by calconurse

Hello to aspiring carreer changers contemplating and gearing up for the MEPN program at UCSF. I am starting a thread for those working on prereqs and doing volunteer work at this point while dusting off old transcripts and beginning to package a stellar application for the "main event." I also want to solicit advice from recent RN's from the program who can help me and others who are considering this path.

I am an English major on course to become a writer when I decided that onc/ gerontological nursing is what I want to do and that UCSF will allow me to broaden my reach into research, science education, teaching, international outreach and writing. I am working on my prereqs right now and will take the GRE prior to Oct. '09 application deadline for the June'10 batch. If you are doing the same footprint as I am - please reply and share your plan of action. RNs now successfully progressing to fulfill their dreams please share valuable insights - coping skills, study tricks, best preparation path, etc. It will be very much appreciated.

Re: Ucsf Mepn Hopefuls Entering 2010

Hi - I am a current MEPN. There is a MEPN thread in the graduate nursing forum, although I am not sure it is active these days - you might have a better response there. My class was very active on that thread during the application process.

You are most welcome to PM me with specific questions. Good luck!

Re: Ucsf Mepn Hopefuls Entering 2010

Hello,
I'm also planning on applying to ucsf's mepn program for 2010. I'm planning on applying to the psych/mental health NP track. My GPA is lowww (3.14), but it's a 3.6 in my major (psychology) and I haven't taken the GRE's yet. I work as a research assistant on a substance abuse study with pts. who are usually dual-diagnosed with mental illness. I've gained a lot of valuable clinical experience through this job and am hoping that will help out with my app. I'm volunteering at a hospice right now and planning to start volunteering at a hospital starting next week to gain some more "nursing" experience. I'll have really good letters of recommendation and am hoping to do fairly well on the GRE's. So this is my plan for now! I hope I'm taking the right steps!
-T

Re: Ucsf Mepn Hopefuls Entering 2010

Hi,
I am also applying for June 2010 at UCSF. I am applying to the midwife specialty and am sufficiently "freaked out," by the acceptance rates. Right now I am busy studying for the GRE and getting my application package ready to go. My grades and scores are high, so I am mostly concerned about the intangible aspects that help some to be accepted. If anyone out there has experience with the midwife track it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. Good luck to all!
Anne

Re: Ucsf Mepn Hopefuls Entering 2010

I can remember looking at the UCSF MEPN page years ago, and feeling like the day to apply would never come. I hesitated at first at the thought of applying this year, because I'm still finishing up my undergraduate degree, but I've decided to just do it. If anything, perhaps it will improve my chances of being admitted for 2011. My summer is already packed, but I'm going to squeeze in GREs, extra volunteer, and anything else to prepare myself. I'm applying to the ACHIN speciality

Re: Ucsf Mepn Hopefuls Entering 2010

Just a reminder too... since the first post for this thread was posted before the change.... the application deadline has been moved up to September 1st.

Re: Ucsf Mepn Hopefuls Entering 2010

Hey all!
I am both excited and scared to apply to MEPN this summer...Just wanting to know what you all think... I just received my GRE scores (V 550, Q 800, W 4). I was shocked at how badly I did on the verbal and writing compared to my math. Do you think it's worth retaking? I know if I try again that my math score will drop for sure, but my verbal and writing score will improve too....
Thanks for all your input

Re: Ucsf Mepn Hopefuls Entering 2010

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the message board but wanted to say hi as I'm also applying for MEPN 2010. I am originally from Santa Cruz but live and work in the Dominican Republic as a teacher. I'm taking the GRE's down here Aug 8th and trying to get together a good application packet. I'm really really nervous about this application process! I'm applying to the Midwifery track, which looks extremely competitive.

Based on my internet searching, it seems that UCSF is really the only option as far as a direct-entry msn for midwifery in California. It just doesn't seem to make sense to pay out of state tuition or private school tuition. Has anyone found any comparable programs that are relatively "inexpensive?" Unfortunately I think I may end up just applying to UCSF and hoping for the best.

I have a 3.75 from Cornell U, am fluent in Spanish, and have done lots of volunteer work in the US and abroad (not a lot of it was medically related though). I'm worried because I don't really have any experience with nursing or birth. I'm going to meet up with some US midwifes next weekend at a hospital down here and volunteer as a translator, so maybe that will count for something and allow me to see if I really want to do this line of work.

Any advice is very welcome!

Re: Ucsf Mepn Hopefuls Entering 2010

Hi,
I am also applying to the midwifery track. Best of luck to you!!!
I have not found comparable programs for a similar price. The other schools I am applying to are Yale, Columbia, Georgetown and University of Chicago. OHSU runs a great program but they have pre reqs I wont be able to complete in time. UCSF does seem to be the best option and I have heard if you apply and are denied and try again you are more likely to get in. So, if you are doing good work and are happy with teaching that is a good plan B.
If I hear any tips, I will let you know.
Good luck to everyone during this stressful period.
Anne

Re: Ucsf Mepn Hopefuls Entering 2010

Hi all. I guess the time has come to stop lurking and start posting - hard to believe it's finally here!

I know this thread is in the Men in Nursing section - but it is the only 2010 MEPN thread I saw. . .are girls allowed?

I am applying to the FNP MEPN track at UCSF for 2010 admission. I am also applying to JHU, Yale, Vanderbilt, and maybe Columbia (still on the fence). My stats are not bad - 3.68 GPA in Economics from a state school, 1440 GRE (730v, 710q, 5.0), eight years working in the science field, two years in state finance, lots of recent political volunteer experience, and older medical volunteer experience.

I am worried about the fact that I started a master's in econ, then realized that, while I loved econ academically, I had no passion for the careers that it would lead to, and withdrew half-way through the second semester. To top it off, I just found out that my CSU lost my withdrawal paperwork for the second semester and show me as WU (unauthorized withdrawal), not W from that semester's classes. This means that my transcripts include the classes that I withdrew from when calculating my grad gpa (brings it to a 2.06 instead of 3.21). They say I can petition to have it fixed, but the review committee won't meet until after the UCSF deadline. I am wondering how much the admissions committee will hold this against me!

I am trying to concentrate on making my goal statement really shine, I have always loved writing - but this is kicking my butt! I have to admit I was pretty intimidated by the backgrounds of some of the applicants who attended the admissions information session held recently - PhDs, Peach Corp volunteers, doulas, oh my!!

Anyways, good luck to everyone!