candidate for their second cohort to start Jan 2006.
Luckily for me they passed me over. I was told by another interviewee that she heard that since I mentioned and interest in PhD that I was right out of the running.
So, luckily I had my application in at DePaul's MENP program and ended up starting in Fall 2005, (versus Jan 2006 as I would have with UIC). I am also one quarter away from completing my MS in Nursing generalist, (versus only sitting for NCLEX with no degree as I would at UIC).
Top it off with many of my classmates are also beginning the 9 month process to start in this fall for the FNP versus the nearly 5 year at UIC.
Now, they are different programs with different focus and each attract different candidates. UIC is an NP entry and DePaul is a MS entry for Nurse Generalist with the option to follow to work towards a post masters NP certificate.
Gen

I was wondering what sort of qualifications were common amongst those of you who were in the interview. I am looking into the Acute Care NP, have a bachelors with a 3.43 gpa, some ICU experience, community service...but I'm worried about recommendations as no one in my hospital has a MSN or better and the only RN I know with a PhD was my research mentor (so that's only 1 of 3 needed letters). Any idea as to what attributes they prefer?

Thank you.

mvanz9999, RN · Apr 10, 2007

I don't have any special qualifications. I did what they asked (writing personal statement, etc). I've got a lot of volunteer experience, took all the pre-reqs, sent everything in and there I was....

I asked the same question:

https://allnurses.com/forums/1999777-post1.html

I don't have access to any academic types. My boss is also off-limits because he doesn't need to know what I'm doing.

I used a co-worker, then a pediatric Nurse Practitioner and a lawyer that I know because of volunteer activity. I think they would prefer that you have academic types, but in my case I simply don't have any. It seemed to work - at least insofar as to get me an interview.

Kubu22 · Mar 7, 2012

Hello,
edit: I see by your screen name that you are already an RN, my post may not be of interest to you but, I have heard great things about UIC.
You may also find information in the graduate student forum: direct entry/NP/PhD" direct entry students one. If you are a direct entry look here Nursing Community / Nurses / Nursing Students
I applied for UIC direct entry and was called to one of the interviews.
There were about thirty of us there and we had group interviews of four to five people. I was a candidate for their second cohort to start Jan 2006.
Luckily for me they passed me over. I was told by another interviewee that she heard that since I mentioned and interest in PhD that I was right out of the running.
So, luckily I had my application in at DePaul's MENP program and ended up starting in Fall 2005, (versus Jan 2006 as I would have with UIC). I am also one quarter away from completing my MS in Nursing generalist, (versus only sitting for NCLEX with no degree as I would at UIC).
Top it off with many of my classmates are also beginning the 9 month process to start in this fall for the FNP versus the nearly 5 year at UIC.
Now, they are different programs with different focus and each attract different candidates. UIC is an NP entry and DePaul is a MS entry for Nurse Generalist with the option to follow to work towards a post masters NP certificate.
DePaul is a private institution and costs more, UIC is a state schoo. DePaul's program is 22 months, UIC has you sit for the NCLEX with a certificate at 15 months and no degree and you do not earn the MSN, NP until you complete the program, (about five years).
Recently I found out my entrance to the Army was held up so I thought I would try to go to UIC for the post masters NP certifcate, I do not qualify for them since I do not have years of RN experience and....at DePaul, since I am there already I can start the FNP this fall.
Good luck and welcome!!
Gen

Hi Gen,

I know this is kind of late, but I was reading your post and am wondering if you could answer a few questions. I am considering applying for depaul's MENP program and UIC's GEM program, but am a little confused about the difference between the two. could you explain that for me? I know the UIC program has you graduate as an APN in your choice of speciality. Does that really take 5 years?!! Also, Depaul's program is two years to get a MN in clinical leadership, and then it would only take 9 months more to become an APN? Let me know if my info is correct. Any other advice, information, or experiences you would like to share would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Katie