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!

[CCRNDiva, BSN, RN]

I received two more denial letters in the past week. This is becoming very damaging to my self-esteem. I'm so stressed out and I don't know what to do. I haven't received much feedback as to why I was rejected other than "we had a record number of applicants" etc. Both schools suggested that I reapply but exactly what are my chances for admission if I can't get a specific reason for denial. When I called one program they told me that my goal statement didn't match their program. I was confused because I applied to their ACNP program with hopes of entering the intensivist tract and my stated career goal was/is to secure an ACNP position in an ICU within a level I or II trauma center. (This school is affiliated with a large medical center/level I trauma center). I was then told to contact the program director, which I did but have yet to receive a response.

I busted my butt over the last year attending school full time to complete my BSN while working the night shift and attained CCRN certification. I worked so hard to stay on the dean's list all year and for what? I've been rejected just as I would have been had I just made B's. I feel like I went further into debt and spent large amounts of time away from my kids for nothing. Having my BSN does absolutely nothing for me in my current job. (My unit director is diploma RN and doesn't have a bachelors degree)

I apologize if I come off as whiny; I'm just so frustrated I could scream and my ego is so deflated it takes all I have not cry every single moment of the day.

[CCRNDiva, BSN, RN]

AbeFrohman said:

Here's what happened..

Admission Director:"Where's the pile of applicants that met the minimum requirements?"

Secretary: "On the left side of your desk."

Admission Director:"How many are we taking this year?"

Secretary: "75."

Admission Director: "Okay, grab the first 75 in the pile and send the rest a denial letter. Wow, I'm exhausted from all this work."

I'm not saying there aren't selective schools out their, but they are not the norm. I have been through the application process at several schools and friends all over. I'm telling you, it just SEEMS competitive because the person with a 3.9 GPA just had the bad luck of having their application seen after all the slots were filled. I've yet to see a person who met the minimum requirements not get in within at least on the second try, even at the same school.

ETA: I had a 3.5 GPA, ZIPPO experience, the GRE was waived for me (>3.2 GPA), and no interview, and UAB ACNP program took me without hesitation. Just to show schools that are online and take huge class numbers (despite being renowned medical institutions) are really easy to get into.

I was denied by UAB's ACNP program and my last 60 GPA was > 3.6, I have 7 yrs ICU experience plus CCRN and TNCC certification and volunteer experience. Talk about irony!! Maybe I was denied because I'm in the Midwest.

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

abefrohman said:

here's what happened..

Admission director:"where's the pile of applicants that met the minimum requirements?"

Secretary: "on the left side of your desk."

Admission director:"how many are we taking this year?"

Secretary: "75."

Admission director: "okay, grab the first 75 in the pile and send the rest a denial letter. Wow, i'm exhausted from all this work."

I'm not saying there aren't selective schools out their, but they are not the norm. I have been through the application process at several schools and friends all over. I'm telling you, it just seems competitive because the person with a 3.9 gpa just had the bad luck of having their application seen after all the slots were filled. I've yet to see a person who met the minimum requirements not get in within at least on the second try, even at the same school.

Eta: i had a 3.5 gpa, zippo experience, the gre was waived for me (>3.2 gpa), and no interview, and uab acnp program took me without hesitation. Just to show schools that are online and take huge class numbers (despite being renowned medical institutions) are really easy to get into.

There is no doubt in my mind that this happens all the time!!!!!!

[CCRNDiva, BSN, RN]

I was just accepted into Loyola University Chicago's ACNP program!!! Thank you all so much for the encouragement; it really helped. I cried for 5 mins after reading the email, lol.

[MERCEDES674, MSN, RN]

CONGRATS!!!! I just read your journey over the past few months. I was feeling sorry for you but, congrats on the admission! Good Luck! ?

CCRNDiva said:

I was just accepted into Loyola University Chicago's ACNP program!!! Thank you all so much for the encouragement; it really helped. I cried for 5 mins after reading the email, lol.

[CCRNDiva, BSN, RN]

MERCEDES674 said:

CONGRATS!!!! I just read your journey over the past few months. I was feeling sorry for you but, congrats on the admission! Good Luck! ?

Thank you!!!!!

[kemcderm]

I am in the same boat as you. I have been declined from over six different NP schools. My GPA is 3.63, I have my BSN degree, I have been a nurse for six years, ect. I never get rejected and this is getting really frustrating. One school said my science grade could use improving, another said they give preference to instate residence, another said I do not have enough critical care experienc, others just say that it is a competitive program with limited room. Anyone have any advice of where I should apply or what else I can do?

[kemcderm]

What school is this? I am desperate to try any way to get in that I can. I have spent so much time and money applying to different schools to be rejected.

[kemcderm]

My rush is that after 2015 there will no longer be a masters program, I would have to get my doctorate and I do not want to spend that much money and time in school. I am only 29 but I have 6 years experience. It is hard not to be discuraged.

[CCRNDiva, BSN, RN]

I know how you feel, I was literally accepted to the last school I applied to, lol. I applied to a total of 5 schools and I was rejected by 4. I felt so rejected and empty. It's hard to deal with that level of rejection. It is so competitive out here now. I thought I was a strong applicant with what I thought was a good GPA, 7 yrs ICU experience, volunteer experience, CCRN certification etc but the denial letters kept coming. The fact that the programs couldn't give me a concrete reason for denial only compounded my misery. I think it is really boiling down to the fact that there are so many applicants due to the economy and the looming 2015 DNP recommendation.

I'm not ashamed to say that I had begun to reevaluate my career goals. I began looking into PA and CRNA programs, even med school. I also thought about applying to another round of schools for spring 2012 admission. I would encourage you to explore all of your options as well.

What type of program did you apply to? How much critical care experience do you have? I would try to pick programs that your nursing experience applies to. If you're applying to an ACNP program then boning up on your critical care experience is not a bad idea. A program director at one of the schools that denied me suggested taking a couple of graduate core classes there and reapplying. Do you have a graduate nursing program in your area? Maybe you can take a couple of classes and apply to programs as a transfer student. Most schools will take up to 9 credit hrs for transfer credit.

Also, don't worry too much about the 2015 DNP recommendation because it is just that, a recommendation. The states and the certifying bodies would all have to mandate the DNP as an entry to practice for it to be required. Several schools do not have a DNP program or their DNP program is a post master's degree. One of my profs also told me that state schools have to get approval from the state to start or convert to a doctoral program and if the recommendation becomes a requirement some programs would have to close. One of the issues is the fact that there are not enough doctorally prepared to teach these DNP programs.

I know it's easier said than done, but please stay encouraged. Don't give up on reaching your goals! You will find the program that will see you as the strong candidate you are.

[rmicu, MSN, NP]

kemcderm--

Don't allow the "recommendation" of a Doctorate degree for NP to rush you. It is not a requirement and is similar to the recommendation that all RNs have a BSN by a certain date. I first heard that over 10 years ago----and the BSN is still not required for licensure.

There are not enough instructors to teach MSN programs, not to mention doctorate programs.

It may be beneficial to take one or two MSN classes as a non-degree seeking student.

If you get decent grades, maybe this will give you an edge when you apply again for admission to MSN programs and show the school that you are ready for graduate school.

Good luck as you continue your studies.

Take care and I'm sure you will get into the right school at the right time.

[kemcderm]

I have applied to 6 different schools and they have all told me the same thing, after 2015 there will no longer be a masters program offered.