Thanks for all of your responses to all of my previous posts. As you probably assume, I'm evaluating all of my options including ADN, BSN, and Direct-Entry MSN. The direct entry programs look extremely appealing, but seeing that they are at the best of colleges, I don't know how easy they are to get in.
Does anyone know what the typical GPA, scores, acceptance rates of these programs are? Anyone have any experience applying?
I'm in MD, so I'd consider Hopkins, but Columbia, MGHI in Mass, Case Western, Vanderbilt, Pace, and Yale also look appealing.
Seeing as nursing traditionally isn't an "ivy league" profession, are the credentials required for these programs less than what a typical "ivy" student would need?
I'd love to hear experiences with any programs.........
Gennaver- Your GPA is great. Congrats on magna cum laude! I think it will definitely make a good impression that you finished so strongly!
...shortened...
-Jess
Thanks Jess, I hope things go well.
However after the information session there is some conflicting advice that the coordinator gave the attendees.
The coordinator said there are about 300 applicants for the 40 available slots at the UIC campus then went on to say that people could apply to do the MS protion at any of the four regional UIC sites, (Urbana, IL, Peoria, IL, Moline, or Rockford, IL) and that they would most likely get in. Then she followed to say that she thought that nobody would apply to that because it was so unlikely.
I figured I would give it a try because I could make the commute during that portion or even relocate, (the first 15 months is only for Chicago and even the regional site students have to complete them in Chicago.)
Thing is, when I contacted two of the regional sites I was informed that they do not have the Adult np there and that I would have to commute or videoconference with Chicago. Huh? Okay, well, we will see.
The graduate coordinator assured me not to worry, to get my application in.
I only have to re-work my essay and wait for a couple more letters of recommendation to come in. My esitimated date of posting is Feb 14th.
Again, Jess, thanks for listening. I do not want to keep chasing or bothering the coordinator either. I remember when I worked at the graduate education department at my school, the new cohort admissions was tension-filled with questions and the coordinators did put the onus onto the applicants to follow the directions, (not to pester.)
sad news, I got a rejection letter from Seattle University. At least they were my last choice out of the 5 I applied to (since they decided not to do the psych NP program this year after I had paid my $50 application fee). It still stings to get rejected though.
sad news, I got a rejection letter from Seattle University. At least they were my last choice out of the 5 I applied to (since they decided not to do the psych NP program this year after I had paid my $50 application fee). It still stings to get rejected though.
Hello,
Sorry about the letter. Although, if you are looking for the psych np and they don't offer it, this makes sense).
sad news, I got a rejection letter from Seattle University. At least they were my last choice out of the 5 I applied to (since they decided not to do the psych NP program this year after I had paid my $50 application fee). It still stings to get rejected though.
Sorry to hear that, but you look like such a great applicant with your experience in the med field. I'm sure you have a really good chance to get into one of your other choices. You were so smart to apply to five schools.
I'm going through the same thing. I applied to UCSF, SF State and I'm applying to the local community colleges this week. It's hard sitting in limbo. I should find out about UCSF and SF-State by Mar 1st.
Thank you both for your kind words of confidence! I haven't even started pre-reqs yet, so at least if I get A's, I have that going for me, as well as good volunteer experience, and hopefully, great GRE scores. I just need to figure out how much to get "great" GRE scores. What do you think is the minimum on my GRE that I would need for a direct-entry?
Thank you both for your kind words of confidence! I haven't even started pre-reqs yet, so at least if I get A's, I have that going for me, as well as good volunteer experience, and hopefully, great GRE scores. I just need to figure out how much to get "great" GRE scores. What do you think is the minimum on my GRE that I would need to help compensate for a poor GPA?
K
Hello,
I am pretty sure that every school has its own minimum range. The one I am applying to told us that the minimum was being pushed higher and higher due to competitive applicants.
