CRNA school waitlist

Shanimal · Oct 11, 2017

First, I'm sorry that you're in that situation. I imagine the bone-crushing disappointment of getting a waitlist letter is almost that of a rejection letter but without the finality of one as you hope and wait to hear back over weeks or months. I consider myself extremely fortunate to not have been waitlisted (although I tried to mentally prepare myself for that possibility), so my thoughts on the subject may or may not be useful to you.

A quick story on the topic of waitlist vs. rejection status. This past May I was sitting in a room with 20 or 30 other nursing anesthesia applicants who were invited to interview with faculty members of the program I'd applied to. (A bit unnerving to know that there were at least several other interview days with just as many applicants to compete against). The program director tells us that we are sitting in that room because we're already considered qualified to be accepted into the program, so the purpose of the interview is to essentially ensure "goodness of fit" between potential students, faculty, and the program itself. Rejection letters mean there is something the candidate should do to become more competitive before reapplying to the program. Waitlist letters mean the candidate is competitive, but with only a certain number of seats available other candidates somehow edged them out (often just barely and even subjectively) in one way or another, and that their acceptance is conditional on whether a space becomes available. In fact, during one of my interviews a faculty member confessed that he had been waitlisted 3 times before being accepted and asked what I would do if I were waitlisted. I joked (but was kind of serious) that if I got a waitlist letter I would go home, drink a bottle of wine, and sit around feeling sorry for myself for the next few days. Then I'd honestly assess my own weaknesses and ask for advice from the program faculty on what I could do to be a more competitive applicant for the next go-around in the event I was not offered admission. I'd plan out what I needed to do over the next year to become that competitive applicant and do it.

So really all of this is just a long way of saying that waitlist letters â‰ rejection letters. Both are extremely disappointing in their own ways, but waitlist status just means that while you're a strong candidate for that program, seats are limited and your admission is conditional on one opening up. The fact that you were selected to interview is a good sign, as is getting a waitlist rather than rejection letter. It's OK to feel crushed about the whole thing and to still hold out hope (I certainly wouldn't take it as a "soft no"), but in the meantime my suggestion is to plan for how you're going to kick a** the next time if it comes to that. Identify your own weaknesses (everybody has them!), reach out to the program director and/or faculty members you interviewed with for suggestions on making yourself a stronger applicant, make a game plan, then do it. Good luck!

BBB888 · Oct 11, 2017

@shananigan thanks so much for the support. I'm embarrassed to say but I only applied to one program. I'm unable to move at this time out of state so didn't have much options. I also applied to my number one choice that I've been dreaming of getting accepted since I was in nursing school. Having to make a plan and consider out of state programs is really tough mentally. I thought I had a good shot and don't know where I fell short. When is it appropriate to contact the program about how I could have made myself a more competitive applicant?

At at this point I have made a list of programs with cities I would be able to move for the next round of applications next year. Is it appropriate to contact admissions at those programs and ask them what I can do to make myself more competitive? I have never done this in the past.

This past year I dedicated a lot of time effort and money for acceptance in this program so it's really hit me hard. I'm having a hard time picking myself back up. This was my dream and I feel like I failed myself and those who have helped me get here. I know that at some point I have to start working on improving myself as a nurse and applicant. I'm thinking of retaking the gre and possibly taking a grad school class.

I really appreciate your input. I almost felt like giving up on my dream of becoming a crna and felt that maybe this shows it wasn't for me. But I realized that I have done to much to quit that easily. Thanks again for your time, it means a lot. Congratulation on getting accepted, and I hope you are having a great time in your program.

Shanimal · Oct 12, 2017

Nothing wrong with applying to only one program--it just means that waitlist letter might sting a bit more. Contact the program director right away for advice or suggestions on being a more competitive applicant in the next application cycle in case a spot doesn't open up for you. Same goes for contacting program directors or other point-of-contacts at prospective programs--ask well in advance before you send in an application and briefly lay out your stats for more specific advice. I did that with both programs I applied to and both directors offered very helpful suggestions that I probably wouldn't have known to do on my own.

While it's totally normal to be bummed out about the whole thing, it's a setback, not a failure. In case the waitlist status doesn't change (hopefully it does, of course), for future applications and interviews I would suggest emphasizing this experience and what you did to be more competitive. Tenacity and perseverance are good qualities to have. Everyone hits a roadblock at some point or another; what sets you apart is what you decide to do about it.

Spurs_up, DNP, CRNA · Oct 27, 2017

First off I can't speak to being waitlisted, but don't think of chasing your dream as being a failure. It's your first year applying and many people don't get in their first year. I know for a fact that there is at least 3 people who were waitlisted in my program that got in. One person was asked to join the program about a month out of the start date. Keep in mind that my school only accepted 22 students during my year applying, so you still have a shot. Remember, interview season is just really starting to ramp up, so there is a chance that people will except entry into other school over the next few months. I only applied to one school as well, but I feel like most of my classmates were accepted to an average of 3 schools. These are just small things to keep in the back of your mind, but I am sure the school will be more than happy to speak with you about your potential and it will also get your name out there again. Best of luck and always remember you can take course work only classes like advanced patho and such to lighten your load for when you do start school.