I want a great supplementary application (for uscla or ucla)

[roxyhoot]

I want my applications to stand out when I transfer from ELAC to USC LA or UCLA. I am an A student, and not afraid of hard work, but I know that's not enough to stand out sometimes. I am fluent in English, Spanish, and ASL. I've been all over Europe and the Caribbean, but I don't know if that will be reflected in my applications at all. It was suggested by a professor that I do a study abroad trip to help children in the Dominican Republic, because it would look good on paper... But should I really? What else can I do to stand out as a nursing student? Hospital volunteering is something I am looking into. I was a Preschool Social Worker in NJ, and a Case Manager for mentally ill adults in ME, and Office Manager for a Family Practice in GA. Would those things help or should I just get as much volunteering done as I can? What other extracurriculars would help me look good?

Btw.. My goal is to be a travel nurse- my husband is in the navy and we move every 2 years or so (no kids)- and I hope to work here a year for experience while he is away on sea duty.

Thank you in advance for your help! :)

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

So, I don't know anything about either of those schools, however, I have a cover letter hack that seems to work wonders on job/school applications.

Look at the school websites (or talk to current students) and find out what the nursing schools are proud of. Most schools/units/hospitals have some project, initiative, or achievement that they like to brag about; if you read through enough of the website, you can find it (usually in a mission statement, 'about the program' page, or in their news updates). You present this as, A) I admire your commitment to [blank], B) I also have an interest/experience in [blank], C) if you accept me into your program, together we'll do great things in [blank].

For instance (my nursing school app), "I appreciate that your SON has a dedicated Diversity Office, and has made a commitment to decreasing health disparities. I studied global health in my first degree, and I am passionate about making healthcare more accessible and culturally-sensitive for all individuals. As a student in your program, I hope to bring my passion for ethically-appropriate, culturally-sensitive care to the bedside."

You can seriously do it with anything.

"I appreciate your school's commitment to global education as demonstrated by your nurse study abroad program in Kenya. I have spent time studying abroad making pizza to save starving children. As a student in your program, I hope to translate my culinary resource-management skills into nursing practice in order to improve the lives of starving Kenyan children."

"I appreciate your SON's commitment to nursing research, and I'm especially interested in your work on Squatty Pottys. This issue is very close to my heart because my grandma died due to a Squatty-Potty accident. As a student in your program, I hope to contribute to this nursing research in order to prevent any more unnecessary patient suffering or Squatty-Potty related deaths."

This allows you to covertly compliment the school without sounding like a brown-noser while simultaneously humble-bragging on your best qualities as they pertain to the program. Win-win.