Essay

cnmtocrna · Aug 23, 2004

Well, I take the GRE on Sept. 9th and all of my apps are completed with the exception of my essay. you all know the one- "why do you want to be a CRNA" or "why do you want to go to this school". I, of course, know why I want to be an anesthetist ( and no, it's not only the money) but I am having such a hard time putting it all in to "concise" words. How I do share the enthusiasm, intrigue, of the practice without sounding reheorificed or for lack of a better word- sloppy. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :rolleyes:

I recently completed my essay for my application (I was accepted), I sure empathize with you...it is agonizing. In my own experience with writing I have found that doing it in stages and having someone objective edit it are helpful strategies. What I mean by stages - outline it - just get your thoughts out without attention to form or style, then the rough draft - let it sit overnight or for a few days and then go back to it. You will be surprised how much stepping back and then coming back to it will help. When you think it is done, have someone who writes well edit it for you. The process may take hours - there is no short cut. I wasn't terribly pleased with my essay in that it didn't seem profound or particularly creative, BUT it did address the items that the application specifically requested. I felt it was solid and tried to remind myself that it was only one part of the application.

I think most programs are looking for bright, curious and generally likeable people.

It is hard to describe why you want to be a CRNA. I like what you said in your post about it - you could almost use that in your essay. What I really find attractive about the study and practice of anesthesia is that it combines science with patient care.

Sit down and start writing without putting pressure on yourself to get it perfect right away. By reading your one paragraph post I can tell that you write well. Good luck to you, I hope I've offered something useful.

apontius · Aug 23, 2004

thanks for the response. it's nice to know i'm not alone with this. other CRNA's have said that the essay was the easiest part. My response has been, "Knowing my address and GPA is the easiest part". Congrats on your acceptance.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Aug 23, 2004

I am working on an essay for a school that asks only for a "personal statement" - no guidelines whatsoever. In a way it gives me freedom, but also allows me to veer off course. I hate these damn things. Worst part of applying. When I applied to my critical care internship I had to write more BS about why I wanted to be a critical care nurse.

Ironically, I am MUCH stronger verbally than quantitatively. My verbal GREs: 780. My math: 630. I'm not BAD in math/science, it just doesn't come easily. My family still thinks I should have been a lawyer. Can I help it if my gifts and interests don't match?

So I should be able to crank out these essays. Yeah.

cnmtocrna · Aug 23, 2004

I am working on an essay for a school that asks only for a "personal statement" - no guidelines whatsoever. In a way it gives me freedom, but also allows me to veer off course. I hate these damn things. Worst part of applying. When I applied to my critical care internship I had to write more BS about why I wanted to be a critical care nurse.
Ironically, I am MUCH stronger verbally than quantitatively. My verbal GREs: 780. My math: 630. I'm not BAD in math/science, it just doesn't come easily. My family still thinks I should have been a lawyer. Can I help it if my gifts and interests don't match?
So I should be able to crank out these essays. Yeah.

I just have to say....with your GRE score you will have little trouble getting accepted. I know scores aren't everything, but when they are that high they make you stand out as an applicant. My scores were quite similar and I was accepted on my first and only application. Incidentally, I have read that verbal scores are more predictive of success in graduate school.

I agree that the "personal statement" in free form is much more daunting than one that is more specific. You will do fine. Good luck.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Aug 24, 2004

I just have to say....with your GRE score you will have little trouble getting accepted. I know scores aren't everything, but when they are that high they make you stand out as an applicant. My scores were quite similar and I was accepted on my first and only application. Incidentally, I have read that verbal scores are more predictive of success in graduate school.
I agree that the "personal statement" in free form is much more daunting than one that is more specific. You will do fine. Good luck.

I just realized that I typed them wrong, it was 750/660. Not that it makes much of a difference.

Thanks for the reassurance - I hope you're right! I am a reasonably bright individual, not Einstein, but I was blessed with the ability to test well.

