2011 UCSF MEPN Applicants

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Hi,

Is there anyone lurking who is planning to apply to the 2011 program?

I have spent the last 12 years in financial marketing/communications and am excited to try and change paths into nursing. I am currently taking my prerequisite courses at city college- stats and anatomy/physiology- and going in for the GRE Saturday. I'm volunteering at a children's hospital, which is causing me to consider the pediatric nurse practitioner track... I know UCSF is very competitive and it's a long-shot for someone like me to get in, but I feel like I have to try! If it doesn't happen next year, then I'll just keep building my volunteer experience and re-apply. Also on my mind is that if for some miracle I were to get in how I would pay for it.

But enough about me... what are some other candidates' takes on preperation, interests, anxieties, etc?

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Hi Astrelle! I'm also planning on applying to UCSF for the 2011 program. I'm studying for the GRE as well (ugh) and wrapping up A&P2. I'm planning on applying to the WHNP/CNM program. I've been working in the financial industry, but have been taking pre-requisite courses to apply to nursing for a while now (basically 1/semester for the past 1.5 years). I'm excited to finally apply! I volunteer at a local hospital in the nursery, and I'm taking a DONA certification course to gain some volunteer doula experience. It is a bit nervewracking knowing how competitive UCSF is, but just like you said, if it doesn't happen next year, we can always build up more experience and re-apply! The $$$ is another issue, but I guess I should focus on getting in first :). Are you applying anywhere else? I've decided to focus on applying to UCSF for 2011, and if I don't get in, expand my applications for the following year as I take more prereqs (Chem, microbiology, etc.). Best of luck to you!!

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Hi there! I am also planning on applying to UCSF, but definitely feel my chances getting in are slim. It is just so competitive. I majored in human biology in undergrad, so I have a pretty solid science background, but I did have to retake A&P since by the time I apply, it will have expired. I am in A&PII now. I took the GRE last summer, but I plan on retaking it because my writing score is not competitive. I currently work in cancer genetics and volunteer in a hospital ER, which gives me a lot of patient contact alongside nurses and doctors. This experience has reinforced my desire to be a nurse. I am torn between the WHNP and APN oncology tracks. I also plan on applying to UCLA, Western in Pomona, UIC, and CSULA. I am currently still researching more schools to add to my shortlist.

Good luck to us all! And thanks for starting this thread. It will be a great place for information, questions, and support!

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Hi All -

I'd like to apply to the 2011 program, but I don't think I'll be ready. I've been working on other prereqs and will be taking A&P this fall (after the MEPN app is due). Can we apply w/ prereqs in progress?

I spent about 12 years in commercial real estate management and development, finally earning my bachelors degree in economics last June. Since then I've been doing all that I can to transition to nursing. I work part-time at a pediatrician's office as a medical assistant and also work part-time as a research assistant/study coordinator for cardiac research. I also volunteer one evening a week for a local free clinic. What else are you guys doing/have you done to prepare? I'm sure we can all learn from each other.

Are there other programs you guys are considering?

This is a great thread. Thanks for starting it, Astrelle!

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Hey!

I will be applying for the 2011 entering class. I want to do the WHNP/CNM program. I am about to graduate from undergrad with a degree in Biology. I don't have much experience in the WHNP/CNM field but I'm hoping to shadow a nurse practitioner at a Women's Health clinic this summer as well as volunteer at a Birthing Services Center. I have also looked into becoming a Doula but am not sure if that will fit into my schedule.

I haven't taken the GRE yet, but am planning on AT LEAST 1100-1200. My GPA from my undergraduate institution will be a 3.68 but my cumulative GPA including prereqs I've taken outside of my normal school will be a 3.7.

Does anyone know what the average GRE/GPA for this program iis?

I'm also applying to Vanderbilt, Yale, and MGH Institute for their Women's Health/Adult combined programs. Possibly some others but I'm not quite sure yet.

I'm super nervous about this since I don't have much experience. UCSF is by far my #1 school I'm applying to.

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Hi everyone!

I'm also applying this year. I'd like to get into the FNP program. I am also nervous about how competitive UCSF is. I'm taking GRE's end of May. I majored in Biology, with a GPA of 3.18 O_O. As an undergrad I volunteered at the hospital for 3 years, as a research assistant and a general volunteer. I graduated in 2008, and have been tutoring and also taught a biology class last year. I volunteer Network of Strength, which gives free mammograms and breast cancer education for uninsured women. I also volunteer at a clinic in a hospital, which provides free medical care to people in need.

Like Megan, I don't have much experience in this specific field, but I am also hoping to shadow an NP sometime in the near future. I also need to take microbio as a requirement.

Megan, I don't know the averages, but I went to the info session earlier this week. According to the recruitment officer Asha Reed, UCSF favors scores above a 580 in each section of the GRE. They still accept score that are a little lower. GPA must be above a 3.0.

I've never heard about NP's until end of 2008 when I got a new doctor. The doctor never said hi and always tries push me out the door asap, whereas the NP at her office always takes her time, explains everything to me, and is much more personable. That's when I started researching more about it.

I haven't really looked into the other programs yet, but I hear Yale, JHU, Columbia, Uni of HA have similar prereqs. Planning to look into that.

Hope to keep in touch with people here. Definitely a great place for support! GL =D

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Do you guys know much about GPAs? I have a 3.26 with a lot of volunteer experience. Will that cut it for a university like UCSF? or hopkins? and are MEPN programs harder to get into than MSN?

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I am also preparing to apply to UCSF's FNP program. My undergrad GPA is 3.32, which I don't think is very competitive, but that just means we must do very well on the GRE. I work in special education for school district in SF and am exposed to children with various health conditions. I wonder if my special ed. experience boost my application.? Most of my work experience is with children, but I want to work with adults as well as children. I volunteer at a free women's clinic and I love it.

I still have to take the GRE and get letters of rec--- that's taking a lot of time!

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V98ginger-

are you applying to any other programs? GREs aren't required for UCSF, are they? Are you taking them to help your application. just curious. And are you currently an RN are you applying to the direct entry program?

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Lammy,

GRE's are required for MEPN, a 3 yr program is for people who have nonnursing bachelor's degrees. RN's would apply to a 2 yr masters program. You can look at the website for the UCSF MEPN program for details. Hope this clarifies things.

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Yes, the GRE is required for the MEPN. I have BA in psychology and hope to enter any entry level masters program. I am applying to many schools mostly in California.

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Thanks arte- I'm doing the msn so no gre's for me :-). Thanks

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