UIC GEP 2009 - Who's in???

Congrats Kittykat! I am actually applying to the UIC GEP program for 2010. What will your specialty be?

Do you mind if I ask what your stats are like (Nursing/health care experience, GPA, GRE). I have my heart set on the UIC program since it is the cheapest in IL and the only one where you will graduate as an NP and not a CNL (and many other reasons as well). But, I'm nervous about my chances and intimidated by the whole application process.

Did you shadow an NP? Any words of wisdom about the application process in general?

weezbug123,

I am also applying to UIC for 2010 and I seem to be just as nervous as you. I am curious...are you an undergrad? If not, how long ago did you graduate? As I said, I am really nervous about where I stand among all of the applicants and May just seems so far away! I'd love to chat if you ever want to commiserate

Hey Sevillaes! I graduated in December 2004 with a degree in Philosophy. The past four years I have been working full time - trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to do with the rest of my professional life. I knew I wanted to do something health care related, but I just didn't feel that being a doctor would be the most fulfilling. So, I took a position as a patient representative for a little over a year. It gave me great exposure to all aspects of health care. I traveled to Chicago area hospitals and assisted under-insured patients and families with getting medicaid, cash assistance, and food stamps. I feel like I'm babbling a bit. I'm stuck on writing my personal statement, and it seems like whenever I open my mouth, long explanations about my past spew forth.

So, when will you graduate? Not to worry about taking your pre-reqs at Univ of Phoenix - from what I gather, these programs really welcome people from all different educational backgrounds. What is your major?

Would love to hear more about your experiences with UIC GEP. I'm applying in January for admission into the 2011 cohort and reading these blogs is making me nervous about GPA/GRE/experience, etc. I think I'm a really good candidate, but then these programs are competitive and EVERYONE is generally a good candidate. I have a science undergrad and an MPH. I also have 10 years experience in health research. Somehow, though, it doesn't feel like enough.

Thoughts/suggestions?

Hi Hopkins! U sound like an excellent candidate for the GEP program. I think your experience and background will definitely improve your chances. I graduated magna cum laude in 2004 with a BA in philosophy. I worked at a hospital for about two years doing non-profit work. I didn't have much experience in a health care setting, so your 10 yrs experience will be a plus. I think they receive the highest number of applications for Family and Acute Care NP. So, the other specialties may not be as competitive. I applied for the Acute Care NP program, and they have about 7 seats open every January (or did for 2009). They asked about 40 people for interviews for those 7 seats, and I was one of them. But, didn't get a seat. So, what I say next may seem a bit bitter...

The program has an amazing reputation, however, going into the interview, I had some concerns about the school itself. If you go back to about March/April 2009, you'll see many frustrated posts from applicants to the GEP program. The school had some serious internal miscommunications regarding the whole interview process. People from the office were giving out incorrect timeframes for when applicants would be notified if they made interviews. They were WAY behind schedule, which is totally understandable given the number of applications. But instead of telling applicants something vague like, 'you will be notified within the next two weeks', they'd say something specific like 'if you were requested for an interview, you will know by this Friday". Of course, when Friday rolled around and still no one from ACNP had been asked for an interview, we all called and called, and the person in charge of Admissions (I think his name was Chris Ocampo in 2009) was out for vacation.

Then, applicants that were asked for an interview were given only 2 weeks to request time off and make travel arrangements. Again, not such a huge deal. The kicker though, was the actual interview. In the email notifying us of interview time and location, it said the whole interview process would last several hours. With a group interview the first hour, then a tour and open house of the school. Very vague.

We get through 45 minutes of interview, then the interviewer actually ask US where we should be going next. We all look at one another, and go 'uh, we were hoping you might know.' So, she just dismissed us. A week or so later, I get a rejection email. A paper letter may have been a bit more official and even weirdly gratifying, but, alas ... it's the age of technology!

So, these are all really small issues. The school has a great reputation and an awesome program. Maybe, they were having a few rough weeks, so it wasn't an accurate reflection of the entire program. But, I couldn't help thinking, if the school was that messed up just through the interview process, how would my financial aid or something equally important be handled? Again, tremendous program, just be prepared to wade through a lot of issues when applying.

Good luck!

So, did you end-up getting into another program or did you abandon nursing alltogether?

And you're right, they come right out and tell you that the FNP, WHNP, NM and PNP slots are the most competitive, so you really have to position yourself "correctly" to get a slot--at least that's what I get when reading between the lines of their FAQ page.

It was the only program I applied to at the time - I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to DePaul or Rush's MSN direct entry program b/c you only graduate with a Clinical Nurse Leader designation (which isn't as recognized as an actual NP).

I know, you should always apply to more than one program. But, at the time, my fiance and I were in the process of buying our first house, and applying to other programs seemed way overwhelming (not to mention the fact that the deadline for UIC program doesn't coincide with any other schools). My plan was to apply to other schools later in the year when their deadlines rolled around. I was frustrated with UIC, and began questioning if I really wanted to be in school, away from my fiance, racking up an exorbitant amount of debt, for about 2.5 years just to have a masters degree that may not necessarily be recognized by potential employers.

I started looking into Loyola's accelarated BSN program. But, the expiration on my A&P I class I took 5 yrs ago is up. So, I'm currently re-taking that class, just to be able to apply to any programs. Oh, plus they say I have to take a freaking history class before I can even apply! Oh, and another accelarated program that I looked into said that the year of organic I took in college (which I rec'd A's) is not the same pre-requisite that they require. So, I now have to go back and take a lower level of the organic that I aced.

I'm beginning to feel like nursing may not be for me. There are just too many hoops I have to jump through. Taking a history class....seriously?! That is on their list of what's crucial for students? My original degree was philosophy and pre-med - I'm considering going back to the med school route, maybe law school. It's longer schooling, more money, but I stand to make more money in the long run. And, at least with a law or med program they won't waste my time with remedial requirements. Sorry to be a bit of a downer. I think nursing is an excellent field, don't get me wrong. I wish I had gotten my RN instead of a philosophy degree, but I'm tired of all the hoops! I haven't given up on it altogether...yet, just venting.

What other program are you looking into?

I don't see why you wouldn't be an excellent candidate. How is your GPA/GRE? My undergrad GPA isn't stellar, but I have two master's degrees (MHA/MPH) and a couple of years of health care experience in various arenas. I am applying for the Spring 2011 cohort, but have yet to take my GREs. I would focus on your letters of recommendation and your personal statement...from what I have heard from various people, admissions committees for these ABSN or direct-entry programs really weigh those heavily. Above all, you should have pretty decent science pre-req GPA, as they will probably look at this as a direct factor that predicts your success in nursing school. Good luck!!