Johns Hopkins Entry into Nursing (MSN) Spring 2021

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Hi Everyone,

I wanted to start a thread for the Johns Hopkins entry into nursing MSN program for January 2021 applicants. I just started my application this week, aiming to get it in well before the July 1st deadline. Anyone else?? ?

Also, if anyone previously accepted here has any application tips, please do share. Thank you!

Hi future nurses!

Has anyone taken the GRE or is planning to take it? I'm not sure if JHU would pick an applicant who has taken it over another applicant who has not. I have a pretty solid GPA but I'm not sure if I should take it to be more competitive. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

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7 minutes ago, Marliellie17 said:

Hi future nurses!

Has anyone taken the GRE or is planning to take it? I'm not sure if JHU would pick an applicant who has taken it over another applicant who has not. I have a pretty solid GPA but I'm not sure if I should take it to be more competitive. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

I've actually seen quite a few debates on this topic, and the general consensus is no--if it's optional, don't bother taking it. The rest of your application is going to carry much more weight than a number they glance at from a standardized test, and the weight it does carry will probably pale in comparison to what you'd put yourself through to study for it and take it. The only good reason I've seen mentioned to take it is if you feel like your application is lacking somewhere else, AND you feel pretty certain that you'd perform outstandingly well on the GRE. Otherwise, it's more trouble than it's worth, and it's probably not going to make or break the admissions decision.

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how would you go about adding an addendum?

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Hi there-

click on program materials box of nursingcas app, then click on documents tab, then upload them to optional documents section.

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1 hour ago, Christina121979 said:

Hi there-

click on program materials box of nursingcas app, then click on documents tab, then upload them to optional documents section.

thank you! I already submitted my application before the priority date, do you know if we can access it again? I’m not sure if we can

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probably. doesn't hurt to try.

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6 hours ago, catherine48 said:

I've actually seen quite a few debates on this topic, and the general consensus is no--if it's optional, don't bother taking it. The rest of your application is going to carry much more weight than a number they glance at from a standardized test, and the weight it does carry will probably pale in comparison to what you'd put yourself through to study for it and take it. The only good reason I've seen mentioned to take it is if you feel like your application is lacking somewhere else, AND you feel pretty certain that you'd perform outstandingly well on the GRE. Otherwise, it's more trouble than it's worth, and it's probably not going to make or break the admissions decision.

6 hours ago, Marliellie17 said:

Hi future nurses!

Has anyone taken the GRE or is planning to take it? I'm not sure if JHU would pick an applicant who has taken it over another applicant who has not. I have a pretty solid GPA but I'm not sure if I should take it to be more competitive. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

I took the GRE's in grad school and I never want to take them again. ? They don't require it so I wouldn't bother wasting time. I think maybe just focus on the prereqs, and essays. I just get this sense that they really look at them. good luck to you!!

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6 hours ago, Marliellie17 said:

Hi bottman,

First off, I loved reading your input for the application process at Johns Hopkins University. JHU is my first choice because I love how they value world experience and how they see their students as a whole person and not a number. I have a pretty solid GPA but I do have patterns of Ws on my transcript. I'm worried that it might be a red flag for JHU but in the end I did end up finishing those classes that I withdrew from with good grades. Are W's frowned upon at JHU? Would I be disqualified? I have hospital volunteer experience and I studied abroad in Spain last Summer. Im having trouble with the multiculturalism question. What do they mean by "core values" ? Exactly what are they looking for in an applicant? If anyone else has input please respond to my comment. Good luck everyone!!

Hi Marliellie-

re: diversity question, let's say you had a case where a couple has differing views on religion and health. they bring their little boy into the hospital because something happened to him. but the wife's/husband's religion says that he/she can refuse blood transfusion. your core belief system might be challenged by attempting to understand why the wife/husband, would decline a life-saving treatment for their son in light of their religion. Also, your core belief sys may be challenged by the fact that despite your "presumed views on choosing health above religion, an informed adult has the right to refuse or accept medical treatment for their underage child. these are your core values. hope this helps.

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17 hours ago, Marliellie17 said:

... the GRE ... if JHU would pick an applicant who has taken it over another applicant who has not. ...

Unfortunately, only the admission committee can answer your question. The feeling I got, JHU does not hold graduate entrance exams as much of an indicator too much. Will they look at it, sure. When I was at an information session before applying, the admission advisor said that they found plenty of people did poorly in school who scored well on the GRE as those who did well in school. She also said JHU was looking into not requiring the MCAT. Thus, they're really about the holistic approach.

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17 hours ago, Marliellie17 said:

... I do have patterns of Ws on my transcript. I ... but in the end I did end up finishing those classes that I withdrew from with good grades. ... Exactly what are they looking for in an applicant? If anyone else has input please respond to my comment. ...

