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Something to think about for LeaDS folks... a certain number of applicants in other specialties who don't make the cut will get offered a spot in LeaDS. It might make sense for the SON to know how many of those people accept/decline before moving forward. Don't despair yet.

I wouldn't panic. Last year I didn't get an interview until this time, and I interviewed mid dec for PMHNP. Ultimately I was referred to LeaDS and interviewed for that in January. People got letters to the tune of "thank you for your application but...." so unless you got one of those, chances are UT is still processing things.

Were interviews today, or Dec 14th? Good luck to all. About healthcare experience.. they score your resume/CV, and that's where the experience factors in. But we aren't given a matrix to know exactly what it's worth. When I applied previously, someone asked in person, and they said they don't divulge that information. Could always ask the coordinator or a member of faculty one on one, we were encouraged to contact them.

No schedule here. Which track did the two of you apply to?

As far as I am aware, the scoring process does not factor in masters or doctoral degrees. When I applied last year, I was two classes off from finishing my masters -- when I asked what I could do to improve my application, "Graduate with your masters" wasn't mentioned. Just my thought process.

BrenBren02, may I ask -- what discouraged you? Do you intend to enroll in the post masters certificate after graduating?

The SON takes all 3000+ level courses an applicant has taken in their academic career and, based on attempted hours and earned grades, arrive at each student's workable GPA for scoring. The average GPA of accepted psych students (overall) is 3.7 I was told... but it's also worth noting that some years, applicant GPAs may trend lower than that. So it's not a hard and fast cutoff. Things like experience do count, but they won't compensate for a dismal GPA, only get you the most credit for that particular dimension. Now, if everyone applying with you has a lower GPA than 3.7 then that 3.7 isn't going to mean anything and you can still be considered competitive with a lower GPA. Hope this clears that up!

LeaDS has many more seats than the other tracks. Not everyone who truly wants LeaDS will get a shot due to the seat being offered to other students, but not every student who is offered LeaDS as a second chance will take it. Most applicants have invested in multiple schools. They will take another NP/CNS offer over LeaDS if one is extended to them.

Hello, Rae. What concentration are you intending? I applied last year and was accepted to LeaDS, though my original designation was PMHNP. As you've already read a bunch of threads I just want to drop some stats that people generally have questions about. I remember scouring posts, so hopefully all who are doing that now will find this helpful. Average GRE: 317 Average GPA: 3.7 Note this is to the psych specialty only. My cumulative gpa at the time was 3.28 with a graduate gpa of 4.0. My GRE was lower than average too but I don't remember what it was. As always, these numbers fluctuate a bit depending on the stats of everyone in the applicant pool. With no need to improve (based on the assessment of the Asst Director of Grad Academic Services at the SON, who all will come to know and appreciate!!) letters of recommendation, my statement, or beef up my experience, the numbers kept me out of the top 7, though I was one of 21 to make the cutoff for the interview. If anyone is sizing up their chances, maybe this will give you a relevant yardstick. A note about deferrment: A spot is held for you, automatically, the following year. If, like me, you were accepted to LeaDS, you could defer with this promised spot in mind and *still* reapply to psych next cycle -- or whatever specialty -- without giving up that LeaDS seat. Deferment knocks you off the wait list, however. You can reuse letters of recommendation, statement, etc without having to furnish new ones, although you do have to update transcripts. LeaDS is new so these policies may change. Interviewing was very laid back. Group style at first, a writing/comprehension prompt, and a personal interview. I enjoyed this process, did not come away feeling intimidated, and the faculty were very friendly (and, knowing we were all terrified, did their best to keep us at ease). Good luck to everyone applying this cycle.

I found out I am waitlisted also for FPMHNP in addition to admitted to LeaDS.

For those waiting, I imagine there will be another wave after Feb 12th as that's the deadline for a response. Some are sure to decline and it would free up some spots (:

I intend to pursue the post masters.... unless I start working and just love the heck out of something else. I'm still pretty open minded about that possibility.

I was accepted to LeaDS. I will also be deferring admission, so -- good luck to all who are awaiting a decision!

I'm taking pharm in the spring, too. And yes... January is agonizingly slow while December gave me whiplash. Does anyone know if having to finish up prereqs lowers our score?

Exactly!

I just got the email today -- I only meant that for those who had not heard anything back or interviewed at all, there is a deadline the SON is shooting for so they may want to inquire quickly. Did you interview for PMHNP or did you switch to LeaDS prior to that?

Oh, I also got an email to schedule the LeaDS interview (I'm going forward with that). They are aiming to complete those by January 7th. One or two of you have mentioned not hearing back -- I urge you to contact someone so that if a mistake has been made there is still time to correct it.

FYI, for those of you who got the email about also being considered for LeaDS; the coordinator had this to say "You are correct, you are being considered for the FPMHNP waitlist and acceptance to LeaDs. Decisions will be late Jan. or early Feb." Unless someone declines their psych NP spot ^^ leads me to believe the alternative option is the only way we're going to UT (those of us who got the email). For those of you who did not get the email... well, you could be IN! Or outright rejected, but I doubt that

I am currently in a master's program. I could double up if I had to in order to graduate prior to matriculation... but the field experience would really, really suck. I have not been informed that deferment is contingent upon an unforeseen crisis, though I have been wrong before

No backups this year. I intend to defer and this is the only program I am aware of allows that. Next year, if I don't get a spot this year, will be a different story. You?

I also got this email. Are you guys willing to consider leads?

Emb, it was a blur to me too! I only know because I sent my husband a text message before the writing thing and then again when done, so I could estimate. I fingerprint friday so I am not sure what kind of confirmation we can expect. Where is everybody from??

BTW if anybody has prereqs this semester, transcripts are required by Jan 6th!! Just a reminder, or if you didn't get the email.

Allisonnf, ask Tracy to check on things for you. You never know but you definitely want to check before they start making decisions!! Good luck to you. NP interview lasted about an hour and a half, with a former faculty member. Short brown hair lady headed my NP group session though, and I agree she's very nice. Dept head was also there and very nice too. I got great vibes from everybody. Now to start obsessing over blue slip in the mail...

I felt very good about the interview! It was so very laid back and I got the sense that the interviewers truly were looking at us from the big picture vantage point. For those who applied for PMHNP with interviews coming up, or lurking for upcoming years; The information session is comprehensive but intimate, and happens first. This puts you at ease and breaks the ice allowing for some Q&A and a bit more insight than Tracy can offer (not downing the woman, Lord knows I harass her enough). Group interview is very, very brief. Writing portion happens for half, while the other half interviews individually, and you flip flop. We were given an article and parameters for a response. Approximately 45 minutes allotted. Individual -- this felt like a conversation peppered with a few job interviewy questions. I got the sense that this varied among interviewees and I bet if you prepared a few anwers you could probably steer the conversation and work them in. I talked so much that I think only two questions were actually asked of me. Talking numbers, the faculty member that headed the Q&A said 58 applied, 21 were interviewed, and I want to say that there are 14 seats but only 7 are open?? I don't remember why I think this, so if anyone can chime in, please do.. Dept head stated that interviewees were all highly qualified, she made it sound as if it were basically decided that all who came to the campus would likely be offered a spot in LeaDS if NP offer wasn't extended. I had a great experience. Best to all of you interviewing next week.