Applicants to Portland area schools for 2012. - Page 27

Lilpoka,
I love Clackamas. The faculty are the best. Nursing school takes some getting used to, however. The teaching style is very different from what you're used to from pre-reqs and/or previous college experience. They set it up so that critical thinking is the order of the day, and it's very hard to get used to at first. There's a lot of self-directedness required as far as finding and reading relevant information for topics to be discussed in class. In class, a lot of the time you're applying information rather than necessarily "being taught." They start you off very gradually at Clackamas, giving lots of theory and psych/social stuff first term. But it's good. I feel that I am being molded into a nurse at an appropriate rate. .

Just finished CCC interview/essay. Whew...now time to wait...and wait...and wait...fingers crossed!

Lilpoka! Congratulations on completing another interview/essay!!! I take my next Thurs. What was the format? Did the questions have to be handwritten or done on a word processor? How many in your group, how many interviewers? Please don't answer any of my questions till you've had a beer or two

I have my interview next Thursday too! I'm a nervous wreck.. I would love for someone to calm me down and give me some helpful tips ) oh also CONGRADS to everyone that got in somewhere!! Super jellin

I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but I think that disclosing details about the interview process gives other applicants an unfair advantage. When the first group of us went in, all we knew was that we would be given a 30 minute timeframe to complete the essay and an hour for the verbal question/answer session. I will say that I think it would be very beneficial if you arrive 15-20 minutes early. I found it relieved a intense amount of stress for me to talk to the other applicants before the interview began and get to know them a little better. The interviewers were extremely nice and easy-going so once you get in there, the feeling of wanting to throw up from the anxiety lessens a bit!

Sasafras0123, it sounds like you're very much like me in terms of freaking out about things beforehand lol. I took some natural pills with valerian root in them to calm my nerves the morning of the interview and it seemed to help. I also prayed A LOT!! Just know that there is only so much you can do to prepare! Just think... After the interview you only have a week of worrying before you find out if you're accepted! The rest of us are suffering through two weeks! I decided afterward the interview ended that I wasn't going to second-guess any of my answers and torture myself. I am just putting everything in God's hands and hoping for the best.

And Lilpoka, I'm sad that I didn't get to meet you! I ended up calling and switching my interview to a later time that day. They had someone cancel so they were able to fit me in. I am glad that it's all over though.

Hi all,

I, too, don't want to say too much about my interview...but I will say that everyone was super nice and I made it through it. I am trying not to second-guess my answers and essay, but I am finding that a bit hard to do. I feel like I froze on the essay. That makes me sad. I think it is silly of me to keep thinking about it since I know I am already in at Mt Hood and happy as heck about that! I still have a nice pull towards Clackamas though. I guess we'll see in a few weeks. Until then, I will start preparing for Mt Hood in the Fall.

For everyone who has their interview next week, just breathe, don't drink too much coffee before, dress nice, and know that you have worked very hard to get where you are! Keep us posted how it goes!

missmichelle and lilpoka,

I didn't mean to pry too much, I am just nervous as well. But it is a major factor for me whether the essay is handwritten or not. If it is handwritten, I won't get in. Not only do I have poor handwriting, but my written composition really shows my disability unless I can copy/paste/move words/sentences. I also agree that it would be an unfair advantage for those of us who came later in the process to know the questions they will ask. Thank you for what you both have said, it definitely does give me some comfort even knowing the general essay/interview format. Good luck to you both!

michelle and Lilpoka,

Thanks for the thoughtful words. I am totally over thinking everything and hopefully I dont psych myself out! Clackamas is the only school I can get into this year so you can see why I am stressing to get in so bad! I just hope I get to share some things that were not included on the application like volunteering and such.

Sushi I'm right there with you! Lets just relax and be ourselves (easier said then done!) and I heard the writing portion was done on the computer but im not positive.

Whatever will be, will be! In the end we will all turn out amazing nurses despite our different routes to get there!

Sushi & Sasafras,

You guys are going to do great! Remember, you passed hundreds of applicants to get to this point! I feel like I totally froze on my essay. I can only hope that my actual interview was strong enough to carry me. But you guys have worked hard! Just remember your morals and values going in. They will carry you far! Best to you guys! Talk soon..