Marquette U Direct Entry program 2007 cohort!

bobo0078 · Jan 31, 2007

Congrads

I 2 have applied 2 the direct entry MSN program . I have been hovering around the mailbox awaiting for the mail 2 arrive. I know that admisssion is competitive they accept like 32 out of what they expected like 100 applicants. Was the acceptance letter in a small envelope or a large one? What did u do in your prior life?

Eric

KimmbaFNP, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 31, 2007

Well I actually received an email notification which apologized for the informal method of notification and asking for my verbal/email commitment by February 1st. The email also said I would receive the written acceptance letter within 1-2 weeks.

When I last spoke with Mary Paquette, she said they would be completing the acceptance letter process in "waves", I'm guessing this is the first wave, they then send out a second wave, and then a third depending on commitments from students and also if they receive approval for the additional 10 or so spots they've asked of University admissions. So don't lose hope yet if you haven't received anything! :)

Currently I teach A&P, Micro, ethics and advanced respiratory care courses online for San Joaquin Valley College. I have my MBA and have also been a registered respiratory therapist since the early nineties. I think the fact that I have clinical experience and already have a Masters degree likely helped immensely in receiving acceptance for the program.

Mary told me that they organize and review in the following way:

1st any applications not complete are not considered

2nd, all students are put into a spreadsheet based on their GPA & they use that order to begin review (she noted that with the competitive nature of the program and high applicant pool, most admitted to the program tend to have a GPA of 3.5 or above, but there are exceptions based on letters of recco, goal statements, etc.)

3rd they review the goal statements, resume's, and letters of recommendation.

She said that GPA is not the sole determinant and often folks with a lower GPA (but still above 3.0 of course) but better overall "package" can be accepted over those with higher GPA's, but that it is the initial starting point for reviewing.

She also indicated that the Goal Statements are one of the factors that she reviews closely to get a subjective "feel" for the person, and to also review their attention to detail through the formatting, grammar & spelling, etc.

The letters of recommendation seem to be like the icing on the cake & function to either support or oppose their view of the candidate to that point.

However, don't take this as written in stone - it is strictly my interpretation on the method they use based on my questions to her on the process. (I'm the type that tries to find out as much as I can so I can obsessively analyze my odds while awaiting information...)

bobo0078 · Jan 31, 2007

Kim,

Wow you are an exceptional canidiate. You already have an MBA, teach college level classes that one would need to complete as prerequisites to be admitted into the program, and have around 15 years in the health care field.

Thanks for the detailed response. I now have a better idea of how the process works. My application I feel has some positive and negative aspects. I graduated in Dec 2001 with a bachelors of art in business administration. I was a young immature 19 year old. My 1st year and a half was subpar and I finished with a 3.04 gpa. I had to take the GRE since my gpa was under 3.2. I was focused on getting As on my prereqs and was working 12 hour shifts on the weekends and crammed for only 3 days. I dont excel at standardized tests to begin with I got math 430 verbal 400 writing 4.0. Well that is the negative part of my application I dont think that Marquette weighs the GRE heavily, Hopefully?

The positive part is that I already am a LPN and have been so for almost 2 years working in assisted living and LTC. My LPN gpa was exceptional 3.76 in an acclerated program. I received all AS in my prequisite classes at the community college for the past 3 semesters. Im not sure where I stand but this is definately my applications strength.

I will still be stalking the mailman and crossing my fingers and not giving up hope.

Thanks, Eric

Bendergrrl · Jan 13, 2008

Mary told me that they organize and review in the following way:
1st any applications not complete are not considered
2nd, all students are put into a spreadsheet based on their GPA & they use that order to begin review (she noted that with the competitive nature of the program and high applicant pool, most admitted to the program tend to have a GPA of 3.5 or above, but there are exceptions based on letters of recco, goal statements, etc.)
3rd they review the goal statements, resume's, and letters of recommendation.
She said that GPA is not the sole determinant and often folks with a lower GPA (but still above 3.0 of course) but better overall "package" can be accepted over those with higher GPA's, but that it is the initial starting point for reviewing.
She also indicated that the Goal Statements are one of the factors that she reviews closely to get a subjective "feel" for the person, and to also review their attention to detail through the formatting, grammar & spelling, etc.
The letters of recommendation seem to be like the icing on the cake & function to either support or oppose their view of the candidate to that point.

Right now, I am awaiting word for the '08 cohort. Knowing the process helps me bear the wait. Thanks for posting this. :-)

Bree124, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2008

I am waiting to find out for the '08 cohort, too - it's killing me, I am trying not to think about it too much! I think I am decently competitive, so if I don't get in this year I will most likely try to do some volunteering and take the GRE's before applying again next year. I haven't applied anywhere else, and don't plan to. The MU program is exactly what I am looking for!

Bendergrrl - what area are you looking at going into if you get accepted?

Bendergrrl · Jan 26, 2008

Right now, Geriatrics (called Older Adults at Marquette. ;-). However, I have to say that I am quite tempted by pediatrics, as well.

Have you seen the DPN announcement? I have to say that I have wondered how that would effect the MSN program, if there'll even be an '09 cohort for me to apply to if I don't get into '08.

Gah, the wait is painful! Good luck to you, Bree. :-) What are you looking at doing, yourself?

Bree124, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2008

Oh my goodness, I didn't even see that announcement! Yikes! OK, tyring not to think about it too much... haha.

Anyway, if I get accepted, I am most interested in applying to the midwifery program. That's what I've always wanted to do. However, I am keeping my options wide open and really want to get some clinical experience before deciding. Geriatrics would be great, lots of job security with all of these boomers!

If you hear anything, I am counting on you to come on here ASAP and let me know!! It seems like there aren't a lot of us Marquette applicants on here.