2012 UCSF MEPN Applicants

Nursing Students Post Graduate

Published

The MEPN deadline is less than 2 months away, so I thought I'd get a thread started for us 2012 hopefuls!

I'm a first time applicant to the WHNP/CNM specialty, and feel like I've been getting ready to submit this application for so long! I've been working abroad for a public health NGO for the past couple of years and am a trained birth doula. I've finished up all of my prereqs and GREs, selected people for recommendations (including a slightly awkward visit to my undergraduate advisor...), so now I'm just drafting my essays. Does anyone even know what the application is supposed to look like this year? I'm just going off samples I've seen from previous years.

Some days I feel sort of confident about my chances, and other days I feel as though this is a total shot in the dark and definitely not going to work out!

Any other hopefuls out there? And anyone know when the application is actually going to open?

Oh no!!! I am so sorry to head ucsf85 about the GRE mishap. That test overall does not in any way reflect the potential of an applicant...and in your specific situation shows that their software and testing is extremely unfair for the user. I would definitely bring that up in your essay somewhere.

I am hoping for the FNP specialty myself...I know they accept around 50-60 applicants but I have no clue how they divide those up amongst all the specialties. I really wish they would open up their application or fix whatever errors ASAP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi everyone! I'm a first time applicant to the psych NP track. I have a 1350 GRE (I think this is an okay score?) and am currently finishing up my prereqs at a local community college (nutrition and microbiology). I was a psych major and have a very strong overall GPA as well as in my prereqs (so far, gotta wait on these last two classes to be certain, hehe!)

I am really nervous about applying. I have heard that they only consider individuals with extensive direct patient contact. I am currently volunteering at a hospital but I will only have about 50 hours by the time my application is in, which seems to be very little in comparison to other applicants. However, all of those 50 hours are direct patient contact. I'm hoping they will take into account that my volunteer job at the hospital consists entirely of patient interaction? Only time will tell, I guess.

I also have some other experiences. Does anyone know whether or not they appreciate research experience? I worked in research for several years, doing everything from data entry to running subjects to writing my own literature review and analyzing my own data. I presented my own thesis at a national conference. I also conducted clinical interviews for over a year (DSM diagnostics and suicide risk assessments) on one of the studies I worked on (it was a psych lab). Lots of phone interviewing experiences as well. I'm wondering if they will consider this clinical experience?

I was an undergrad teaching assistant for a statistics series and took advanced quantitative methods and research coursework. Do you think they take this type of experience into account? I know that the MSN is primarily a clinical degree, but I feel that my research and statistics history has really helped my critical thinking, among other things.

Lastly, I do speak proficient Spanish (took 4 years in high school and around 7 Spanish classes as an undergrad, including upper division grammar, literature classes completely in Spanish, etc.) I've heard that UCSF really appreciates language skills, but my Spanish isn't related to health or medicine at all (my vocab is very limited in that respect).

Sorry for the long post! As you can tell, I'm a bit nervous about applying. I feel like I have some diverse experiences, but whether or not UCSF nursing will value them is a whole other kettle of fish. If anyone has any ideas or words of encouragement I would be highly appreciative!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey myelin!

It's sounds like you have a strong background - I think it's just all about how you present your experience, rather than how many hours of patient contact you have. I have research experience that I'm including as well - but with each of the topics you want to touch on, try relating them to what will be required of you in the MEPN program or as a nurse. What skills or perspective did you gain that will be relevant?

I wouldn't worry about the Spanish thing - you'll pick up the necessary vocab quickly enough. (I didn't have any "birth Chinese" before I became a doula, I just did some quick self-study and then learned the rest on the fly!)

Oh and I wanted to ask - are the micro and nutrition prereqs for another program you're applying to? UCSF is adding these as prereqs, but not until next year (for people entering the program in 2013).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey myelin

I am applying to the ANP specialty. I work at UCSF and occasionally share Clinic space with one of the nursing faculty. I mentioned I was applying to MEPN. She actually recommended NOT focusing on research so much on the application (unless you are applying to the 2-year Masters program rather than the MEPN). She explained it is more relevant for MEPN applicants to stress why they want to be a nurse, rather than research experience. They want people who are passionate about providing care to patients! Not to say your research background is useless--I have research coordinator duties for my job as well. Just think about the context and emphasis you place on your research background, such as critical thinking skills.

