UIC Graduate Entry Program

rainkissedleaves · Mar 4, 2013

I finished all my pre reqs last semester. March is flying by! And not sure when and how they contact you. It's very likely at the end of march! :)

hi616 · Mar 5, 2013

I was avoiding coming on here for the past days because I had a little debacle with one of my letters of rec. One recommender didn't submit until yesterday morning despite my pestering for the last week. Well UIC said it's okay because I had all my other stuff in.... phewwww.

So ready to start hearing about interviews! I'm finishing up physiology right now and then I have anatomy next quarter.

Kwolikowa · Mar 5, 2013

I think I'm missing the research class. Got everything else though. We do have plenty of time to complete them before next January, thankfully. I spoke with someone from the GEP program a few days ago and was told that interviews will be in March, although the site indicates April. Wonder if that is for the PMHNP program only. Anyway, trying to keep calm and carry on with my life and not obsess about this Clearly working as I check this site everyday lol

sittenfeld · Mar 5, 2013

My gawd that would be awesome if they were in late March instead of mid April!

I am waiting to hear from UIC and this public health internship that I applied to. My hope is that I get into UIC of course so the fellowship is my back up. What are your "back-ups"?

I'm a constant list maker so I'm always planning. :-)

Kwolikowa · Mar 5, 2013

My first back-up plan is actually med school in Poland, and then specializing in psychiatry. I have been offered a spot there, but I def prefer the nursing approach to medicine and the idea of staying in Chicago. 4 years of residency after 4 years of medical school feel like a lifetime, so really keeping my fingers crossed that this program works out. Plan C, would be alternative medicine, like an NMD. I was accepted into a program at National University a few years ago for this and the acceptance is good for 3 years, so that's another fall back if nothing else works out. I, like you, am always making lists as well! UIC PMHNP is my top choice by a far though.

rainkissedleaves · Mar 5, 2013

I don't do backups. Just a personal preference because i tend to get anxious and think I won't get into my first choice (or top 3)

:) , I got into Marquette... So I guess that's a "back up"

I have a question- I am going for MHPNP as well and I was wondering what is the difference between a psychiatrist and a MHPNP? (Apart from the MD degree)

Kwolikowa · Mar 5, 2013

I like your approach rainkissedleaves :) And congrats on getting into Marquette! A psychiatrist does most of his/her psychiatric training in the residency and the clinical part of med school, whereas in the MPHNP program we spend the entire masters portion focusing on this specialty. Also, psychiatrists get more therapy training (talking) vs the pharmacological approach of the PsychNP. You pretty much have the same privileges as an MD to administer treatment, but with a lot less school and student loans. At least that's my understanding. MD's do make 2-3 times as much as PsychNP's however. I personally am not in it for the money, I just want to help people and have job satisfaction.

rainkissedleaves · Mar 6, 2013

Thank you! This really makes me reconsider my speciality.....

I applied for MHNP but I believe acute care is where I should be leaning into. My end goal is to be a neurosurgical nurse.

steve21021 · Mar 6, 2013

I would love to go to UIC. I am already in at MGH, but I think I need to wait until I have all my schools that I can attend on a table with my girlfriend's school and go where we can together. Here's to hoping I can go to Chicago with you all. It would be a lot closer to home than Boston and cheaper in terms of tuition. Like $30,000 cheaper.

Kwolikowa · Mar 6, 2013

rainkissedleaves, please don't let my description discourage you. This is only what I've heard from my friends that are either PsychNPs or Psychiatrists, and not the end all be all of the difference in the programs. If you do, however, want to pursue acute care I would let them know at UIC ASAP as they interview based on affirmed specialty for this program. It's really difficult to change specialties when already in, so I've read here, but not impossible.

Pd31 · Mar 6, 2013

Hi, does anyone know when we will hear back from UIC regarding interviews or rejections?

rainkissedleaves · Mar 6, 2013

I am shadowing a mental health NP over my spring break so i will get a better idea of what i am going into. Thanks kwolikowa :)