Calling all CRNA school 2017 Applicants!

SanDiFrangles, RN, NP, CNS · Sep 9, 2016

Hi BC: I actually think you might be okay. I think the only detractor might be total ICU years experience as most schools like a solid 3 years. I'm not sure what the new GRE scale is but I usually hear that above 50th percentile should be okay. GPA and board certifications looks great. One thing I remember from the info session at SMU, the director there says that your admission credentials get you to the interview. While at the interview everyone starts on an equal footing. So it all depends on your performance there. Best of luck!

BC_ICU · Sep 9, 2016

This has definetely eased my nerves. I appreciate the feedback!

mrdearmas · Sep 11, 2016

I think your stats are very strong. Schools will love the 4.0 science GPA! While your years of experience are not huge, they more than meet the minimum. Plus, they are looking at experience at time of matriculation, so you will add 10-11 months on top of that. The one thing that I think, and have been told, is that having your CCRN (and in your case CMC and CSC) shows that even though you have a short time of experience, you are knowledgeable and competent. I think the GRE is more of a setback for you then the experience. USC for example requires a 300 without writing, so you wouldn't qualify there. Last years class that was admitted had an average score of 304, so it isn't that far off. Other schools are not as strict about the score, and just use it to gauge your ability in graduate programs. TWU for example is looking for a 297, but I got the feeling they weren't going to turn you away with a 296.

I have my app in for TWU for the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. I have my supplemental app in for USC, and the director said to look for the actual app after the 15th. I am getting everything together for Loma Linda, and will be applying to Kaiser when they open. Those are my 4 options to keep me living here and not having to uproot my wife and kids for a couple of years.

My buddy was excepted to Columbia for 2016. He ended up withdrawing because he was accepted to Kaiser CSUF. He started 3 weeks ago there. He said Columbia was pretty competitive, but Kaiser was much more so.

Good luck to you! I am going to see if there is a general thread for 2017 applicants and start one if not. Just a place to update each other and talk about dates etc.

BC_ICU · Sep 11, 2016

mrdearmas, BSN. Thank you so much for the feedback. I am hopeful for Columbia because they look at everything as a whole, according to their website.

I have decided to apply to KPSA as well. We'll see how this goes.

Best of luck to you! I'll be on the lookout for your thread.