PENN interview!!!

JJRN · Dec 5, 2005

Although a Penn education is expensive, I can say it is well worth it. Something most do not know is that Penn does indeed have alot of money to share. For the past fall/spring semesters we received a greater than $10K grant, and I only hope the same occurs next year. This is money that does not need payed back.

Also, for those of you who do not know, Philadelphia area school are going though much transitioning in clinical sites due to the addition of the Jeff and Cooper programs. Penn remains protected form this and is not scrambling for sites to send students.

Lastly, from what I hear, some other Philly schools often have more than one student doing a case in the OR at the same time. This is forbidden at Penn, so all learning/clinical experiences are truely individualized to each student, and there is no "fighting" for experience.

These are just a few of the good things that come to mind about the program. Regardless of where we all go to school I wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to being your future colleague.

RNNJ · Dec 9, 2005

RNNJ-
They had tolkd me that they get together and discuss the appplicants about every two weeks or so. That being said, I heard within that time period, but i wouldnt get down if you havent heard...no news is good news...I interviewed with the asst. director and the director. keep me posted on your progress and good luck.
The program is on the upper ecehlon of cost, but my understanding is that most of the schools in this area are in the range of 60-70k. Penn's program is 24 months, shorter than most if not all than the programs i've looked into, and that is time that i wont have to go without salary.

I've just been told that there is one seat left for May 2006 and they've extended the interviews untill January 23rd 2006 for that one spot. Can you believe it? What are they looking for? Obviously I didn't blow them away but fine, how about good enough? I mean I thought I was a good candidate. I am just surprised and disappointed that they looked at me and said: "NEEEXT!!!". I am trying to communicate to them that I am serious and I would love to be that one last person but we'll see if they agree.:angryfire

RNNJ · Dec 9, 2005

Although a Penn education is expensive, I can say it is well worth it. Something most do not know is that Penn does indeed have alot of money to share. For the past fall/spring semesters we received a greater than $10K grant, and I only hope the same occurs next year. This is money that does not need payed back.
Also, for those of you who do not know, Philadelphia area school are going though much transitioning in clinical sites due to the addition of the Jeff and Cooper programs. Penn remains protected form this and is not scrambling for sites to send students.
Lastly, from what I hear, some other Philly schools often have more than one student doing a case in the OR at the same time. This is forbidden at Penn, so all learning/clinical experiences are truely individualized to each student, and there is no "fighting" for experience.
These are just a few of the good things that come to mind about the program. Regardless of where we all go to school I wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to being your future colleague.

So you are at PENN right now? You were probably interviewed by Art!!! Too bad he is gone. I am so curious to see what the keywords are for the interviews. Because I feel like I didn't hit them on the sweet spot.

JJRN · Dec 9, 2005

Yes, I am. Don't get too down regarding the admission process. I truely believe schools look for the best "fit" in potential students to their programs, and that does not necessarily mean you are not a worthy applicant. The school may feel they don't match the student's vibe. Keep applying, granted if you don't get in anywhere you may need to strengthen your profile. Good luck in all you do.

RNNJ · Dec 16, 2005

Yes, I am. Don't get too down regarding the admission process. I truely believe schools look for the best "fit" in potential students to their programs, and that does not necessarily mean you are not a worthy applicant. The school may feel they don't match the student's vibe. Keep applying, granted if you don't get in anywhere you may need to strengthen your profile. Good luck in all you do.

I actually am accepted at Drexel for January 2007! So now I am a little more relaxed about it. It won't be the end of the world if I don't have a PENN degree! Plus I'll be a great anesthetists no matter where I go. There.

natbug · Mar 1, 2008

What questions did Penn ask you in your interview? What kind of clinical questions if any do you remember? I am applying for May 2009. Anything would help for interview. Thanks.

RNNJ · Mar 1, 2008

What questions did Penn ask you in your interview? What kind of clinical questions if any do you remember? I am applying for May 2009. Anything would help for interview. Thanks.

