Anyone applying to Yale GEPN program for Fall 2009?

schmooper · Feb 3, 2009

hey everybody. I am a little confused, I asked Sandy while I was at Yale and she said we should here in about a month from the interview, but people are saying they are sending out the letters the 9th? and should be receiving them the 13th? I need clarification, as I too am going crazy by the wait.

yalienne · Feb 3, 2009

Angela's closing statement clearly stated that the admission committee meets on February 9th to decide who they will accepts. She said around the 13th people should get the letter stating whether they are in or out.

suga70 · Feb 5, 2009

on a side note...has anyone been accepted anywhere else (which may make you a tad bit less nervous)? I've been accepted to BC and Columbia, but my heart is still set on Yale; and judging from what I've heard Yale seems to be the most competitive out of the three schools so I'm biting my nails. If I don't get into Yale, I am pretty sure I'll go to BC. Did anyone else here get accepted to Boston College? Is Yale everyone's top choice? It seems from this forum that everyone is pretty set on Yale, but I mean come one, the program is pretty stellar!

Urgggg is it next Friday yet??? I think its kind of funny that we may get our decisions on Friday the 13th

yalienne · Feb 5, 2009

Yeah, I thought about the Friday the 13th thing. This makes me even more nervous.

WannabePNP · Feb 5, 2009

on a side note...has anyone been accepted anywhere else (which may make you a tad bit less nervous)? I've been accepted to BC and Columbia, but my heart is still set on Yale; and judging from what I've heard Yale seems to be the most competitive out of the three schools so I'm biting my nails. If I don't get into Yale, I am pretty sure I'll go to BC. Did anyone else here get accepted to Boston College? Is Yale everyone's top choice? It seems from this forum that everyone is pretty set on Yale, but I mean come one, the program is pretty stellar!

I was rejected without interview from UCSF, and have been accepted to Columbia. I plan on going to Columbia's "Visiting Day" for accepted applicants on March 6th to become more familiar with the program. I'm feeling a lot more acquainted with Yale, due to being able to meet students/faculty on interview day and being pretty impressed with the program. Want to make sure I give Columbia a fair shake, though.

lauralou2008 · Feb 5, 2009

Suga70, why BC over Columbia? I've been accepted by Columbia and Johns Hopkins but since I live on the west coast, I probably won't be able to attend either of their "accepted student" days. Which means I can't possibly give them as fair a shake as Yale has. My estimation of Yale went way up based on my visit and all the interaction with students and faculty. Sigh.

suga70 · Feb 5, 2009

Suga70, why BC over Columbia? I've been accepted by Columbia and Johns Hopkins but since I live on the west coast, I probably won't be able to attend either of their "accepted student" days. Which means I can't possibly give them as fair a shake as Yale has. My estimation of Yale went way up based on my visit and all the interaction with students and faculty. Sigh.

I'm choosing BC over Columbia for a couple of reasons. BC's program is a little faster, I will graduate in exactly 2 years (Spring 2011) which is a plus and it doesn't have that quick summer start (which kind of stresses me out for Columbia). From what I've heard from students at BC, it is very organized and the class size is pretty small (30-40 students) which I prefer over Columbias large class size (160-180 students). I feel like with such an intense program, I would personally like a smaller class size. Also, I'm from around Boston and I've heard that it is extremely difficult to get a job in the Boston hospitals, and I LOVE the Boston hospitals. Talking to family and family friends who are nurses and doctors, Boston College has one of the best reputations out of all the Boston nursing schools and they all think very very highly of it, and its supposed to gave great job opportunities. We don't have to commit to our specialty which gives me time to decide, and they have a dual psychiatric/primay care specialty that I am really really interested in that Columbia does nto have. Also, I absolutely LOVE BC's campus (I've grown up around Boston so I've been surrounded by BC hype of the basketball games and football games for sometime, I guess I've always wanted to be an eagle, even though I went to Providence College and was a Friar for 4 years - they have a big rivalry haha) But anyways, thats just me though. I personally also think that Columbia is an amazing program with many amazing opportunities, and I mean come on, its NYC??? Who wouldn't want to live in NYC? Now that I rambled on WAY too long...

lauralou2008, thats amazing that you got into John Hopkins and Columbia, Congrats! I've heard amazing things about both programs. How are you making your decision?

WannabePNP · Feb 5, 2009

I'm choosing BC over Columbia for a couple of reasons. BC's program is a little faster, I will graduate in exactly 2 years (Spring 2011) which is a plus and it doesn't have that quick summer start (which kind of stresses me out for Columbia).

