SRNA and/or CRNA - Information for Future School Applicants

Su Jin Kang · May 28

Hi everyone!

I'm an international student graduating soon from Drexel's ACE BSN program (current GPA 3.71, aiming for 3.8). I'd love your input on whether my path to CRNA school seems realistic and competitive.

Background:

MS in Music Composition from Juilliard (GPA 3.89)

BS in Human Biology from Hunter College (Science GPA 3.83)

Experience: Medical assistant (cardiology, GI), oncology research (NYU), long-term community volunteering

My Plan:

Start full-time ICU nursing immediately after graduation

Apply to CRNA schools with ~1.4–1.5 years ICU experience at time of application, >2 years by matriculation

Complete an online MSN in Nursing Leadership while working (to maintain F1 visa)

Apply broadly to schools that accept 1–2 years ICU experience

Questions:

Is ~2 years of ICU experience by start date competitive?

Would an online MSN (in leadership) help or hurt my app?

Any advice on how I can strengthen my application further?

Would a Juilliard arts background be viewed as a unique asset or just unrelated?

Appreciate any feedback or insight—especially from anyone who's walked a similar path. Thanks so much!

KSnurse21 · Jun 1

Hello! I'd love some feedback on my current stats. I'm wanting to start applying in 2026 so if I need to work on things I have room! I just want an idea of what I look like as a student now and if I'm comparable. I'm afraid my stats are not competitive enough. Thanks!

2 yrs adult ICU experience by time of applying. BLS, ACLS, NRP, TNCC, PALS, Impella certified. Daisy award honoree. CLABSI committee member. AACN/AANA member. Science GPA 3.8. BSN GPA 3.7 Cumulative GPA 3.6. Student Nurse Association Treasurer. Phi Theta Kappa member. Sigma Theta Tau member. CRNA shadowing hoyours 40.

CCRN not taken yet - still studying. All tips and feedback are welcome. Really nervous my stats aren't good enough. Thank you so much!!

Trusted Brand · Jun 6

Su Jin Kang said:

Hi everyone!

I'm an international student graduating soon from Drexel's ACE BSN program (current GPA 3.71, aiming for 3.8). I'd love your input on whether my path to CRNA school seems realistic and competitive.

Background:

MS in Music Composition from Juilliard (GPA 3.89)

BS in Human Biology from Hunter College (Science GPA 3.83)

Experience: Medical assistant (cardiology, GI), oncology research (NYU), long-term community volunteering

My Plan:

Start full-time ICU nursing immediately after graduation

Apply to CRNA schools with ~1.4–1.5 years ICU experience at time of application, >2 years by matriculation

Complete an online MSN in Nursing Leadership while working (to maintain F1 visa)

Apply broadly to schools that accept 1–2 years ICU experience

Questions:

Is ~2 years of ICU experience by start date competitive?

Would an online MSN (in leadership) help or hurt my app?

Any advice on how I can strengthen my application further?

Would a Juilliard arts background be viewed as a unique asset or just unrelated?

Appreciate any feedback or insight—especially from anyone who's walked a similar path. Thanks so much!

You're on a solid and realistic path. Your GPA is competitive (especially that 3.83 science GPA), and having ~1.4–1.5 years of ICU experience at the time of application with >2 years by matriculation aligns with what many CRNA programs accept. Be sure to research each program carefully, since requirements do vary.

An online MSN in leadership likely won't hurt your application BUT it might not carry a ton of weight for CRNA admissions either. It shows academic consistency and initiative, which some programs do value.

The key is making sure it doesn't distract from gaining strong ICU experience or preparing for your interview, which is ultimately what gets you accepted. You may be better off ensuring you have your CCRN, GRE if required etc. versus an MSN in leadership. Research!

And that's the part many overlook: Your application gets you the interview, but the interview gets you the acceptance. Faculty we've worked with from programs around the country have said repeatedly: they know they're turning away qualified applicants every cycle.

