AMPatts1190

@FutureRN9992: It is 4 years in total to get the DNP. At the end of year 3, you will be eligible to sit and take your board exam for your NP and try to find a job while you wrap up your DNP project. :)

@futuregoals27 Classes for GEP Prep start usually the second week of August and then transitions into the first semester. ?

Hi @santakali123: At least for the first year, you have two clinical sites. One of which is on campus, the other is 5min down the road from the school. I am pretty sure you can take the bus and get to all sites. ?

@CCProspectiveDNPFNP: I don’t think you will be too forward in asking her as she was more than happy to do that for us last year. It’s too hard to get that level of reach without her help and many people don’t know that these groups/pages exist (like this one). As she admits new people, she can continue to forward them the facebook link. :)

@CCProspectiveDNPFNP: No problem at all! PM me or inform the group of us when you make that facebook page and then I’ll join it too. I’ll let my cohort know too so we can organize events through facebook too.

@ryoung79 they meet with people 1-1 so you might have just been in the waiting room. I recommend if you decide to go back from 2-4 to wait for the entire length of time and eventually you will be entered into the room. I would use your phone and just have them in your ears as you go about your day

Hi @CCProspectiveDNPFNP: Congrats on your recent acceptance! I’ll number my responses to your questions based on your question number. I apologize that this turned into a book. ? 1.) A facebook group I think is the best way to connect with other incoming students. That’s what we did last year (it’s called: UMass Med GSN Incoming class 2020) and then we later created a “social hour” on zoom as a meet and greet. -------------------------- can send an email to all accepted students notifying them of the creation of the facebook group and disseminate zoom links as needed so people can join and connect. I’ll join the facebook group and/or meet and greets as well (if you like) when one of you creates it and I can add first year input as well. I’ll also notify my cohort and have them join to not be the only opinion in the room (LOL). I’m sure they would love to join and help answer questions. 2.) Last year (around Summer time) a Google doc circulated through the above mentioned facebook page for either older students looking for new roommates or new students looking for a roommate. I recommend to start this right as Summer hits (May) to make sure you can find people in time and lock-in a lease. And to gain insight on how to succeed in this program, what went well for us/didn’t go so well, etc. I would recommend to meet with some of us who are in our first or second year on Zoom. If you want to meet with me to ask the non-public questions, we can definitely arrange that, or if you want a small group of us, I can see if I can arrange for you all to zoom meet some people from my class. A different perspective is always good. ? Now to answer @wp650 about matching preceptors to students: The answer is yes. For clinical, they automatically assign you (in groups of 3) to a clinical instructor and location. Unfortunately you can’t pick the time, floor, instructor, etc. For the end of GEP year internship and NP internships (might have been what you meant), they also arrange for us to have a preceptor for the Summer to work with. I guess there were issues in the past with students not doing much by working with their friends who were nurses/NP’s so then they decided to assign people instead. I hope that answered your question. Please tag me and let me know if anyone here needs anything else. ?

I sent them an email but they do take a million years to respond. We got an email from them today and they are hosting office hours Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 10-11 and 2-4. You might be sent to a waiting room, but a host should be there. If you have any additional trouble next week, let me know and I’ll send you the zoom information to make sure you have the correct one.

@kavauro Good luck tomorrow! You’ll be just fine. I put up some sample interview questions in an above thread that you can see. I’m sure others can chime in with their most recent interview experience. I would also research your faculty so you know with whom you are speaking. It will make the conversation easier. Also have an idea of a potential DNP topic if you are in the DNP track. Keep us updated and let me us know if you have any additional questions! ?

@wp650 yes, they have a formal accepted students day. Ours was virtual (yours probably will be too unless things change). You may not have heard anything yet because they are still accepting students. I think I was accepted at the end of February last year. I think it’s usually early Summer, but ours got postponed to right before GEP Prep. Oh I should probably mention that GEP Prep is the two weeks prior to the formal start of the semester where you meet online (or in person) for 40 hours a week, but they cram a ton of information and content in your head to be prepared for clinical and start of classes. I realized now I was using that term freely. ?

