NurseInTraining76

1) GRE's are de-emphasized. 2) If you have at least a 1000 or so, you are fine. 3) I have no idea what your chances are, but that's my program, and there were only 2 of us last year. FNP is the most competitive. Other programs are less so. I think you should just go for it.

"I just know that this program is REALLY competitive, and I want to know if I even have a shot!" I think you have a good chance of getting in. Your GPA and GRE will both be a little bit lower than median, but you have a lot of good experience in the right types of areas, and trans health is a very, very underserved area. It'll come down to your essay and recommendations. Feel free to PM me if you want to know more. I have a lot of things to share with you, and don't want to take up forum space. You know what you should also do: contact Shane Snowdon, the LGBT guru at UCSF, and ask her to put you in touch with someone who is interested in trans health issues in the nursing school. They would certainly probably talk to you, as this is not that big of an area, and I am sure they would appreciate having more folks involved.

And this is my last post, for the 15 I need: Don't sweat the GRE's too hard, I think they intentionally de-emphasize it. On the other hand, do make sure you stress your history of doing civic volunteerwork, and try to present this history with as much depth and relevance as possible (2 pages isn't much!).

Also, (pardon the separate posts, but I need to have 15 to be able to PM on this site) - your essay really, really needs to show "congruence" with your stated goals. You whole application really needs to hang together, present a coherent picture, so to speak. They really want you to be incredibly sure of your choices.

As a former MEPN, I just want to stress how helpful it is to speak a second language. If you don't - consider doing an immersion program or taking some classes. Doing volunteerwork related to that would also be extremely helpful.

Also, Thanks for posting this info, folks!

Thanks for posting this info, folks!

I am very interested in the UT RODP program - I am from the knoxville area, and would love to talk to anyone who is in the program who would answer questions about it. However, if you could contact me off this site - I am not sure I'll get messages if you PM me. Try emailing me through my profile. Thanks!!

RN007: I have been trying to figure out how to PM you, but this site won't seem to let me for some reason . I would love to ask you a few questions about your experience with ETSU / RODP. Please let me know if there is a way I can do this. Much appreciation!! ~ Nurse in Training

OK, I collected emails from all who expressed interest, and created a google group. For all who are, or might be, attending MEPN starting in 07, and did not get invited to join the group, drop me an email, with the email address you would like added, and I'll add you. I made the group restricted to cut down on spam, but if you belong in this group, just pop me an email and I'll add you. ~ solon

Hey there! Thanks Jaxnaud: I am collecting emails - I have some from people I already met, and I just sent private messages to a number of folks on this forum. I figure it will be helpful to pool information - about scholarships, financial aide, and for alternates - if any of us know for sure of people who will not be attending UCSF, who have been admitted, I am sure that information would be quite helpful to alternates who have posted on here. At any rate, anybody and everybody, feel free to send me your info, and I'll create a list for us to use to share info. Congradulations and good luck to everyone! Solon

Oh (and I am obviously obsessing here, lol), for anyone who gets into MEPN and want to have a get-together before june 22 or whatever, let's do it!!

PS My letter was postmarked on the 28th, but I only live about a mile from UCSF. God, what torture it must be for those farther off . . . knowing that decision is just floating aimlessly through the mail . . . I wouldn't know what to do!

WOOP WOOP!!!! I'm in!! Much love! ~Solon

ChickenLLBird: I am currently waiting on UCSF as well, but I have been told by various MEPN students that microbio is extremely useful to know; after they are asked what classes would be most useful to have taken before enrolling. My calss is a medical microbio class that is 3/4 info I wouldl need to know to pass the NCLEX or NP board exams, and for general purpsoes of being a good practitioner. If your class is such a class, I would encourage you to stay in it.