Suga,

Wow, 2 years seems really fast -- and you'll be an NP after that, or you'll just have your MSN? I looked briefly at BC (I went there for undergrad) but it didn't seem like they had the same type of program as Yale, Columbia, UCSF etc. where you come out as an NP (as opposed to an MSN only) after 2.5 - 3 years. I'm trying to figure out how it might be possible to get your NP in just 2 years (with no prior nursing background), when Columbia's program is already on the shorter side (2.5 yrs) compared to say, Yale (3 yrs). How is BC packing everything into 2 years and still not requiring the summer session in the beginning?

suga70 · Feb 5, 2009

Suga,
Wow, 2 years seems really fast -- and you'll be an NP after that, or you'll just have your MSN? I looked briefly at BC (I went there for undergrad) but it didn't seem like they had the same type of program as Yale, Columbia, UCSF etc. where you come out as an NP (as opposed to an MSN only) after 2.5 - 3 years. I'm trying to figure out how it might be possible to get your NP in just 2 years (with no prior nursing background), when Columbia's program is already on the shorter side (2.5 yrs) compared to say, Yale (3 yrs). How is BC packing everything into 2 years and still not requiring the summer session in the beginning?

Wow you went to BC undergrad! You must be pretty smart! As for the two years, yes, you somehow manage to get your MSN and be eligible to sit for the NP and CNS exams after graduation (which is kind of crazy). What really draws me to BC, however, is the dual primary care/psychiatric specialty that I really really want to do (and is pretty hard to find - I think Northeastern has it to for direct entry but thats it); but squishing this dual specialty into 1 year after then accelerated RN part may be a bit overwhelming, so I may just spread it out into three years to get the extra credits in. I know during the accelerated RN part, you go into the next summer sessions (so it is 3 semesters total, like Columbia, but it just starts later; i think Columbia starts this summer and then sends next spring); even though I really love BC's program, I'm still hoping for Yale. I was SO incredibly impressed at the interview with the program, and I think 3 years is a perfect amount of time to feel prepared. Since Yale doesn't have the dual specialty option, however, I may just say and do 1 year post-grad work for the primary care speciality (which means I would be done in 4 years). Ugh, so much to think about. But for now I have to wait and see if I actually get into Yale before I have to worry, haha.

Whats also awesome about Yale is if I get it - NO MORE PREREQS!!! Which means I would drop the micro class I'm currently in and just stick it out in A&P2.

I apologize for rambling on and on about myself, I guess it just gives me something to do instead of biting my nails while waiting for Yale...how is everyone else holding up? Ahhh I hope we get in!!!!

WannabePNP · Feb 5, 2009

As for the two years, yes, you somehow manage to get your MSN and be eligible to sit for the NP and CNS exams after graduation (which is kind of crazy). What really draws me to BC, however, is the dual primary care/psychiatric specialty that I really really want to do (and is pretty hard to find - I think Northeastern has it to for direct entry but thats it); but squishing this dual specialty into 1 year after then accelerated RN part may be a bit overwhelming, so I may just spread it out into three years to get the extra credits in.

Yeah, I think that's smart. There's kind of a debate over these accelerated programs -- some say that those coming from a non-nursing background aren't fully prepared even after completing a 3-year program. I've heard arguments from some who feel strongly about working for awhile as a nurse before becoming an NP. However, everyone's different, and for me I think the 3 year option sounds about right. I know a few grads of both the Yale and Columbia programs, and all are confident, capable professionals. I do think you're wise not to try and pack everything into 2 years, though. We have to remember what a huge responsibility it is to be in primary care, where you're on the "front line," so to speak, and are faced with the task of diagnosing. Much different from working in a hospital setting where patients are already "marked" with a diagnosis. It's a big responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly, and although it's tempting to finish up with school as soon as possible, I think we're all better off taking our time and feeling fully confident in our role prior to taking on that responsibility.

Lola89, LPN, LVN · Feb 5, 2009

Hello everyone,

Sorry to intrude on your thread since I'm not applying to Yale for Fall 2009 but I would love to apply for Fall 2010. All of you seem like exceptional candidates since you are also getting accepted into great programs like Columbia, John Hopkins and BC.

I have a question for you all, what has made you exceptional candidates. Is it your GPA, GRE scores, previous experience. Any idea of what these programs are looking for would be helpful. Thank you!

jnd1213 · Feb 5, 2009

suga, i am also a psych person and i was consdering the dual adult care/psych track. i work at a really well known psych hospital and have done a ton of research on this and it seems it is not really worth pursuing in that each specialty gets somewhat diluted by the other. Moreover, I've heard from grads who did dual specialty's at other schools that their job offers consisted of one or the other (ie- adult care OR psych). I guess its amazing to have both and i think its a great thing to do...however, Yale dropped that dual specialty and Yale is my number one...so I am totally biased and believe in their logic for doing so. However, if you are not sure which specialty to do..it def makes sense to go to a program that gives you flexibility....