GlobalGouda

Hi CM, Im at Hopkins now and I really enjoy it. I love being around other RPCVs, not to mention other folks who might have a bit more experience, especially globally, than in other nursing programs. I feel Ive learned alot from their experiences. Also, Ive had the chance to do cool work here in Baltimore. I think the vibe is pretty chilled out and wonderful, at least amongst my friends. Im happy Im here and am not sure yet what Ill do once Im done, or whether Im still going straight through the whole MSN/MPH or if I want to take time to work as an RN for a year or so. If I had to do it again, finances aside, I think I might have stuck closer to where I was living before. This is just because moving around is tiring and all, and if I only stay here for a year, and look for an RN job and then who knows...phew. Its a lot, and roots are nice. All and all though, its a real nice place to be. Good luck!

The interview was really not intimidating at all. The interview, mine at least, was just a couple of softball questions like "Why nursing?" "Why this specialty?", things like that.

Hi there, I was accepted everywhere that I applied, including Yale, Columbia, and Hopkins for FNP. I had a 3.5 undergrad GPA and 4.0 on my prereqs, with a 1370 GRE, and was a returned Peace Corps volunteer. In the end, I got much more funding at Hopkins and chose that school. Hope this is helpful- good luck!

Mee too! FNP! But its all a fantasy until I get that financial aid letter

Hi Molly! Im an RPCV who just got into the ABSN/MSN/MPH program at Hopkins and am wondering the same thing. Did you end up there? If so, are you digging it? Thanks!

The Gurtler Scholarship is also a PC scholarship. And I second your thought- its been wonderful to have other people with whom to go through this process!

Hi everyone! I got a call today- I've been accepted to the ABSN-MSN and MPH!!!! Im in love with the school but I feel the same as yall though- how can I make a decision without the financial aid information? Any idea when we might hear about the PC Fellowships or Gurtler scholarship?

ill be there on january 28 to interview for fnp!!! woohooooooo! hope to see some allnurses folks there!

Yah, I think they want to know about ANYTHING (or so they say in the essay req's). I wrote a thesis about gender and dance in the Andes and included that so...hopefully it goes ok!

I think I found it somewhere unexpected on the website, or maybe I asked them in an email. But all of the schools that Im applying to- Yale, Columbia, and Johns Hopkins- say 1200 is "competitive" but again, no candidate gets in or does not get in strictly because of a number. I guess that means that if your score is 1200 plus then its an asset, and if its lower maybe you should pick up some volunteer hours or another bio course, yanno?

About the GREs, I read that "competitive" is a score of 1200, although other factors Im sure can qualify or disqualify people on either end of the spectrum.

Hey there, Dont think its impossible to raise your score. I studied pretty hard for the GREs and was able to raise my score about 200 points between my first practice test and the real exam. It really might be worth it to invest in one of those books- the cost about $70 bucks, but it might be worth it in the long run! Good luck!

thanks phs 2000! I really appreciate your response, because as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer those are my main interest areas also. Making the big bucks isnt such a big priority for me either, but I do hope to eventually live comfortably, you know? Do you mind if I ask which school you attended for your MPH and BSN?

Hi Mission, I am currently applying to the program at Columbia for an MSN/MPH and am wondering: is the mph worth it? Would you mind sharing some of your experience? Thanks.

Hi guys! Im happy to see some other people who have jumped the gun a bit on applying to MSN programs. I got back from the Peace Corps last fall and have been taking my prereqs and living at home ever since. I think that Yale is also my top choice because I have heard so many good things about the close-knit nature of the program. I went to a medium sized urban undergrad school in DC and felt so lost that I really would value guidance from my professors in grad school. I am also applying to Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and NYU. I have switched around a lot, but I think Ill apply for the FNP program as well. I am also planning to apply for a dual degree (MSN/MPH), with an MPH concentration in health policy or microbial epidemiology. Anyone else planning to apply for an MSN/MPH? My scores and all that a decent, but Im still really nervous about my apps because I want to get into these programs SOO badly. Good luck, and cant wait to go through the process with yall!

Hi Mountain Child, Im currently applying to MSN programs for fall 2010 for either FNP or WHNP. I plan to follow a similar path to yours- working in under served areas to pay off some debt when I get out. This is my interest area and the loan repayment is just sort of a happy accident (I was also a Peace Corps volunteer). My question, years later is this: did you have any luck? Are there lots of loan repayment program out there? Was it worth the cost? Can you pay your bills? Thanks! Jac

Thanks VivaRN. Im not a nurse yet- my degree is in international affairs and development, so Im currently knocking out prereqs for some of the accelerated MSN programs at that unbeatable community college price. Thanks so much for your input. I feel a bit mystified by grad school applications because the class sizes are so small. I find myself constantly wondering- I think I am a good applicant. Am I a good applicant? Im competitive, right? - so having some numbers is a big help.

Hi VivaRN, I just read your post and found it very useful as I also am a RPCV considering an MSN/MPH. I have two questions that Im hoping you might be able to answer. First of all, do you know any nurses currently working abroad and if so, how do they find such opportunities? Are they hard to come by? Second, I am wondering if you might be able to give me some stats about people accepted to MPH/MSN programs. The websites of the univeristies I am applying to do not give any GPA or GRE stats. Do you have any idea of what a competitive GRE score looks like for such programs, especially at the top schools? Thank you in advance.