SUNY Downstate CNM Fall 2012

midwifetobe85 · May 31, 2012

Hello,
I have applied to SUNY Downstate's Fall 2012 CNM program and would like to get an idea of my chances. I would also like to connect with other applicants. I have a BSN, 3.5 GPA overall, and 5 years experience as a nurse. I would like to know how long it takes to hear from the school and would love for other students to share their experience applying or attending Downstate.
Thanks

Hi Bety3ny! I also applied for Downstate's Fall 2012 CNM program. I just graduated with my BSN and have a cum nursing GPA of 3.84. I have always been passionate about midwifery but did not actively pursue it at first. I actually have a BA in another field and did an accelerated BSN when I realized that midwifery was my calling. I dont have any nursing experience outside of school, but I entered my BSN program with the plan of continuing straight through school, and have had several CNMs encourage me to do so. I applied in mid April to Downstate and interviewed with them a few weeks ago. It was a wonderful experience and it really made it clear that it's the right program for me. Apparently, the final decision rests with an "admissions committee" after the interview, although I'm not sure who is in it and what components they're weighing. I'm also not sure if they will make their decision about me before they finish interviewing candidates or after. All I know is that the waiting is driving me crazy! I found this link on statistics and although its on the "midwifery" section and not the "nurse midwifery" section I believe it might still apply to CNM applicants because everyone ultimately attends the same classes. http://www.downstate.edu/CHRP/midwifery/program-statistics.html

As far as attending Downstate goes, I've heard nothing but good things from a number of different people including from faculty of other midwifery programs.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Bety3ny · May 31, 2012

Thanks midwifetobe85! How long did it take for you to hear back from Downstate about an interview after you submitted your application? I'm sending you a lot of luck and hopefully we will be classmates! Was the interview with one person or a panel? Thanks...

midwifetobe85 · Jun 4, 2012

Hi Bety3ny! I submitted my online portion on 4/12 and they had my application package by 4/17. It took until 4/23 before it was "sent to admissions committee" (you'll see that on your admissions checklist page online) and then I got an email inviting me for an interview on 5/4, and I scheduled it for a day the following week. So I guess it was a week and 5 days from when the "committee" had it until when I was invited for the interview. Although I was interviewed on 5/7, I am still waiting to hear officially. I know they will only inform you by snail mail, but you can call and find out if a decision letter has been mailed or if your application is "still in review". I know that the school is currently undergoing their reaccreditation process and so that is affecting their application processing speed.

The interview was with a nurse midwife and WHCNP. They were both lovely and it was very conversational and low pressure. Best of luck to you too and hopefully we will see each other in the fall!

Bety3ny · Jul 7, 2012

Midwifetobe85 did you here their decision yet? I had my interview and it went pretty well, but I'm feeling so anxious and scared now. Waiting for a decision is one of the hardest things I have ever done!

midwifetobe85 · Jul 11, 2012

Midwifetobe85 did you here their decision yet? I had my interview and it went pretty well, but I'm feeling so anxious and scared now. Waiting for a decision is one of the hardest things I have ever done!

I did- I was accepted! I received my acceptance letter (big yellow envelope) on June 15th. The letter was dated June 13th. As I mentioned before I was interviewed on May 7th, so it took over a month before I finally heard. It was torture! I'm not really sure what they're weighing during that time. Did they tell you? The one thing I was disappointed about was the fact that I was accepted on a part-time basis. I had applied for full-time admission but was told that they're not sure if they're going to have any full-time spots this year. In the end the tuition isn't more, but it's a whole extra year. I'm not really sure if there is any chance of that changing or not. Nonetheless, I'm very happy to have been accepted.

When did you interview? Did it feel like a good fit for you? Don't worry, they really take forever, but I bet you'll hear soon. :)

Bety3ny · Jul 11, 2012

I interviewed last week and It went pretty well. Congrats on being accepted midwifetobe85! I was trying to find the curriculum plan for part-time and could not find it. The school is a really good fit for me and my interview reinforced it. I hope to get a big yellow envelope too. They told me that they weigh GPA, experience, interview performance, the writing exersice, certifications and priority is given to people that graduated from a previous SUNY institution. Congrats again midwifetobe85! Hope to see you in the fall and remember, part-time is better than no-time.

midwifetobe85 · Jul 14, 2012

Thanks Bety3ny! They don't have a copy of the part-time curriculum online. I've only learned that the fall semester would be three didactic courses - pharmacology, primary health care of women and theoretical foundations for ANP. From what I can tell, there would not be any clinical courses during the first year, and the second and third year would be very similar to the full-time program minus the didactic courses completed during the first year. Good luck! I hope you see you in the fall too!

Bety3ny · Jul 26, 2012

Sadly,

I was put on the alternate list and I'm praying that I at least get a part-time offer by the end of the summer. If I don't get in this year I'll just reapply next year. I plan on getting a MSN from WGU and getting certified in neonatal monitoring and become a lactation consultant. good luck to you midwifetobe85!

midwifetobe85 · Jul 28, 2012

Sadly,
I was put on the alternate list and I'm praying that I at least get a part-time offer by the end of the summer. If I don't get in this year I'll just reapply next year. I plan on getting a MSN from WGU and getting certified in neonatal monitoring and become a lactation consultant. good luck to you midwifetobe85!

I'm really sorry to hear that Bety3ny! If you look at the statistics from last year that I posted above, 5 people out of 16 declined after being accepted, so perhaps theres still a chance for you this year. If you end up needing to apply next year, do it really early. The application became available in February and I applied in April and was told there are "some spots left." I was really surprised that I was already late at that point.

I love your plan though! I also hope to become certified as a lactation consultant. I hope you still get in! Best of luck either way!

Chana160 · Aug 6, 2012

I just received my acceptance letter today for the MSN/Midwifery program! I'm disappointed too that it's only part-time, but at least I'll have my foot in the door. I graduated in January with a BSN, and haven't been able to find employment.

Did you apply for the dual program as well? I realize now that it requires 4 Research classes, which sounds perfectly daunting. I dread Research courses.

Are you planning on working while attending school?

Looking forward to meeting you.

Bety3ny · Aug 8, 2012

Chana160,Where you placed on the waiting list or did you just get interviewed late? Congrats on getting in and hope to see you guys in the fall.