Yale GEPN Applicants 2013

steve21021 · Dec 14, 2012

Holy Crap! Based on those stats I don't feel so badly about not getting and interview.

Best of luck to those who get to go on further. You are really lucky.

hi616 · Dec 15, 2012

For next years applicants that will be looking at our posts, I will share that in my case I think my weakest point was my GRE scores. When I took the GRE, Yale and UIC were the only programs I was planning on applying to that absolutely required it (now UIC doesn't even require it...). I was applying to Yale to see if I had a shot so this isn't the biggest heartbreak for me.

Throughout the application process, I had gathered that at many schools the GRE really doesn't make or break your application if you have a solid GPA, so I really just winged the GRE. Seeing some of the other applicant stats makes me think that regardless Yale cares about your GRE scores. I got in the 50-something percentile for quantitative, 65th percentile for qualitative, and 96th percentile for writing. I'm also applying to Vanderbilt, Northeastern, and Boston College just for kicks, which I had never planned to do when I took the GRE so I might not fare well there either. But, my three top choices -UIC, Rush, and DePaul- don't require GRE scores if you reach a minimum GPA, so they'll never know how I did. So, my advice is do your best on the GRE (and the rest of the application) if you are seriously considering Yale.

I also think previous healthcare experience was a weak point for me. I only had 6 months of volunteering at a major physical therapy/ rehab hospital in Chicago with direct patient care and I suppose that is much better if I were applying to PT school rather than nursing school!

samdaman · Dec 15, 2012

Didn't get an interview. Kind of bummed, but I'll just take this as a closed door. Got interview for UCSF though so I'm stoked about that since their FNP program is #1. Also waiting to hear back from Columbia...just wish they had an early decision like they did last year. So now the wait is on for February!

Good luck for interviews for everyone that got one!

My stats:

3.34 GPA undergrad

3.9 Grad

GRE: 80% for quantitative, 68% verbal, 45% writing (probably my weakest aspect)

4.0 nursing prereqs (for all the other schools)

120 hours volunteering in an ED

dn26 · Dec 15, 2012

Thanks for your insight hi616! All the best with your other applications and we'll keep our fingers crossed that you get into the other places you applied into.

To add to your observations, I think another area that Yale highly values in its applicants is some sort of research background in healthcare or science, as well as some sort of community or volunteer nursing/clinical experience. As mentioned in one of the previous posts, I too felt that Yale's method of choosing applicants is less clear-cut, and I feel a great deal of weight is placed on the application essay so it's important to emphasize how you have grown as a person through the research, volunteer experiences and literally how being an NP might help you make a difference in the world.

Historically, Yale's Divinity, Management, Medicine and Law schools have all emphasized the role of their graduates in being able to make a difference to low-income and under-resourced communities across the nation and the world, and I feel Yale Nursing is looking for some of the same qualities in its applicants as well. By being able to choose from such a diverse and qualified applicant pool, Yale, and indeed most of the top universities, are looking for people who are motivated to give back to their communities and are service-minded, especially in fields like medicine and nursing, where care-providers have a very direct impact on the populations they serve.

All best and good luck!

luminal · Dec 15, 2012

Hi Everyone,

I got an interview with Yale as well! I was just accepted into Johns Hopkins Early Decision for FNP though so I will be declining the interview. Good luck to everyone who interviews. I think it's very important to show passion and energy during the interview process and have answers prepared for the most common questions. For Johns Hopkins I looked at past threads to see what kinds of questions were asked and then I made brief bullet points of how I would want to answer them.

kpinkertonlloyd · Dec 15, 2012

Hallelujah, an interview for CNM. It's a god thing, since my stats aren't perfect. I think my passion for birth and serving others came through in my statement. Now I have to fundraise to fly to the interview since my family has tight income. Good luck to all!

atomicgirl · Dec 15, 2012

For those who got interviews, what specialty are you pursuing? What day is your interview? Will you be attending in person? I'm going for the Psych specialty and have my in person interview on Feb 1st.

dn26 · Dec 15, 2012

Hi atomicgirl, I'm interviewing on Jan 25 for peds. Are you staying in new haven overnight? Are we supposed to research our interviewer and discuss our common interests?

atomicgirl · Dec 15, 2012

Hi atomicgirl, I'm interviewing on Jan 25 for peds. Are you staying in new haven overnight? Are we supposed to research our interviewer and discuss our common interests?

Hey dn26, yes I'll actually be staying a few days just to acclimate myself to the area and recover from possible jet lag (I'm flying from WA state).

I don't think there's an explicit rule that you must research the interviewer but it would be nice.

Where does Yale fall on your list of preferences?

manhattandoula · Dec 15, 2012

Hi Everyone,

I'm a current GEPN thinking of all of you. I am on the CNM track. I think it will be helpful for you to know that our class comes from a wide variety of backgrounds, from total novices to seasoned pros. Some have amazing academic backgrounds, and some are artists. But each of us has incredible strengths, even though they may not be in every single area of the application. I don't think it's one thing that gets you in or doesn't. They are really putting together a diverse and capable class, so we can make an impact when we graduate in many different ways.

If you got an interview, congratulations! The best advice I can give is that the interview is a conversation. You've already done everything. Just be yourself.

If you didn't get an interview, I hope the right school is waiting for you! Your journey doesn't stop, it only continues to be directed. And if you are waiting until next year to apply again, spend this year improving your application and seeing where the experience leads you.

All the best!

dn26 · Dec 15, 2012

Hi atomicgirl, Yale is my top choice, and the only school where I applied to. It's definitely where I'd want to be for the next few years and the campus, resources and faculty sound pretty awesome. I like Yale's proximity to NYC and the clinical resources shared with the medical and public health school, and the highly-rated graduate and PhD programs. And reaching New Haven a few days early is a good idea - January weather in CT is pretty unpredictable!

I have no idea how interviewers will assess candidates this year, and this is my first graduate school interview, so I'm excited and nervous. It should all be for the best for all of us I hope!

jpdx · Dec 16, 2012

I'm interviewing in person for CNM on January 24th. I'm hoping to spend the night of the 23rd with a current student--anyone else sign up for that? From reading last year's forum, it sounds like Yale interview/orientation day is a great experience. I'm really looking forward to it.

I only applied to three programs (Yale, Columbia, and OHSU) and if I'm lucky enough to get into more than one, I honestly don't know how I'll choose!