The school I most want to go to doesn't ask for GREs. I'm sending mine anyway, of course - do you think I will still have a higher likelihood of acceptance?

cnmtocrna · Aug 24, 2004

I just realized that I typed them wrong, it was 750/660. Not that it makes much of a difference.
Thanks for the reassurance - I hope you're right! I am a reasonably bright individual, not Einstein, but I was blessed with the ability to test well.
The school I most want to go to doesn't ask for GREs. I'm sending mine anyway, of course - do you think I will still have a higher likelihood of acceptance?

Well, if they don't ask for GREs, then I guess they really can't even consider your score when comparing you with other applicants. So, it can't hurt to throw them in the envelope....Hmmmm....that's a real bummer because the score is so outstanding. I suppose it depends on the program. I would have been at a disadvantage at a school that valued many years of critical care experience over high GPA and scores. If the school you most want doesn't look at GREs, what do they look at? Hopefully choices B, C, and D consider the GREs!! My gut feeling is that you will get in. People acted like I was nuts to question whether I would be accepted to a program this year, but I did worry even though I knew my application was strong. I think I know how you feel at this moment. However, as I said, I think you will get in to all the programs you apply to, and your biggest dilemma will be having to chose which one to attend!! Keep us posted.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Aug 24, 2004

Well, if they don't ask for GREs, then I guess they really can't even consider your score when comparing you with other applicants. So, it can't hurt to throw them in the envelope....Hmmmm....that's a real bummer because the score is so outstanding. I suppose it depends on the program. I would have been at a disadvantage at a school that valued many years of critical care experience over high GPA and scores. If the school you most want doesn't look at GREs, what do they look at? Hopefully choices B, C, and D consider the GREs!! My gut feeling is that you will get in. People acted like I was nuts to question whether I would be accepted to a program this year, but I did worry even though I knew my application was strong. I think I know how you feel at this moment. However, as I said, I think you will get in to all the programs you apply to, and your biggest dilemma will be having to chose which one to attend!! Keep us posted.

School A is a new program. I'd be in its second class. The admission requirements are lower than many, i.e., minimum GPA of 2.75. I assume this is because they don't have a reputation yet and need to attract applicants. The application does say to include any material you feel would be of interest in evaluating your application, so I'm putting in a copy and sending my official GREs to them. I would guess that they will consider the scores at least a little, because they ARE a predictor of grad school success, and I'm sure at least a few other applicants will send theirs.

Are personal interviews the rule for accepted candidates? Does anyone just get a simple acceptance letter?

jewelcutt · Aug 25, 2004

I think that you should include something personal in your essay that makes you look different from the cookie-cutter applicant (I love patho, I love autonomy, etc) like a talent you have. It could even be as simple as starting out in a different major and for what reasons you love that subject, or my friend plays the guitar so he wrote a little about that, my other friend was a swimmer in college and used that to her advantage. Basically they want to get to know what kind of cool, different person you are. It's a lot easier to remember the pianist who loves to play for her family every holiday than the person who spouts on and on about their love for pathophysiology. Whatever your into doesn't have to be extravagant either, I basically have no talents, but they want to see how you live your passions.

JJRN · Aug 25, 2004

apaisRN...where are you applying? I am familiar with two newer programs, but I was curious because their QPA cut off is not 2.75...and I cannot imagine there are a huge number of new programs.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Aug 25, 2004

apaisRN...where are you applying? I am familiar with two newer programs, but I was curious because their QPA cut off is not 2.75...and I cannot imagine there are a huge number of new programs.

It's Midwestern in Glendale, AZ. 2.75 is quite low, huh?

Jewelcutt, the books I've been reading on graduate admissions say quite the opposite. They say that unlike undergrad admissions, grad schools don't want to know about the individually fabulous person you are. They want to know that you understand the field, have the smarts to succeed and will bring credit to the school. If you can do that while still retaining some creativity in your essay, more power to you.

On the other hand, you have "SRNA" after your name so you're obviously doing something right! Who to listen to?

I started my essay with the first time I was in the OR as a student and how the CRNA's behavior impressed me. It's not quite "The DaVinci Code" but I hope it won't put anyone to sleep either.