CNL

smoup · Mar 18, 2014

I swear the hardest part(s) of the application process was waiting to see if I had an interview, and then after the interview waiting to hear from admissions.

Keep breathing, stay calm, and if you are still in prereqs, DO WELL in them! You have to get a "B" in all prereqs to keep your spot if you are provisionally admitted.

Good luck everyone and hope to see you all in the Fall!

BusyBee91 · Mar 19, 2014

What would be marvelous?

girlonfire · Mar 19, 2014

Someone mentioned above that if you are granted an interview, it's a good indication of getting in. I'm not sure if I believe this--but if it were true, I'd be a very happy person indeed.

girlonfire · Mar 19, 2014

Thank you for the advice. I feel as though the interview was quite short, though I tried my best to extend it by asking many questions. As for the writing sample, did feel that it was inadequate to showcase my writing ability. But oh well. We'll see, I suppose. I'm really hoping I get in somewhere, was recently placed on waitlist for Vanderbilt MSN, which has rolling admissions. If I'd only applied earlier...but anyhow! Good luck everyone! Where are all the CNL applicants?!

BusyBee91 · Mar 19, 2014

I'd heard that the interviews were short, but I think mine was around half an hour, and it seemed amiable/comfortable to me. I didn't feel like it needed to be longer. How long did yours go? The writing sample stressed me out...I hate being asked to write something compelling and thought provoking in 20 minutes. Especially without a keyboard..can you say, 'hand cramps?' Yuck.

also re: interviews vs. Admissions -> I mentioned that interviewed candidates had a good chance of getting in. I heard it from students who are already in the program. There are what, 50 seats? 50 or 60... I can't imagine they're doing more than about 100 interviews, right? Come onnnnn, April!!

BusyBee91 · Mar 27, 2014

Does anyone know if CNL students have the option to defer enrollment?

wvuek · Mar 27, 2014

Not trying to freak anyone out, but a friend of mine applied last year, got an interview, but did not get in. That being said, at the orientation I went to, the director of the CNL program told us that about 65 people get an interview and they will accept up to 50 people.

BusyBee91 · Mar 28, 2014

Ah thanks for the clarification on the number. that ^ actually makes me feel better. I was thinking the chances would be about 50/50 for candidates who interviewed, but those numbers you posted are closer to 75/25 in favor of getting in, if you interviewed. Very good odds, imo. Of course, I know that good odds are not a guarantee, but at this point, I'll take it :) Also, just out of curiosity (and, yes, maybe to distract us from the waiting) for those of you who end up attending the baltimore program, where do you intend to live?

I've been trying to decide if I'd like to stay in Towson (cheaper, safer, less crowded, longer commute) or if I'd want to move close to UMB (high crime rate, crowded, expensive, short commute)

What would you do?

wvuek · Mar 28, 2014

I have kids so I don't have an option to move, but I lived down there for a few years and loved it. Yes, it is more expensive, but consider how much you will be paying for car maintenance, gas, and parking if you live in Towson. Plus, driving from Towson during rush hour is going to suck. If I had the option I would definitely live downtown.

smoup · Mar 29, 2014

Current CNL checking in again. I do not live on campus. I live near Towson but still within the city limits, by about a mile. The commute isn't that bad. It's all in the time you leave and the way you come. I would be more worried about financing, roommates, etc. than about commute time. Yes, parking can be expensive as it's $5 a day at one of the lots but if you use BioPark it's a LOT less and I highly recommend BioPark for your first semester as your at school 4 days a week. Other semesters, it depends on how many days you are on campus.

These last few weeks of waiting, especially after the interview, are nerve wracking. Just now that you did everything you could and it's out of your hands. There's nothing left for you to do so there's no use being anxious. I know, it doesn't help that much but it helped me a little.

BusyBee91 · Mar 31, 2014

Smoup you are the best! I love that you still check up on us even though you must be busy :)

Also, @smoup, I had been considering riding the light rail in from mt. washington. It would make my commute longer, but I'd save on gas and parking, even figuring in a monthly light rail pass. How do you get down there? 83? and tell me about this biopark parking.. What does your commute average? half an hour? more/less?

smoup · Mar 31, 2014

I take Alameda to Argonne, then St. Paul to get to Howard St. I come in off of MLK. No way am I getting on 83 in the morning, or evening, rush. Some of my classmates do and they do just fine. When I leave early, like first semester, it took less than 20 minutes. Now, leaving ~2 hours later, it takes anyway from 25-45 minutes.

I don't know much about BioPark parking. I do know it's cheaper if you're coming to campus a lot during the week as it's per semester and not per day. It's on the other side of MLK, which is one reason why I didn't use it. I haven't heard of any issues crossing MLK though.