Any UCSF Mepn Applicants?

kevkev1986 · Oct 7, 2007

Have they responded to anybody yet? I worked so hard on this application. I know everyone here probably has superb GPA and GRE scores. I applied with a 3.00 GPA and below 500 GRE scores. My work experiences, volunteer services, and recommendation letters are however superb. Am I worried? Yes and no. Good luck everyone!

codeblue24,

No, I have not gotten any response yet. They did say that they provide a brief time after the Oct 1 deadline to submit all of the required documents in. I figured that they would give everybody a week to get everything in, so we might get a confirmation letter sometime this week.

I do not have stellar GPA/GRE myself. My GPA is 3.35 (in human biology & chemistry), and my verbal GRE score is below 500. On the other hand, I have 3 years of clinical experience/volunteer services, 2 years of clinical research (various projects; presented and published on scientific journals), and I had asked people that I know very well to write me recommendation letters.

Yes, I am worried, but at the same time I am keeping myself confident. Like someone else said, if UCSF decided to turn my application down, then it would be their loss .

Good luck to you and to everyone else!

p.s. I'm applying for an ACNP track.

birthrevolution · Oct 8, 2007

I haven't heard anything yet. I at least know that they received my application fee--there was a $60 charge from "Millberry Union" on my credit card statement that I could not figure out where it came from. Google revealed that it was from UCSF!

I'm sure it will be a few weeks before we hear anything, remember they get upwards of 600 applications.

Newtonian · Oct 8, 2007

veni, vidi, vadi

birthrevolution · Oct 8, 2007

I'm not posting this to intimidate anyone, just adding to the thread. Please feel free to post comments as I'd love to hear them. Lots of luck to everyone.

Don't worry I'm not intimidated

The whole point for me in applying to UCSF's MEPN program is that there is a diversity of experience and a wide range of qualified applicants.

PotreroLCSW · Oct 8, 2007

I'm with Birthrevolution in that I don't expect to hear from them for at least a month. As I understand it, the next correspondence we should receive is that our application is either complete or not, and if not, what is missing.

After I locked my application a 1-1/2 weeks ago, the next screen gave me the impression, that WE-the applicants, were supposed to check to see that our applications were complete, so I did just that. The woman in the dept office then understood why they were receiving calls on this subject. As this is the first year they are doing the online apps, there may be a few bugs to work out. Hopefully any bugs won't effect the information submitted.

For now, it's concentrate on my A&P class and work. They will contact us when they're ready.

Newtonian: your resume` is impressive to say the least, and looks like you've got all the qualifications covered. Good luck to you. I'm going for the Integrated CNS-Psych NP speciality. I've been a clinical social worker in the mental health field for the past 11 yrs, including 4 yrs on an acute voluntary inpatient unit, locked gero-psych unit, Adult Protective Services Worker for one year, and working in Community Mental Health for past 6 yrs working with chronically mentally ill seniors in the Tenderloin/SOMA areas, many of whom have co-existing substance abuse/dependence disorders, and most of them with untreated medical problems. As for volunteer experience, spent several years providing a multitude of services to persons living with HIV/AIDS, and for the past year, providing education and STD testing for gay men in SF. Hopefully I've got my bases covered for the mental health speciality. Been an LCSW in SF for the past several yrs, a great gpa in my master's program and a pretty good gpa in undergrad. Did about the same on my GRE. Think I'll at least get an interview.

Wishing all the applicants the best!

Hopeful Nurse · Oct 8, 2007

:lol2:

I haven't applied this year but will be next year. I with you guys all the best.

Newtonian · Oct 8, 2007

...your resume` is impressive to say the least, and looks like you've got all the qualifications covered. good luck to you.

veni, vidi, vadi

PotreroLCSW · Oct 8, 2007

there's no acute care among the geriatric population i work with now and yet i'm drawn to it because it's where i first gained my experience and initiation to the world of patient care. i just need a change of pace from geriatrics and either area will do.
question: where do you guys plan to reside during school? perhaps my greatest fear in going to and/or living in san francisco is the parking :uhoh21:

i currently live in sf and work for dept of public health for sf. have lived here for 11 yrs now, and worked for sf for the past 7. housing and parking are both issues if you are not currently here. there are a lot of rentals available, and are not cheap.

since i've spent the past 7 yrs with the geriatrics, i hope to continue my np work with this population, just in an enhanced position.

as the baby-boomers (of which i am one) continue to flood the system, there will be continued need for providers in this field. working in comm mh with the "over 60" set, i've seen an increase in new cases referred to us, and only expect that it will continue to multiply.

not sure where you currently reside newtonion, but would be happy to discuss sf life with you :welcome:

YupIt'sMe · Oct 9, 2007

Hey PotreroLCSW, it seems like we have very similar backgrounds and I started MEPN this year. Shoot me an email if you'd like to chat.

Iridescence · Oct 10, 2007

Yes- I applied for the PNP track

Ok- Exactly how important do we think clinical experience is?

My freshmen year of college, I royally messed up...school was not my priority. By my sophmore year I did much better and from there on out, I was a pretty serious student.

Total Cum GPA 3.2

Nonetheless, my stellar 1.58 GPA (freshmen year) is the Scarlet A that I must bear on my University transcript.

Since graduation, I became a respiratory therapist at Childrens Hospital Oakland, a home based asthma educator, a member of the transport team, and Ive done volunteer work in third world countries. Ive been working clinicallyin the PICU for the past 2 years and have and visited the most destitute of Oakland domiciles.

To all current MEPN grads or students: How heavily are undergraduate GPAs weighted in the admission process?

Or to any other applicant who wants to share their experience!:monkeydance:

purlees · Oct 10, 2007

I honestly can say that I don't have much clinical experience. I just recently volunteer to work at a hospital in the Emergency Department. I have worked in medical records at a student health center in college. My background is not at all nursing, mostly education. I have talked to several medical staff, they said most schools would rather have a fresh mind w/o knowing too much so they can teach them, rather than people who know it all. I also read from the program that they're looking for people from diverse professional backgrounds.

rb123 · Oct 10, 2007

From what I've heard, it seems that clinical experience is a major plus. But I dont really know what they are looking for...and I think it varies for each applicant. Iridesence, I think all of your experience is a major plus. I wouldnt worry about your freshman year as long as you've shown how much you've improved in your soph,jr,senior years.

Everyone seems to have a ton of life experience. I'm only 23 years old,and will graduate from UCLA in March. I've worked in a treatment center for addiction for 2 years and am a clinical extender at ucla hospital psychiatric wing. My gre scores are fine (520 M, 640 V, 4W) and I busted my butt to get a 3.8 gpa. I chose the integrated Adult Nurse Practitioner and CNS Psychiatric track. Really want to focus on substance abuse and research. Anyone going in the same direction?

Man, I really want to get an interview. But I have to keep telling myself not to stress over it, theres nothing else I can do at this point.