Applying to Rosalind Franklin & Northshore

I don't have any words of advice, but I wanted to wish you luck as I am also applying to Rosalind Franklin this year.

I have found some excellent interview tips and resources on another popular nurse anesthesia message board site that actually has an impressive PDF.

Again, I wish you luck!

I am also applying to Northeastern in Boston and Kaiser in CA and actually have friends that have been accepted to both programs and will be starting in September.

I have not been invited to interview yet, but I hope to be soon.

How about you? Where else are you applying? Have you been invited to an interview yet?

I found RFU on my own and after hearing favorable reviews about the other two programs I researched all three and ultimately felt these three programs take a more holistic approach when considering applications and are more interested in the entire profile of the applicant, not just the grades and GRE scores. Don't get me wrong, both are very important but there are a lot of things about an applicant that simply cannot be farily represented on peices of paper.

I actually applied to one small prestigious program last year, was not granted an interview and decided to meet with the department head for clarification so I could re-apply this year with a stronger application. When she indicated that two low science grades I acheived during my first college semester completely overshadowed my double-major, honor society inductions, high-acuity ICU experience, letters of recommendation, excellent GPA (and basically explained they never even looked at any of the other supporting materials in my application) I almost completely lost heart. I had worked very hard and was extremely serious about my application. I was so disappointed that this program did not honor my hard work by considering the whole application in it's entirety. So, when I picked myself back up and decided to re-focus, I made a point to focus on programs who care about applicants individually and take a holistic approach to the application process.

Honestly you are smart to focus on what you want out of a program. For me it is location and class size, which is why RFU is first on my list. I also like that they offer a gross anatomy lab as I really feel it would offer an invaluable learning experience that is very complementary to my learning style.

The application process takes a considerable amount of time, effort and coordination. I've felt overhwhelmed a number of times. Ultimately I feel that with the number of school choices there are, every serious applicant can find a school that is best for them.

I haven't heard a word. I too freaked out a little bit when I saw interviews were "in progress" on the RFU website but hadn't heard anything. I called the graduate office last week to double-check everything was complete. They told me the are in the process of reviewing applications and will contact applicants either way, though they weren't able to tell me whether it will be via email or snail mail. I've been checking both religiously every day.....

I too appreciate your willingness to share updates. I will certainly post a message here once I hear something. I hope we hear soon!