Is grad school really this hard to get into?

itsnowbegun · May 8, 2012

itsnowbegun,
I am right there with you. I too was recently denied to Georgetown and it was quite a hit. I am looking into other schools as well and asking the same individuals for recommendations is a little embarrassing to say the least.
:)

Yes and their denial letter sucks:(

Everyday the Admission Counselor was calling, giving updates and I feel like the least thing he could have done was follow up and "close" the relationship. He kept pushing me to get everything done, was there thru every step and then nothing. I keep telling myself it was extremely expensive and perhaps the Universe has other plans for me... Well I guess it's obvious it does.

I am listening to others here and soon as I get out of this dump I will apply to other schools. I just hope UC gives me an answer soon... And if it's negative then I will apply out the ass until I need fecal bag and somebody accepts me! Lol. Good luck to you!

SRDAVIS · May 8, 2012

SRDAVIS,
Did you have to take the GRE to get accepted to STL U? I have looking into them but their website states that the requirement is 3.2 and above. I too have a 3.1 Undergrad and was discouraged to learn of this. But your post brings me hope. :)

No GRE for me, I'm not sure if they have changed the requirements. But I didn't take the GRE and my gpa is 3.1 I just rechecked unless they use a different formula ( like last 30 credits or just nursing classes). Call and check. Problem was slu is private and 999 per credit hour.

JMEMNRN · May 9, 2012

OP, I know that feeling of getting the denial letter. I applied for UC earlier this year for the FNP fall 2012 start. I have a 3.85 GPA, and I did not get in. I was totally heart broken. My adviser at the school even called me and stated that she was in complete shock that I did not get a spot...

I ended up applying for one other school, and I am waiting to hear back from them now. I had contacted Tennessee State University and they let me know they have an online program you can learn more about at RODP.org. Once you have all of the application info turned in, they say it takes a week to hear back. That should be Wednesday or Thursday for me....

If I do not get in, I am not even sure what my plans are. Asking teachers for references is so difficult... they have other things to do with their time than to fill out specific forms for each school. Why doesn't anyone accept a letter anymore?? It would be much easier for a teacher to write a letter and sign about 10 and not be bothered for a little while...

itsnowbegun · May 9, 2012

OP, I know that feeling of getting the denial letter. I applied for UC earlier this year for the FNP fall 2012 start. I have a 3.85 GPA, and I did not get in. I was totally heart broken. My adviser at the school even called me and stated that she was in complete shock that I did not get a spot...
I ended up applying for one other school, and I am waiting to hear back from them now. I had contacted Tennessee State University and they let me know they have an online program you can learn more about at RODP.org. Once you have all of the application info turned in, they say it takes a week to hear back. That should be Wednesday or Thursday for me....
If I do not get in, I am not even sure what my plans are. Asking teachers for references is so difficult... they have other things to do with their time than to fill out specific forms for each school. Why doesn't anyone accept a letter anymore?? It would be much easier for a teacher to write a letter and sign about 10 and not be bothered for a little while...

I Soooo agree! To ask a professor to fill out several online forms is hard. The two schools I applied to, I had to check in every few weeks to remind them to fill It out!

Wow a 3.85 and you didnt get in? Like seriously what are they looking for. My GPA is a 3.0, I have been in nursing for 9 years in different areas, volunteered for awhile at a free health clinic. I hope you will hear good news soon! It's such a huge disappointment especially when I didn't have this issue as an undergrad.

Tinabeanrn · May 9, 2012

I am wonder who did get into Georgetown because my BFF did not get in either and she has a 3.97 and has been a nurse for 6 years. It was all the same, close contact and then nothing. Like I told her, it is a blessing. Nice program but way way too much $$. Keep applying. I met a student from Frontier, he was BRILLIANT to say the least. I was literally jealous of him, lol and was a FNP student too and took my classes in class and not online. I think that NP school is flooded because of the 2015 recommendation to have the DNP be the entry level for practicing NPs. Lots of ppl are trying to beat that deadline. Because when I applied in 2009 you just got accepted pretty much anywhere. I applied to 3 school and got accepted to 3 schools, no interviews and no questions asked. Now it is getting to be something else. Very competitive for sure. But you will get in. Keep researching schools and you will find one that best suits you. Best wishes

itsnowbegun · May 9, 2012

Thank you so much! Will definitely get back out and start applying! One of my coworkers just got into Frontier and she also told me to apply, I think I will and check out the other programs.

bvwatts04 · May 9, 2012

I am so thankful for all the positive comments and encouragement. I too have heard about Frontier and I am going to apply there as well. Again, my concern is that all of the "well known or popular" schools are going to be overwhelmed by the influx of students wanting to apply. I too feel bad about contining to ask for reference forms to be filled out. A friend of mine told me today that if they are truly supportive of you then they will be willing to fill out forms for you. :)

Looking forward to hearing how everyone is doing and how you do in the apps process from here on out. :)

NerdyNikki · May 16, 2012

Hi, Bvwatts04,

Dont give up guys. I actually attended Georgetown university and discover it just wasn't a fit for me. I did get very discourage afterward and took a little break from school. I am currently back in graduate school in a small university. Like Momma said, what for you is for you. Dont be discourage. This is a time to really assess your weakness and strengths: Do you work better in small and/or large setting? Can you do online without the support of in class groups setting? Understanding that online, you will have the total responsibility of your own education.

