Samuel Merritt ELMSN FNP FALL 2020 Oakland

[M_Freed]

Hello fellow applicants, alumni, and SMU associates,

Can anyone provide insight into the application timeline for SMU's ELMSN-FNP program intended to start Fall 2020 (Oakland cohort)? The deadline to submit applications through NursingCAS was December 1, 2019.

-When should we expect correspondence to interview or for denial?

-Are interviews 1:1 or mixed, or both?

-When do final acceptances usually go out?

Thank you all.

[Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP]

This is the link for last year’s applicants – SMU ELMSN FALL 2019:

I will answer your questions based on the post above as they all provided a good timeline based on their responses. This is obviously an estimate of what the dates might be based on what I saw on the post. Again, these are not set in stone, but it seems this is the way it happened for 2019. I’d imagine the timeline for this year will be similar.

When should we expect correspondence to interview or for denial?

JAN. 8 – Person reported receiving email confirming completion of preliminary review of application

FEB. 6 – Case Management applicant reports receiving interview invitation

FEB. 8 – FNP applicant reports receiving interview invitation.

Interview dates mentioned are between Feb. 20 – Feb. 26. Seems the FNP ones were held earlier than Case Mgmt.

Are interviews 1:1 or mixed, or both?

Case Mgmt: 1:1

FNP: An applicant mentioned it will be a group interview and group sizes depend on how many people chose the date/time of their interview. Groups can have anywhere between 6 -12 people.

When do final acceptances usually go out?

Decision announcement varied due to the 2 different programs, but it seems people were getting acceptances right at the end of February and beginning of March. According to a response on last year's topic, they told them when to expect decisions at the interview.

[M_Freed]

Thank you! I saw the previous post as well, but it seems that each year the timeline changes (see thread from 2017).

Anyhow, I'm hopeful but also anxious. How is everyone feeling?

What are your strengths and weaknesses on your application? My application is academically strong, I have a heavy research background and many years spent as a volunteer and shadowing clinicians. IMO, I have average 1:1 clinical experience (volunteering, shadowing, and some professional experience may not be enough).

Thanks!

[jackiewackie44]

Have any of you heard anything back yet? I haven't received any emails in regards to the preliminary reviews yet.

[M_Freed]

Not yet! You got an interview for last year's cohort, right? How did that go?

[jackiewackie44]

On 1/14/2020 at 3:47 PM, M_Freed said:

Not yet! You got an interview for last year's cohort, right? How did that go?

Yes, I interviewed for previous cohorts and was wait-listed twice already. Interviews for the ELMSN are in a group cohort and honestly, not too challenging. Questions are asked in a group setting so it seems like they want to see how you work in a collaborative setting, which I think makes it somewhat difficult to stand out. After the interviews, they sort through the candidates based on transcripts and test scores. Unfortunately for me, I believe that's one of my weaknesses on my application. My undergraduate GPA isn't great, despite doing okay on my prereq's. My HESI scores were above 90 for all categories I took.

Also, still haven't received any news about preliminary review of the applications yet! Has anyone else?

[Steph Med]

I contacted admissions around the 15th they told me “Review of the applications has not yet started.”

Anxiously waiting ???

[laifalove]

I just got my preliminary review email, yesterday (1/21). I applied to both ABSN and ELMSN and the subject header referenced both. It's very simple, essentially said it's complete at this time and not to contact them or it'll delay things.

[M_Freed]

Thanks for the update!

[M_Freed]

I still have yet to receive a preliminary review email from SMU. Are there any updates through NursingCAS that reviews are in process or have been completed?

[Anisap, MSN, RN]

9 hours ago, M_Freed said:

I still have yet to receive a preliminary review email from SMU. Are there any updates through NursingCAS that reviews are in process or have been completed?

When you say preliminary email, do you mean where they say they have received your application?

[Olivia Horan]

Hi Everyone,

I applied to the ELMSN FNP Fall 2020 program as well. @M_Freed you are not alone! I also have not received an email from SMU stating that my application was compete and entered a preliminary review. I received an automated email back on 12/3 stating that they had received the app. Nursing Cas notified me about a month and a half ago that my transcripts had been verified, but that is all I heard. I hate bothering their office, but I’m thinking I should reach out via email. Has anyone else experienced this?