all those who have been through or are considering UT's CNL program

Hello! The reason no one has replied to your post yet is probably because we are the first official class of MSN-CNLs at UT! We started in June 2009. I CAN tell you alot about what I know so far though. It's a great program. I think that it was moderately competitive for our admission class. The reason I say moderately competitive is simply because not as many people were aware of this program for our class as they will be for the 2010 entering class. I think it will become increasingly competitive over the years as more people find out about it, since it is pretty much the only program where you can get a Master's in Nursing without already having your RN license or prior NUrsing experience.
My overall undergraduate GPA was 3.5, and I haven't taken the GRE since it was not required for the CNL program (another plus!). In my personal attachment, I included everything that they ask for on their website. It's the same application stuff you would normally fill out, and you also submit your answers to 2 questions pertaining to nursing (specifically the impact that CNL nurses have on healthcare) that they include with you application packet. You can look at those questions on their website right now though, unless they have changed it. They highly base your admission on those answers, because it was pretty much the only thing besides your grades that sets you apart from someone else applying for the program.
In my interview the main question I was asked was WHY I wanted my career to be in Nursing, and what did I expect to contribute to Healthcare. They like to know that you have done your research on what it means to be a CNL. You can find this out by reasearch, or by watching the videos on UT's website that talks about it. I felt like what my interviewer really wanted to find out about me was if I was compassionate about helping people, and that I had thought about my decision to enter the Nursing field as something I really wanted, rather than something I could get a degree out of.
For the difficulty of the program question, my best answers is it varies. Since all of us have undergraduate degrees in a ton of different fields, it may be easier or harder for some people. I had a degree in a science field, so I took to the testing format and class style very well. Some people with business type degrees struggled at first (not all of them, but like I said it varies), but the ones who were dedicated to being successful in the program are still in there with us. We started our with 75-80 people in our class. We are down to 53. It's not a terribly hard program, but it is alot of work. You have to be willing to study, know how to study, and know how to take a Nursing exam. They are nothing like any kind of exam you have taken before, and if you struggle in the beginning, you need to ask for help in the beginning. Our classes are very fast paced, so you have to make sure you don't get behind from the very beginning. I feel like it is totally worth it to be a part of this program though, and I have already learned so much in the few short months we have been in school.
Alot of our class intends to apply for the cRNA program. You don't have to have a BSN to apply. You just have to have a BSN or higher degree (so our MSN degree is accepted) and an RN license. I DO think a few people did get in who had under a 3.1, but I do not think that will be the case next year since twice the amount of people came to our informative meeting about the program last week. I really think alot more people know about the program than they did when I applied, but GRE scores aren't really relevant to this program so far.

I hoped I helped you out a little Let me know if you need to know anything else. I feel like this program has alot to offer, and it is the only one I have seen so far where you can crank out an RN license and a Master's degree in only 2 years. Bring your dedication and your love for your PTs and you should do great! GOOD LUCK!