Unfortunately, your questions are getting into the area only someone on the admission committee can answer for you. If it was me, I would send an email or talk to one of the admission advisors at the school of nursing. I sent several emails to JHU SON. I did to other programs too. I found them to very receptive and straight forward to my concerns. They were encouraging but honest about my chances. At the information session for JHU SON, after it was done, I spoke to the admission advisor and discussed issues I had, if I should include the autopsy and human dissection, and if so how. On a side note, the admission counselor I met remember me at Accepted Students Day and we talked. Maybe it was my hair or I made an impression that day.

If all the Ws were early on in your academic career, it's probably not a big issue. It something you could address in an addendum if it's legit like a family emergency, tried to take on too much, had to focus on work, and so forth. I recommend including something about what you learned. If you dropped because you did think you would get an A or got too lazy, you may want to forgo it. The addendum letter is to allow you to address or add things you cannot elsewhere. Don't make a novel though. Remember, they're going to be reading six to seven hundred applications; could be even more given the state of things. The admission people know life happens. Graduate school is about being a professional. People want you to take responsibility for your decisions/actions. Otherwise, it's nothing but an excuse. Sometimes "I don't know" is a perfectly acceptable answer. Since this, an institution of higher learning, show you are able to learn from life and not just a book. You're going to need to learn on the job as nurse as well.

The core values are explained on their website. A lot of it has to do with inclusion, diversity, and leadership.

I'm only trying to guide you in what you can possibly do. If I get too detailed, you may sound more like me, than you. And the way I see it, if I was able to get in, then you should be able to as well assuming why you want to be a nurse and attend JHU SON are more than about money and "prestige". I personally did think what I want to do as a nurse exactly matched what they want, but indirectly it does. The diversity questions were pretty challenging for me because of how I see the world and the people. The questions are meant to be challenging. It is stuff you'll encounter as a nurse. I work as an on-call CNA in a memory ward at a skilled nursing facility for retired military officers; I deal with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or PTSD. It comes up a lot. And since I"m on-call, I have to build a rapport quickly, address the issue, respect the choices, be kind. I've been hit and hit on.

That said, if you do get accepted into the school, it appears there are a lot of opportunities to have while there. It's one of the reasons I chose the school. More importantly, how the program is set up, matched what I was looking to have in school.

My offer to let you read my essays and addendum is still open. I think having other people read them will be your biggest help and guide. On the same note, go to the information session. Build a rapport with whoever the admission advisor who is there. The one I had, gave me her card and even offered to go over my application/essays before I submitted. I did not get a chance. I did have others go over my essays.

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Hey Everyone,

Im the one who began this thread and I’ve been totally MIA a lot of the Summer- my bad! ? loving seeing so many people on here though!

I have asked JHU to push my Jan 2021 application to the fall so I don’t overload myself trying to get my pre-reqs done. I do thrive in accelerated fast pace environments (I do want to be a trauma nurse, after all ? ) but even so, I figured it’d be smart.

I saw some people asking about addendums- you can totally do those after you’ve submitted. Just email -------------------- in admissions- she’s awesome. I’ve done this myself too.

I hope you’re all having an amazing Summer!

Jen

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On 7/23/2020 at 5:45 PM, Marliellie17 said:

Hi future nurses!

Has anyone taken the GRE or is planning to take it? I'm not sure if JHU would pick an applicant who has taken it over another applicant who has not. I have a pretty solid GPA but I'm not sure if I should take it to be more competitive. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

I have never taken the GRE and I don't plan to. It wasn't required for my masters degree at Northwestern University and now that I have a 4.0 graduate GPA, it is a much better indicator that I can handle graduate work than the GRE would be. My thoughts on this, for you and anyone else, is that the JHU application process is holistic, like others have said. I wouldn't stress too much about GRE vs no GRE, but what I would do is try to put yourself in the shoes of an admissions person who has gotten 700 applications for 100 seats, and take a step back and look at your whole application. All they have to go off of to get an idea of who you are is what you include in your application... so what are you showing them? What kind of picture are you painting of you as a human being and future nurse? Grades are important, sure, but so is the whole person, and the experiences that person can bring to the table (in this case, the table is the program ? ). In the end, whatever is meant to happen will happen. As long as you put your best foot forward and you painted an accurate and positive picture of yourself to admissions, you should be alright. Keep us all posted! ? - Jen

On 7/24/2020 at 12:30 AM, Christina121979 said:

Hi Marliellie-

re: diversity question, let's say you had a case where a couple has differing views on religion and health. they bring their little boy into the hospital because something happened to him. but the wife's/husband's religion says that he/she can refuse blood transfusion. your core belief system might be challenged by attempting to understand why the wife/husband, would decline a life-saving treatment for their son in light of their religion. Also, your core belief sys may be challenged by the fact that despite your "presumed views on choosing health above religion, an informed adult has the right to refuse or accept medical treatment for their underage child. these are your core values. hope this helps.

Christina, I just want to say that I love how you framed this. This is such an important topic and something we all must always keep in mind as future healthcare providers. It is our duty to do our best for our patients, and a part of doing our best is respecting all beliefs and values they hold, regardless of our own personal feelings. A former boss of mine used to tell us "leave your feelings at the door"- I think that sentiment is especially important working in healthcare.

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