So interview prep needs to start EARLY. It's no longer just clinical. Programs are pushing applicants to the edge of their knowledge to see how they think when they don't know the answer. Emotional intelligence, personality questions, and being able to communicate at the level of a future grad student are all critical.

Your Juilliard background can be a unique asset IF you connect the narrative properly through your personal statement, interview, etc. It reflects discipline, creativity, and high performance, all of which translate well into anesthesia if the school is one that looks more holistically at applicants versus "stats and GPA only"

You're doing so many things right already. Keep going!

If you want structured support, CSPA students who work with us for 6+ months have an 80% acceptance rate! It's standard 12%-15% acceptance rate out there, so we're super proud of our students and our content!

PS- Once you're in the ICU, our 12-Month Intensive program has had a 100% acceptance rate (for those who complete it) three years in a row. Here's how:
🔗 https://crnaschoolprepacademy.com/blog-the-secret-behind-cspas-80-acceptance-rate/

Cheering you on — you've got this, Future CRNA!

Trusted Brand · Jun 6

KSnurse21 said:

Hello! I'd love some feedback on my current stats. I'm wanting to start applying in 2026 so if I need to work on things I have room! I just want an idea of what I look like as a student now and if I'm comparable. I'm afraid my stats are not competitive enough. Thanks!

2 yrs adult ICU experience by time of applying. BLS, ACLS, NRP, TNCC, PALS, Impella certified. Daisy award honoree. CLABSI committee member. AACN/AANA member. Science GPA 3.8. BSN GPA 3.7 Cumulative GPA 3.6. Student Nurse Association Treasurer. Phi Theta Kappa member. Sigma Theta Tau member. CRNA shadowing hoyours 40.

CCRN not taken yet - still studying. All tips and feedback are welcome. Really nervous my stats aren't good enough. Thank you so much!!

You're in a strong position already, and the fact that you're looking ahead to 2026 gives you plenty of time to polish anything that still needs work.

Your science GPA is competitive (3.8 is great), and your BSN and cumulative GPAs are solid too. Just a reminder, most CRNA admissions are more holistic now. Programs aren't only looking at stats. They care about clinical growth, initiative, leadership, and how you'll show up in a demanding academic and clinical environment. They're putting together a cohort of students that need to work well and THRIVE together for three grueling years!

Two years of adult ICU experience by the time you apply is right on target for most programs. And your list of certs — Impella, TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS, BLS — that shows strong initiative. The Daisy Award, your committee work, SNA Treasurer role, AACN/AANA memberships, and shadowing hours all help round out your application in a meaningful way. You've clearly been intentional, and it shows.

I will say-- you are up against a lot of TOUGH competition! Many nurses will have similar stats. Standing out on resume/CV, personal statement and in the interview will be important!

We worked with a brand new program recently that received over 600 applications for their first cohort-- 600! For less than 30 seats in the cohort.

The biggest thing we'd suggest now is to keep studying for your CCRN and plan to take it as soon as you feel ready. For many programs it's required, and even when it's not, it still strengthens your clinical readiness and your application overall.

And one more thing- start preparing for the interview earlier than you think you need to. Your stats get you the interview, but the interview is what gets you accepted.

We've seen 4.0 students get rejected while 3.0 students get accepted--- the difference is usually in how well someone interviews. It's not just clinical anymore! They want to see how you think when you don't know the answer, your emotional intelligence, and how you communicate under pressure.

You're doing a lot right already. Don't talk yourself out of this. With consistent progress, you'll be in great shape for 2026.

If you're looking for more guidance and concrete advice, CSPA students who've worked with us for 6+ months have an 80% acceptance rate — compared to the national average of 12–15%.

Here's how that's possible:
https://crnaschoolprepacademy.com/blog-the-secret-behind-cspas-80-acceptance-rate/

You've got this. Keep going! We're rooting for you!