Seattle University APNI 2016 Applicants

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I thought I would start a thread for applicants to the 2016 MSN for Non-Nurses: Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion at Seattle University. I am applying for the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. Any other applicants for this cycle? Questions and comments regarding the program and admissions process are welcome!

Hey people, current FNP first year student here. Just wanted to encourage you all to relax and not hyper-assess all the tiny details of this time (i.e. application status, interview timing, wait time after interview). It's a small school with a smaller APNI/msn/dnp faculty and honestly they have too much to do. All those little application changes and what not don't mean anything, so don't worry about them.

I remember getting so bummed out as I kept reading posts about interview invites and the occasional acceptance on this site and on FB. I ended up saying, F-it and went on a trip. During said trip (in February I think?) I got an email with an interview time a week later.

I prepped by looking over interview questions posted in one of the previous threads. My advice is to focus on your narrative and how the various pieces of your life and experience have tied into you being here. Focus on your interests in relation to social justice, privilege, and how you will be impactful during and after graduation. Obviously prep for some generic questions; i.e. tell me about a difficult situation and how you handled it, tell me about a time you helped someone in need.

Be authentic not generic. Try to relax, there are no awful stump you questions, and make sure to pause and think rather than verbal diarrheaing.

I got in 4 days after my interview, but that was my experience ONLY! (so don't stress it).

Not everyone has a 4.0, one quitinillion hours of volunteer work, and has served on as an aide to the president. I had a 3.2 as an undergrad? However, we all do have authentic stories and most were passionate about other things before applying, so YOU DO YOU!

The best part is, I've pretty much completely forgotten about this stage of my life. I got an email from allnurses and was like, Oh snap! that was a stressfull time, I'll try to give some words of encouragement.

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Do you think as applicants we should be ready to answer any questions regarding the DNP? What if it's something I genuinely do not wish to pursue... Will that be alright to even mention?

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Dangerdad, thank you so much for your insight. It is so great to hear from someone who has been through this rollercoaster of anxiety before. I hate to ask you to do this, as I know how busy you must be, but would you mind linking one of the previous threads with interview questions that you mentioned above?

Thank you so much, trying to relax before my interview Saturday

-Brett

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I applied for FNP. I only applied to SU and now I'm starting to think that I should not have put all of my eggs in one basket. My friends/family think I'm being ridiculous and too anxious. It's so hard to stay calm when others are getting interviews. 400 applicants, wowza!

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Dangerdad - Thank you so much for posting! It's so helpful to hear from someone that went through this recently and has insight as an applicant and student in the program. I'm sure you can appreciate just how much posts like that help calm nerves of those of us going through this now. :) Earlier, someone posted the number of spaces available to the respective tracks last year. Are those numbers about where this year's cohort is expected to be? Also, (unrelated to the application process) how are you liking the program so far? Is the first year as crazy and hectic as it sounds?

Tired-o-Waiting - I can completely appreciate how you feel. My friends and family probably wish I'd talk about something else. Haha. Just the other day my bff asked if I've been doing anything else with my time other than waiting for an interview invite. Of course, I have (being in school with little one's at home definitely serves as a great distraction), but my conversations recently have been somewhat dominated by my wanting an interview and to be accepted into the program. All of my eggs are in the SU basket too, and at the time I thought I was good with that decision, assuming I'd apply to additional programs next year if I didn't get accepted, but now I'm wishing I'd applied to a few more. Oh well, at least I only have one school's admission to obsess over. Haha.

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Hello!

I applied to the APNI FNP program for the 2016 Summer cohort. I'm beyond anxious and feel I'll never get an opportunity to meet them for an interview or show my perseverance in the classroom. I'm not naturally book smart and have to work extremely hard for the honor roll in my pre-req's (3.61 GPA).

My UG was a complete disaster, as I worked 3 jobs while in school FT. That being said, I still confidently applied to SU because according to the website and verbal communication with a grad admissions officer, the faculty reviews ONLY the most current 90 college credits. I acquired 91 credits at Portland Community College in the last year and have a 3.61 GPA. My hope is they recognized the complete turn around I made from my UG to the dedicated/passionate work I've put in the second time around. I'm 29 now and wish I had stuck with medicine/nursing from the beginning.

