For All Direct-Entry Applicants

[ToTheStudent]

Advice for direct entry applicants:

Choose a specialty: Choose one specialty and apply based on that specialty. Do not apply for one specialty hoping you'll be able to switch!

Acceptance chances: Don't worry about acceptance rates or your chances, if you've met the minimum requirements, you have just as good of a chance as anyone else. Consider that you're basically applying against the same people for every school across the country, overall if you've done everything you can possibly do, prepared your materials and yourself, you have an equal chance. It doesn't matter where you are from, if you're female or male, or what your previous degree is in, if you give 100% to the process You have an equal chance.

Meet the minimum requirements: If you don't have the required gpa, can't get strong letters of recommendation, or don't have a chance at completing prerequisites in time then do not apply. You need to wait, collect yourself, get back in the classroom, and apply when you are properly prepared.

Experience: There will be the occasional person that's gets accepted and has never set foot in a hospital or clinic. But it won't be you or me. You need to spend time shadowing, volunteering, or interning in some sort of patient setting! Various settings as well, not just one place. Pay attention and take notes, you might need them when writing your essay! Even if you have no experience right now, you've got time. Make phones calls, send emails and harass people until you get a spot!

MSN-DNP changes: Don't worry about it, know one knows exactly what is happening with that so put it out of your mind starting now.

Applications: I would recommend applying to no more than 5 to 6 schools. Sure you may be able to apply over 10, but you don't want to write a dozen near impossible essays, send that many transcripts, or force your letter of recommendation writers into doing that much work! And applications are expensive.

Schools: Only apply to schools that interest you and have the type a program you can complete. Don't apply to "back up" schools. (ok some people will debate this but whatever) Decide now, either you're going to school to be a nurse practitioner or you're not! Also always keep in mind even while searching for schools and after acceptance that you're not looking for the best program, you're looking for the right program.

Resume: This is graduate school, they get one chance to see everything you have to offer so if you're a newly graduated undergrad or soon to be don't be afraid to fill up two pages (no more) of everything relevant you need to express outside of your essay and transcript. Older applicants with lots of experience should consider a CV, if you have more to write. Also check, re-check, then check it over again for mistakes. Mine was checked by multiple professors, friends, and family and I still found a mistake the day I submitted it. You don't want to go thinking a comma error was the reason you didn't accepted. It won't be, but you get the idea.

Interview: A lot of schools have no interview. I've done both in person and phone interviews, and I've had friends who have done Skype. They're all awkward and nerve wrecking! The in person are best though. In fact mine were a lot of fun. Then phone. The phone can be more structured and less of a relaxed conversation, but at least you can have notes. Then Skype. Skype seems awkward, but I haven't done it. Be calm, express your enthusiasm and interest. Be sure to research the program well, have questions, and be prepared for all of the usual questions.

The price: It's going to be expensive, accept it. Some of you may have a wife, husband, or children which can makes thing more challenging when it comes to taking on the expense. But you'll get it worked out. If you still have undergraduate loans, I suggest you wait before taking on more debt. In fact I urge you to do so. As for loans, you can go federal or private and it's totally up to you on which you prefer. In my opinion, there's not much of a difference. Be certain to look at the price and understand close to how you'll be spending per school.

Letters of Recommendation: Start early. If your application is due in November notify your recommenders by August. Give them a lot of notice. Most letters are submitted online and don't have to be actually sent in, but some will, and it's best to have them in long before the due date. I handled structuring my resume and informing my letter writers first, before the application even opened my recommenders were notified and my resume done. That way I could focus on my essay and the GRE.

GRE: Not every school requires it, in fact two of mine did not, and it was beneficial to me that they didn't since I did terrible. So study, study, study. In my opinion the writing is the most important. Get the format down and be able to write on any topic. Practice it. Take a full practice test as well, don't quit in the middle, or take breaks. The math killed me. I just fell apart on the math section, so practice. Lastly, send as many GRE scores as you can during the exam after it's completed. It cost $27 to send them afterwards.

Addendum: If you're allowed to write one as apart of your application and need to, then do it. For instance, I wrote one regarding my GRE math section. I explained I did poorly and it wasn't the best reflection of my aptitude for graduate school. Make it brief and over only one topic. You get one thing! Don't written how your GRE is bad, you don't have as much experience as you'd like, and how your first year in undergrad went poorly. You only get one! And make it short, take responsibility for whatever you're writing about. Don't start placing blame on others. No more than a paragraph. Maybe two. But to be honest, no one wants to read two paragraphs of excuses. Get to the point. You don't want the admissions committee spending more time reading about deficiencies in your application than you have to. And be sure to turn your negative into a positive in that paragraph.

Essay: The definition of stressful. For me I refused to submit anything but perfection. It looks so easy, but it's not. While some schools allow a lot of flexibility in the essay, many do not. If it has specific instructions, follow them exactly. Some questions may have multiple parts to one question, be certain to answer them all. And if the questions are numbered that means answer them in order! If you don't address a question or they can't find the answer then your essay is incomplete. If your essay is incomplete then it doesn't count, you might as well have submitted an essay about giraffes because it won't matter what it says. Follow the directions to the letter. If the directions say two pages, then you get two pages. And so help you if you use parts from one essay for another and don't adjust it appropriately. I doubt Penn wants to hear about your interest in Yale, and we all know Duke wouldn't appreciate you calling them UNC. You get the idea. Your essay is your best opportunity to express your enthusiasm and convey your interest in the field. Also in my opinion, I know it's a "personal" statement but don't be too personal with unnecessary details, you're only allowed so much room so make every word count. In fact, every single word needs a purpose. You'll understand this what I mean when you're trying to turn four pages into two pages with out sacrificing important details.

Unknown requirements: Some programs may say 3.00 is the minimum gpa, but they may only accept one student a year below a 3.40, they may say that a competitive GRE score is required, that means well in my opinion 50% percentile and above and some may only take writing scores above 4.5, so how do you know? Ask them. If you have the ability to visit an open house or information session, do it. If not call them, if you get embarrassed about calling a lot, just make up a new name every call! But to be honest the admissions people are there to answer these kind of questions so call them, email, follow them home... Whatever just get the information you need! You don't want to waste time applying if you know you're not gonna meet any potential hidden requirements. With that said, very few schools have these, and those that do are very upfront about there expectations and if you don't meet them and you still want to apply, then do it. You might get lucky.

Rejection: I received two rejections in a row. It sucks, but if becoming a nurse practitioner is your goal then you won't be discouraged for long. Immediately start planning to apply again, some schools also allow to apply in the spring so get prepared for those as well. You may even want to contact the schools that rejected you and ask for feedback on your application!

Acceptance: It's awesome. I was accepted into two schools in a single day following my two rejections and I lost it when I received another a few days later. I do recommend you wait to make a decision on a final school before telling too many people or talking about it on social media. It's good to express your thanks and gratitude to your friends through social media, but be humble and be mindful that many of your friends, especially if you're still an undergrad, are waiting to hear about their own graduate school acceptances. So basically don't over do it!

Accepting an offer: I strongly encourage you to only accept one offer if you can help it. There are other people on the wait list that would be overjoyed to take your spot if you choose to reject an offer so don't be an offer hog. If you need more time because you're waiting to hear from every school then contact your accepted schools and ask for an extension. It's also very expensive to accept multiple offers. Remember choose the schools that best fulfills your short term and long term goals. I've researched every single direct entry masters program in the nation and they're all excellent. So choose the one that you fits you best. Don't worry about how prestigious one school is, or thinks they are, or what some friend heard from some person about a particular program. Its about you, not the school. Also, you usually get between two weeks to a month to send in your decision.

Thank you: Be certain to thank your letter of recommendation writers and your interviewers with follow up letters or emails.

Good luck! Ask questions if you have them and if you have something to add please do.

[RaspberryJam]

If you don't mind me asking....where did you decide to go in the end?

How is the courseload for the first year?

[ToTheStudent]

If you don't mind me asking....where did you decide to go in the end?

How is the courseload for the first year?

Not a problem, I selected MGHIHP. The program was steady, well constructed, and at a pace I could keep up with, especially during the first year, you're busy, but not overwhelmed. Also the location in Boston was a huge plus. I visited other cities for interviews at other schools and Boston was by was the most appealing. Although obviously like everything else each person will have their own preference. Overall, it was the climate of learning they seem to present that made them the best fit. Also they grant both a BSN and MSN which is nice, along with many of the clinicals at MGH or a hospital within partners healthcare. Basically it was the best pick for what I wanted to accomplish.

[feelslikefire]

This post is great. I do have one quick question; you did indicate that you feel it's much smarter for those with undergrad loans already to wait & go back to school down the line for the NP rather than accrue more debt right up front. Did you not have any debt? Do you mind if I ask how old you were upon entering the program?

[ToTheStudent]

I did not, and thats definitely just my opinion everyone will have their unique situation! I just wouldn't want to go overboard with debt. Some state schools that are direct entry are obviously a lot cheaper but there are very few. But that's a good option to explore if you're worried about the debt level or already have a high amount. I was 22/23 years old at the time of entrance.

[feelslikefire]

I'm definitely worried about the debt load, but I'm ALSO really worried about the time taken. I'm already 30; I'd like to not have to spend another 283974293847 more years in school to become an NP, you know? So the direct entry program seems really appealing even if I'd enter with around 35,000 in loans BEFORE the grad program loans. Part of me just wants to be able to work full-time and start my career as soon as I'm done with school. Thanks for your input!! This thread is great.