So I got rejected from NP school...

[ChristineAdrianaRN]

It's pretty disappointing (I'm not a girl that gets rejected often!), but I figure it will give me time to really prepare to apply again next year. Applying for this fall was a last minute decision, that left me feeling rushed and only able to apply to one school before their deadline (though, really, I only wanted to apply to one school, as it was the only one I could afford).

I didn't anticipate getting rejected so I didn't worry about only applying to one school, but next year I will make sure to apply EVERYWHERE.

I'm also not entirely sure why I was rejected. Of course they give you no explanation. I'm hearing from a lot of people that NP school is incredibly competitive, so the only thing I can surmise is that they were going to pick a nurse that had more experience over me. I've got everything I needed - the grades, the recommendations, (some) floor experience as well as office experience, volunteer work, (what I thought was) a bangin' good essay re: why I wanted this...but going into the school year I will have only had one year's experience as an RN (seven months at the time I applied). I figured in a large pool of applicants where they are trying to pare down best they can, cutting me would be easy from that perspective.

How else can I prepare for next year?

I'm wondering about the essay - I guess knowing how competitive it is, I need to REALLY make sure my essay stands out (I whipped that bad boy out in about three minutes). What kind of things do I need to write about, besides why I want to be an NP? What do you think they're looking for?

Any other advice?

Thanks all!

[canchaser, BSN, RN]

Online or brick and mortar schools?

[AbeFrohman, BSN, RN]

linearthinker said:

My experience was different. The year I was admitted to the MSN-FNP program, we were given the following statistics about our class (from the welcome packet they gave us, which I still have here in my hot little hand):

the school accepted 9% of the applicants into the FNP program and 11% into ANP that year. Class avg GPA was 4.0 and GRE avg (still required there) was 1300, and the avg for practice experience was 7 years, 8 months.

65% of the class had achieved specialty certification in their area of practice, 48% were active members of their Nsg Association, and 38% had published something in a scholarly journal or participated in grant funded research projects.

So, different schools have different criteria, and if you want to go to that school, I'd ask them for the demographic data on the student body they did admit so you know what they are looking for.

good luck.

4.0 GPA average for the class? You realize how much of a statistical improbability that is right? Either half the class went to schools where they gave higher than a 4.0 (which is not the norm of universities) or EVERYONE had a 4.0. There is probably no cohort in the history of education of any major that can honestly make that claim if they had more than 7 students. If you still claim it is true, tell me the name of the school and I will personally research it. Until then, I say poppycock!

[ChristineAdrianaRN, BSN, RN]

canchaser said:

Online or brick and mortar schools?

I prefer old-fashioned brick and mortar, but I wouldn't rule out online. I like going to class, with books and backpack and listening to lectures and taking notes and asking questions and going to the library after class to study some more.... I miss school! I'm a nerd!

[PNP4KIDZ, BSN, RN]

Keep your head up! It sounds like you have most if not all that they will want! They are getting pretty competitive, and maybe they wanted just a little more experience. No worries! I applied to a DNP program (I am a PNP right now) last year and got rejected from my own school where I got my Master's and an award.....Hmmm! But, I applied again and got in. I am sure there were some people who had been NP's longer than me, etc. I try not to take it personally. I think it is hard to get the true picture of someone only on paper, so they have to look at those few specifics. Apply again.....you will have even more experience under your belt, and they will see your perseverance!!! Good luck! :)

[ChristineAdrianaRN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the encouragement, PNP!

[Dr.Shelly, PhD, RN]

First let me say I would hope there is never an admision that takes place where they just take the first in approach. Nobody would risk that for their board pass rates. Second of all, UMSL is in the top 14% of all MSN programs in the nation. UMSL MSN program had 240 applicants for 70 spots this year alone. The pass rate is one of the highest if not the highest in the St. Louis area for NPs. UMSL has a very competitve admission process where a rubric is utilized for your GPA with your years of experience and your admission essay. Military experience as an important asset as well. Applicants are scored and placed accordingly. It would be my guess that your 7 months experience scored you lower not knowing about your 3 minute essay that may have also lowered your overall score.

May I also suggest that you ask your future employers, preceptors what program they want their NPs to come from and I am confident you will find UMSL to be very presigious in the St. Louis area.

A word of advise, it is never a good idea to put yourself online especially putting down the very College you may wish to attend. Many applicants recognize the value of the UMSL reputation has in the community and are not just looking at the expense of tuition.

[ChristineAdrianaRN, BSN, RN]

Hmmm...do you work for UMSL, Dr. Shelly? :) My comments regarding their cost of tuition was related to what the school itself prides itself on. It prides itself on being cheap. Listen to any of their commercials. Cheap school that markets itself on being a cheap school = likely many more applicants, based on that alone. I did not know any of those other facts regarding UMSL. Can you show me your sources? Public schools DO tend to be more lenient in their admission requirements than other schools, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I agree though that they're not going to let just anyone in, but I don't rule out that once everyone meets the requirements, it may have to fall to random selection since there are such a limited number of slots (not that that's the case with me personally - I already acknowledged that my rejection was likely related to my limited experience). Obviously I don't think that poorly of the place if I was going to put my education and career in their hands and give them my money. :) But thank you for schoolin' me on the school. Makes me more excited to apply to them again next year.

[CCRNDiva, BSN, RN]

I just received my second rejection letter yesterday and I must admit I cried a little. I wasn't prepared for this amount of rejection:eek:!! I felt that I was a competitive applicant. I have 7 years ICU experience, CCRN & TNCC certifications and what I thought was a pretty good GPA (3.5 ADN, 3.5 RN-BSN).

I'm not going to give up though, and you shouldn't either! I have a few more schools to apply to for Fall admission. Good luck to you!!

[PNP4KIDZ, BSN, RN]

You are welcome! With your drive and passion, you will get in. Sometimes, I look back at my career and am glad now that things happened when they did (even though it wasn't my idea of good timing). I truly believe that the passion you have to become a nurse practitioner is not by accident, and doors will open for you :)

[PNP4KIDZ, BSN, RN]

That is tough CCRNDiva! You sound like an incredible candidate. I think these schools are so flooded right now, and it could have only been one person that made the difference. Keep applying!!! You have a really great attitude! Best of luck.....which ever school you end up going to, they will be lucky to have you :)

[ChristineAdrianaRN, BSN, RN]

Aw, MAN, CCRNDiva, don't even tell me that! That is so discouraging. I'm sorry you're going through that, it's gotta wear on your self-esteem a little. =( But I agree with PNP, you sound like a fantastic candidate; the schools just must be overrun with applicants. Apply apply apply all over and keep applying! You'll get in!

[CCRNDiva, BSN, RN]

Thanks so much for the kind words! One of my rejection letters said just what you all are saying; there's been a dramatic increase in the number of applicants recently, causing admission to become much more competitive. I guess that's better than being told I don't meet their standards.

It's funny, I posted to give encouragement to you and end up receiving encouragement myself:redpinkhe:redpinkhe:redpinkhe. Gotta luv it!!