Hi @ryoung79: Each semester varies greatly (and can change with COVID), but I can tell you what my class schedule was last semester. Monday: 9:00-11:30 (Med/Surg), 1:30-3:00 (Biomed) and 3:15-5:15 (concepts) Tuesday: 7am - 7pm Clinical Note: This varies by rotation (you get two, one in the beginning and the other after fall break) and clinical group for either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. You typically will have the same clinical group for both rotations. Lab also changes with clinical and the reading day is the non clinical or lab day). Unfortunately the dates and times for clinical and lab are not entirely consistent throughout the semester. Formal class times should be the same. Wednesday: Lab (varies) 9:00am - 12:00pm. Thursday: “Reading day” which consists of no formal obligations, but it is expected (and necessary) to do homework, catch up on reading and self-care. Friday: 9:00-11:30 (Med/surg) and 1-3:00 (pharmacology). Also note that some exam times may be placed outside of these class times. So you are a little busier than this. They are pretty flexible though with that. ? The reading day will be your best friend and hopefully they keep it to help prevent major burnout.

Yeah relaxing is what I would recommend the most. Even with the med math packet that you will receive over the Summer, do not... and I repeat DO NOT spend all that time reading the chapters. Just complete the packet and go to GEP Prep with questions or consult with your classmates. I’m willing to say that publicly because I was so glad when someone else told me that so I didn’t expend all my energy all Summer on studying 19 arduous chapters in the text book for one 25 question test that can be retaken (like many others have done to their frustration and dismay). And you get a one hour med math lesson prior to the test. ?

That’s a great question! I would say the biggest pro would be the professors and the timeliness of the program. Getting an RN in one year is awesome and we can work throughout the program as well. The Professors are there to help you as well and support you along the way and the clinical instructors are very good as well. Also, the (roughly) 40 of you will be very close to one another (there is usually 8-10 student per track) and that support system is EVERYTHING. Take advantage of having 40 heads trying to figure out nursing instead of just one. We use the group chat application “Group Me” to correspond with one another to share insights, concerns, questions, etc. that can be accessed through your smartphone. The biggest con is stress (expected) and the disorganization of the program. Covid made it worse so many times you won’t know where your clinical site is until a few days before (hopefully that changes for you all). Also, the program is a lot of work. Figuring out how to manage everything is a struggle at times. I would recommend signing up for a mentor when given the option as our cohort can help guide you all into a successful year. Please continue and feel free to ask any additional questions as they come up. ?

Congratulations to both of you @wp650 and @Niithompson22! That’s so great to hear. ? I’m assuming this school is your first choice, so please let me know if you have any other direct questions that may not be now related to the admissions process. I’ll also be more than happy to provide either of you with any tips for success (that I wish I had) before GEP prep starts this upcoming August. My biggest piece of (public) advice would be to stay as stress free as possible leading up to the start of the semester. The program is stressful and you will need to be 100% mentally prepared to tackle it. But it will be worth it in the end! @Niithompson22: For courses, just finish taking the prerequisite courses that the school mandates if you haven’t already done so (A+P, medical Microbiology, stats, development across the lifespan, and nutrition). Take them at QCC if you live locally since it’s the cheapest. They don’t expect you to have any patient care experience. ?

I’m glad the questions were helpful! I hope you get in!! ? You do get some additional funds for expenses like books, but it is through the grad plus loan, which is separate. You get it after the add/drop period each semester and it is direct deposited into your account (so you would have to reimburse yourself).

