Update for people hoping for a University of Portland waitlist offer: They just called me and offered me a spot from the waitlist - I was #21, (and declined!) so I'm sure some people will be very happy!
are the mhcc interviews over? i didnt get into ohsu so im really sad. how many people got accepted for the portland campus?
I also didn't get accepted. Keep your "chin up." I feel like getting into nursing school takes skill and a little luck. There are so many other deserving and qualified applicants that didn't get in. Our time will come! I can't wait for the day I get to open up my acceptance letter. Hopefully that will be soon, right? Did you apply to any other school?
I just got home from my MHCC interview and they said we were the last group. Did anyone else have trouble with the questions? It wasn't really the questions that were hard, but I felt like my answers were choppy and didn't flow well at all. I don't think I got out all the ideas I wanted to. I can't imagine they expect perfection given the circumstances, but I was hoping it would go better.
Yeah, I felt like the "interview" part of the MHCC interview was more like a stand up and let's see how well you can talk to us about these things you've already written down event. CCC had a better interview process, I thought, though each process gave the interviewers different things to look for in the candidates.
Also, I was looking back through the posts and was wondering if any of you who were accepted to OHSU Portland wanted to share some of the things that you think helped you get in? (So MeganJBear, Kangamarrie, k1977, M.Grasshopper, and airbender.) I already asked this question of two of your fellow Fall 2011 OHSU'ers and I'm just curious to know what you would say as well. Congratulations to all of you, by the way!! : )
I have started to reply to this question a couple of times and find it really hard to layout my personal stats - so I'll try to answer by giving my strategy and a little background - I hope it helps. First, the obvious, you have to have really strong prereq. grades. What the magic number is - I don't know but my gut tells me 3.7 is close to the low and MOST will have 3.8-4.0 (yes I'm in this range). Again many but not all will have existing degrees. In my case, I will tell you I have a masters degree which I'm sure helped. The last piece of the puzzle is the essay. For the most part I prepared for the essay by focusing on WHY I wanted to be a nurse and these topics highlighted by all the OCNE affiliated schools -personal values, diversity, and transferable skills". Lastly I strongly believe you need to tell them a compelling story (Your Story). Not just how many hours you worked for this or that nonprofit or who you volunteered for last summer but what you got out of it. In my case I have worked with several really awesome non profits but not once did I mention their names - only how those experiences helped formed my decision to become a nurse. I was deeply honest and shared thoughts that I would only share with my absolute closest friends. It was well organized but NOT grammatically perfect. I consider writing one of my weaker traits - so I practiced the essay by making up hypothetical questions than answering them. As you know the questions are open ended enough to get in "Your Story". During the essay I was also very clear on I why wanted to attend OHSU and how everything I have just written would help me achieve the goals I want to accomplish as a nurse.
Luck - I believe you make your own luck BUT sometimes the unknowns just work in your favor or they don't. I truly believe there are lots of very qualified people trying to get into these programs and by the sincerity of your question I'm guessing you are one of them. I wish there was a simple clear answer - all the best - grasshopper
Kat- I think that OHSU weighs heavily on the essay. I think that having a 3.9 pre-req gpa, a previous bachelor's degree, my CNA license, health-related work experience and lots of volunteer experience (including 2 years at Doernbecher) also helped. Honestly, I really didn't think I'd be accepted into OHSU's program at all, which is why I didn't bother applying to the accelerated program. I thought I'd be lucky to get into the non-accelerated program. Like Grasshopper said though, you make your own luck. I've been working on getting into a nursing program for a veeerrryyy long time, and I also spent the last year retaking some of the classes I got B's in. I didn't think my essay was especially strong, but it definitely had all of the points I wanted to include. I wrote about all of my experiences that would benefit me as a nurse, and included my personal experiences as being the first generation in my family to go to college, etc. I also emphasized some of the key values I felt was important in being a nurse.
The only thing you can do is to keep trying. If you work hard, it will pay off!! I didn't believe it until I opened my letter to OHSU. I seriously couldn't stop crying. I hope you stay diligent and that you get into the program you want. You should be proud of how far you've come already. Keep in mind it is extremely competitive to get into any program right now, and you may have to apply more than once. Good luck!!!
I also received an acceptance letter from OHSU on May 7th! I only applied to OHSU, so I'm a little surprised that I got in. I've had a few life experiences (family, BS and MS, clinical experience, and overseas travel) that may have helped. My grades are good, but not all As. Good luck to everyone trying to get in and never give up on your dreams!!
For the pre-reqs (45 credits), I had them all complete and a 4.0. I agree with the other posters, I think the essay is the only other way they evaluate applicants, so it's crucial to use that to explain what you have to offer nursing as a profession, and OHSU as an educational institution - as opposed to focusing exclusively on why you want to be a nurse. I researched OHSU's core values and nursing mission statement before the essay, and wove in what I would bring to the community. I highlighted my qualities and experiences that would make me an effective nurse and student. Things like common sense, love of learning, and ability to deal with many different types of people, etc. I'm a pretty confident writer, and the essay was nerve-wracking. For applicants who have issues with grammar and self-editing, I would recommend writing several general practice essays, and have them critiqued, to get down the flow and structure of the essay.
But in the end, who knows? I'm sure many qualified applicants are turned away. I would guess they construct a balanced cohort with people who have divergent experiences, and are strong academically. I am shocked I got accepted, honestly. I hope to use that feeling to motivate me to do really well in the program! Good luck to all... The CC notices should be coming out soon!
I had a 4.0, previous degree, CNA license & several hundred hours of CNA experience, as well as humanitarian volunteer experience working overseas. Last year, several of my prerequisites were in progress and I didn't get in. This year, everything was complete, and I applied to CCC, MHCC, PCC, and OHSU. I interviewed with all three community colleges, and last week received an acceptance letter from OHSU. Like Airbender, I never considered OHSU as a real possibility because of the small size of their cohort to number of people applying. When I got the acceptance letter, I can't explain what that felt like after so many years of hard work in pursuing this goal--never give up! Make the most of whatever nursing program you are accepted to--the possibilities are endless. Word of advice, though--because of how competitive nursing school is at this time, I wouldn't apply until all your prerequisites are finished. Like the others, I focused on my work with undeserved populations. I would try to gain experience working as a CNA or with diverse populations so that your ability to do so comes through in your essay. In my opinion, especially with situational questions in interviews or essays, there isn't necessarily a right answer, but they are looking at your critical thinking skills and logic. Speak from your heart & be confident in sharing your qualities and experiences that will contribute to the field of nursing. Work hard--you'll get there!
airbender
80 Posts
Update for people hoping for a University of Portland waitlist offer: They just called me and offered me a spot from the waitlist - I was #21, (and declined!) so I'm sure some people will be very happy!