Any UCSF Mepn Applicants?

el-do · Jan 5, 2009

09-10

nervousexcitement · Jan 6, 2009

I just got back to my apartment yesterday from the holidays and vacations etc. Thankfully I came home to find a letter letting me know I have an interview on the 23rd! I am so excited and thankful for the opportunity but now instead of the anticipation of waiting for the letter all I can do is stress about the interview....

I just found this forum and am so glad I will be able to talk to others who are going through the same roller coaster of emotions.

Congrats to everyone who has interviews : ) and to everyone else I hope it is a blessing and that something else comes your way that is perfect for you!

raysm310 · Jan 6, 2009

Hi Nervousexcitement,

I am interviewing on the 23rd too! What specialty are you applying for? I am applying for the ACHIN program.

Try not to stress too much about the interview. I am doing my best not to. I have found that running helps me forget for a little while. And it is good for my health too :) I live in Berkeley and I see San Francisco, albeit from a distance, every day. It is kinda hard not to imagine what it would be like to live/go to school across the bridge. But I am not letting myself think that far ahead because I don't want to jinx anything. And I will apply next year if it wasn't meant to be this year.

Bree124, BSN, RN · Jan 6, 2009

I'm trying to fill out financial aid forms, does anyone know if we are supposed to file a FAFSA for 2008-2009 or 2009-2010. I am a little confused, because UCSF MEPN starts mid June.

I would call the financial aid office and ask. I started a DE program last summer, and we had to do an 07-08 FAFSA for the summer term, and 08-09 FAFSA for the fall/spring terms.

nervousexcitement · Jan 6, 2009

Hey raysm310! I am applying to the oncology CNS program : )

Yea, the nervousness and excitement are a great way to fuel other activities...I painted my living room I night I got my letter, it was a great calming activity. My dog also keeps me busy on walks and bike rides so that is another way for me to keep my mind off it.

I am sure everything will go great and some of us will just be lucky enough to get in this year : )

Hopeful Nurse · Jan 6, 2009

Hey Nervousexcitement,

I thougth about going the Oncology CNS route before I applied!

nervousexcitement · Jan 6, 2009

Cool, what changed your mind?

kyliese · Jan 6, 2009

Hi all,

I have a difficult question. I was rejected without an interview to the UCSF MEPN program for midwifery. I had low GRE scores, but I am also only 3 months away from finishing my PhD at Stanford in Medical Anthropology. My dissertation research was on maternal mortality in Afghanistan and Tajikistan and I had Fulbright and NSF grants to do the research. I've also worked for UCSF on a clinical trail for an anti-shock garment to reduce bleeding from obstetric haemorrhage. I'm uncomfortable posting this because I'm not trying to tout my own horn, but I am kind of perplexed that I didn't get an interview.

I'm going to have to make a decision as to whether to reapply next year or start a different program. Absent taking the GREs again (for the fourth time), I can't really think of how to strengthen the paper application. I would really like anyone's advice or insights as to what might have gone wrong. I know it's a weird question. Maybe it was just a GRE cut-off, but if anyone knows of any similar experience I'd love to hear about it.

Aja06 · Jan 7, 2009

Hi Kyliese,

I was also somewhat perplexed that I didn't get an interview. I certainly do not have the qualifications you have but I thought I was a strong candidate. I have a high overall GPA and a 4.0 in my major in cultural anthropology which I really tied in to what I want to do in nursing. I have 10 years experience as a medical assistant in a family practice. I have a lot of health related community service,volunteer and undergraduate research experience, awards, scholarships, blah, blah blah. I also had poor GRE scores. I'm not convinced it's the GRE scores that caused the rejection. I had originally wanted to do the integrative and complimentary healthcare ANP focus but applied for FNP when that focus was eliminated last year. But having to rethink everything made me clearer about wanting to be a FNP. I may not have communicated that clearly enough in my application. Anyway, I'm ok with it as I've been invited to interview at the other three programs I applied to that actually have more opportunities for a holistic focus.

I hope you figure out what to do and trust that you'll end up in the right place.

