These are the strategies that worked for me. If you have any additional advice or just want to share your interview experiences, please fill free to post them below. I would love to read about them. 
I Didn't Underestimate How Important the Interview Was
The interview is the make it or break it point of your application process. I use this time to really showcase myself to the CRNA school, and made it a point to show them why I deserve a spot in their anesthesia program. If you have been granted an interview then that means the school likes who you are on paper. Now it's time to get them to like you who you are in person. CRNA school interviews can be brutal, so you're going to have to really prepare. For every 7 people that apply to CRNA school there is only 1 spot that is available. Most of the other applicants will have good work experience, strong reference letters, high GPA/GRE scores, and their CCRN certification. The competition can be tough, so don't underestimate the interview.
I Did my Research
I wanted to know everything about the interview, the date, what time to be there, what to bring, how long it will last, where it is and how to get there. This is so important because if you can't make it to the interview or don't bring required material, you have just done a whole lot of work for nothing. Every time I received an offer to interview at a school I would go online to see if I could find out how the school interviewed their applicants. You can find this information on various forums, blog articles, etc, but most of the information is pretty scattered. When I was researching Texas Wesleyan University, I found that it was a pretty intense interview that you had to prepare for. This is what it said to expect, "This is as far from a meet and greet interview as you can get. You should expect to spend 45 minutes answering in depth clinical questions regarding, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, Chemistry, and actual anesthesia topics." (Source: CRNA School Search). I am glad I found this out before I went, because every bit of it is true. The entire interview was clinical based questioning with MAYBE 3 personal get to know you type questions. It can't be stressed enough, do your research!
I can't stress enough how important it is to know how each school interviews their applicants. How you prepare for the interview depends on the type of questions they ask. Is the school known to ask more get to know you type questions, or do they focus on clinical based questions which can be very intense? I know from experience that LSU has a pretty laid back interview with only a few clinical type questions, whereas Texas Wesleyan is very tough and is about 45 minutes of hard questioning. Having my CCRN and CMC certifications was a huge help to me at the TWU interview. I am glad I never have to go through that again, LOL.
I Actually Practiced for my Interview
My biggest fear was that I would have a poor showing at my interviews and kill any chances of getting an offer from the school. So, I told myself, It's time to prepare! I pulled out my CCRN and CMC study material and start studying. I think that the CMC study DVDs that are offered through the AACN website prepared me pretty well for the cardiovascular and respiratory related questions that were asked during my interview. The single best thing I did was I practiced practiced practiced! I actually had someone read me interview questions, and then I would practice answering them. I made sure to go over both clinical and non clinical type questions. This made it easier for me to recall the answers during my interviews. I sat down and made a list of all the possible non clinical type questions I could think of. After that I filled in my answers. I probably read over this list a hundred times, but by the end I could recite each answer by memory. When it came time for my interview I probably received 5 of the same questions that I had written down. It was hard to keep a straight face as they were asking them, haha!
I Was Dressed to Impress
One of the biggest mistakes people make is that they don't dress appropriately for the interview. I went out and purchased a new suit. A suit is not over dressed and is an absolute MUST HAVE! Please don't show up in slacks a dress shirt and tie. Sure you'll look nice, but this is not appropriate for this type of interview. It sends a message that you do not care enough about getting into school to dress professionally. Another good idea is to purchase a small black leather business-like binder to take with you to the interviews. I placed copies of everything that I had sent in with my application. You never know when you might need it.
I Wasn't Afraid to Ask Them Questions
Before my interview, I made a list of three questions I wanted to ask them. I felt like this would show them how much I cared about my education, and that I was motivated to learn. Here are the ones I used: What resources are available to students during the program, such as office hours, student aids, tutors, etc.? What is your faculty to student ratio? If I am accepted to your program, what can I start doing now to prepare myself? Before you ask any questions, make sure that they haven't already been answered via video, website, staff, etc. This will make you look like you weren't paying attention.
Always Remember They Know More Than You
I knew at some point during my interview I would be asked a question that I didn't know the answer to. So, I had no expectation of being able to answer every single question. The people doing your interview will most likely be professors in the CRNA program, so they WILL know more than you. Don't try to trick them or ramble on with a question that you have no idea about. This will only make you look bad. If I didn't know the answer to one of their questions, I would just say, I'm sorry, but I don't know the answer to that question. Then I would ask them if they wouldn't mind telling me the correct answer so that I could learn. The point is, don't put too much stress on yourself. Some answers you will get right, and others you will get wrong, that is all part of the game.
Everyone Loves a Few Appropriate Jokes
A big thing schools look at is how you interact with others. They want well-rounded applicants with a strong work ethic and a good personality. I made sure to be myself during my interview. I made a few appropriate jokes that showed them I had a good personality and people skills. I am not saying to have a pre planned knock knock joke, but if the chance arises during the interview, don't be afraid to step out of your shell a little bit.
"Please feel free to share any advice or interview experiences you have had!"
These are just a few things that I did to be successful in my interviews. I applied to 3 schools, interviewed at 2 of them, and received offers from both. The trick is prepare, prepare, and prepare some more! If you take the interview seriously and practice you should do well. My other post on here "10 things that got me accepted to CRNA school" is good to read if anyone has questions about the application process.
I wish the best of luck to all of you!
CRNA 1984
20 Posts
First off congratulations on applying, and being so passionate about getting into school. CRNA schools mainly focus on your nursing school GPA, and how well you did in your science courses. What kind of grades did you make in Chemistry, anatomy, physiology, etc? These are the courses that Nurse Anesthesia programs pay the closest attention to.
Your GPA Isn't Bad
Your overall GPA is above what schools require, so you're good there. What you need to focus on is adding things to your application that takes their attention off your GPA. I'm not saying your GPA is bad, it's just that other applicants will have a higher GPA, so you need to do something to set you apart. The fact that you have your CCRN/CMC will be a huge help. A lot of people who have their CCRN don't know about the CMC or CSC, so that's a big reason why a lot applicants won't have either of them.
Taking Additional Classes
One of the best ways to really capture a CRNA school's attention is to take a graduate level class before applying. Statistics is a good course to consider, and a few CRNA schools even require it in order to apply to their program. Taking a graduate level course shows schools that you are able to handle the work load that CRNA school will bring. If you don't want to take a graduate level course, another option is to take an advanced Chemistry (I.e. Organic) or higher level math class (I.e. Trigonometry or Calculus). It is important to only choose a course you know you'll do strong in. If you think there is a chance you'll make below a "B" I wouldn't attempt it.
Make Sure You do Well on the GRE
A high score on the GRE will almost erase a lower than average GPA in the school's eyes. They would choose you with a high GRE score over someone who has a better GPA than you, but lower GRE. Graduate schools for some reason think the GRE is an indicator of how well you'll do in their program (it's not). In reality, it is just another hoop to jump through.
University of Kansas CRNA Program
If you get an interview here you will have a written test during your interview. I don't know much about what's on it, I've just heard that they have given one in the past. Even if you have taken the GRE, I don't think they will use it to consider you. What's great is they don't require the CCRN only "recommend" it. That means some of the other applicants may not even have the CCRN certification much less the CMC. (Source: CRNA Career Pro Website)
So to answer you question, yes I have heard of numerous people getting into CRNA school with a lower GPA than yours. There are A LOT of little things that you can do to out shine the other applicants. GPA is just one factor, and not even the most important. So don't stress yourself out about your previous grades in college. Just keep working hard, and it will pay off!