CRNA school application help

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Specializes in Cardiac icu.

Hey there I've been reading this forum here and there for a couple of years and decided to post. I've been applying to schools for three years now and not a single interview, so I wanted to get some feedback.

A little background I have a little over 3.5 years experience, all in icu. I initially started on an 18 bed largely medical CCU with moderate acuity in a city. After applying and following suggestion from of of the people on an admission board I moved to a higher acuity complex cvic/sicu. 2 years first unit , 1.5 the second. I've had my ccrn for over two years and got my cmc six months ago. I am now a charge nurse and preceptor, on a research and ethics committee. I've shadowed two different crnas and networked fairly well. I've met program directors, attended open houses, emailed and reached out to directors and people affiliated with programs.

The issue I feel is with my GPA. I started school in 2007 and did very poorly that first year. I was able to actually get my initial years worth of grades dropped from 2007 to 2008. I took a few semesters after from 2009 to 2010 where I did mediocre, but when I start down the nursing path I did well. In 2011 I began taking classes at a large 4 year university, I ended up graduating cum Laude, slightly over 3.5 nursing.

My cumulative GPA though is 3.32, though my nursing gpa is now around 3.6.

I had one C in my nursing curriculum, chemistry, which I retook and got an A. My statistics class was 10 years old so I retook that online though got a B.

My science GPA is over a 3.5, and my GRE is a 309, with a 4.5 writing score.

After getting so many rejection letters I'm a bit disappointed and wanted some feedback, if anyone is willing to give me any advice.

My plan now is to get my csc and most likely take a grad level A and P course. I'm also going to start applying to less selective schools.

Any input is greatly appreciated

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Specializes in SRNA.

Have you solicited feedback from the programs that you applied to prior? I would recommend reaching out to them and asking what you could do to become a more competitive applicant. You have done many of the things that demonstrate your commitment to improve. Has someone given you feedback on your personal statement/essay? Did you take the opportunity to discuss the rationale for your past academic performance? That's where I would start.

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Specializes in critical care.

I'm pretty good with personal statements and resumes, drop me a dm and I'd be happy to take a look.

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Specializes in Cardiac icu.

Thank you guys for the feedback so far. I'm currently on vacation so I don't have access to my computer with my resume/statement, but as soon as i get home I'll DM you.

In regards to reaching out, I've reached out to every program ive applied to for feedback, most have given me generic information. I did get good feedback from one twice and followed their instruction.

The first area they mentioned was experience, which I got more of the next two years I applied. The second was that he recommended that I goto a higher acuity unit, which I did. The third was mentioning to retake chemistry, which I did. The fourth was to get on more committees, and I did that as well.

He kind of let it slip that they follow a point based system, that if you hit a certain threshold you get an interview.

I spoke with another program director and he mentioned that they first look at your cumulative GPA, then your science GPA.

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Specializes in SRNA.

Wow. It sounds like you are very motivated. The only thing I can think of that would prevent you from getting interviews is the aesthetics of your application. Maybe your resume or personal statement is lacking. Have a CRNA or SRNA that you trust look them over. Other than that, you may just be being too picky on where you apply.

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Specializes in Cardiac icu.

I'm gonna bump this one time

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Specializes in anesthesiology.

Which schools did you apply to? I'm thinking that may be your answer. There are quite a few who would accept you I believe, but with the most selective your gpa is probably holding you back.

Also know that the didactic portion of school is incredibly difficult, so if you tried your hardest on the stats class and got a B just be careful and choose a school with a lot of support because it's a big financial investment if you don't make it through. DM me if you want

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Specializes in Cardiac icu.

It's not that I tried my hardest and was only able to get a B, it's that it was online and the format was ( in my opinion) poor. I feel that if it was in person or set up in a better way I would have no problem. I got As in path, pharmacy, anatomy, chem, etc.

So far I've applied to wake forest , cincinnati, NKU, otterbein, And MTSU. I've applied to them all multiple times, with the exception of MTSU ( who requires that you take a grad school class before re applying.)

I currently have apps out to Millikin and University of Miami, and will be submitting one to South Florida within a week.

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Specializes in CVICU.

You have put in a lot of work to show your motivation. I think you should have multiple people look at your resume and personal statement, apply to multiple schools. Some schools are harder to get into. I also applied to Cincinnati, NKU, and Otterbein without success. Luckily, I was able to apply to two schools towards the end of last year. I got into one and am waiting to hear from the other one. Also try University of Akron, Lourdes university, union university, Oakland and beaumont in addition to reapplying to the schools you applied to last year. Don't give up, keep applying until you get in. Good luck.

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Specializes in Cardiac icu.
9 hours ago, 12BCRNA said:

You have put in a lot of work to show your motivation. I think you should have multiple people look at your resume and personal statement, apply to multiple schools. Some schools are harder to get into. I also applied to Cincinnati, NKU, and Otterbein without success. Luckily, I was able to apply to two schools towards the end of last year. I got into one and am waiting to hear from the other one. Also try University of Akron, Lourdes university, union university, Oakland and beaumont in addition to reapplying to the schools you applied to last year. Don't give up, keep applying until you get in. Good luck.

Thanks dude, I really appreciate the encouragement from all you guys

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Specializes in CVICU.

I was in the same boat as you, but I just got accepted.

1. Do not give up.

2. Take some graduate level science courses and make an A!

3. Do volunteer work and/or go on a medical mission trip.

4. Get involved in your unit.

5. Cast your net wide and reapply!

6. If you are not already, work in a high acuity ICU. If CV, do you see ECMO and VADs? Are you on the code team? Rapid Response Team?

7. Become an ACLS instructor.

Good luck!! Remember, it only takes one yes!

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Specializes in Cardiac icu.
On 2/3/2020 at 8:15 PM, 12BCRNA said:

You have put in a lot of work to show your motivation. I think you should have multiple people look at your resume and personal statement, apply to multiple schools. Some schools are harder to get into. I also applied to Cincinnati, NKU, and Otterbein without success. Luckily, I was able to apply to two schools towards the end of last year. I got into one and am waiting to hear from the other one. Also try University of Akron, Lourdes university, union university, Oakland and beaumont in addition to reapplying to the schools you applied to last year. Don't give up, keep applying until you get in. Good luck.

Thanks dude, I really appreciate the encouragement from all you guys

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