I suggest working on your whole package, (yes, with GRE but, that is one portion). You are right on the mark with working on your pre-req grades and your volunteer/work experience. Speaking another language also helps, got time to add that to you pre-reqs? (maybe you could, a little here, a little there, it will round you out, can't hurt)
Also, studying for the GRE should be over time, possibly six months, maybe more. At school I have heard two professors saying how they would not recommend anyone take the test WITHOUT first taking the course for it, (about a grand).
I freaked out and crammed-reviewed for a week before the test and did mediocre, totally mediocre but, hope it will do for now.
A google search for other programs I looked at listed a total of Q+V at 1000.
Kensington- When did you graduate from college? I think a poor GPA that was years ago would be less of a problem than it you are a recent grad. I would work on acing your pre reqs, defintely volunteer and certainly prep for the GREs but I wouldn't make that my primary focus. I would say talk to lots of NPs get a good feel for what it is you want to do and spend tons of time on your essays. I really think essays that show that you clearly know what you are getting into, and have a vision and passion for your future career are essential. They can go a long way in helping to tell a whole story that is compelling and can give some context to poor academic performence in the past. As for the GREs- how did you do on the SATs? If you know you test well on those types of test- you can probably just prep yourself. If you feel like your scores on standardized tests don't show your true potential- by all means- take a course. Good luck!
Gennaver- yikes on that "direct entry rant" thread, huh? You did a great job over there- unfortunatly I think your points were mostly falling on deaf ears. It makes me worry a little though- if that is a prevelant feeling among RNs it may be difficult for us as new grads to gain support and cohesion with RN colleagues. Probably the subject for another post though...
Gennaver- yikes on that "direct entry rant" thread, huh? You did a great job over there- unfortunatly I think your points were mostly falling on deaf ears. It makes me worry a little though- if that is a prevelant feeling among RNs it may be difficult for us as new grads to gain support and cohesion with RN colleagues. Probably the subject for another post though...
Jess
Hi Jess,
You were very well written about it I think and showed some deep thought and introspection.
I added some more today in response to a post and even received a private email from a poster. This was a very kind encouraging post to explain how not every RN is against the whole MSN-NP thing but that many just have legitimate concerns over the education of nurses nowadays in general.
It makes a lot of sense though that there is worry. In hindsight I have witnessed this in hospital settings, (LPNs working with RNs working with RadTechs, Patient Techs and so on).
It is all relative and also good to remember that there are jealousies, animosities and misunderstandings about direct entry NPs.
Fingers crossed though Jess, we are going in! Splash
Thank you both for your kind words of confidence! I haven't even started pre-reqs yet, so at least if I get A's, I have that going for me, as well as good volunteer experience, and hopefully, great GRE scores. I just need to figure out how much to get "great" GRE scores. What do you think is the minimum on my GRE that I would need to help compensate for a poor GPA?
K
Kensington,
I heard that somewhere around 500 each for verbal and math was acceptable for UCSF. However, the GPA must be 3.0. I don't know if I'm accepted yet or not, but I did make it as a finalist and was interviewed. Anyway, I completely blew the math portion of the GRE. I can't even say what it was, it was so bad. However, my verbal was 650 and writing 5.5.
I'm obviously no help on the math portion of the GRE, but for the verbal part, I studied the Princeton Review for the GRE. I took the practice tests in the book as well as the online versions. I made vocabulary flashcards to and studied them when I walked my dog.
I started studying about 3 months before I took the test and I raised my verbal score by about 100 points. In retrospect, I wish I had hired a GRE math tutor so I could have done better in that section.
Like others have said, there is more to an applicant than just grades and GREs. A passionate Goal Statement, great letters of recommendation and volunteer experience can make up for low scores.
I have had the same question, how hard to get in? It isn't like applying as a freshman where everybody knows which schools are the most selective.
