Getting into UCSF MEPN

emara9 · May 12, 2014

Hi all--

I'm not applying for grad school yet, but plan on doing so next year and my top program is UCSF's MEPN program to become a PMHNP. I currently have a Bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Biology from a top public university, and will begin to take my pre-reqs this summer. I've heard experience is essential to getting into these programs, and I want to hear from some people who have had more experience applying and/or getting in to see what else I can do to step up my game :) Here's some background on me:

School:

-3.6 combined Bachelor's GPA (half at a community college [3.7] half at a university [3.45])

-GRE was 147 Q (ugh...) 155 V and 5 on writing. (can't decide if I should re-take...really don't want to because I have serious test anxiety)

Work:

-in-home ABA therapy with Autistic kids

-in-home cognitive coaching/executive skills training with a child with a genetic disorder

-research experience in which I administered exposure therapy to people with phobias

-I am a psychometrist at a Neuropsychology clinic, which means I administer psychological tests to kids and some adults and help in the diagnostic process, collaborate with the psychologist on the potential diagnoses/behavioral observations, score the tests, write sections in the final report, and observe intake appointments and feedback appointments.

Currently, I'm trying to get a PRN job as a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant at a Psychiatric hospital (wish me luck!). So, based on this info, do I seem like I have a good chance at UCSF? I know it's the most competitive, but once I set my heart on something I can't seem to let it go so I'm determined . If I don't get a job at a psych hospital, is my current experience good enough? Also, should I bother taking the GRE again or should I focus on experience? Really, any advice would be greatly appreciated :)