The University of Texas at Austin | Alternate Entry Master of Science in Nursing (AE-MSN) 2023

Updated:   Published

Starting a thread for those applying to UT's AE-MSN program for 2023.

Specializes in research.
1 hour ago, AustinNative said:

@cacaophony are the interviews in person or on Zoom?

@kacey222 I applied to PCPNP and have also not heard anything. 

they will be on zoom!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just got an interview invite for PMHNP! Mine indicates it's an in person interview? I live in Chicago so I'm not really prepared to travel last minute.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I also got an interview for PMHNP! I'm in the midwest area too so I'm not sure how I'm going to fly over if this is an in-person interview. I did email back though, and they said a Zoom option can be available. But they did say that in-person is preferable, so I don't know what to do!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing.

I got an interview for PCP-NP. It's in person (Zoom option if you aren't able to get to Austin). It's individual and group. Anyone have advice for a group interview? @maaz and @rnunez  and tips for the group interview? What kind of questions do they ask in it? 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
8 minutes ago, AustinNative said:

I got an interview for PCP-NP. It's in person (Zoom option if you aren't able to get to Austin). It's individual and group. Anyone have advice for a group interview? @maaz and @rnunez  and tips for the group interview? What kind of questions do they ask in it? 

Hiya! I didn’t do a group interview because I was out of state. I did mine via Zoom! I’m not sure what questions were asked, but in my history of group interviews for other jobs/positions, it’s always important to be genuine, but also find ways to stand out. Interviewers can see when you’re telling them what you think they want to hear. Make friends during your interview, be attentive to others, and help each other create a safe space to explore why y’all are choosing nursing/UTAEMSN (:

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 11/30/2022 at 7:02 PM, natalierose02 said:

I just got an interview invite for PMHNP! Mine indicates it's an in person interview? I live in Chicago so I'm not really prepared to travel last minute.

I also got invited to interview for PMHNP. I'm in Arizona (but I'm a Texas resident). I messaged (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME) and she said they have virtual ones as well but they haven't set a date for those yet. Have you emailed her? 

I'm probably going to drive in for my interview. It's a 13 hour drive, but I have family in the area, so it won't be too hard for me to make the in person one. I just have to take off extra time from work. The email I got made it sound like the group portion is an information session and a panel Q&A. I took that as us being able to ask the admissions panel questions. But I could be completely wrong!

I'm over here wondering what the writing response is going to be. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing.

Sounds like interviews for each track are done differently. There was no mention of a writing response in the information about my interview. I've read on past years threads mention of the writing response for PMHMP, maybe some of the older threads will give you an idea what the writing will be about!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

@natalierose02 @pianopr congrats on your interviews! I applied to the PMHNP and didn’t get an interview but was invited to reapply to the Leads. I plan on using the next 8 months to improve my CV and reapply next cycle.

I was hoping you could share your stats (cum GPA/ prerequisite GPA) and work experience listed on your CV. I’m trying to figure how I can improve my application for next year.
My cum is 3.9 and my prerequisites had all As with 1 B in statistics from 15 years ago. I worked as a CNA at a hospital, nursing support staff treating substance use withdrawal and as a behavioral therapist with kids. I also ran a non-profit for 5 years and shadowed a FNP who wrote one of my LORs.

I was sure I would get an interview and now I don’t know what else I should do to improve. I may retake stats for an A. Do you all have 4.0 on your prerequisites? I also joined the American psychiatric nurses association and have been trying to find a psych NP to shadow, did you guys have work experience directly with a PMHNP?

Thanks I know you guys are busy prepping for interviews. I would really appreciate a response when you get the opportunity. ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@Leahpsych You have great experience and a fantastic GPA. You should 100% reapply next year. It’s a great idea to retake statistics, though. One of the first emails I got had info on the average GPA and prerequisite GPA for each track and PMHNP was a 4.0 for prereqs. I can’t speak for the others, but I had a 4.0 in prereqs and a 3.95 in upper division classes. 
If it helps at all, my background is as an EMT (3+ years) and I frequently transferred psych patients. I work as a counselor right now (education/ career planning for transitioning service members). I’ve worked in special education as well. As far as volunteering goes, I helped out at a clinic in Germany and with the Red Cross. 
How’d you feel about your SoP? Mine was incredibly personal and talked about some major losses in my life that kind of led me to find the psych NP specialty. 
I know you specifically asked the others, but I’m hoping this info can help you next application cycle. Although I think you had a very strong application to begin with. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have a 4.0 in prereqs, 3.94 overall, psych bachelors degree. I worked on an inpatient psych unit for a year and as an OBGYN medical assistant for 2 years (although really have the responsibility of what would be an RN and my physician supervisor discussed that in my LOR). I went into more detail/bullet points in my resume on a couple main experiences rather than trying to crunch in more experiences. My essay was very personal/vulnerable and told a cohesive story of both lifelong personal and professional experiences that have led me to psych and specifically psych NP (and not psychologist, PA, MD, RN, etc). I spent A LOT of time on the personal statement and tried to show my own unique voice and a clear story. I started drafting early so that I could take breaks and then re-read it with fresh eyes several times. I had a physician who has been on a top med school admissions committee review it. I know I have excellent LORs from two physicians and one professor. Hope that helps. Good luck with everything! 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

@SarahNylander thank you for sharing. you have so much experience and an excellent academic record. I was also really personal in my SoP. I work in a hospital in downtown LA and we always have psych patients on our unit and many homeless patients that come to us from the ER. I spoke about why I’m passionate about treating SUD because a friend of mine died from an overdose after I tried to help them get sober and basically how we need to make treatment for SUD more accessible. It looks like everyone had a 4.0 prerequisite GPA. I’m definitely going to retake statistics now. I am also going to contact some of the PMHNPs I met at the nursing conference to ask about shadowing opportunities. It’s rough because I have a family and can’t just volunteer or take a job that doesn’t pay well but would look good on my resume. @natalierose02 I spent months on my LOR and had colleagues review it but having someone who does admissions is a great idea! I am starting a new job at USC Keck hospital. Hopefully I meet some physicians that can help me;) 1 year in a psych unit is also really great experience to have. Great job ladies! I really appreciate you sharing your experiences. Good luck on the interviews. Be yourself and show your passion. Check out APNA. They have some great articles on there website that could help you prepare. 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing.

@Leahpsych I think you are right, not having a 4.0 on prereqs is probably what tripped you up. I remember Tracy saying in an info session that they get so many PMHNP and PCPNP applications that they narrow them down immediately based only on the Upper Division GPA, Prereq GPA and in other years GRE. If this happened this year, then unfortunately there's a good chance they didn't review your CV, SOP, or LOR. I also remember hearing that they do take note of those who reapply again as it shows commitment to that particular field. You can also email (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME) in the Spring and ask how it improve your application. I remember her saying she is open to providing feedback. 

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion