Samuel Merritt University ELMSN Fall 2014

[NJaan]

Hey All,

I couldn't find a thread for Samuel Merritt's FNP and CM programs for Fall 2014 entry, so I thought I would start one.

Who here has submitted applications for either of those programs? Did you apply to one or both of the ELMSN programs? Have you considered the ABSN program as well?

I submitted an app for the CM program, and am eager to hear back in coming months.

[Jayllenn]

Hi everyone,

congratulations and good luck to those who've recieved an interview invitation! From what I've read, it seems like none of the CM applicants have recieved an email regarding the interview yet. I feel a little more relieved now since I've also applied to the CM program and haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully we will hear from them soon and hopefully it's an invitation. Hang on there everyone! :)

[ToFNPandBeyond]

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know I just received my email invitation inviting me for an interview for Feb. 25th!! I've applied to the FNP specialty, and was a little nervous initially because many of the people who heard back from SM last week had applied for that specialty. So just wanted to let you all know that there is still a chance you will be contacted if you've applied for FNP!! Best of luck!!

[shandrager]

Hi everyone! I just got an interview letter from Samuel Merritt. Does anyone know what the interviews are like? Did anybody else get invited yet?

[Lbfb]

Hi Shandrager, what program did you apply to? I applied to the CM program and have not yet been invited. I know a lot of FNP applicants have been notified for interviews.

[lilfoot293]

Hi Shandrager!

Here's what I posted a few days ago regarding my interview at SMU last year. Good luck to all who are interviewing next week and in the coming weeks!!!

Hi there!

Sorry for the delay, classes & clinical sessions are in full swing so I'm crazy busy right now (hence answering this post at 2:51am). Last year it was a group interview with 16 ppl per interview session. The folks that interviewed us were the program directors. Last year they made calls to schedule interviews so the email invitations are new to me. It was a pretty relaxed interview honestly. The point is to make sure you can work well in a group setting & aren't a complete psycho lol. They tell you about the program at SMU, they give you activities to do in a group setting, they ask if you have questions & that's it! It's about a 2 hour process. Dress to impress! The lady I talked to said the attire was business casual, but I wore a skirt suit, hosiery, low heel loafers, neutral nail polish, light makeup, simple jewelry etc. Professionalism is key! ( I googled "medical school interview attire" & got some good ideas). If you are a shy person, don't think you can hide or won't be noticed. No one really flys under the radar or goes unnoticed cuz if they want to hear from you specifically, they will call you by name & ask you whatever they want to know or for your opinion. Definitely not something you can prepare for ahead of time. My best words of advice are to be genuine, be yourself & just relax. They can tell if you aren't being real & are nervous!! They gave us their business cards at the end so the day after interviews I sent a thank you email to each member of the panel personally. Honestly, you made it thru to the interview stage so they see something in you & just want to make sure you're a good fit for the program. It's an intense program so you have to be ready to jump in with both feet, be successful & be fully committed. They want to know that you're there because you love the profession, can handle the workload & are passionate about becoming an NP or CM.

As far as when you'll hear back the consensus last year was late March-early April for most people. I received an early admission invitation so I got a call the day after the last interview session which was about 3 weeks after interviews began...so late February. They said during my interview session that they didn't do early admission invites & then I got the call on my cell phone from the program director on a Sunday morning so I dunno what they're doing honestly! I dunno how many other ppl were offered early admission either (I'm in the FNP tract. I don't know the process for the CM tract). I think that about sums it up...get some rest the night before, eat breakfast, BE ON TIME & relax. You'll all do fine. Good luck & I hope to see you all on campus fall semester :-)

[lena05]

Hi lilfoot293, thanks for all your help! Did you feel like you needed to prepare for the interview? Also how is your schedule like the first year? Are you in Oakland 5 days a week from like 8am-9pm or something crazy like that? Just trying to get an idea of what my weeks will look like the first year! Thanks again :)

[surelyitsme]

Hi Everyone! I have an interview on Thursday 2/06 at 2:30PM in Oakland for the FNP :) I would like to connect with any fellow applicants! Good Luck.

[shandrager]

Yes, I just read all of that! That is extremely helpful!! Since it will be a group interview, how did you even prepare for all of those scenarios/situational questions? I've read from multiple threads that it maybe a group effort in answering questions and also an essay at the end. Is this true? Also, what tips can you give about standing out?

[shandrager]

Oh, also I applied for the FNP track and am schedule to interview for the 20th at 2:00. Anybody who is has gotten the invite to interview feel free to add me as a friend or we can connect through facebook! let's all help each other out!

[lilfoot293]

Hi lilfoot293 thanks for all your help! Did you feel like you needed to prepare for the interview? Also how is your schedule like the first year? Are you in Oakland 5 days a week from like 8am-9pm or something crazy like that? Just trying to get an idea of what my weeks will look like the first year! Thanks again :)[/quote']

Hi Lena05!

I read up on the history of the SMU and the current events going on in the field of nursing. Now, did any of that help me? Absolutely NOT! We (FNP applicants) didn't have to write any essays on the spot, but I heard the CM applicants did. There was 1 activity where we worked in a group of 2 and another where we worked in a group of 4 then we had an 8 on 8 debate on whether we should give drugs to a patient who we suspects is an addict or not. The panel decides who is for and who is against it. Honestly, I stressed myself out preparing and reading up on any and everything I could and didn't really find it useful. Just be yourself, sit back & watch. Don't be so anxious to be heard. You'd be surprised how far quiet humility goes.

As far as standing out, be friendly and personable. Speak well and make eye contact with folks. Don't be shy! After all as nurses, we have to be able to talk to patients, families, coworkers, doctors etc so show that you have some personality!! Don't be boring & don't give answers you think the panel wants to hear. Be honest and sincere! They can tell when you're being fake!

1st semester I was on campus 4 days a week. Monday: mental health clinical rotation, Tuesday: 10-3, Wednesday: 9-3, Thursday: 9-4, Friday: 10am-12pm; it's a busy busy schedule, but not impossible. I worked 2 nights a week and still managed to finish the semester with a 3.80 GPA so it's doable!!! Any more questions feel free to ask :-)

[hamsterfeet]

Thanks for your help lilfoot293. I'vebeen stressing out about this interview;trying to think of ways to prepare but after reading many previous posts on SMU interviews, and your posts as well, I guess I should just relax until the interview ( mine is this coming Tuesday), I can only do so much. Hopefully everything will go well for me and everyone in this forum

[shandrager]

thanks for the info lilfoot!! Do you remember what the topic of the activities for the team of 2 and 4? I'm getting the feeling that preparing for individual type interview questions won't do me any good... Maybe reading a book on how to interview for health fields might be a good way?