Seattle U APNI 2016 Perpsective Student Questions

MrsNS · Nov 16, 2014

Bump!

anichka · Nov 16, 2014

I am not sure I understand your question about the first year of FNP track - the first year of the program is the same for *everyone*, regardless of track. We are all working towards the RN during that year. After that, we begin the work in each track the 2nd year (starting in the 2nd summer) of the program. If you go to the CON website, you can see what classes you have to take for each track.

If you mean what is the first year like for everyone, it is fairly busy. You are cautioned it is best not to work. First quarter, summer, is intense. Expect to barely get enough sleep, time to work out, time with family, etc. that 8 weeks. Then you get a nice 5 week breather between summer and fall.

Fall quarter is light (and that is where I am in the program right now). Classes are Mondays (ALL day long) and Fridays, to keep Tuesday-Thursday open for clinicals. I have heard this is the pattern of the program throughout the first year. So you have one long school day Monday, one short school day Friday, and one clinical day in the fall. There are Saturday clinicals as well (as mine is this quarter).

Starting in the winter quarter, we will have two clinicals/quarter. So, an example schedule is long school day Monday, clinical Tuesday, clinical Thursday, and a short class day Friday (every other Friday, for winter). I believe the spring quarter is about the same.

So... that it is for the first year of the program. If you want to know about the 2nd year for the FNP track in particular, someone else will have to chime in.

I am a commuter student and I have found the schedule to be very accommodating so far to me living far away. You can frequently trade clinical sites to find something closer to where you live.

I believe we are not able to use the HRSA scholarship anymore while we are in the program (I don't think it qualifies, being a direct entry program), but HawaiiGuy might be able to speak to that more...

anichka · Nov 16, 2014

Also, since you are not applying for a year, it is important to keep in mind they may change the program some between now and then. They are continually working to improve the curriculum and delivery, so this is not set in stone! I would venture to guess the Monday/Friday arrangement would be fairly constant, however, to allow for scheduling of clinicals.

MrsNS · Nov 16, 2014

Thank you so much for responding! The schedule doesn't sound as bad as I thought it would! I would be commuting as well, from Lynnwood. I am kind of bummed about the HRSA though. I guess I have to research other scholarships.

I was just really curious about how intense the first year was. I need to contact the CON about the second year to see if there is a way to transfer in my epidemiology, ethical considerations and organizational leadership courses from my MPH program.

Thanks so much for all the info and advice and congrats on making it through that intense quarter!

anichka · Nov 16, 2014

We have a several people who come in from Lynnwood. Some of the clinical placements this year have been in Everett so far, which makes things easier if you can switch for it.

Some people have previous graduate degrees and have gotten credit for other courses, and I am almost certain epi is one of them. Not sure about the others as we haven't gotten there yet.

The school does offer some scholarships as well. They were not available during the summer, but first thing in the fall, the call for applications went out.

MrsNS · Nov 18, 2014

That's good to know about the clinical placements! I was thinking I would have to go into Seattle for everything, which I am willing to do, but having clinical's closer does make life easier! The CON did get back to me on my courses and they are willing to evaluate and accept them. I will just need to provide my syllabus, which is great! I contacted financial aid about potential scholarships and I am waiting to hear back and I am researching outside scholarships now. I can't wait to apply next year!

tranq05 · Apr 2, 2015

Hi all, I am also a very very committed prospective applicant for the Seattle U program 2016 cycle. I was hoping to get some insight from previous and current students on how to best strengthen my application.

I got 4.0 on all of the pre-reqs, a 3.79 undergrad GPA, have been 350+ volunteering hours delivering hands-on patient care experience throughout different departments (medical surgery, telemetry, oncology,..) and serving 200+ hours on the leadership team. I am doing my CNA now and still need to take my GRE some time soon. As far as the requirements go, I have met all of them except for the GRE. May I ask for your advice on what else I could be doing to further increase my chance of acceptance? If you have already been a student of the program, what do you think attributed to your acceptance?

Thank you so much!

MrsNS · Apr 6, 2015

There is a FB group for current, alumni and prospective students. It is called Seattle University APNI Applicants. I do not know if they can tell you your likelihood of acceptance but many are sharing their experiences and other helpful advice :yes:

-Good Luck

Also the open house is on 4/20

badabing · Apr 10, 2015

Hello everyone! I have since transferred over from the 2015 page, to this one....because I didn't get into Seattle U this year :-( But, I'm still going to have an awesome summer and will definitely be applying this coming year. With all of that being said, I went through the whole process, including an interview, then being waitlisted, and then being far down the waitlist.

Anyways @tranq05, I did learn a few things about what they look for in scoring the applications. Your undergrad GPA is a big determinant as far as how many points you get in the "application score." The higher your undergrad GPA, the higher your app score. They actually don't weigh pre-requisites (as far as application scoring goes)...soooo you could have a 3.0 in undergrad, but a 4.0 in prerequisites, and still not get enough points because of your undergrad GPA..lame I know. They also score you heavily on the writing portion of the GRE. Try and score above a 4.5 on the writing portion, apparently a 5 or more gets you bonus application points. The other things scored are your letters of reference, and your personal statement. I heard from the current cohort that when writing your essay, try and paint a picture of who you are, why nursing, why Seattle University, and why you fit the mission of the University. I don't think the volunteering or the CNA gets you too many points, but don't quote me on that.

The applications for FNP were a ridiculous 250+ applicants for 14 spots

over 350 total applicants for all specialties

There were roughly 12 spots for AGNP

and less for the other specialties...maybe 10 for each..I can't remember

The true person to be asking how to better your application, would be Dr. Hirsch. Google her name and Seattle University, and you will find her e-mail address. She's the associate dean of admissions, and she usually writes back in a timely manner.

Here's a link to the Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/1438473813034828/

who knows if it will be around by the time we all start applying..or ahhh re-applying

sheyjay · Apr 12, 2015

I heard from the current cohort that when writing your essay, try and paint a picture of who you are, why nursing, why Seattle University, and why you fit the mission of the University. I don't think the volunteering or the CNA gets you too many points, but don't quote me on that.

Social justice. Social Justice. Social Justice. The volunteering and CNA work won't earn you much if you can't connect it to working with underserved populations. They want to know your experience working with underserved populations, why you want to be a nurse (more specifically a nurse in the specialty you select) and how you will address health disparities in your future career. Also don't just state that you heard SU is a great school so that's why you want to go there. Look up the mission statement and describe how your goals align with their mission statement.

Also Badabing, you may want to edit out the name in your post. I believe it is in violation of the TOS to post people's names on this site.

MrsNS · Apr 17, 2015

Sorry you didn't make it in this year and thank you so much for your insight! :yes: