Any Fall 2008 UCLA - MECN Program Applicants out there?

kathliz · Feb 19, 2008

I will be grateful to get into ANY nursing degree program. I will pay whatever the tuition costs and commute as far as I need to. Never did I think I would see the day when getting into nursing school was as competitive as getting into medical school. I knew so many students at UCLA who struggled for four years to complete a science major only to be turned down by every single medical school they applied to. On the other hand, I knew a few people who were accepted by every single school that they applied to. Life doesn't seem fair sometimes. I have already been turned down by two MSN programs this year. I fear that my UCLA application will end up with the same result, and then I will read from gleeful accepted applicants who will have to decide on which of their many accepted applications they will settle on. I think that it is a rumor that UCLA's acceptance pool will have 3.8-3.9 GPAs and many hours of volunteering. I could understand medical schools where the vast majority of their applicants are early-twenties undergradudates. These masters entry programs are designed for students from all walks of life. Everyone has different academic backgrounds as well as different work experiences and most importantly different life experiences. We all bring something to the table. However, I don't know what I will do if I get rejected by the last few schools that I am waiting to hear from. :cry: I have finished all of my pre-reqs so I don't see how I can strengthen my application for next year. I am also too old (seriously) to wait 2-3 years to get into an ADN program. I am also too old to get an ADN and spend many additional years getting a higher degree. My career needs to get on a fast track.

NSFA08 · Feb 19, 2008

i feel ya, kathliz :-)!!!

pretzelpug · Feb 19, 2008

Kathliz - ADN programs should be relatively easier to get into - have you looked at AccBSN programs? If you've already had a bachelor's in another field, then it should be a lot easier to get into an associate's or Accelerated BSN program. What does your app look like? Where else did you apply?

I find that talking with friends who are nurses helps a lot to gain some perspective on where to go and what path to go down since they've been in the field and hear from colleagues what the stakes are like.

pretzelpug · Feb 19, 2008

I just called Shelli Shepherd and she said that they are aiming for March 1st for notification but it'll probably be the 1st week of March, and it's going to be by regular mail, NOT e-mail.

ucla_hopeful · Feb 20, 2008

Well here we are again!

I watched this blog from afar last year, but I decided to participate this year. Why be nervous alone right?

So, I seem to recall that acceptance confirmation emails were sent to applicants two weeks before we received our sad rejection letters.

Hence the nerves!!!!

Talk to you all soon.

NSFA08 · Feb 20, 2008

UCLA-hopeful... you applied last year as well? did you speak to anyone about how to strengthen your application this go round? have you talked to anyone who got into the program about what their experience has been so far -- i.e., if they think they made the right decision or not...

ucla_hopeful · Feb 21, 2008

NSFA08,

I did speak to Dean Cardin re: how to prepare my application this year so that I would have a better chance. I was specifically told that "I talked about myself to much in the essay." Which confused me at the time because I remember hearing from the UCLA MECN staff that "your essay is your interview, we don't have enough time to interview each candidate, so this is your interview, tell us about you."

Hopefully this year will have a better outcome, but we shall see.

NSFA08 · Feb 21, 2008

what did you talk about in your initial essay??!??! that's a pretty confusing comment. did she explain further? how did you change it this year?

lucy001 · Feb 22, 2008

Hi Everyone,

I know someone in her first year of the program and she loves it. Can't say enough good things, although it seems to be a ton of work. She is incredibly hard working and dedicates much of her free time to studying (seems to be getting great grades as a result). She said that originally the class was nervous that they would learn so much about the business/administrative/theoretical side of nursing and not the hands on parts, but i think that is just for the first 2 quarters and they are now about to begin clinicals.

NSFA08 · Feb 26, 2008

*****

CaliNurse12 · Feb 27, 2008

Hi people! I've applied to UCLA and I'm nervously waiting too Good luck to everyone!!

I've applied to two schools so far and I'm hoping I don't have to apply anymore.

deni_in_LA · Feb 27, 2008

The waiting is sure hard right now. I keep checking my email, even tho it is supposed to come via snailmail. I've only applied to 2 entry-level MSN schools, so I'm very nervous. Good luck to everyone.