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.
Oh! Well, how was your interview if you remember it at all? I wish we were able to ask how each school chooses their acceptances, it would make things less ambiguous í ½í¸…
Did you work full-time during the first 8 months of the program? During that time, were those classes synchronous, asynchronous, or a little bit of both? How much of a break do you get between semesters? What would you say is the biggest advantage of TCU's program compared to others? Disadvantages?
My interview actually consisted of two separate interviews with two faculty members in each. I went in to the first room, chatted with the first 2 faculty members for about 15 minutes, came out, and met with the program director and another faculty member.
I wasn't quizzed about anything clinical. They seemed more focused with getting to know me, my personality, and whether or not I had a good support system and/or plan to survive it all without working for 2+ years. They asked why I chose TCU, why I picked a DNP program, and they asked about the kind of patients I cared for at my jobs. In my experience, everyone was very friendly, warm, and welcoming. Some of my classmates reported different experiences with a couple of the faculty members.
If you have a weak part of your application-low grade in an undergrad class, low score on part of the GRE, etc.-be ready to explain why it's low or what you will do to improve in that area. C's are unacceptable at TCU. You get less than an 83 in any class at any point of time, and you're out. They want to know whether or not you can reliably make the grade. If they have doubts, you are facing an uphill battle from the very beginning.
My interview actually consisted of two separate interviews with two faculty members in each. I went in to the first room, chatted with the first 2 faculty members for about 15 minutes, came out, and met with the program director and another faculty member.
I wasn't quizzed about anything clinical. They seemed more focused with getting to know me, my personality, and whether or not I had a good support system and/or plan to survive it all without working for 2+ years. They asked why I chose TCU, why I picked a DNP program, and they asked about the kind of patients I cared for at my jobs. In my experience, everyone was very friendly, warm, and welcoming. Some of my classmates reported different experiences with a couple of the faculty members.
If you have a weak part of your application-low grade in an undergrad class, low score on part of the GRE, etc.-be ready to explain why it's low or what you will do to improve in that area. C's are unacceptable at TCU. You get less than an 83 in any class at any point of time, and you're out. They want to know whether or not you can reliably make the grade. If they have doubts, you are facing an uphill battle from the very beginning.
Do you feel like you have enough of a support system if you struggled for whatever reasons and needed some assistance to make the grade?
Did you work full-time during the first 8 months of the program? During that time, were those classes synchronous, asynchronous, or a little bit of both? How much of a break do you get between semesters? What would you say is the biggest advantage of TCU's program compared to others? Disadvantages?
I worked full time through part of the fall semester before deciding to quit (you're not supposed to keep going after the on-campus classes begin). I wouldn't recommend working after you the fall semester begins, but it's totally feasible during the spring and summer. Some people picked up a PRN job later and managed to work 1-2 days per month in addition to school, but those people were few and far between.
Unless they have changed things, you will take 2 online classes during the spring semester and two online classes over the summer. In the spring, half of the students in your graduating class will take biostatistics and research while the other half takes emerging science and... something else (the name escapes me). Then when summer starts, you basically just swap and take whatever two courses you didn't have during the spring. You typically get 1-2 weeks off between spring/summer/fall semesters.
One of the biggest advantages of the program is that you CAN continue to work during the first 8 months. Anything that decreases the amount of debt you accumulate is profoundly helpful. Additionally, most of the faculty members are truly wonderful and really, really know their stuff. Some of them lecture regularly at national and international conferences and get rave reviews from their peers.
Disadvantages? I think the requirements to pass classes and graduate are higher than many other schools. That's not a disadvantage in the long run as you will be more prepared when you finish, but in the short term, it makes things more challenging. TCU is also more expensive than some other schools, but they do try to take care of you. Also, a lot of the clinical sites are spread all over the place, so some degree of traveling is almost guaranteed.
I worked full time through part of the fall semester before deciding to quit (you're not supposed to keep going after the on-campus classes begin). I wouldn't recommend working after you the fall semester begins, but it's totally feasible during the spring and summer. Some people picked up a PRN job later and managed to work 1-2 days per month in addition to school, but those people were few and far between.
Unless they have changed things, you will take 2 online classes during the spring semester and two online classes over the summer. In the spring, half of the students in your graduating class will take biostatistics and research while the other half takes emerging science and... something else (the name escapes me). Then when summer starts, you basically just swap and take whatever two courses you didn't have during the spring. You typically get 1-2 weeks off between spring/summer/fall semesters.
One of the biggest advantages of the program is that you CAN continue to work during the first 8 months. Anything that decreases the amount of debt you accumulate is profoundly helpful. Additionally, most of the faculty members are truly wonderful and really, really know their stuff. Some of them lecture regularly at national and international conferences and get rave reviews from their peers.
Disadvantages? I think the requirements to pass classes and graduate are higher than many other schools. That's not a disadvantage in the long run as you will be more prepared when you finish, but in the short term, it makes things more challenging. TCU is also more expensive than some other schools, but they do try to take care of you. Also, a lot of the clinical sites are spread all over the place, so some degree of traveling is almost guaranteed.
Ive got an interview coming up later this month too... any other tips for the interview you can think of besides the obvious arrive 30 minutes before the interview and dress up in a suit and tie (for guys)?
Thanks for the reply. Another question I have, if you have the time to answer, is more subjective but is one that I'm hoping you will be able to answer.
Most programs I've researched state that the total time commitment including study time is around or just over 60 hrs/week. In comparison, TCU's website states, "The student's time commitment is approximately 64 hours during a seven-day week. This time commitment does NOT (emphasis added) include study time. One hour of classroom time generates two or more hours of study time."
Again, it is subjective, but based on your own and other students' experiences that you know of, would you agree that 64 hrs of time commitment NOT including study time is accurate?
I am so nervous! I have my interview August 30th at nine am! I have 3 years SICU experience, 3.5 GPA, 301 on GRE, ACLS, BLS, PALS, AND CCRN! I really hope I get in! I applied to 2 other schools with no interview.
KingTexas2011
89 Posts
Which program are you a student of? We've been talking about TCU and TWU here