Hi wp650: In terms of financial aid, mine was covered all federally through the FAFSA. I don’t recall them giving me any aid, but I think in DNP years (2-4), they have internal loan options with very low interest rates. I would reach out to financial aid directly (email) and they have drop-in zoom office hours. Either way it is significantly cheaper than other schools. I also did a Grad Plus loan separately through FAFSA as well which allowed me to quit my job for the first year since it covers some additional expenses (rent, cost of living, etc.) until I pass the NCLEX. The grad plus loan wasn’t as much as I hoped, so I highly recommend that you save a little for the first year since it’s difficult to work with the schedule (or work as little as possible). In terms of activity on here, it is disappointing that not a lot of applicants found this site yet. About 400-500 applicants apply every year and I think only two of you found this website. It usually picks up in January. I wonder if Diane Brescia can notify incoming applicants of this site? That or you can make a facebook page group for next year’s incoming class since that’s more commonly used? I found this site originally just by googling the program, but it is a little hidden. I am sure that many incoming students have questions and we are all here to help. :)

Yes, MGH institute and UMass are different programs/colleges entirely. ?

What you experienced is common for in-person interviews where you might know only the person who contacted you. Even so, this person may only be the secretary. In my case (and assuming for this year too due to COVID), I did know who the interviewers were ahead of time as they sent me a zoom link with their names attached. I met with those who were directly affiliated with the AGACNP track (the head, a junior faculty member and recent graduate). I believe the head of each NP track (when possible) interviews all potential candidates so I would look into that individual at least.

I like the program so far, but like all programs it has its pros/cons. It is a lot at first (especially since you don’t know anything about nursing), but you will adjust quickly. PM me if you want specifics (this forum is public). We do get breaks periodically throughout the semester. We get one week off during each of the semesters (Columbus week and I think the weeks of patriots day) and two weeks off during Christmas time. The subsequent years are flexible enough to work as an RN and it is expected to do so. Only the first year is crazy and impossible to work (since it is an accelerated RN) and the rest of the years are more manageable. You will get plenty of healthcare experience in clinical and eventually your RN job. ?

I wouldn’t say you need healthcare experience, but it would be nice to have. Many students were EMT’s, but I was a Research coordinator (so not healthcare related). If you are military, you could spin that a little bit. To answer your second question, getting a B in one course I wouldn’t say would be detrimental to getting in. I got A’s in every prerequisite but one (where I got a B... stupid stats LOL).

Hi Niithompson22: I’m happy to hear you are applying to the GEP/DNP for 2021. I am a current year 1 GEP student and I can answer any questions that you (and others) may have. To sail through the interview, I would come prepared ready to answer: 1.) why do you want to be in this program (and sub track) at UMass? Why not MGH or MCPHS? 2.) What experiences made you prepared for this experience (it is rather intense)? How are you disciplined? 3.) (the tricky one) Have you ever not done well in a particular course or assignment and what did you do to overcome this? Explain with examples on your ability to be resilient or overcome adversity in an academic setting. 4.) Research your interview members before hand and integrate it into your interview. For example, I noticed that my interviewers published an article on getting jobs post graduation. I asked them to explain this article in a way it was relevant to my question (Do GEP/NP students get jobs easily?) 5.) Know a potential DNP topic of interest. Mine was working with Veterans in an acute care setting. It shows that you are thinking long-term and know what might interest you (fully knowing that could change). 6.) Lastly, I’ll include to think about your support systems and how you will utilize them. An example would be peers if you start to struggle (many do) or going to the professor for study strategies. That was a little long, but feel free to ask more questions if need be. I don’t know if I will get notifications unless I’m tagged, but I’ll check this periodically. ? Best of luck in your interview!

Hi Grace! I am also in the GEP AGACNP track for 2024. I had my interview a couple weeks ago and I recently received a call from the head of admissions (Diane) stating that I was accepted. ? To answer your question- how it works is that after the interview, your application will be forwarded to the "admissions board" for further review. They meet every other Thursday and typically you find out that day (don't hold me to it, this is just based off what I was told/experienced). I am assuming you will hear something on March 26th based on your interview date. You will get a call first, then the official letter/financial aid information if applicable. Best of luck to you on your interview!! Also, if you have any direct questions that you don't want to post publicly, feel free to direct message me on this page or on the UMass Med GEP 2024 facebook group that I think we both recently joined.