Anyone applying to Yale GEPN program for Fall 2009?

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Hi,

Since there was a very extensive thread last year about application process to Yale, I thought I would start a new thread for 2009 hopefuls. I am working on my application and wanted to know who else chose Yale as one of their options. What program? How is the application process going? Essay writing? Any anxieties? I am applying to the Adult Advanced Practice Nursing but still deciding on the specialty. The hardest part for me is the essay writing as English is not my first language, but I have been working on it for some time now and getting close to finishing the final version. Anyone else wants to share?

Thank you everyone for the info. I was pretty much expecting to be about $100K in debt after finishing at Yale. Just another thing I have to contemplate when making my decision.

If there was any other pertinent information that I may have missed that day if you wouldnt mind sharing I would appreciate it! Thanks!

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Calalilly,

If you are in the Oncology program, every student is encouraged to apply for the American Cancer Society scholarship. We will be eligible in our second year and the award is $10,000 per year for 2 years, which I think will help a lot.

Here is the link:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/RES/content/RES_5_2x_Masters_Degree_Scholarships_in_Cancer_Nursing.asp

The financial aid person said that almost every oncology student who applies, gets that award.

I hope this info helps!

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anything like that for psych?????????????

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that is great to know. Thanks LillyB

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Jumbolove, I'm also staying in the Inner Harbor, and we (my husband and I) are planning on going to the happy hour thing in Fells Point tonight. If you get into town for that, I should probably see you there (my name is Amy). We are staying at the Hilton--it seemed fine to walk from the light rail to our hotel (it was only a block, though they had told us two...not sure if they measure 'blocks' differently here). Thus far, impressions of Baltimore are...well, it's hard to say. I had been told by the admissions officer at JHU to check out Mt. Vernon as a potential neighborhood to live in. Not sure if I missed something, but to me a neighborhood needs to have some sort of life...you know, a couple of blocks with restaurants and bars...didn't see any really. I saw a Subway and a Thai restaurant. There was an underground-basement coffee shop with lots of books on anarchy...I'm glad my husband is with me--otherwise, I would not have wanted to walk alone in many places we wandered through today. Not to say it's bad...there just doesn't appear to be much going on. Baltimore strikes me as a city with a lot of potential that still hasn't hit its stride...some beautiful architecture...abandoned/closed store fronts...Have yet to see a grocery store (where are we supposed to buy food???) I was told having a car here wasn't a bad idea, but yet there doesn't appear to be anywhere to park (very limited street parking, much of it two hours at a time...) I'm kind of confused and hope to bombard said admissions counselor with questions tonight. If you want, feel free to call me (310) 795-0782 and we can meet up.

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Jumbolove, I received your private message, but I'm "not allowed" to send one in return...Yes, only debating JHU and Yale at this point. Decided against Columbia and Vanderbilt. Hopefully, I'll see you tomorrow at the open house!

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Specializes in Cardiovascular Nursing.

el-do, I know that you were considering UCSF vs. Yale. I found out that I got into UCSF today and I was wondering if you found out yet? I wanted to hear your take on why one over the other. My top choice has been UCSF from the start, but it's always been my reach school, and my mom is a little sad that Yale is slowly leaving the picture. What are your thoughts? My main thing is location and financial. UCSF is half the cost of Yale and at UCSF I'd be able to have a car since my family lives in the bay area. Yale is Yale though... Let me know what you are thinking!

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Yeah, I've been seeing over on that message board that folks have been getting emails. Congrats to you!!! That's fantastic. I haven't gotten anything yet, which makes me wonder if maybe I'll be in the next round of emails (read: waitlisted or rejected emails). At first I thought maybe they were emailing by specialty, but you're peds, right?

Anyway, were I to get in, I'd have pretty much the same considerations as you've listed up there...UCSF was the dream school, but I was totally taken with Yale's interview day and left thinking that was the new favorite. With some distance it's leveled out for me. I'm also an east-coaster so my thinking has been like yours about being near family/friends, except it applies to CT in my case. Anyway, perhaps there will be more to consider/talk about if I hear good news...we'll see. Congrats again!

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Specializes in Cardiovascular Nursing.

El-do, I am cardiovascular CNS. Hopefully you hear soon!

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I think its important to understand that nursing school is not the same as undergrad or grad school for say, an MBA or JD. While I agree it is Yale...in the end, you are going to be an NP. NP's are NP's wherever you go. The pay scale for an NP who went to Yale vs. someone who went to a less renowned school is not going to differ. MAYBE you will be a somewhat more attractive job applicant out of school, but after that it's all about experience (which is what ive been told by NP's) I personally love yale's program and am was/kind of still is close to choosing it; however, a much cheaper option at another very well-respected but less renowned school is very tempting. Because of this dilemma, I've been doing a lot of research and asking current NP's if it really matters going to a school with a great name. I have YET to hear that it does. I have been told that as long as you go to a school with good clinicals then the name doesnt matter. (and to be honest, I was hoping for the opposite answer so that I'd feel more comfortable justifying the extra money). But that has not happened and I think I need to make the smart move and go for the more sensible option. If this was for an MBA, JD, or something like that, the extra debt would be well worth it because it's guaranteed to make you significantly more money in a lifetime and drastically change your life. As for USCF, not only is it cheaper, but it's also higher ranked (I think) in most categories compared to Yale. Lastly, my parents were also a little disappointed about me possibly turning down Yale (unofficially as of now) but once I explained that nursing is more of a "trade" and that the name isn't what truly matters, they recommended to go for the much cheaper option. Don't get me wrong, if i had the financial resources, I would choose Yale (I'm not gonna lie, I am very attracted to the name and "glory" of saying I go there)...so if you can make it happen or are OK with the debt, then i say go for it! Sorry for that long rant, but this topic is fresh on my mind because i have been dealing with the same issue and thought i'd share my thoughts.

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CaliforniaGirl2--GO TO UCSF!!! I would absolutely go there over Yale! (Unfortunately, I messed up my application dates and had thought UCSF was also due November 1...I only realized on Sept. 15 that it was due Oct 1, so I ended up not being able to apply...) It's a less expensive program, and it's San Francisco! I'm a Californian, and love San Fran more than any other city...it's a higher ranked program, San Fran has all the opportunities a person could want...it's beautiful (as you know). I don't think you should let the Yale name dissuade you from UCSF...Either school is great, but if you're paying for it, UCSF will be a lot less stressful.

As I say this to you, I'm thinking I'm definitely accepting Yale (unless JHU sells me tomorrow, but thus far, Baltimore leaves much to be desired).

For those of you wondering about Baltimore, I walked (with my husband) about 15 miles today. I feel like I sufficiently saw the city on foot. Mt. Vernon, the neighborhood I'd been told was good to live in, had lots of empty store fronts and almost every building had a "for rent" sign. That is not to say it's not beautiful--beautiful architecture, just depressed. Not much life. Not much parking but not good public transportation. We then walked to Little Italy and to Fells Point. Fells Point is quite cute--that actually had a "neighborhoody" area but was very touristy feeling. (I didn't see many Baltimore neighborhoods that looked lived in). I also liked Federal Hill, but it's far away and did not see public transportation--I think there are buses, but like I said, I didn't see any so I don't know how reliable they are. At the happy hour reception tonight, I talked to many current students who did like it, including a married couple who lives in the suburbs whose car still gets broken into. My husband had been leaning towards Baltimore, but now that we're here he's saying maybe I should go to Yale...If anyone else is considering JHU, you really need to visit before you make the decision. I know some people who love it here...it just doesn't seem very livable (we didn't see any grocery stores or any place other than 7-11s to buy food...I'm not sure if we just walked down the "wrong" streets...questions I'll be asking of admissions officers tomorrow).

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Specializes in Cardiovascular Nursing.

LOL. I know Biddy. You are right. I'm just looking for a reason to not turn down Yale. But in the end all the fingers point to UCSF and it was my dream school. I think my parents and grandparents were more excited about Yale (being Chinese immigrants, they only know of the ivy league names) and didn't want me to turn it down. LOL. So I guess I'll be leaving this post :cry: even though I had such a great time freaking out and discussing everything with you all! Good luck to all of you and I will see you all at the end of 3 years as advance nurse practitioners!!! :nurse:

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