best MEPN programs in California

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Hi all,

I currently have a non-nursing BS degree and am planning on applying to some MEPN programs this year and would like to stay within California if possible. So far, I've chosen UCSF, USD-Hahn School of Nursing & Health Science, Western University of Health Sciences, & Samuel Merritt College. Are any of you familiar with any of the above programs or would like to suggest any other programs in California that provide the best education to become an NP? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Hi all,

I currently have a non-nursing BS degree and am planning on applying to some MEPN programs this year and would like to stay within California if possible. So far, I've chosen UCSF, USD-Hahn School of Nursing & Health Science, Western University of Health Sciences, & Samuel Merritt College. Are any of you familiar with any of the above programs or would like to suggest any other programs in California that provide the best education to become an NP? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I know that UCSF is a very competitive program. It is always ranked either 1 or 2 in the country (usually behind University of Washington). I also heard that its tougher to get into than some med schools. UCSF has an acceptance rate of about 10%. The other schools I'm not quite sure. Like the prev post said I would check out the graduate school forum. Tons of posts about UCSF.

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Congrats on your acceptance BerkeleyMom! I heard the Sam Merritt program is a wonderful program based off of what I've read in that forum you recommended that I double post to. :p I actually just found that msn/fnp/phd thread yesterday night by luck but thanks for mentioning it to me again!

At the moment, I was wondering how competitive the Sam Merritt program is, that is, if you know, how many applications did they accept this yr and out of that, how many were offered interviews? If you receive an interview invitation, what are the chances of being accepted? Also, is the NET the same as the GRE? We can't just submit GRE scores? I'm asking alot of questions! :p

I'd also like to ask you what drew you to Sam Merritt vs other schools that you applied to if you did apply to others (what were they by the way?). From the other forums, I found that students felt that the staff were genuinely caring and concerned about your progress in the program.

Sorry for all the questions and thanks for your insights in advance! :D

Hi,

I was just accepted into the ELMSN FNP program at Sam Merritt for this fall start. I am not in the program yet, but may be able to answer some of your questions, especially regarding admissions. I also think you should double post your question in the Graduate Student Nurse Forum: MSN/FNP/PhD because there are a lot of threads about direct entry programs there. ;)

Best of luck!

--Berkeley

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Thanks for responding Ic3. UCSF's programs are ALWAYS tough to get into and I know that there is no magic formula for gaining acceptance as I heard from one of the current MEPN students that her classmate got even after "bombing" the GRE. I'm not sure how dismal her GRE score was but I'm assuming it was below avg. Anyways, UCSF looks at everything I guess which I'm assuming others schools do as well instead of just focusing on your academics.

I know that UCSF is a very competitive program. It is always ranked either 1 or 2 in the country (usually behind University of Washington). I also heard that its tougher to get into than some med schools. UCSF has an acceptance rate of about 10%. The other schools I'm not quite sure. Like the prev post said I would check out the graduate school forum. Tons of posts about UCSF.
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Hey BerkeleyMom,

Thanks so much for your thorough response! You're lucky to have got into Sam Merritt especially after only applying to that school (about 10% acceptance rate woah!)! I really dont have the guts to do that actually haha. But, I really really hope that I can stay in the Bay Area. So lucky you! It's not wise to apply to only 1 program but I was actually considering applying to only the UCSF program so I think that would've also been classifed as a dumb decision! haha. BUt o well, humans do some pretty crazy things sometimes.

I've actually RSVPed for Sam Merritt's preview day already which is coming up next month and I look forward to it hehe.

Do you know if we can we substitute the NET with the GRE? :p

Thanks again for all your help! Good luck with the schooling and hope you enjoy it as well!

Hi there,

No problem about all the questions! I have not started the program yet, but I will try and answer them based on what I have learned over the years. Hopefully a current student can jump in with better info.

As far as competitiveness, the only data I have is based on the applicant pool from 2 years ago and this is for the ELMSN FNP program only. A woman that works in the admin office told me that there were 200 applicants for about 24 spots. However, they do over enroll to a large degree because not everyone accepts.

I have no idea how many people they interview and I imagine it changes somewhat from year to year. It probably depends on the applicant pool (number, quality, ect) wouldn't you think? As it is a smaller school and an expensive school, they must assume that applicants have applied to multiple programs, right?

The NET is not the same as the GRE. They do not currently require GRE scores, but if you are proud of them, then by all means submit them! The NET is actually a very basic high school grad level exam.

So I did not apply to other schools. (1.) I knew this was where I wanted to go. (2.) I am pretty dumb ... and was completely stressed! I am very rooted in the bay area/east bay. My family is here and I need to be close to my kiddos. I have been in contact with students/grads and have heard postitive feedback. I am also very attracted to the school, faculty, quality of ed, lay-out of program, preceptorships, ect.

My best advice--put yourself out there! I bet the goes same for all schools. Go to preview days, make appointments with faculty, read the website and put everything in your application. They really want motivated individuals that know what they are getting into.

Overall, I am looking forward to it ... just worried about the cost. Direct entry programs, and private schools in particular, come with a hefty price!

--Berkeley

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Hi!

I applied to UCSF, UCLA and USD. From what I have experienced and what I have been told, each of these programs are very competitive. They all have about a 10-20% acceptance rate which is mainly due to the number of applicants received and number of spots available. I believe UCSF accepts 60, UCLA 50 and USD 40. I got into USD and will be attending in the fall. I know UCLA and USD's programs are 2 years long and prepare you to become a Clinical Nurse Leader and not a NP or CNS. After graduation you can do a post-Master's certificate for the NP which I think takes 1-2 years depending on your student status. Hope that helps! Good luck :)

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Hi Lizcakes,

Congrats on your USD acceptance! I'm v. happy for you. hehe. Anyways, I was just wondering what you liked about the school when you interviewed there including the people and the environment? As for the interview, was it a one on one interview or within a group? And lastly, (for now :p) upon becoming an RN within the MEPN prog, are you guaranteed acceptance into a master's program of your choosing, that is say the NP program? Thanks for your response! :D

Hi!

I applied to UCSF, UCLA and USD. From what I have experienced and what I have been told, each of these programs are very competitive. They all have about a 10-20% acceptance rate which is mainly due to the number of applicants received and number of spots available. I believe UCSF accepts 60, UCLA 50 and USD 40. I got into USD and will be attending in the fall. I know UCLA and USD's programs are 2 years long and prepare you to become a Clinical Nurse Leader and not a NP or CNS. After graduation you can do a post-Master's certificate for the NP which I think takes 1-2 years depending on your student status. Hope that helps! Good luck :)

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Hi Lizcakes,

Congrats on your USD acceptance! I'm v. happy for you. hehe. Anyways, I was just wondering what you liked about the school when you interviewed there including the people and the environment? As for the interview, was it a one on one interview or within a group? And lastly, (for now :p) upon becoming an RN within the MEPN prog, are you guaranteed acceptance into a master's program of your choosing, that is say the NP program? Thanks for your response! :D

Hi again,

What I really like about the school is the staff. They are all extremely nice and willing to answer any questions regarding their program. They are also very efficient on getting info out to their future students. The school also had a new state-of-the-art lab with dummies hooked up to machines, etc. so we can practice our skills on them. I also like the fact that clinicals are set up with the leading health care facilities in San Diego (Sharp, Balboa, Scripps, etc.).

As for the interview, it was both one-on-one and with a group. For me the individual interview was a lot less stressful than the group.

Regarding acceptance into a master's program for the NP after doing the MEPN, good question. I don't know it there is guaranteed acceptance, I only know we are eligible to apply for a post-master's certificate program.

Hope that helps!

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Thanks again Lizcakes! It helped. I was also wondering how the group interview was constructed and also if it has more weight than the individual interview on their decisions in selecting you? Also, any suggestions on how to be a successful candidate? :p

Hi again,

What I really like about the school is the staff. They are all extremely nice and willing to answer any questions regarding their program. They are also very efficient on getting info out to their future students. The school also had a new state-of-the-art lab with dummies hooked up to machines, etc. so we can practice our skills on them. I also like the fact that clinicals are set up with the leading health care facilities in San Diego (Sharp, Balboa, Scripps, etc.).

As for the interview, it was both one-on-one and with a group. For me the individual interview was a lot less stressful than the group.

Regarding acceptance into a master's program for the NP after doing the MEPN, good question. I don't know it there is guaranteed acceptance, I only know we are eligible to apply for a post-master's certificate program.

Hope that helps!

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