ctn16

Absolutely! I felt like the strongest parts of my application were my experiences. Though these programs are intended as career-changers, I still wrote about how much I love my current job and how I would apply those experiences to a nursing career. I was also very upfront about my goals. Though they don't perfectly align with UCI's program, I made sure to make a strong case as to how UCI would still be a good fit for me. I ended up declining my interview, but I wish everyone the best of luck, wherever you end up!

I submitted on 11/05!

Pre-specialty PMHNP, hope to meet y'all soon!

Thanks VwBee89! I did list UCSF as a school I applied to, but my interviewers asked me if I applied there (I'm guessing they might not have had a chance to thoroughly review my application with my re-schedule). I believe they said that that question is not something they typically ask of applicants, but one they asked me because I live in California. I can't recall if their exact question was "Why would I apply to Vanderbilt if UCSF is in my state" or "Why would I choose Vanderbilt over UCSF" though, which might make a difference to some folks?

Hi LCSW, happy to share! I had a rough start to my interview as I unfortunately missed my original interview time (I did timezones wrong). I was incredibly fortunate to be able to reschedule my interview for later in the day. I feel like my interview went okay. I was asked some standard interview questions, and why Vanderbilt over UCSF (as I live in California). I definitely stumbled over that last one a little bit. As some other folks in this thread have pointed out, there's not a lot of obvious difference between UCSF and Vandy. I feel like I gave a decent answer for it, and tried to focus on population differences. I'm surprised that your interviewers spoke at such length about their decision being so difficult! My interviewers said that the interview is to augment a mostly-made decision (though they may have been saying that so I wouldn't worry so much about missing my original slot, so who can say).

Hey HermioneNurse, I don't mean to dishearten you, but I turned in my application several days after the Nov 1st deadline and had my interview today (pre-specialty PMHNP)