UVM MEPN 2010 acceptance?

[VTskiier]

I applied to the Masters Entry in Nursing Program at UVM in October of 2009. I have yet to hear anything from UVM. I have called both their graduate admissions office and their Department of Nursing and gotten a different answer each time. First I was told we would hear back early January (deadline was December 1st). Then I was told end of January. Then I was told a phone call would be received end of January/early February. The latest I've been told is that letters are sent out at the end of February.

I'm at my wits end with this program as I have applied to others and been accepted. Unfortunately UVM is my first choice, and I have no idea if I even have a chance. I would like to start filling out financial aide information for other programs, but would really like to hear from UVM first.

Any insight? Has anyone applied and already heard from UVM?

[VTskiier]

hopefulinvermont - I too haven't heard ANYTHING at all. I'm really angry and frustrated by this. What is the point in paying the application fee if they cannot even send out a rejection letter? This is absurd. My application was complete in mid-October. It's now nearing the end of February and I've heard nothing.

If UVM is this irresponsible when it comes to admissions, I really wonder about the quality of their courses.

[csulliva]

VTgirl82- I would recommend taking the online anatomy course and the biomedical science class if you have the option. I did this last year after considering taking them elsewhere, and biomedical science was definitely the best course I could have taken to prepare for the program. It was basically like anatomy for MEPNs, tailored for exactly what you will need for pathophys in the fall. Though I think a cadaver anatomy course would be awesome, it's usually not an option over the summer.

Also, because it's fewer credits than most A&P courses, it works out to be cheaper tuition. Last year having taken the summer course it was also really nice to know some other MEPNs prior to the first day of classes in the fall. That's my opinion, but I think I would have struggled through pathophys if I had just taken physiology at a community college. I'm not sure who's teaching it this summer.

For those of you on the waitlist, last year they pulled extensively from waitlisted candidates. If you haven't heard anything yet you could try calling the graduate college and they might have more info. Otherwise you could try calling the nursing department if the graduate college does not have info.

Good luck, post if you have more questions about the program.

[hopefulinvermont]

Has anyone that interviewed at UVM received a waitlist or no letter? Actually, has anyone received a no letter at all? I see the acceptance and waitlist letters were definately sent...

Thanks

[wannabefnp]

I received a letter last week (2/18) from UVM and I am on the wait list. I was excited by this as I did not get an interview.

csulliva---thanks for your insight. I've been reading your posts for awhile and they are very helpful. Do you know how extensively they pulled from the waitlist last year? Do you know how long the waitlist is/was? Any tips on waitlist ettiquette? I wonder if they will interview the waitlisted applicants too once they know how many spots they have...

I am so hopeful and excited now...I had been swimming in a pool of despair when I didn't get interviewed but now I have renewed hope! This is all I want to do! Thanks!

[PsychRN28]

csulliva-

Is it an option to complete the last two years part time or is the program only a full-time program?

[lrc13]

Congratulations to those accepted and good luck to those on the waitlist!

I was accepted to UVM but I am hesitant to accept based on my whole experience with the application/interview process. Is anyone else worried that this might be a reflection of the program as a whole? I went to UVM undergrad and had nothing but positive experiences. It frustrates be that this experience has tainted my and others views of the University.

Also, does anyone know if the deposit is refundable?

Thanks!

[vtfnp]

csulliva

May I ask you a few questions? I have a son and need to start scheduling daycare. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated. thank you!

- Do you get to pick which clinic time you would like (i.e. late or early)?

- In a general format, how does the weekly schedule during the first year breakdown? (i.e. Monday: class morning to afternoon, Tue: clinic hours starting at 7am, etc)

Again, thank you for any input you can offer!

[wannabefnp]

Has anybody new heard from UVM? Are you in, are you waitlisted, are you rejected? Of those of you accepted, have you made a decision to enroll in the fall at UVM or are you considering other schools?

I am on the wait list and am trying to figure out my odds...the lack of a plan is getting the best of me.

Thanks.

[eazye]

i was accepted, and will likely decline. so there's one spot that will be open!

[wannabefnp]

i was accepted, and will likely decline. so there's one spot that will be open!

Thanks eazye! Good luck wherever you end up! VT is cold and boring anyway :)

[PsychRN28]

Hi everyone,

For those of us waitlisted, I called the school of nursing today and spoke with someone in student services. I asked her if it was possible for me to find out where I was on the waitlist and was told that the waitlist information was confidential and she couldn't help me. I was just trying to find out my chances of being accepted to UVM because I need to put down a deposit at another school, but I guess I'm just going to have to wait. Anyways, if anyone hears anything different, please share!

[csulliva]

In response to some of your questions:

After the first year of the program (starting in the fall of the second year) I think the classes are designed to meet only one or two days/evenings a week to accommodate work schedules because most people work at least part time as an RN to gain experience. I think you have to fit your clinical times in there on your own and generally students take about 12 credits a semester after the first year. It is pretty much expected that you will work as an RN during this part of the program as it would be hard to be an NP without having first been an RN. The first 12 months are full time class and clinical with little time for anything else.

- Do you get to pick which clinic time you would like (i.e. late or early)?

Yes you get to pick your clinical sites, you have to work that out with your classmates. I'm not sure what the clinical schedule is for next year though, assuming it's the same as last year half of the class had days (7-3) at a nursing home and half had evenings (2-10) in inpatient rehab first semester. January break we all spent 80 hours on a med surg floor including some weekend shifts. Spring and Summer semesters may include weekends and/or evenings for things like labor & deliver and pediatrics where there is only one floor and they can't accommodate too many students at once. These are shorter rotations though, only for about a month so it's not bad to deal with weekends/evenings for such a short time.

- In a general format, how does the weekly schedule during the first year breakdown? (i.e. Monday: class morning to afternoon, Tue: clinic hours starting at 7am, etc)

All I can tell you is my experience from this year, but they work out clinical spots based on what is available from the floors at the hospital and they are always changing so it's likely it will not be the same next year. Some clinical rotations involve weekends and evenings, and I have no idea what the class schedules will be for the fall, they will probably be posted on the registrar's website by early April. We had classes all day M-W-F and clinicals T-Th first semester, then 80 hours clinical for 2 weeks over January break. Spring semester is different, less class time and clinical rotations that are shorter. Right now we have clinicals Mon and Tues (7-3:30) and classes all day Wednesday. This schedule changes at the end of March though and then clinicals change to some days some evenings, various days of the week. Summer is pretty full too with about two or three full days/evenings of clinicals and one or two days/evenings of classes.

It definitely takes up a lot of time and there is not a whole lot of flexibility, but it's only like that the first year. Many people in our class have children, and all of us have lives outside of school, and we've made it through so far.

As far as chances on the wait list, I really have no idea what to tell you. I think at least like 4 or 5 people from our class came from the wait list, but it all depends on how many people decline their acceptance offers.

Good luck!