Samuel Merritt ELMSN Fall 2012

mochikat · Feb 14, 2012

and also, I know all too well about the jumping in response to my phone ringing. On Saturday night at about 7 pm, my phone rang with a 510 number and I dove for it but it turned out to be a wrong number. My number starts with a 510 so I do get mis-dialed calls from people with the same area code.

yllekah18 · Feb 14, 2012

I was sitting to the left of the directors. Where were you sitting?

mochikat · Feb 14, 2012

To the right, I was the furthest along the side from the directors on the right side, next to the only guy who was in that session

amfo · Feb 14, 2012

Yea seems like no one has received an early admit yet. The first interview date was on 2/4, so it has been well over a week. Maybe they won't be doing that this year?

Naznazy · Feb 14, 2012

SMU admits people based on a point system - I believe it is 60 points for the application portion which includes your TEAS scores, whether you have completed all the important pre-reqs, your goal statement, letters of rec, gpa, etc. The interview is then worth 20 points in itself. Everything is punched into excel and they offer spots to those with the highest points. I believe if they do offer early admits, those are the people who probably have a near perfect 60 going into the interview and they just want to make sure they're not crazy before they offer them admission :).

Hi mochikat! Thank you for all the info regarding their selection process. Can I ask how you know this information? They have changed a few things regarding the application process this year, so maybe early admit is out... :eek:

For those who are waiting to interview, mochikat said it perfectly, "This is not a traditional interview so it really is best just to get a good night's sleep and walk in without any specific expectations." There is no way to prepare for this interview and you will understand why as soon as you go through the process. I really wanted some advice to prepare for the interview as well and I would get so frustrated when I received the same response, but you will experience it for yourself and understand why there is minimal info on this interview process. It's a unique experience. Get some rest, go in confident, and just be yourself. You will all do great!

mochikat · Feb 14, 2012

Hi Naznazy! Someone in my interview group asked how they decide who will be accepted. One of the faculty was very direct with her answer and explained that everything is based on a point system. Although I can't remember if it is out of 80 or 100 points total, she said that a maximum of 20 points are possible out of the interview and the rest is your paper application with the letters of rec, etc, etc. They then plug everything into excel and take the top 24 students with the highest points and go down from there to offer waitlist spots. They didn't go into detail in regards to HOW they delegate points to each section of the application or what they are looking for, so I don't know much more beyond what they told us.

In regards to early admit, I am really beginning to think that they may have changed it, especially since the apps were due back in the Fall instead of Jan 15th like they have been every year before this one, SMU gave themselves plenty of time to peruse through the applications and make sure that they've picked out the best from the lot to interview. From reading previous year's threads on the application process, it seemed more people received calls last minute and they added one or two more interview days. However, the faculty seemed pretty certain that there would be exactly four more groups to be interviewed. I guess we won't find out unless someone receives an early admit on the other two interview dates! I think the benefit of offering individuals early admits is that they have a deadline to submit their letter of intent so if they plan to attend another school, that opens up a spot for SMU to offer to someone else for an acceptance rather than having to place them on the waitlist.

Also, one of my friends who is in the program mentioned that there were more applicants this year than previous years, so the competition is tough! I've already told myself to keep applying if this round of applications doesn't work out for me. Have faith that you WILL get in somewhere (usually people get in somewhere during their second round of applications). I know that everyone here wants to jump straight into FNP, but from friends who are already in direct entry FNP programs, I know that if they had to go back and opt for an ABSN instead, they'd be happy with that option as well.

mochikat · Feb 14, 2012

posted the same thing twice...

live.love.laugh · Feb 15, 2012

Hi Everyone,

So, I got a rejection email from FNP (I didn't get an interview). I guess it's just not meant to be. Everyone will get into where they're meant to be. Best wishes to all of you!

live.love.laugh

thuyd527 · Feb 15, 2012

So glad I came upon this thread...only wish it was sooner. I'm interviewing on the 22nd for FNP.

Congrats to everyone that got interviews! Hope they went well if you had it already and good luck if you haven't!

mochikat · Feb 16, 2012

Hey live.laugh,

I'm sorry about that. I'm surprised that they sent out an email regarding your status so soon! Did you accept their offer to pass along your application to the CM department?

All this waiting is nooooot fun. Has anyone else gotten non-accept emails?

live.love.laugh · Feb 16, 2012

Thanks Mochikat!

I did take up on their offer to pass my app to the CM department and now I have an interview with them on the 28th! I"m so excited and a bit nervous. I guess all I can do is relax and see how that goes. :)

live.love.laugh

mochikat · Feb 16, 2012

Live.love,

Do you know if it's one on one? Don't be nervous. I'm afraid I may have been too nervous in one of my interviews with another school since it was my first. Regardless of whether it is one on one or group, definitely get there early and just try to calm down in the car or get to the interview location to scope out the setting and settle your nerves.