Looking for Application Advice

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hi everyone,

I've been a member on the forum for a few years and have spent some time combing through the SRNA posts in the pursuit of making my CRNA school applications as strong as possible. To make a long story short, I applied to 3 local CRNA schools this past year and was turned down by 2 and wait-listed at 1. Not exactly what I had been hoping for. Essentially, I am looking for feedback on my current plan to bolster up my application and welcome suggestions.

Here's an overview of the application I submitted this past cycle:

  • Overall GPA 3.6, science GPA 3.6, RN-BSN GPA 3.86.
  • CCRN/CMC/ACLS/PALS certifications
  • GRE combined 305, 4.0 writing.
  • 50 hours of shadowing experience ranging from Peds to open heart cases.
  • At the time of application, 1 year 8 months medical CVICU experience at a large metro hospital (Magnet designation). Patient care modalities included vents, multiple vaso-active drips, Swans, IABPs, and induced hypothermia.

After receiving feedback from the school directors, the following items are ways in which I have/plan to improve my application:

  • I will be taking a graduate level chemistry course this summer through Barry University.
  • At my facility, the medical and surgical CVICUs have been merged and I have become proficient in the care of recovering post-open heart, ECMO, and CRRT patients.
  • I have joined the unit council and have become a preceptor. I also serve as the unit resource/code-blue RN (looking for ways to show leadership experience).
  • At the time applications are due this Fall, I will have roughly 2 years, 8 months ICU experience (it seems my local programs like to see 2-3 years).
  • I'm revising my considerations for recommendation letters, with the intention of submitting more personable recommendations.

I welcome feedback with respect to my previous application and current plan to improve my resume. Please let me know if there are any details I left out or if clarification is needed.

Thanks everyone!

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Specializes in ICU.

Your stats are good. I would suggest applying to more schools, maybe some with larger class sizes (30ish or more, to increase your chances of getting in), practice interview skills. Were you interviewed at all 3 schools you applied to?

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I was interviewed at the school which I was wait-listed. One of the programs no longer conducts personal interviews and opts to use a goal statement. I'll admit that I'm limiting myself by only applying to local schools. This is largely based on my financial plan and family obligations. I also want to work at the metro hospitals in my area and rotating through these hospitals during clinicals is a significant advantage. All things considered, I will start to branch out based on how this next application cycle goes.

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Apply to lots of schools. I have sent off a total of 12 applications, I have gotten into one school. APPLY APPLY APPLY; your stats are great, not much more you can do

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I received a response today from one of the schools l applied to with respect to my application inquiry. My application was stated to not be competitive this year as the majority of my core science courses were taken at a community college where I earned my ADN. I'm in the process of taking a graduate level chemistry course which will hopefully help. Does anyone know if the majority of CRNA schools place a heavy merit on the type of institution your sciences were taken at? (Community college vs. University)?

Thanks!

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I'm curious as well, as my undergraduate sciences were at a very competitive 4-year university and my accel. BSN, but currently, I am just taking community college courses as GPA-boosters (my science GPA is not great)---however, I don't really want to do that if they're just going to be disregarded because they are not from a 4-year institution...

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It's so hard to judge candidates by what classes they've had in the past because programs are so different. For example: I earned my BSN, had roughly two years ICU exp, CCRN, 3.7 GPA. Interviewed at two schools, rejected by one, accepted to the other.

I remember the Director of the program I was accepted to saying that he always liked to see candidates do well in graduate level courses because he knew that they could handle future coursework. If you started as an ADN, I would be sure to Ace graduate level stats, physiology, and other core courses.

Oh and nail the interview.

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Specializes in CCU, MICU, and GMF Liver.

wow, this is a very intersting thread as your stats are great yet you're not considered competitve by some programs. Please update us with news of taking grad level courses at a com college vs university.

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Just updating this thread to let everyone how the last year panned out.

I followed through with the improvements I mentioned in my initial post. Of the two programs I applied to (both local) I was granted an interview at both programs and landed on the wait list at both programs. I was already in the process of researching out-of-state programs this past month when within a week I was offered a seat at both of the programs from the wait-list. I was very fortunate to be given a decision on which program to attend.

With respect to community college vs. university courses, these two programs did not seem to favor one to the other when considering undergraduate science courses, assuming the courses are from an accredited institution. I will mention that the programs liked to see graduate level courses (pathophysiology, chemistry, stats, pharmacology, etc.) as this indicated you could succeed at the graduate level of education. So aside from chem courses to meet admission requirements, it would seem that undergrad courses would not be as beneficial to an application if graduate classes are an option. I would certainly contact each program individually with respect to this inquiry, however.

Overall, I strongly encourage anyone in the process to stay driven and stay positive. It's certainly easier said than done; however, it was the feedback and motivation I received from my prior rejection letters which allowed me to hone my application and stay focused.

Best of luck!

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Specializes in CCU, MICU, and GMF Liver.

Nice nice! I'm curious, how many rejection letters did you get? I bet it's motivational for readers as well as yourself.

I'm currently re-attempting the road to CRNA because I couldn't cut it in one hospital's MICU so I went back to my M/S spot. Next week I start in the CCU after much personal development.

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In total, I received 2 flat-out rejection letters and 3 letters stating I was placed on an alternate list (totals for both years applying). I was fortunate to be accepted in my second year of applying and I know there are many individuals who apply for a few years before being accepted. My best advice is to keep up the hard work, stay focused, and don't let the process discourage you from attaining your goals.

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Congratulations!!! Yes the road to getting in can be a very very tough one especially with multiple rejection letters. I have been there and felt down and then motivated ! Again congrats on staying driven. It will only make us appreciate being there that much more when we wanna just give up from the stress. I start in Aug through the grace of God because sometime being selected just down right seems ambiguous.

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