Please help!!

luvs637 · Oct 15, 2011

I would say your chances of getting in are pretty high due to your masters GPA and extra-curriculars. When did you take A&P though? Alot of schools would like to see it taken recently and with a good grade...maybe retake A&P to give yourself a little boost.

What was your GPA on all the pre-reqs?

spore2008 · Oct 15, 2011

These questions are always tough to answer because no school publishes a listing of their academic profile of the incoming class. I think Rush GEM looks at the last 60 credits as your GPA. I think your GRE scores are about average. Your science prereqs may be on the low side (GPA 2.4). Do you have any prereqs left to take? If you multiple Cs in science classes you may want to consider retaking the class.

Also, Masters Entry Programs are Generalist Masters. You will earn an MSN but if you want to become an advanced practice nurse (Nurse Practitioner), you will need to get another Masters degree. Also, many schools are eliminating the MSN for Nurse Practitioner and replacing it with a DNP, Doctorate in Nursing Practice, a three year degree.

When applying, be sure to consider the most cost effective strategy.

There are many great choices in Chicago.

cbrennan1188 · Oct 16, 2011

Thank you very much for replying. My anatomy and physiology grades are B- and B respectively. taken about 3 years ago.

Spore2008, could you tell me the best choices in Chicago for me with no nursing and wanting to be an NP? Any direct DNP programs?

spore2008 · Oct 16, 2011

I only applied to the Rush GEM and DePaul MENP programs. Both are graduate entry masters programs and not nurse practitioner programs. I know that UIC has a combined degree program and both Rush and DePaul encourage education continuation through their schools following completion of the generalist masters. Both schools offer nurse practitioner degrees.

Also, DePaul and Rush have more than one entry per year and UIC is only once per year. Watch your deadlines!

cbrennan1188 · Oct 18, 2011

Thanks for the feedback! Were you accepted to both programs? From what you know of the schools and those accepted, do I take a chance applying?

spore2008 · Oct 18, 2011

I was accepted to both programs.

Honestly, I do not know the admissions statistics for these programs nor the student profile of the incoming class.

I was a bit of an oddball applicant. I graduated from college in 1998 from a highly-selective liberal arts college but did not do well (GPA3.8). My GREs were about a 1330 with 5 on the writing. I was exempt from many prerequisites because of my background. All of my other prerequisite grades were As...so my prerequisites were heavy with As and some "older" Bs.

I would definitely apply. Most nuring schools when asked say they want GREs to be 500 on both sections (and you are good there). I think having graduate work will serve you well and will help soften the undergraduate GPA. One bruise may be your science grades. I don't know if your science prerequisite grades in particular are poor. If they are Cs, you may want to consider retaking the course(s).

I believe both Rush and DePaul examine applications holistically. I know Rush places a good deal of emphasis on the essay and also interviews. DePaul does not interview. Both schools answered my questions promptly and helped me a great deal during the application process.

Go for it. And, if you can, consider other great schools in the country.

cbrennan1188 · Oct 18, 2011

Thank you again, I appreciate it. Good luck to you!