Seattle University APNI 2016 Applicants

curiousrei, MSN, RN · Jan 20, 2016

Unfortunately I did not get an interview. I've heard that they're not as stressful as you'd expect though. Hopefully, I can get an interview this time haha. I talked with the dean about my application and what to improve and she noted that it's important to have a high undergrad GPA (when I applied last year I was in my senior year of undergrad and my cumulative at that point was 3.5ish) and my GPA was apparently not very competitive because it wasn't very high, plus she said the analytical writing score on the GRE was important. I got a 4.0 last year and I retook the GRE this year and I unfortunately got the same score so I'm not too sure of my chances of getting in this year either. The essay also seems to be pretty important, but she personally read mine and said it was strong besides being just a tad bit long.

The only major difference I have for my app this year is that I now have my undergrad degree (human biology) and my GPA went up to 3.6. The little changes for my app this cycle is different people recommending me and I have a bit more volunteer experience related to nursing.

I've heard that being a CNA might help and I'm thinking of trying to get my license for next year's cycle.

PallasAthene · Jan 21, 2016

Yeah, I've heard that the interviews aren't that bad, but I'm going to worry until I experience it, I guess. It would just be nice to know specifics about what the interviews are like.

I've heard that FNP is by far the most popular track for people to apply to, but that AGNP usually comes pretty close. All of the tracks are pretty competitive, regardless, but from what I understand those are the two most competitive tracks. So, I'm sure it can't be easy to distinguish one's application from the rest of the applicant pool (not that it's easy for any of us). At least you have experience with this process and know somewhat of what to expect.

curiousrei, MSN, RN · Jan 21, 2016

Yeah, if I do apply next year I think I may try for a different specialty. I'm hoping to apply to a lot more programs next year. I only applied for SU's and PLU's program this year because my husband is in an Occupational Therapy program at UPS. Did you apply to any other programs?

I also recommend you to join the Facebook group if you can because there's a lot of information from the past two years including information about the interview. You just have to dig through a lot of information to find what you're looking for, but there's some stuff like the general questions the interviewers asked and etc. There's also current/past students on the Facebook group and they're open to sharing their experiences too.

PallasAthene · Jan 21, 2016

Aw, Puget Sound! That's my alma mater. :) I earned my bachelors degree there (many moons ago). Great school with great programs. I have friends that attended the OT program there and they all liked it quite a bit.

As of right now, all of my eggs are in the SU basket. If I don't get in this round, then I'll probably open it up to other schools during the next application cycle. I know that I want to be a NP and to work in mental health, and I noticed that some direct entry programs get you to the point of getting your RN, but I'd need more schooling to get the NP. So, the program at SU seemed to be the fastest route, so ideally I would get in there. Plus I'm reticent to move, for the sake of my children. If don't get into the program at SU, then I'll definitely try other programs, but some of the other programs I saw required all pre-reqs completed at the time of application, and I'm still finishing up a few right now. Additionally, some of the schools in California have additional pre-reqs beyond what I already have, so I'd need to add those as well. I'd need to look into it more to get a better idea of the best places for me to apply beyond SU.

I don't use Facebook. I used to, but not anymore and I'm reticent to start up again. Perhaps if I get an interview invite or accepted I'll make an account, but as of right now I don't use it.

littlefeets · Jan 21, 2016

Hi all! I'm feeling pretty nervous as we move closer and closer to the interview dates. I applied to the Midwifery speciality, crossing my fingers!

PallasAthene · Jan 22, 2016

Hi, littlefeets and welcome! I was very tempted to go the midwifery route. It was a difficult choice, but ultimately I felt that psych was more my area, especially since it's more or less a realignment of prior goals, whereas midwifery would have been a completely new beast for me. Plus, I think my heart is just more into the behavioral health end of the spectrum. Such a great profession, though. It definitely takes a special person with a special drive. I really admire everyone in that field. Good luck!

I was looking at the calendar today while planning my schedule for a class I'm taking and it occurred to me that the first wave of interviews is supposed to be in a little more than a week (assuming the department meets their goal of being ready for interviews on Jan 30th). Sort of a scary thought. From last years thread it seemed like they were much later at getting interviews setup, but I guess only time will tell as to whether this year will be similar.