I ensured my letter of intent spoke of my interest, involvement and passion for medicine all while tailoring it around the college mission statement (serving the frail, vulnerable and underserved). Although it was very hard to explain why I'm choosing nursing now, why the time lapse in seeking a second degree, and my experiences that qualify me without making an itemized list....

I took the GRE, twice. The first time I missed the minimum by 1 point. The second time was a terrible test day BUT I managed to increase my score.

It was confirmed there are 468 applicants this year and only 70 spots....Hard to stay positive about my opportunity when there are others on here that are clearly more qualified than I am.

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I only scored a 3.5 too! Writing is my weakest link. Good luck to you!

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I received verbiage of 468 apps, 70 spots. I don't know how they are broken up. The competition is intense this year.

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Welcome, woodlee9! Thanks so much for the info regarding the total number of applicants and the number of spaces they intend to fill with this cohort. It's sorta scary to think of how competitive it is. I wish I knew just how those numbers were broken down (how many applicants per track and how many spaces available per track).

I definitely think that you should remain positive and hopeful. It has been stressed (both at information sessions as well as on these boards) that they look at the whole applicant holistically. An applicant can have perfect grades and perfect GRE scores etc., but if they're not as passionate about nursing and/or serving disadvantaged and vulnerable populations then they're not going to be as good of a candidate as someone who might not have the best grades and scores, but who demonstrates their dedication to the field and social justice. I recall at the information session that every year there are at least a handful of applicants who have great grades and GRE scores, but who write stuff in their essay like "I originally wanted to be a doctor, but decided medical school was too expensive and intense, so decided to become a nurse instead" or "I wasn't really sure which track to apply to, but I think I'd probably like this one more than the others". While those answers might be honest, they're not terribly convincing that those are applicants that truly want to be in the program or have certainty in the path they're taking. SU wants to give spaces to students who will succeed and stick through the program, rather than giving up those spaces to anyone who might decide partway through that they'd rather do something else.

I'd also heard that they only look at the last 90 quarter credits as well. Though, I've received mixed answers regarding exactly which 90 credits they look at. I've heard that it's the last 90 credits of your undergraduate degree (regardless of what you have taken since completing the degree), and I've heard it's the last 90 credits period (whether they're the last 90 that completed your bachelor's degree, or credits taken since). I'm still not 100% as to which 90 they look at (as the answer seems to vary depending on who is asked). But regardless, I think your passion for the field and commitment to social justice is just as important, if not more, since they don't just want someone that looks good on paper, rather someone that's a good fit for the program. In fact, at the information session I attended, someone asked what was the most important part of the application, and the associate dean said it was the personal essay. So, I think if you wrote a good essay that conveyed your passion and commitment, then your chances are good regardless of the other stuff.

Hang in there! This wait is hard, but hopefully we all good news soon. :)

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Thank you PallasAthene! I appreciate the support.

You're right, of all the schools I've spoke to, Seattle seems to really focus on the individual and not just how well they ranked on paper with standardized scores. I went to the info session at OHSU and I was not impressed with their selection process.

After the faculty member explained their ranking process, I was stunned to hear they didn't remark on the individual as a person. I finally asked, "is it more important to OHSU that everyone have a stellar GPA, or that the cohort, who will ultimately be relying on each other through the next two years, be a good fit together? Do you look at what the cohort will look like as a team? They may all be academically stellar, but if they don't get along or build on each other's contributions, don't you believe that sets the students up for failure?" She just looked at me and said "huh, we never really thought of that before".

My experience for Seattle was most comforting, hearing that they look at all the applicants, individually and then as a group and take note of their success together, not just how smart our group will be to continue to rank our school as top ten in the nation.....

With continued notifications still pending for most people, good luck, keep your heads up, and continue to remind yourself, you did everything in your power to exemplify yourself and pursue a dynamic and fulfilling future.

I hope to meet you in the summer! (Fingers crossed)

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Hello All!

Thank you for all the great information. I am trying to remain positive, but its tough! I am hoping they look at last 90 hours...I didn't do well in my Bachelors degree (was young and really didn't try), however I did excel in my Masters. I applied to the FNP track, and am hoping to get an interview, this waiting game is tough!

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Hi folks,

I am applying to the SU APNI adult/gero specialty program starting in June 2016.

I just received an email yesterday (Jan 28) notifying me that I have been invited for an interview.

Can current students comment on:

1) Do I need to wear a suit to the interview? Shirt and tie ok?

2) Any other general advice for the interview?

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