2016 Applications for CNM Specialty (non-nursing Bachelor's degree)

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 14, 2016

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Erinonearth · Sep 1, 2016

Hi!!!

This thread just made my LIFE! I am in the exact same boat as you as far as being completely obsessed with birth work/midwifery. I am completing my last semester of prepreqs, taking the GRE, and applying to nursing school for accelerated RN-->MSN (CNM) programs for Fall 2017.

I am completely freaking out. I panic read the ACNM website almost every day. I am applying to OHSU, Seattle U, Marquette, Vanderbilt, & LSU CARE as a backup. I say backup for this reason: in college I NEVER saw myself doing this. I was a writing major with a 3.0 GPA who cared more about going out with friends and where we were going for spring break than my grades. I always just thought I'd get a job doing...something. Never felt a strong urge toward anything but always had a wild hair as a liberal and feminist. All that changed when I realized my calling was empowering women through birthwork. It's all I do now- read about it, research it- I really can't wait to be a midwife. But I'm SOOOO scared because in college my GPA was a 3.0- now I have a 3.6 in my prerequisites and am tutoring at the science lab in A&P. I got my CNA license over the summer and I'm studying for the GRE every day but I just feel like it's not enough?

If you don't mind me asking- what are your grades, experience, GRE scores like? I just want to get a feel for what the applicant pool is so I don't get my hopes up too much or make myself feel too discouraged. I really want this- more than I've ever wanted anything. And between going to school full time I'm working two jobs and volunteering as a clinic escort at a fertility center here in my home state of Louisiana.

I'm so glad to see this thread and I hope we can all get to talking about what our backgrounds are and what our chances are and just support each other through all of this.

XO!

itsacalling521 · Sep 2, 2016

I'm so excited you're part of the thread!! I'm also IMMENSELY glad to have someone else to freak out with :) I have to say, you're certainly doing more than I am work-wise--the tutoring and clinic escort jobs/volunteering both sound really awesome, and highly desirable!! I am totally with you about not EVER seeing myself doing this in college--I considered so many other paths, and felt kind of lost until I stumbled into midwifery. I've never felt so drawn or compelled to do something in my whole life! You really shouldn't feel too discouraged about your undergrad GPA; you're clearly an articulate, intelligent person, and letters on a piece of paper NEVER tell the full story. Your passion will be so evident in your personal statement (acckkkkkk having so much trouble writing that, by the way), and your writing background will absolutely come in handy! For backup options, I'm also applying to several ABSN programs--if I didn't get into any ABSN+MSN programs, I'd probably just do an ABSN program, work for a year or two as a labor and delivery nurse, and then go back for midwifery. I actually think the extra experience would be incredibly valuable, so I'm trying to keep an open mind (and not get my hopes up too high, since these programs are so, so competitive).

I don't mind sharing all that info at all--my undergraduate GPA was a 3.6; my prerequisite GPA thus far (still have to take microbiology this fall, and chemistry in the winter) is a 3.85 (although Seattle U doesn't take your prerequisite GPA into account, I found out...) and that's where the good stats end. My work experience is relatively minimal, which I'm worried about. I was an intern at a social aid organization in Paris for six months when I studied abroad there during my junior year, and also worked as a T.A. in the equestrian program at my school. After college, I pursued competitive cycling full-time, lived with my parents, and didn't work, and then became totally enchanted with birth work after I started nannying (enter first REAL job) for a 5 month old baby and saw Ina May's Guide to Childbirth on the shelf--I read it, became a doula, and the rest is history! So I guess that's another "job" I'm doing--being a doula. Oh, and GRE scores...I am DREADING taking it, which I'm doing mid-October (so basically the latest possible time I can take it and still apply). I'm just insanely worried about the math section...math has NEVER been a strength of mine. I literally am just trying to get a 500! Your work experience is certainly beyond mine, even if my GPA is a bit higher--these are all things the admissions committees take into account! In fact, more work experience and a lower GPA is probably more desirable than a higher GPA and less work experience, but that's just my two cents, and me being VERY anxious-ridden about this whole process :)

Also, shadowing is super helpful--if you haven't done any, you definitely should!

So glad to have someone to be anxious with, and my fingers are crossed for both of us!! Oh, also, have you taken genetics for OHSU yet? I have no idea where/when I'm going to do that, particularly because the program starts in May. Probably over the winter, I guess...

Erinonearth · Nov 3, 2016

Hey girl!!!

Just checking in- how are you applications going?

I am taking genetics now- my school JUST started offering it this semester.

How did you do on your GREs?!

I'm totally freaking out about applications- terrified I'm not gonna get in anywhere.

I hope you're doing well and staying sane! XO

itsacalling521 · Nov 4, 2016

Hey, applications are going well--just submitted my Yale and Vanderbilt apps, and Emory several weeks ago! Also submitted a few backup ABSN apps, and will submit Seattle U/OHSU/Duke ABSN/ a few others in the next few weeks. But the truly nerve-wracking, nail-biting wait has begun! How about your apps?

I've done a lot more research and looked into the programs a lot further, and Yale is, hands down, my top choice...I sure wish it wasn't, since it's the most selective out of all the programs! In addition to literally reading every word of the School of Nursing's website, I've talked to a few friends of friends in their GEPN program, and it sounds like the type of people they admit are exactly the type of people I'd want to be surrounded by (progressive, open-minded, well-rounded, wonderful people). Overall, the program seems much less "stiff" and more holistic than Vanderbilt's, though I think Seattle U's is great too. We'll see if I even have a choice when the time comes!

I did NOT do so well on my GRE--at least in the math. I got a 147, which was in the 27th percentile...huge yikes. I can't remember what my exact verbal score was, but it was in the 80th percentile. Writing is by far one of my greatest strengths, and math is easily my greatest weakness! That said, I am particularly awful at math under severe time constraints. I know I would have gotten a way higher score if I had endless time to complete the problems! Buuuut that's not what standardized tests are about I got a 3.5 on the essay(s), which I'm assuming was because they were super short--I'm a very thoughtful writer, and like to take my time, and know that the quality of both of my little essays was far inferior to the normal quality of my academic writing. I definitely spent way too long planning my ideas, and not enough time writing. So, I'm hoping they'll see that a) my verbal score was good, and b) my personal statement was eloquent/I can actually write a paper. We shall see!

I absolutely understand the terrified feeling way too well!! I am equally terrified. I feel like no matter how good my application is, there's so much uncertainty, particularly because there could be one hundred other super-qualified applicants, and they can only admit a few of those. I actually kind of sympathize with the admissions committees...it's probably so hard letting lots of good people go!! Plus, someone could be an outstanding applicant, and then fall apart a year into the program, and it's impossible to know who that person will be.

I feel like I just spent way too many paragraphs talking about myself! How is everything going for you/how are you feeling (other than terrified)/how did the GRE go/where do you still have to apply? And super good luck for Emory--I know they're releasing decisions on the 15th!

kitpower · Nov 7, 2016

Hi!! I also wanted to throw my hat in this ring.

I majored in religion in undergrad, and was accepted to Vanderbilt Divinity school last year but chose not to go to pursue my career in Homeless Outreach/Social Work. I've been fascinated by midwifery since before I finished undergrad in 2012, and decided this year that I am going to actually pursue it. It's definitely an interest that hasn't faded.

The only school I applied to this year is Vanderbilt. This is mostly because I already live in Nashville, and I own a house, so it would be a little difficult to pick up and move to go back to school. It's TOTALLY something I'm willing to do, but for this first year I thought I'd give Vanderbilt a shot, since it would be my #1 choice and also extremely convenient. If I am not accepted, I'm going to try for several other schools next year.

My undergrad GPA was a 3.2, and I'm not sure what my prereq GPA is, since I'm still working on that. My GRE was a mixed bag. I got 99th percentile on the writing assessment, 98th percentile on qualitative, but only 40th percentile on quantitative/math :/ I'm really hoping this is something they are willing to be flexible on. I'm with you on the nervousness there, itsacalling521! I feel like my personal statement will be a huge plus, and my work experience will be too. I've had a ton of training in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and other interpersonal skills required in social work. I've also worked with Vanderbilt's Street Medicine team and got a recommendation from the doctor who heads that up.

So far I feel like my drawbacks are: GRE math score, no birthing experience, undergrad GPA was not above a 3.5.

My strengths, I think, are: personal statement, experience with the under-served, experience with street medicine, recommendations from Vanderbilt doctors, thoughtful essay responses.

But who knows... it's a toss up! Vanderbilt's midwifery program only admits 15 prespecialty applicants a year, so you're right -- it's possible that the whole applicant pool this year is incredibly qualified.

Good luck, y'all!! I hope we all end up where we want to be! Let's keep each other updated!

Erinonearth · Nov 14, 2016

Hey ladies!

I literally just got out of the GRE. I feel really good about my essays (writing major) but only got a 147 on the quantitative and a 156 on the verbal. The verbal got progressively harder for me, and the math was consistently hard (as always). I honestly don't feel that bad about my quantitative scores because I'm so so bad at standardized testing AND math (all the time) so the fact that I had to do it on a computer screen over and over was like...traumatizing.

As far as verbal goes I got three progressively harder sections of it. By the last section I was like ***. But either way my combined score is 301 and most schools ask for a combined score of 300, so...OKAY! Lol Hopefully my writing will stand out. I read a lot of example 6 essays to model mine off of but I'm nervous nonetheless.

I'm working on my personal statements and all that fun stuff now. It's nice to have one more standardized beaureaucratic item out of the way. I really hope they look at us as people rather than numbers! I know SU does and I think Emory probably does too (based more on resume) since their standards aren't super high for GPAs, Prereques, etc.

Anyway, I'm at the lab tutoring reproductive system right now which is the most fun I've had tutoring all semester :)

Gotta love that placenta cross section, amirite?!

Did y'all hear back from anything yet? I'm submitting my Emory application hopefully tomorrow for the general (I missed the priority deadline- it's been a really crazy semester).

Anyway, I'm really excited for us all and I hope you get into your dream program! You both sound super smart and I am so impressed by your accomplishments!

itsacalling521 · Nov 14, 2016

Good job to you both on the GRE! And Erinonearth (so weird to call people by screen names), congrats on just finishing! Honestly, I really do get the sense that programs look at more than just your test scores, and if the scores are halfway decent and you have other qualifying/desirable attributes and experience, I bet you have a good shot :) I'm taking the GRE again on Monday just to see if I can raise my math score and do better on the essays, since I know the actual quality of my writing is way, way higher than a 3.5. The frustrating reality for me is that a) when I am in a math course and have material to study and specific concepts to learn, I have no problem; b) I really like to take my time when I write--as I would while writing, say, a dissertation or a research paper--and simply can't do that during the GRE. Ugh! Okay, GRE vent over. I will hear from Emory tomorrow--I'm not super hopeful, since the process seems a bit less holistic/more stats and resume based, but I'm crossing my fingers that they'll ask me for an essay/letters of recommendation/an interview. We'll see!

Erinonearth · Nov 14, 2016

Hey itsacalling (truly it so weird to call people my screen names haha) I bet you'll do way better the second go round and honestly even though you were "below average" the first time- you did pretty okay!

I have a suggestion for you as far as the writing goes because I got a GRE tutor the last two weeks and he suggested it and I think it helped a lot- just look on the GRE's test website and they have "example essays" that are scored 0-6. I based the structure of my essays off of the one that was scored a 6. I think if you're a good writer and can just kind of mimic the way the computer grades the essays you'll do so so well! I definitely think it's basically like 1) introduction to issue or argument and your basic stance and saying you either agree or dont agree 2) paragraph focusing on 1 aspect of agreement or non agreement 3) second paragraph that elaborates on the first and gives reason for agreement/nonagreement 4) same idea as the third 5) conclusion with a great ending sentence. That's the basis, I think. I had no problem with the time limit other than when I was going back trying to perfect my grammar and stuff.

But either way now that you know what to expect since you've taken it once- I think you'll do so great, I really do!

Also, as far as math goes- there's an app called 4GRE that I used and I found really helpful. I know you only have a week but just do it like 20 or 30 minutes a day if you can find the time (I usually did it in bed before I went to sleep or in the morning first thing- but I even did it on the elliptical at the gym a few times haha) and just go through the math drills (and do verbal to bring your self esteem back up if you're as bad at math as I am). It'll give you a basic idea of what your score will be based on how you're performing on the app but I found the app was a LOT harder than the test itself. It estimated I'd get a 133 in the math and I was losing my mind over it and I walked out with a 145- so you can expect an even higher score.

I'm turning in my Emory app hopefully this week to find out in January. I'm terrified, but que sera sera, right?

GOOD LUCK! Either way- YOU ARE SO SMART! YOU'VE GOT THIS!

itsacalling521 · Nov 15, 2016

Thank you so much for all of the kind words and encouragement! I've been working with a math tutor, who REALLY helped me concept-wise, but we didn't work enough (read: at all) on tactics to use under time pressure. Definitely doing tons of practice sets this week under time constraints, so hopefully that'll help a bit. And that was great essay advice; thank you! I literally only got three paragraphs out for both of the essays, so I'm sure that didn't help at all, even if they were well-structured/well-written...anyway, though, I'll definitely check out the GRE website again, and also that app!

Wishing you good luck for Emory! And all the other schools, too, of course :) It's such a nerve-racking process, but I know we'll eventually achieve our goals, no matter what path we end up taking to get there.

starbucksandpink · Nov 20, 2016

Hey everyone!!

I'm in the same boat. I have my BA in Anthro/Biochem and I'm applying to CNM programs. I was pre-med but had a change of heart when I became a doula. Proud to say I've been accepted to Emory and pending interview at UPenn. Good luck to everyone!