TCU Jan 2019/SRNA advice in general

[cvicunurse123]

Hi!

I have been rejected from 2 CRNA schools in my area and I am feeling at a loss.

I plan on applying to TCU for Jan 2019 and it will be my top choice since I will be moving to Dallas for my significant other's job.

Those who have been accepted in the past- do you mind posting your stats or letting me know what they really look for?

I will have 2 years CVICU, 1 year ICU float pool, all at level 1 trauma academic medical centers before application, CCRN-CSC, 3.3 GPA (went to a top nursing school that is highly regarded that no one had over a 3.5 in because it is a huge weed out program). I have taken 2 grad courses (Adv patho and Adv pharm)- A's and I am considering taking Biochem to boost my undergrad science GPA.

Currently waiting to hear back from TWU but have not yet.

I have a letter of rec from an anesthesiologist, CRNA, and nurse manager.

Any advice is appreciated.

[TexasFutureCRNA]

Hey there,

so when I interviewed the format was as follows.

1. Sign in with name tag and picture

2. Waiting room with current first year students who are there to sell the program and make you feel welcome.

3. Meet with first group of interviewers. It will be you on one side of the table across from the 4 interviewers. Do not expect them to highlight your achievements. They’ll ask you why you want to be a CRNA, how you have prepared, and will highlight any negative aspects of your application. Have strong answers to these questions and defend yourself well.

4. Back to waiting room

5. Second interview with administration. This interview was more relaxed. Took place at a round table. Will again ask why you want to be a CRNA, any difficult nursing scenarios, and highlight some of the negative or weaker portions of your application.

6. Back to waiting room, rank clinical sites, get an umbrella, quick tour of the facility, and then you’re done.

If you show up early be prepared to interview as soon as you walk in, they will not wait until your scheduled interview time.

stay calm and confident at all times.

[dank1027]

Thank You! Did you interview in the fall of 2018?

[RNTXAR]

My interview was exactly like the previous post mentioned. Definitely go over any weak points in your stats/ application/ family life/ support system. I was asked why I want to be a CRNA and then because I mentioned being a mom in my personal essay, I was drilled on how I plan on making it through school. Whatever you do- speak up, shake all of their hands, practice your responses beforehand in order to stay succinct, and stay calm. In my interview, they tried repeatedly to make me crack under pressure. Don’t let it happen. I left thinking the interview was tough, but then got an acceptance letter! I have heard by others that their interview was mostly general questions. Good luck!!

[dank1027]

27 minutes ago, RNTXAR said:

My interview was exactly like the previous post mentioned. Definitely go over any weak points in your stats/ application/ family life/ support system. I was asked why I want to be a CRNA and then because I mentioned being a mom in my personal essay, I was drilled on how I plan on making it through school. Whatever you do- speak up, shake all of their hands, practice your responses beforehand in order to stay succinct, and stay calm. In my interview, they tried repeatedly to make me crack under pressure. Don’t let it happen. I left thinking the interview was tough, but then got an acceptance letter! I have heard by others that their interview was mostly general questions. Good luck!!

Thank you!!

[dank1027]

Hey everyone! Question from a newbie starting in January with the online classes: How was the online portion? Did you work full time hours and if so how manageable was that? Could you have worked 4 every few weeks if you had wanted to? Any time for traveling? Is it a continuous 8 straight months or are there some random weeks off?

[nwneuro7]

@dank1027 I worked full time and yes others worked overtime during the online portion. Two of the classes (research and biostatistics) are work at your own pace and can be finished with plenty of time to travel. There were only a few days off in between the spring and summer semester but like I said, you can get done early if you have those two classes in the spring. And if you travel, you could always work on discussion posts for the other two classes, emerging science and decision science, if you have WiFi. It’s all very doable as a full-time RN :)

[dank1027]

Last Question...
LOANS. I feel clueless in this area. Can anyone explain to me when the loan has to be taken out by, when it has to be paid to tcu? In my head it goes: take out a 100,000 loan in December 2019 to start school in jan 2020, but I know i'm wrong. How does it actually work?
Also accepting all little tricks or bits of advice you have done that has saved you some money or gotten you a great interest rate! Thanks for even considering responding! Best of luck this fall semester.

[nwneuro7]

@dank1027 Debbie Mar is the graduate financial aid person and she is great at helping with that. But you can do your fafsa for 2019-2020 now and I recommend it. If I’m not mistaken, today, Oct 1st, is the first day you can do the 2020-2021 fafsa too. Your federal loans will be automatically disbursed to TCU and you will get the excess money back right before or after the semester starts. Some people take the max amount now, I just balanced it to my budget for each semester because the yearly loan is disbursed in the fall, spring and summer each year. Interest accrues while you’re in school. There are graduate direct loans and graduate plus loans that you can take up to cost of attendance (which factors in living expenses). You can find that info on the financial aid site. I also did the franklin Lindsay Loan program which is a low interest private loan. If you’re a TX resident there are CAL loans. Not sure about them because I’m not a TX resident. Just pay off what you can and save whatever you can before school starts. They advise to not make any huge purchases right before you start (like a car or house or whatever). I took a good vacation though and I don’t regret it because my life is now dedicated to school ?

[dank1027]

Hey Yall! One more question. Did you use your Online class textbooks for the spring and summer semesters? Havent ordered them yet, and I've heard a rumor that they are hardly used, if at all by some students. Thank you
DK

[nwneuro7]

I didn’t use mine at all and most everyone I know didn’t either.

[dank1027]

3 minutes ago, nwneuro7 said:

I didn’t use mine at all and most everyone I know didn’t either.

Thanks a bunch.

[nwneuro7]

You’re very welcome. My email is [email protected] if you ever need to try to get in touch with questions. I was in your position last year so I know how it is! I was lucky to have someone to ask questions to last year so I’m more than willing to help!