Share your grad school application experiences... Please!

[smkiya]

I need help figuring out what to do about sending in grad school apps. I will apply to a couple online FNP schools, but I really want to start next January. The problem is that I'm currently in a BSN program that I won't likely finish until December. I don't want to wait until I graduate before sending in apps, but am afraid I won't be considered until I have my BSN. My first choice is Frontier, but UMDNJ, U of S Indiana, and U of S Alabama are additional choices.

Can you share your application experiences? When did you apply and when will/do you start? Thanks!

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

Ok, here goes. Number 1- be succinct, don't ramble on and on. Address the topic at hand. Try to keep your 'essay' to less than one page (unless they tell you otherwise). Before you begin to write, make an outline of your thoughts then put it away for a day or two. Take it out, reread the topic, then the outline....does your outline address the topic? Have at least one other person you trust to look over your work, do they agree? Write your essay and have it edited. Last general comment, make sure you have an introduction that addresses the topic, and a conclusion that sums up what you have said. I guess what I am saying is, be articulate, to the point, logical, and of course, use the English language correctly.

Hope his makes sense and helps some!

[bzjen]

Thanks so much for the helpful info!

[bzjen]

Stcroix- Another question, do you think GPA's are highly weighted? If they take the MAT but don't score high enough, do they even get reviewed? Thanks so much!

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I know Frontier doesn't have a GRE requirement. Just one more reason that it is near the top of my list :) - it is in competition with Radford, JMU, and Duke.

Duke was at the very top of my list until I started the application tonight. Without any other mention on the website, the application tells me that online NP students only have the part-time option. If I do get into Duke, in order to actually attend there I would need some heavy financial aid- and that often requires full-time status! So, if I can't be fulltime, I probably can't go. I am going to ask a rep from Duke next week to make sure.

I just graduated with my BSN in December, and I considered rolling right into a NP program- but for financial aid reasons I am waiting until the fall- I have had serious thoughts of taking some classes that are sure to be accepted at other schools. Frontier allows 12 transfer credits- one of the most lenient I've found.

You can get federal loans with full-time or part-time attendance. It's when your classes drop to less than part-time that you risk losing your financial aid for a semester.

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

Stcroix- Another question, do you think GPA's are highly weighted? If they take the MAT but don't score high enough, do they even get reviewed? Thanks so much!

The final answer will come from the individuals school. Graduate programs have their own specific rubrics that they use to make final decisions regarding admission. From my experience, GPA, grad school entrance exams, and written essays are all taken into consideration. As you well can imagine, the 'best' candidates are chosen for the available openings. Best of luck.