Oh god! That was so long ago. All I can say is I am at Drexel now and couldn't be happier. The interview seemed very informal especially when compared to Drexel's. The director didn't even show up. Thinking back it was pretty bad. They mostly wanted to know about my ICU experience and my reasons why I wanted to be a CRNA. Are you applying anywhere else?

Tanguera, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 11, 2008

Hi JJRN,

I have been sifting through posts looking for current students or alumni from the UPenn nursing program. Would you recommend the program to prospective students? I'm looking for a school where I will get a good education, and for a place where I will be happy. It seems that there were a lot of schools that were ranked very well by NIH, but there are a lot of ppl in this forum indicating that although it is ranked well, the actual faculty/student interactions are notthe best. I am considering UPenn and hope to hear some truthful feedback about the teaching, the clinicals, and the overall experience.

Thanks!

RNNJ · Jul 11, 2008

Hi JJRN,
I have been sifting through posts looking for current students or alumni from the UPenn nursing program. Would you recommend the program to prospective students? I'm looking for a school where I will get a good education, and for a place where I will be happy. It seems that there were a lot of schools that were ranked very well by NIH, but there are a lot of ppl in this forum indicating that although it is ranked well, the actual faculty/student interactions are notthe best. I am considering UPenn and hope to hear some truthful feedback about the teaching, the clinicals, and the overall experience.
Thanks!

Hi Tanguera,

I am currently at Drexel's program and loving it. I am graduating in May 09 and although I applied to PENN they didn't offer me a spot there for the year I wanted. I have a friend however that goes there and he is getting killed. Anesthesia school is intense as it is. PENN condensed it to 24 months and made the demands higher. By higher I mean you'll have clinical and didactic on the same day, they don't like you taking courses out of the way before enrolling, and their attitude is "you should be lucky that you are going to PENN". Drexel is a strong program. If I had to do it all over again I'd still pick Drexel. Our coordinator is great and the the other faculty is very nice. The MSN courses are offered online so you don't have to be on campus for them, which works out pretty good. I am actually enjoying the time in school because there is so much to learn and when you show interest people are looking forward to teaching. Having said that there are always the nasty ones, but they are a rarity. The first year sucks. You are like a slave in every sense of the word. But then it gets better. My friend at PENN is still wondering when it will get better...

But again, it is PENN and I understand why people want to go there. I was one of them. Now I am happy everyday that I am not there. It just wasn't a good fit for me.

Good luck and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me!

RNNJ

rachael12681 · Jul 20, 2008

I interviewed there in May. Be prepared for the director and assistant director are not very warm and fuzzy. The asked me to tell them why I wanted to be a nurse anesthetist and why I wanted to go to Penn's program. They also asked me to tell them what types of patients I see and to talk about some vasopressors i.e epi, norepi, neo, vasopressin the wanted to know the specifics down to a chemical level like are they alpha or beta. I was also asked to tell them what my coworkers would say about me (strengths and weaknesses) The interview was very short about 20 min but I know others have had longer interviews.

TBICU · Mar 15, 2009

I'm wondering...I had a recent interview at UPenn and don't think I completely answered their questions....Is there a chance I could still be accepted? I haven't heard anything from them yet? Did I truly need to talk about alpha and beta when discussing vasopressors?

RNNJ · Mar 15, 2009

TBICU,

No you don't need to be talking alphas and betas in your interview. And if that is what they expect they are fools. That is stuff you'll be learning at school to the highest degree. Where else did you apply and or interview? Penn is not all it's cracked up to be. We all come out doing the same thing competing for the same jobs as new graduate CRNAs. They don't pay you more because you went to Penn. If they are actually expecting you to name receptors they are more lost than I thought. They do however, in most institutions expect you to have a critical thinking. They might give you scenarios and ask you "what do you think is happening", "what would you do?". That is the appropriate way of handling entrance interviews to evaluate aptitude.

Wish you luck.