Would love to chat to you more about medical anthropology, (maybe not on this forum). I was torn between applying for a masters/Phd in medical anthropology but I'm passionate about patient care.

angl625 · Jan 8, 2009

Hi Kirsten!
I haven't gotten my letter yet either!It's strange because I know I sent everything in on time... and it's killer not being able to call the office until January 5th.
But know that you're not the only one out there! Good luck to you!

I am interviewing the 23rd and have not heard anything about a mixer the night beforehand. Has anyone else gotten information on this?
Thanks!
And good luck to everyone.

I'm interviewing on the 16th, and I haven't heard anything about the mixer either...

star77, MSN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

Here's a mix of a posting from my blog, interjected with more stuff I remembered. I thought it would be helpful to the applicants who are interviewing.

********

Interview day. The applicants who receive interviews are divided into two groups: one group interviewed Jan 18th, one group Jan 25th, and as far as I can tell, it has nothing to do with how *likely* you are to be accepted (I interviewed in the second group). The day is long, but really fun. Go to the meet-and-greet the night before if you can; it helps you to recognize other students and makes the following day a bit more comfortable.

I ran into a good friend from my post-bac program at Mills that day, which was a wonderful surprise, and made me feel that much better.

The day starts with a fabulous breakfast and coffee just outside the "Nurseteria." Buffet style: fruit, bagels, etc.

Then you go into the main lecture hall, receive a packet, and Scott Ziehm goes over stuff with you. Relax.

You will have two interviews. Some people had them the same day. Some of us had them different days at varying locations. Don't stress about this fact. One interview was with a faculty member, one was with a nurse manager. It's not a bad idea to bring your resume so you don't freak out if they don't have info on you for whatever reason(this happened to a few people, and those who managed it well are in the program). The other interview is with a nurse manager. The interviews are in the morning, between 9a-noon, so you get it done. Drink your coffee (hold off on the whiskey). Relax. You will do an amazing breathing exercise in the morning. The faculty are there to assess your academic preparedness, and to see if you have a personality. It was really, really fun. Remember, you are there to interview them as much as they are interviewing you.

My second interview was off-site, later in the week. I took the entire day off, and before the interview I got a croissant at Tartine, the best french bakery in SF. It's on 17th and Guerrero. I don't eat croissants, but I do from here. Yum. As far as I could tell, they tried to cram two interviews into one day for out of towners, and those of us who were local had our interviews spread out.

After the interview comes the two months of distracting yourself. Don't obsess over what you might have said. I felt like I said a few things I shouldn't have, wondered if I could have asked more questions, but overall, I was polite and real.

Things that are good to know:

1) Why nursing? If you can't answer this question, then I have to wonder why you're applying.

2) Know yourself and your personality. Answer honestly.

3) I found it helpful to know the nursing philosophy. What makes a good nurse, not just a nurse, but a *good* nurse. And what differentiates an NP from a PA?

4) You are being interviewed by a human who may be very overworked. Remember this fact.

Good luck!

PS those who did not receive interviews in the CNM/Women's Health NP pathway, don't despair. It's the most competetive program to be accepted into, and almost everyone who was accepted had direct experience with births (doulas, etc). Re-apply if you're really into it. A lot of MEPNs applied more than once (like me).

star77, MSN, RN · Jan 8, 2009

I almost forgot: lunchtime should include a lovely boxed lunch session with a current MEPN. We haven't heard anything about it yet, but from what I remember, that's what occurred for us. The afternoon will be more info sessions on financial aid, computer services, etc.

Then, may I suggest a few places to go have a beer and chill the funk out:

Finnegan's on Cole between Carl and Parnassus

The Fireside on Irving (near 9th)

Yancey's (same area)

Kezar Pub (either on Stanyan or on Cole/Carl)

EOS wine bar at 5:30

The Alembic on Haight St (fantastic cocktails)

Carl St and Irving St are the same, as are Parnassus and Judah. They change names right around UCSF. The N-Judah takes you along Irving.

Oh by the way, it's not a "Meet-and-greet." It's info on the Acute Care Scholarship, from what I remember. Should be in your packet. But then again, none of us have heard anything about the scholarship this year as of yet...