I went to their website today and found that the nursing application has now been posted. Due date is January 15, 2010. Now it's time to bug my professors for another round of forms and letters. I have one letter, but need the form to get filled out. It's so embarrassing to go back to the same people. I feel like I owe them the world. What's the most number of requests anyone has asked one person?
Anyway back to the application itself. On it you have to choose a Graduate Program Emphasis. If my goal is to become a Diabetes Educator, should I choose Adult Acute CNS or Maternal/Child CNS, or should I choose Public Health? Does anyone know if we can change specialties mid-stream?
Yeah, every major in the GMSN program has to take the GRE (analytical writing). (I am editing this now, just found out we CAN'T TAKE THE GET - GET IS OUTDATED). It's just one exam, but it is still a nerve wracking thing.
To prepare, even though supposedly you can't prepare (whatever), I reccomend reading the Schribner Handbook for Writers, specifically on grammar and components of a good essay. Reading the entire book, or at least a few sections, is an excellent way to study for the GRE. (I promise!!) Another tactic I have is to memorize 5 "far out" vocabulary words, and really know the definetions, and be able to use them, and then get crafty and find a way to interject at least three of them into the essay. By "far out" vocabulary I mean words like "alacrity," "impecunious," "invective" etc etc. After you beat a few words like that into your head and force yourself to use them in sentences, you will find that a natural way to use them will be presented to you during the exam - no matter the topic. I used this tactic once before in high school and I have to say, it really does work. Interjecting words like that can perhaps make up for a wrongly placed comma, you never know. Take pre-emptive strikes!
Also, on the bright side: for the GRE we can actually TYPE our essays, the other one was hand-written which stinks. At least we can TYPE AWAY! :-)))
I hope the suggestions are helpful. I wish everyone the best.
last week, i emailed the son and i asked why the get is no longer posted as an option on the website. i had not heard anything until, literally, three minutes ago. i will go ahead and post the response from the school of nursing for everyone, just to clarify:
edit draft
re: graduate writing requirement inquiry
[color=#336699]nursing admininistration to you - 11 min ago[color=#336699]more details
from:
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to: vanhalenfan (moi)
date:
wed, jun 2, 2010 10:08 am
hello,
unfortunately, the get is no longer an option. the written portion of the gre is what we have switched over to.
thank you for your interest in our school and have a wonderful day.
Hmm that's odd because I got an email stating that taking the GET is an option until August. I am admitted for the Fall 2010 Semester in Maternal/Child CNS so I assume that it only applies to the fall admits?
this is what I got from the nursing dept (its part of an email I got about saving the date for orientation):
"Finally, I would like to remind you about the Written English Proficiency Requirement for your class. Level One writing proficiency is required prior to enrolling in NURS 794 Seminar in Research. This level writing proficiency is satisfied by scoring a five or better on the Graduate Essay Test (GET) or achieving a score of four or higher on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE. Level Two is satisfied by demonstration of English competency on the final paper for NURS 794. Please be aware that the SF State Testing Center will cease administering the GET in August 2010. I recommend you visit the web site for that office (GET General Information -Testing Center - San Francisco State University) to register for the exam as soon as possible after receipt of your formal decision notice from the SF State Office of Graduate Admission. If you do not take the GET this summer you will need to take the GRE. Again, this must be done prior to enrolling in NURS 794.
I wish you all a wonderful, productive summer and will see you at orientation.
Gosh, I don't know what to think. I called the department, and they said they are no longer accepting the GET and that the email I recieved was correct. How confusing. Maybe I will just take both, because I don't know anymore.
Perhaps you are right, the GET is ok for fall folks? Anyway, if anyone wants to get in touch with department, and see what you're told, that would be cool.
Not a prob VanHalenFan. I am probably going to take both, but gonna attempt to take the GET first and see what happens. I rather pay $50 than a full GRE exam (~$175) to just take the writing portion.
I hope it didn't confuse a lot of people. I got confused too about the GRE/GET and I got that email hoping it clarifies things, but I suppose they are telling people different things. All I can say is you have to be very patient when it comes to SFSU. I have been at this school for 3 years now as a post-baccaulaureate and all the departments are just so unorganized and they do not know how to give you straight answers when you need them. So I would just suggest to be patient with all the weird stuff they give us. I wish everyone who is still waiting to hear back from SFSU the best of luck!
You could always take the GET as a practice test. After some thought, I am just going to take the GRE since I know they will accept that. It makes sense, since they no longer post the GET as being an option on thier website. Really, a handwritten test is an unfair determinant of someone's writing skills. One's hand gets tired, and in a real situation, we will be writing research papers on a computer, and a word processor program enables one to play w/ syntax, and make stylistic changes. For that reason alone, I can understand why they have changed over.
I know it is daunting to have to take the GRE, but I trust they will just look at the one portion. I am sort of excited at the challenge.
Anyway, no worries on the back and forth. I know they have a lot of students at State, so I am grateful they even responded to my inquiry, and *I* will go with what they told *me*, to err on the safe side and not waste and any time or money. Jess, maybe your class is the last to have options. It's possible!
Thank you for all the information, I appreciate it. And I too wish everyone the best.
Congrats to all those who have gotten into the generic master's program. My BFF just found out that she got in on Thursday!! she was one of the applicants that were wait listed. So, for those of you who are wondering if spaces are opening on those waiting list the answer is yes. I am currently still wait listed for the nursing administration program, has anyone from this wait list heard anything yet?? Yes, I agree with many of you that this waiting game is frustrating and stressful but let's hold on to our faith.
For those on the waiting list for Acute Adult Care, I guess another spot will be open. I just got accepted to Mount St. Mary's so I'll be giving up my space at SFSU. Congrats and I wish everyone all the best!
Did you get in yet? I have moved up 3 spots on the Adult Acute Care list...They say the waiting list for spring admission will be open until July 30. Is anyone else on here that got accepted thinking about declining because of other offers?
I didn't hear anything back yet for the nursing administration wait list. How did you find out that you moved up three spots? Did anyone drop their spot for nursing administration because of other offers?
newbiepnp, MSN, RN, NP, CNS
548 Posts
LOL. Just to clarify, so even if you are not in the Public Health option, you are still expected to take the Graduate entrance exams?