I haven't heard from any of the schools I applied to yet (i just interviewed with johns hopkins a few days ago). I had a 3.15 GPA for psychobiology, all A's in the prereqs since I graduated and 610 verbal 730 math 4 writing on my GREs. I am afraid that my GPA is going to hurt my chances. I applied to columbia, johns hopkins, seattle u, duquesne, and university of colorado. i'm holding my breath for now. Best wishes for all of you waiting with me.
Hey bruinlaura,
I was a bruin myself, and am in the same situation as you, waiting to hear back from schools. eek! I only applied to Columbia, Mass Gen, and Western U. I also applied to Columbia and was told that decisions would be made by the end of January. Have you heard anything yet? I am getting soo nervous. Good luck with finding out about all the schools you applied to!
It can be difficult to get in, but it depends on where you apply. I just got into the Direct Entry for Johns Hopkins and U. of San Diego. I had Verbal of 600, Quant of 760, and Essay of 5. I also had a 4.0 GPA on my pre-reqs, but my U/G was 3.3. I also volunteer in various hospitals.
For some schools, they look very heavily at your direct health care experience, whether it is in a volunteer capacity or in a paid position (like a tech). So they want a recommendation from someone you've worked with in the field. This is particularly true of places like UCSF and the U. of Washington (Seattle).
Other places, like Hopkins and USD, do not require a "healthcare" recommendation. They realize if you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you are a career switcher, probably an older student, and have not been "thinking about being a RN or NP ever since you were little". They are more concerned if you can make it academically in the accelerated program and have the right motivations to go into health care.
Realize that some of top tier nursing schools like Columbia, Yale, Hopkins, UCSF, U. Penna, and the U. of Washington will attract the top candidates. Hence, the better your scores (yes, you do need a 3.0 GPA U/G for UCSF), the better your chances of making the initial cut for an interview. They also look at the overall package, so if candidate look pretty equal in terms of scores, but someone has more health care experience and interviews well, they will give the spot to the latter candidate.
I also want to add: for most schools, it does matter which focus area you apply to because they have a limited number of slots within that speciality. For example, the FNP and mid-wifery option are some of the most popular. If there are 100 people for 10 slots, you have a 10% chance of getting in. But if you chose Community Health and there were only 20 people for 5 slots, you would have a 20% chance of being accepted. The slots change from year to year, so don't try and base your application from the speciality that will get you into the school; go for the speciality you are truly interested in. Otherwise, you may be very unhappy when the administrators say you cannot switch.
Hopkins is cool because they don't require that you make up your mind when you apply for the direct entry RN to masters program. They realize you could change you mind during your accelerated RN portion. Hope that helps!
I got an acceptance letter from columbia today!! I can't believe this is actually real. all the late nights working on those apps and nights spent praying finally paid off. thank you everyone for all your kind words and support the past few months. best wishes to everyone still waiting.
Gennaver, MSN
1,686 Posts
Thanks Jess, I hope things go well.
However after the information session there is some conflicting advice that the coordinator gave the attendees.
The coordinator said there are about 300 applicants for the 40 available slots at the UIC campus then went on to say that people could apply to do the MS protion at any of the four regional UIC sites, (Urbana, IL, Peoria, IL, Moline, or Rockford, IL) and that they would most likely get in. Then she followed to say that she thought that nobody would apply to that because it was so unlikely.
I figured I would give it a try because I could make the commute during that portion or even relocate, (the first 15 months is only for Chicago and even the regional site students have to complete them in Chicago.)
Thing is, when I contacted two of the regional sites I was informed that they do not have the Adult np there and that I would have to commute or videoconference with Chicago. Huh? Okay, well, we will see.
The graduate coordinator assured me not to worry, to get my application in.
I only have to re-work my essay and wait for a couple more letters of recommendation to come in. My esitimated date of posting is Feb 14th.
Again, Jess, thanks for listening. I do not want to keep chasing or bothering the coordinator either. I remember when I worked at the graduate education department at my school, the new cohort admissions was tension-filled with questions and the coordinators did put the onus onto the applicants to follow the directions, (not to pester.)
Gennaver