For those of you in the Facebook group, if applicants start announcing interview invites and no one has posted about them here, please let those of us not in the Facebook group know that invitations have started rolling out. I know at least I would be super appreciative of that. Thanks in advance! :)

Good luck everyone!

holahawaii · Jan 23, 2016

Hello everyone

I had applied last year and i got my interview invite in the first week of february and had my interview about a week and a half later. My interviewers were so incredibly KIND! There was one student from the current cohort, a faculty nurse and my track coordinator/director. I messed up my interview BAD (it was my first graduate school interview ever). I blanked out pretty much. Also, I was asked a couple of questions I did not expect, mostly regarding my grades from my first few years of undergrad (weird-I know). It was also because my interviewers had not looked at my application at all, as they told me it was okay to repeat whatever I had written in my personal statement. In the end I was wait-listed and did not get in.

Honestly, the interview is not bad at all and if you are prepared to answer WHY nursing, WHY your chosen specialty + advanced practice, and incorporate your experience with the underserved, you will be fine.

PallasAthene · Jan 23, 2016

Thank you, holahawaii! That info is super helpful! At least you have firsthand experience on what to expect this year. What track was it that you were interviewing for? Are you reapplying to the same track this year? Interesting that they would ask about your grades from your first couple of years of undergrad. Were they just asking what your grades were? Sorry for asking so many questions! I think it's just comforting to feel like you know more about the process.

I wonder who goes through the applications and determines who's invited for interviews. I would have thought that at least the track coordinator would have reviewed the applications. I recall from an information session that I attended last year that multiple people reviewed the applications, and the associate dean of graduate education for the nursing department said she personally goes through all of them. I just would have thought that the coordinator/director for the track that you're applying to would have also been one of those people. That's interesting. Regardless, it's helpful to know that if we get invited to interview we should go through all of our application materials and re-familiarize ourselves as much as possible.

Thanks again!

holahawaii · Jan 23, 2016

Psych track.

I think interviews are conducted by individuals who might or might have not taken a look at your application AGAIN (considering it's already been looked at and you qualify for the interview stage). Yes, it was strange my marks were brought up. Perhaps they were worried that it was indicative of not being able to handle the rigorous APNI coursework. She did have my whole application printed out and had made notes in my transcript that showed poor marks from 2008-2009.

I am am reapplying this year as well and hope I have a chance to really show my passion towards nursing and my field, because I was unable to last year! Seattle APNI is an awesome program and I hope I can be a part of it this year!

PallasAthene · Jan 23, 2016

At least we can wait together -- I also applied to the psych track. You got an interview last year, which is probably a pretty good sign. I would think that means that you have a decent chance of getting another interview this year.

I was thinking about it, and when I reconsidered it made sense that they might not be familiar with everything from your application. So many people apply, and though only a portion get interviewed it seems like there are quite a few people interviewed as well. That's a lot of information on lots of people for them to try to memorize and keep straight. Plus, they may want to see if the things you say now are consistent with what you wrote in the essay.

They were hoping to start the interviews on the 30th, which is a week from today. I'm guessing that they won't start then, as that's not a lot of heads up for the applicants. But, then again, I remember reading on last years forum that some of the applicants were only notified a few days in advance. Though, at the information session I attended, that had been brought up and the associate dean said that they try not to have that happen and that they were hoping to not repeat that going forward. So, I guess we'll see. We're hitting that nerve-wracking time though, where we should be expecting to hopefully hear something soon. Hopefully, it's good news. I just wish that we knew how many applicants there were and how many spaces available they have.

nikxi36, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2016

@PallasAthene my understanding (from previous years forums) is that it's around 350 applicants...but that sounded like for ALL tracks.

I believe that Anne told us at the info session that each track has 20 spots except midwifery which can only accommodate 10 spots.

I wish everyone good luck! I hope everyone is hanging in there through this stressful (yet EXCITING) application process!!

curiousrei, MSN, RN · Jan 26, 2016

PallasAthene,

Someone in the Facebook group (Psych track) got an invite today! No news on anyone else yet though. She just posted around 6:30 pm today.