2014 UCSF MEPN Applicants

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Hey everyone! Given that applications are due a month from today, I figured it was about time to start a thread. How are everyone's personal statements and applications coming?

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I'm new to this site! I'm glad I found it, because the threads from previous years are very informative! I started on my goal statement and received plenty of feedback from my friends and colleagues. but, i'm spending most of my time studying for the GRE right now. I'm really hoping to get an above average score since my undergrad GPA isn't very impressive.

I'm a bit worried that I don't have much experience (volunteer, paid, int'l, etc.) in clinical settings. I volunteered at a hospital during school breaks, but I spent the past 6 years working full time. Then, when I finally decided to go back to school, I was taking evening and weekend classes to fulfill the prerequisites. So, I really didn't have a lot of time left for volunteer work.

Is clinical experience (or exposure to clinical settings) required/preferred for this program? Are there any current or past MEPN students on this site that can answer this question? I'd really appreciate any insights or advice!

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Hey guys!

I´m excited that you took the initiative to start a 2014 thread; I´ve read all the threads from previous years and have been waiting for someone to start this year´s. :-)

Can anyone share any tidbits about this year´s (unofficial) requirements? I called to ask some questions, since there´s no way I can go to an information session. They said that with the GRE, they don´t officially weigh any of the three components differently, but if they were to give one of them more weight, it would be the writing section, and they look for at least a 4. I´m taking it again on Thursday.

As for clinical experience, I don´t know about this year, but from what I read in other posts, clinical experience is preferred but not required. I don´t really have clinical experience (except for working as a lifeguard and doing first aid), but I do have pretty extensive health education experience.

I haven´t even started my statement yet! I´ve been scurrying around trying to get my prereqs done! Statement is next :-)

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Hello! I'm glad someone started a thread for this application cycle :) I just created an account for this.

As michigan_expat mentioned, I read somewhere on the UCSF website that clinical experience is preferred but not required. I recently became a certified nurse assistant so I'm hoping to quickly find a job for the year. I have shadowed RNs and family nurse practitioners, and I have volunteer experience in hospital settings because of two different programs I was part of during undergrad. I graduated a year ago and I hope I'm not only recent grad applying! So many other applicants from previous years have more extensive life experience that I lack :( I really don't know how competitive I am as an applicant. Some days I think I have a good shot, and on other days (usually after reading about previous applicants' accomplishments ;)) I feel a little more discouraged.

I'm taking the GRE soon, and I'm just worried about math -- it's my (veeery) weak point. May I ask which specialties you are all applying to? Family nurse practitioner for me!

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Specializes in Midwifery/Women's Health.

Hello all! I'm a current MEPN student (midwifery/women's health NP route) and was in your shoes last year. On the topic of clinical experience, it is definitely important to have. Although it is not required, it will help strengthen your personal statement and interview if you can incorporate how your clinical experiences has shaped your reasons on becoming a nurse. It also depends on your specialty. Certain specialties will want more clinical experiences more than others. For example, for midwifery it is vital to have birthing experiences!

The process was grueling last year, but worth every bit!

If you have any questions, let me know :)

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Thanks everyone for sharing info about clinical experience!

starharvest, I'm applying for FNP, too! It's definitely one of the most popular programs. I read in the previous year's thread that there were only 15 spots! yikes!

kdiem, thanks so much for sharing your insights! Did you apply to any other schools? I have a few schools in mind, but I'm really worried about the high cost of attendance. Also, do you think UCSF is geared more towards preparing students to practice in hospitals versus small clinics or rural communities? And so far, what do you think of the faculty? Are they easily accessible, and how likely will you recommend them to other students? Sorry for all the questions! Although UCSF is my #1 choice, I still want to evaluate if it's a good fit.

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Hey there...another prospective student for the MEPN program here! Just got out of my GRE today, unofficial scores of 160 VR and 165 QR. Guess we'll have to wait and see what the essays produced... I wish that the Acute Care NP specialty was open toe MEPN applicants, as I'd like to get into the ICU or ER, but since it's not, I've the task of selecting another specialty. Looks like it's between FNP and AGNP, both hopefully comprehensive enough to allow me to be in critical care...

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2014 USCF MEPN Goal Statement:

I am having an excessively difficult time writing mine. Any tips or examples would be greatly appreciated!

I'm applying for the Psychiatric NP track, and have one question in particular (but it applies to anyone writing a goal statement for ucsf):

I am wondering, should I include a personal nuance in my intro paragraph? The reason I became initially interested in psychology is because I grew up in a broken home, and a psychologist saved me, and my family. Obviously I would word it much better, but should I put something like that? (there is a natural transition into how it became psychiatric nursing I would include too). I feel as though it's relevant, but want to be careful not to seem as if I'm asking for any kind of pity.

Maybe I will post the rough draft (which I am hoping to complete now) for any suggestions.

Are you including personal information in your goal statement?

Thanks and good luck all you brilliant, ambitious candidates :)

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Oh an if it makes anybody feel better, I got a 151 on my quantitave section of the GRE :/ According to google, there's at least a 50% chance that you did better than me in that area!

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2014 USCF MEPN Goal Statement:

I am having an excessively difficult time writing mine. Any tips or examples would be greatly appreciated!

I'm applying for the Psychiatric NP track, and have one question in particular (but it applies to anyone writing a goal statement for ucsf):

I am wondering, should I include a personal nuance in my intro paragraph? The reason I became initially interested in psychology is because I grew up in a broken home, and a psychologist saved me, and my family. Obviously I would word it much better, but should I put something like that? (there is a natural transition into how it became psychiatric nursing I would include too). I feel as though it's relevant, but want to be careful not to seem as if I'm asking for any kind of pity.

Maybe I will post the rough draft (which I am hoping to complete now) for any suggestions.

Are you including personal information in your goal statement?

Thanks and good luck all you brilliant, ambitious candidates :)

Well a nuance is a small difference, so maybe you should include and anecdote ;)

Anyways, I think it's nice to have something solid like that which has influenced your decision to pursue your specialty. I, on the other hand, don't have anything like that so I'm going to have a much tougher time as far as I'm feeling!! Seems like you've got yours together, just go with it...

Have fun!

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Thank you for the response! I agree, I believe I will include some background as to why I ended up in psychiatric services. I'm taking a quick break from writing right now.

What is your specialty? Perhaps instead of describing a personal anecdote, you can express reverie for some of the more specific aspects of your specialty, and the differences ithey make in people's lives. Surely there are reasons you want to specialize in whatever it is... Also UCSF seems to be emphasizing community service, especially in the local area (a disadvantage for me, as a resident of NC). So maybe speak on why your future role is important to the community, using specifics, maybe even touch on grandiose goals (for me: mental healthcare reform, increase collaboration of psychiatric professionals, etc).

Anyway, just some ideas off the top of my head; I feel kind of daunted by this goal statement, but am pushing through it as best I can. I expect to edit this thing with a machete.

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2014 USCF MEPN Goal Statement:

I am having an excessively difficult time writing mine. Any tips or examples would be greatly appreciated!

I'm applying for the Psychiatric NP track, and have one question in particular (but it applies to anyone writing a goal statement for ucsf):

I am wondering, should I include a personal nuance in my intro paragraph? The reason I became initially interested in psychology is because I grew up in a broken home, and a psychologist saved me, and my family. Obviously I would word it much better, but should I put something like that? (there is a natural transition into how it became psychiatric nursing I would include too). I feel as though it's relevant, but want to be careful not to seem as if I'm asking for any kind of pity.

Maybe I will post the rough draft (which I am hoping to complete now) for any suggestions.

Are you including personal information in your goal statement?

Thanks and good luck all you brilliant, ambitious candidates :)

I highly recommend that you do not do this. Talking about your own psychological issues in a goal statement is definitely risky and can potentially hurt you, depending on who reads your essay and how you frame the issue. They might worry about your boundaries, and it's just often seen as a red flag. I understand (and commend you) for using your own experience as a launchpad for wanting to help others. However, you are applying to a very intense program and you do not want them to worry about your mental health or ability to make it through.

Try and use an anecdote that is not personal, but is professional (an experience you had working with a patient that made you want to become a PMHNP, for example). Keep it professional, but sincere. I'm sure you have had very meaningful experiences with psych populations, and choosing an anecdote from those experiences is a great idea. Gear your personal statement towards your career goals and how becoming a PMHNP will fulfill them (and how your background relates, blahblahblah). Stay away from making it overly personal.

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