You seem like a great applicant, from what you've shared. If you are granted an invitation to interview, you can always expand upon the research during your interview.

Good luck! Hopefully they'll open up the online app today. September first seems far away, but it's only 6 weeks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hi everyone! this thread is amazing! it makes me feel less alone through this process. i wanted to also jump in and remind everyone that the nutrition and microbiology courses are for 2013 applicants so we are not required to have taken them. i have already because other programs want them as well but its not required for ucsf. it might look good though! does anyone know how long it takes for transcripts to be sent? have you all ordered them to be sent yet, or is it too early? also, anyone know the format for the letter of reference? i read something about it being a survey but i want to have some kind of idea what their options are. thanks for your help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh man. The application website just changed it's message, from saying the app would be available today to saying:

"The Graduate Application is currently being upgraded and will be available again shortly."

Shortly?! Aaaaaah!

mepn2012, generally the time your transcripts take to arrive has to do with the time of year. Since it's July, it's probably not a really busy time in the registrar's office. Mine took less than a week to arrive (had some sent to UCSF, and some sent directly to me). The admissions office told me that if I sent them they would hold onto them until I locked my application, so I went ahead and did it.

As for the recommendations, we'll have to enter the recommenders' details in the online application (if it ever opens...) and UCSF will then send an email directly to the recommenders with info on how to complete the online survey OR how to upload a traditional letter of reference.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks! also, my friend who is in the program now said that last year the application didn't open until August 1st... just a heads up! August will be a crazy month for all of us!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
She actually recommended NOT focusing on research so much on the application (unless you are applying to the 2-year Masters program rather than the MEPN). She explained it is more relevant for MEPN applicants to stress why they want to be a nurse, rather than research experience. They want people who are passionate about providing care to patients! Not to say your research background is useless--I have research coordinator duties for my job as well. Just think about the context and emphasis you place on your research background, such as critical thinking skills.

This is a very interesting point. Thanks for sharing, ucsf82! I too have some research experience since I am coming from a life science background. I have talked to a recruitment faculty at UCLA and she said research experience + publication is very much valued for the UCLA MECN program. I guess it differs from school to school. But my question is, if what I am ultimately interested in pursing a PhD in nursing, would it be better to highlight or downplay that point in my applications?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey guys, there's been an update for the online app status. It now let's you navigate a step further, but the 2012 app itself is still closed and scheduled to be open tomorrow. *Fingers crossed*

  • 2012 Application (Closed)
    Classes Begin: 06/13/2012
    Application Available: 07/19/2011 - 09/01/2011 (These dates are not final)
  • 2011 Application (Closed)
    Classes Begin: 06/17/2011
    Application Available: 07/30/2010 - 09/01/2010
  • 2010 Application (Closed)
    Classes Begin: 06/17/2010
    Application Available: 06/10/2009 - 09/01/2009
  • 2009 Application (Closed)
    Classes Begin: 06/16/2009
    Application Available: 07/29/2008 - 10/01/2008

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the reply! Hmm. Interesting about the research. I am interested in being involved in research (and possibly teaching) during my career, so I wonder if I should mention that or not? I am primarily interested in clinical work, but I would also like to incorporate those other things into my career as well.

Oh, and to answer previous responses, I am taking nutrition and microbio for other programs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

AHHH!!! I am going to need UCSF to get their website together hahaha

The anticipation is killing me. Being that this is the first application due for me and I'm sure many of you...I wish we could have more than a month to complete it. EEK! I already have all of my letters of rec written (I supplied them with questions they have on their webpage) and they are all just waiting for the email to be sent. Still not sure what questions they will ask for goal statement/history statement. Hopefully it opens ASAP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Woohoo! It's open!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment