Competitive applications

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Hello everyone, I recently applied to UT's CRNA program and was told that my application wasn't competitive enough. I have two years of MSICU/neuro ICU, my GPA was a 3.49, I have my CCRN, I'm CRRT certified as well. I took organic chemistry while I was taking my prereq's and made a B+ in it. Other than more ICU experience, what can I do to make myself more competitive? Did anyone else do anything special to set themselves apart?

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I would say start precepting, try to get charge experience, and continue working. Each program is different and requirements differ. If they told you your application wasn't competitive enough get back in touch with them and ask them what else you could do to help.

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You mean UT Health Science Center at Houston? Who said you were not competitive enough?

According to their website, admission committees consider a variety of factors when determining admission, but based on past admission classes, the following information is their average stats.

* GPA 3.6

* GRE (mean)

- Quantitative 151

- Verbal 152

* 5 years of ICU experience (average)

Nurse Anesthesia - Prospective Student - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Nursing

Did you have GRE score? if not, have a great GRE score, and prepare perfect recommendations and great essay. Do your best.

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Sorry, I applied to the University of Tennessee. I'm currently studying for the GRE and will take it soon. I've asked to meet with the director over the program to see where I can strengthen myself. I'm completely realistic in that getting into a program is difficult. Not getting in this year has given me a rekindled fire to make myself stronger. I thank everyone's advise and welcome anyone's advise.

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I was told that my application wasn't competitive enough via the rejection letter from UT Knoxville.

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I would say: Take 2 months of dedicated studying for your GRE (many schools are really looking at GRE results)-it doesn't measure intelligence or educational background necessarily, primarily just your ability to take the GRE. It's a very long difficult exam.

Also I would consider taking a graduate level course. Schools want to see you can handle graduate/doctoral level academics. Even though your GPA isn't bad, getting an A in a graduate level course (pharm, advanced path, etc) will only help your chances.

Wise move to attempt to talk to the director of the program and really see what they are looking for.

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Hi pnaglitch,

In order to be more competitive, I would say volunteer more, join some committees on your unit, attend a conference, get more certs. (i.e. TNCC and ATCN), and transfer to a Level 1 trauma ICU. Also, apply to more schools. Your stats might be just right to be granted an interview at another school.

Good Luck.

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I graduated May 2016 from anesthesia school. Passed the boards on my first attempt on less than 3 weeks of studying (post grad... anesthesia school is mostly studying so this isn't a great feat) . Your stats look better than my stats when i matriculated. I had people in my school who had less than 1 year ICU experience when they applied who got into my program. Your stats may have been mediocre compared to others who applied to the same program but that does not mean that you don't have the chops to be successful in anesthesia school.

Apply to other schools unless you are unwilling to move out of state.

Apply to a school that takes more than 20 students.

Apply to a private school if you can afford it.

Don't let several years pass you by if you truly would like to be a CRNA.

It also helps to apply to a region that has more than a few schools.

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Thank you everyone for the information! I think I'll be ready next month to take the GRE and see where I stand. I'm fortunate that there are several programs that are around 2 hours from my house. I'm going to apply to UT Knoxville, UT Chattanooga, LMU, Western Carolina University, and a few others next year. I think I'm going to try to get into UT's trauma or cardiovascular ICU and get some different experience. CRNA is something I've wanted to do for almost 10 years now, it's one of the first and last things I think of each day. I'm excited not only about going to school, but the journey trying to get there has been a blast as well. I look forward to gaining the knowledge that you all have and hope to be one of the best around!

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I have 1.5 years in a level one PICU and 1 year and counting in a level 1 Cardiovascular Recovery unit. My undergraduate GPA is a 3.54, BSN 3.96, Science 3.5 and a 299 on my GRE. I have shadowed CRNA's and have my CCRN and am active on my unit (precepting, charge, UBC chair).

thos are my stats... I would love feedback on if you think they are competitive! I'm restating my GRE next week... I know 300 is reccomended by most but a 299 is as close as you can get without actually getting a 300 haha

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