Know if I can do it, so can you. Be encourage ; ):hug:

NerdyNikki

julielive · May 16, 2012

As one writer said, RODP is a viable option. Here in Tennessee, we need nurses. To facilitate the process, our state adopted RODP, Regents Online Degree Program. When you apply to RODP, you are not applying for one particular school (although you can identify your school of choice) you are really applying to SIX universities! That's right...SIX!

Think of RODP as a clearing house for students. Students submit their applications to RODP, and, if they meet the requirements, each student is assigned to a "home school" such as Tennessee Tech. University (Cookeville) Middle Tennessee State University (Murfreesboro), Tennessee State University (Nashville) etc., etc. These participating colleges require the same curriculum, same costs; everything is uniformed to ensure each student receives the same education at the same cost. IT IS WONDERFUL! So once you meet the requirements, RODP rotates (one student to TTU, next to MTSU, etc) and each student is placed in a college. I know of NO ONE who has been denied admission to a college (IF they meet the stated requirements) through RODP. With that being said, please note I said THROUGH RODP, many are denied who apply directly to the college themselves. You may not be assigned the college of your choice, but everyone I know gets assigned to a college. Regardless of what school you are assigned, it doesn't really matter. You do not travel to that school at all (atleast I didn't). You arrange your own clinicals, you find your own personal preceptors all in your local area. I drove to Murfreesboro twice; once to meet my counselor (not required) and the second time to GRADUATE from the bachelor's program! LOLOL. (Note: RODP is a program available for BSN and APN degrees).

Lastly, our state also offers scholarships for students seeking graduate degrees who (1). Are majoring in Nursing education (we are in dire need of nursing instructors) 2. Students who agree to teach Nursing part-time (such as from your computer, in the evening, distance courses). This is through TSAC. The award is for $7,000.00 PER YEAR for full-time students and pro-rated for part-time. You simply must agree to teach for a specified amount of time for the monies to be "free and clear". Also, important to note; Tennessee is offering LOAN FORGIVENESS. In a nutshell, your education costs while attending school will be paid for you if you employ as a full-time educator.

I hope ALL of you will look to Tennessee for your graduate needs! Since the change of financial aid (NO subsidized loans for graduate students after this summer semester) Tennessee's RODP really has MUCH to offer! I was able to obtain medical insurance through my college, making it possible to work less.

I was assigned to MTSU and the experience, for the bachelor program, was ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! My counselor became my friend and helped me through many trying times, all via online student relationship only. She didn't know what I looked like yet was consistently available within minutes for any questions or concerns I had.

CHECK OUT RODP!! You will be GLAD you did!

Patti_RN · May 16, 2012

Applying to grad schools can be intense; getting rejection letters is worse! I'm going to Georgetown and was through their daunting admission process. Not that it's much consolation, but if the admissions coordinator encouraged you to apply and walked you through the process, he (or she) must have thought you had a good shot at being admitted. They don't have a crystal ball and have no idea what the committee will actually say, but they don't waste their time with people who clearly won't be accepted. So, you should realize that you were probably very close to a positive response from them.

I know that most universities want their own forms filled out, but you might go to those who you're asking to recommend you to write a generic letter that covers all the bases. Negotiate with the admissions department that you will have the references submitted upon preliminary acceptance. In other words, "here are my letters of recommendation; I can't ask these people to write 4 or 5 individual letters or forms because I'm applying to several programs. If you look at these letters and the rest of my application, can you tell give me preliminary acceptance? At that point, I'll have the recommenders fill out your form and you can make your final decision based on those references." I did exactly this and only one school refused. The others did accept me based on the letters written, and only one actually came back and wanted my recommenders to fill out their specific form (but by then I was already accepted at G-town). It's flattering to be asked to write a letter, but it can become cumbersome.

Good luck!

itsnowbegun · May 16, 2012

Thanks everyone! This is exactly the kind of things I need to hear. I appreciate the ideas and different ways to going about becoming a NP. Will keep everyone posted and looking to hear from you all as well!

tadahh99 · May 20, 2012

Thank you for chiming in on my behalf Tinabeanrn. Bvwatts I am looking into other schools and have applied at one and in the process of applying to frontier too. Crossing fingers and praying. Also got a message from the admissions person I was working with at G-town, but havent been able to get back in touch with her since. Perhaps she will calll me back on Monday.