Rush University GEM Fall 2016

Dikid · Feb 15, 2016

Hey I applied to the Rush GEM for next fall. I was not able to make it to the first look. Is there any way you can recap some major things they covered.

Thats scary that they are interviewing about 200 people. On the site they said they normally interview about 100-120 from 200 applicantand accept 72. I guess the program is growing in popularity.

For those who had their interviews, how did they go? Any trick or different types of questions?

Thanks.

crescendo88 · Feb 15, 2016

so, my interview today was so quick. I got there 20 min prior to my scheduled time, and my interviewer was already looking for me! arrrrgh... So vpet, you might want to get there at least 30 min. prior to your time.

The interview itself probably lasted 20 min. or so. Mostly very conversational. She was very nice. She had a few questions prepared to ask me that were written down from reading my essay and my recommendation letters, she said.

I think it went well, too, but she also emphasized that she's not the one deciding who to accept. She's just giving a recommendation to the admission committee as an interviewer. The committee will meet next week to look at all the interviewed applicants' entire data incl. the interviewers opinions & discuss who will be accepted, waitlisted, and rejected.

Well, at least I'm done. Can't do anything now. Just wait till the judgement day, March 4th!

Hi to nbs11 and Dikid! sorry CoreyAlan, I totally butchered your name in the last post! KO_1219, I hope your flight went all right. I know many flight got canceled yesterday due to snow.

Dikid, I know the number scared all of us at the First Look! They usually receive 200 applicants, but this time the number doubled to 400, and consequently the qualified applicants number increased, so they are interviewing more than ever. I don't know how different interviewers ask questions, but at least for my case, be prepared to be asked about your experiences and how that applies to be a nurse. They will more likely to tailor questions that only relates to you.

KO.SRNA, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2016

Darn after I posted to the forum, I was talking to others at first look and totally forgot to check back so we can all link up! But yes, the information session definitely revealed some new information especially regarding admissions. 197 interviews for 72... I was over here thinking I had better than a 1/2 chance, but that's definitely not the case anymore.

@Crescendo88 I actually left this morning at 6 am from Midway. It sure was busy though due to the cancelled flights from Sunday. However, my girlfriend and I loved Chicago!!! We didn't get to venture off too much into the different neighborhoods and surrounding cities, but I know there's a ton of things to do in Chicago that we'd never be bored. The cold definitely hit us harder than we thought, and that windchill was kicking our butts when we were walking around downtown Saturday/Sunday. Nonetheless, I think we can definitely get used to it especially with the proper gear. Lol they don't really sell big jackets necessary for Chicago Winters here in Cali.

@Dikid - As Crescendo88 and CoreyAlan1 have stated, they asked me questions by dissecting my personal statement. They asked me to tie those experiences with nursing. I also was asked about cultural competence and males in nursing. Others I've talked to at First Look about their interviews sounded very personalized as well. There was also a couple scenario questions as well. Just remember to try not to dance around the question with too much irrelevant information. I was so nervous at first that I think I repeated myself a little bit in the beginning, but the interview slowly turned into a conversation. Overall, I felt like it went well, but I definitely recommend some slight preparation at least since its not a standard set of 6 to 8 questions for everyone.

gc13 · Feb 16, 2016

Hey everyone,

I was also at the First Look on Saturday. I had my interview today. My interviewer asked me a good amount of questions regarding my school/work ethic, whether I prefer to work alone vs on a team, and how do I handle stressful situations. Definitely not the questions I was expecting. I think we had a really great conversation and they were a nurse midwife and women's health NP so it was nice to talk about my interest in reproductive and sexual health with someone who has a lot of experience in that realm.

KO.SRNA, MSN, RN · Feb 16, 2016

Hey everyone,
I was also at the First Look on Saturday. I had my interview today. My interviewer asked me a good amount of questions regarding my school/work ethic, whether I prefer to work alone vs on a team, and how do I handle stressful situations. Definitely not the questions I was expecting. I think we had a really great conversation and they were a nurse midwife and women's health NP so it was nice to talk about my interest in reproductive and sexual health with someone who has a lot of experience in that realm.

That's good you asked her about her career path and what not. Idk why I forgot to ask my interviewer more about her background, that seems like a great idea especially when we're aspiring to be in some of their shoes one day. Glad your interview went well for you. Let the waiting game begin! I hope these next couple of weeks will go by quick by the time we find out March 4th. Good luck to you!

Dikid · Feb 17, 2016

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

Also on the website it says decisions being announced in May but I'm glad to see that is not the case!!

ekells · Feb 18, 2016

Hi everyone, just found this thread!

Is is anyone doing a Skype interview?? I was unable to attend the first look/out of town in-person interview, so I am interviewing via Skype tomorrow morning. Sooooo nervous!!! Advice??

nbs11 · Feb 19, 2016

does anyone know if interviews end today? If so, congrats to everyone to making it through & now the waiting game is in full effect. Anyone else getting more anxious as the days go by!?

vpet · Feb 19, 2016

Hey all, my interview was today. I think it went really well, but it seems like everybody have the same feeling about their interview. The interviewer was really nice and friendly and encouraging...it didn't feel like it was very long interview but when I was done I think I was 6-7 mins into the next candidates term. I cannot recall if it started right on time or not.

Anyways, it's now 2 weeks left, and I hope we'll be able to share some good news here soon.

CoreyAlan1 · Feb 19, 2016

Good to hear VPet! It is definitely getting down to the nitty gritty! Let's do our best to keep some positive vibes, energy, and hope as our decision date comes in just two weeks! It is still nerve wracking though to think about the acceptance rate and the fact that one interviewer can make or break the decision. Best of luck to everyone. have you guys applied to other schools? I also applied to DePaul as well for their MENP program although Rush is definitely my first choice.

vpet · Feb 19, 2016

I applied to DePaul as well....you gotta have a back up plan, right? There's a tread for MENP fall 2016 too. A person from their admission announced they will send their decisions 'by March'. Also I applied to Elmhurst College NME.

So CoreyAlan you have definitely chose to move to Chicago, right? Well, hopefully we'll end up in the same school :)

CoreyAlan1 · Feb 19, 2016

Most certainly VPET. I fell in love with the city. It's the third time I have visited and really want to move out! It is so much closer to my hometown at the tip of southern Indiana/northern Kentucky! I have also became obsessed with switching careers and being a nurse. It's all I can think about! :-) hopefully we will end up at the same school!