UPenn Direct Entry BSN/MSN 2014

[mewei]

Hi there,

I was surprised there wasn't already a thread for those applying to UPenn's direct entry program since the threads from previous years were so active, so I thought I would start one where this year's applicants could gather. :)

I'm just hoping to get to know some other applicants so we can support each other through this nerve wracking process! My name is Michelle and I am applying for the Nurse Anesthesia specialty, I'm in the process of working on my personal statement. Any others out there?

[mewei]

Anyone hear from ------ or UPenn after submitting their application? I've signed into the new portal, but it says tracking of my application isn't available yet.

[susifen]

Same here. Hopefully it'll come up in the next couple of days, I imagine they're pretty busy sorting everything at the moment.

[hscPNP]

hi guys! just wanted to encourage. i am currently in the program at penn, and while the new cohort has had their frustrations, i don't think penn has gotten a fair representation on this site. yes, they do have a new curriculum, and yes there has been disorganization, but i am still a fan of penn overall. i think it's a great school, and i've been connected with some really awesome nurses and nurse practitioners. my advice would be to apply and give it a chance. definitely though, have a solid idea of what you're looking for in a program. if your goal is to get in and out as fast as possible with your BSN, and not really get involved with extra-curriculars or research, then i would say you (and your money) are better served at other institutions that offer a 12 month BSN. If what you like about penn is that it's an ivy league school, then i would say that where you get your BSN is not as important as where you do graduate training if you're looking to save some money. i would also mention that although penn is very expensive, they do offer very attractive financial aid packages for most people. if you are in your mid-late 20s though, have been independent since college, and your parents make a lot of money, you will not get a very good financial aid package. funding is much better across the board at the masters level though. anyways, GOOD LUCK to those of you applying!

[susifen]

Is anybody else having trouble with the Penn portal website? I get some kind of error every time I try to access it....

[mewei]

I can access the portal, but all it says is "Due to processing delays with Common Application data, Application tracking is currently unavailable in the Applicant Portal. We are working to have this feature activated as soon as possible and will post updates here and on our website."

[mewei]

------ sent out the email today with all the general information we need to know going forward! Anyone else already feeling anxious about hearing whether we'll get an interview next week?

[tbp1015]

Mewei, did one of our emails indicate that we'll be hearing regarding interviews next week or are you basing that on last year's timeline? I know last year's in-person interview day was 12/7 and at least some people heard about interviews on 11/14, so that's probably accurate, but just trying to figure out if they've said it will be the same this year :)

[mewei]

Tbp, I'm going off of ------ email (but before that I was basing it off of last year's timeline as well.) This is what ------ said regarding the interviews... MSN and PhD Interviews for BSN/MSN & the Hillman BSN-PhD applicants: BSN/MSN applicants will be invited to interview by the faculty and the interviews can be held in person or via phone. Posted below are the two dates we are hosting an interview day at the School of Nursing. Please save the date in case you are invited to interview and would like to attend in person. Applicants applying to the Nurse Anesthesia Program that are invited to interview will need to complete an in person interview, if the date below does not work for you, please email me after you have received your invitation email. An email regarding the invitation to interview will be forwarded the week of November 11, 2013. If a BSN/MSN or BSN-PhD applicant is not invited to interview for the MSN or PhD, the applicant will be considered a BSN Second Degree applicant. Please note you do not have to attend the interview in person, scheduling a phone interview will not affect your application. We have applicants from across the county and internationally and understand it may be difficult to visit campus. The only exception is the Nurse Anesthesia Program; applicants to the CRNA program MUST attend the interview in person. Your application must be complete prior to your interview. Interview Dates for the BSN/MSN & the Hillman BSN-PhD applicants: Friday, December 6, 2013: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute/Chronic Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Acute/Chronic Nurse Practitioner , with an Oncology Concentration. Monday, December 9, 2013: Nurse Midwifery and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Programs. Friday, December 13, 2013: The Hillman BSN-PhD, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and the Nurse Anesthesia Programs Monday, December 16, 2013: Family Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Programs *** The Nursing and Health Care Administration program - Date to be determined.

[taaanyaaa]

Thank you! That was really encouraging and helpful! I was starting to think about the cost for upenn too since I'm out of state and still have loans to pay. Are you in the primary pediatrics NP program? I'm just guessing because of your username. If so, how is it? I want to pursue PNP too!

[tbp1015]

Thanks mewei. Apparently my phone abbreviated that email and only showed me the first half. Definitely helpful to read the whole thing! :)

[hscPNP]

hi tanya! i am indeed in the PNP program, and it's awesome! i've loved all of my peds classes, and the professors are very open to connecting me and providing me with outside opportunities. upenn is a private school, so your costs as an out of state student are no different than if you are in-state. feel free to PM me with more questions.

also as an overall FYI there's a pretty high interview offer rate. i think around 70% of applicants get offered an interview. it's the admissions offer spot that is pretty competitive. i think it's around a 20-25% acceptance rate after the interview.

[nikkia827]

Did anyone hear about interviews yet?