Too Young..Rejected from Graduate School

[MyPrnPleaseBSN]

Long story short, I applied to 2 graduate school for PMHNP program, got interviewed for first choice, and few weeks later... REJECTED!

I had prepared to the best of my ability for the interview, reheorificed over and over, just to find out that she only asked me 2 simple questions and was done with the interview. When I was given an opportunity to ask any questions, I asked what advice could she give me as someone pursuing the program?... Her reply was that I was still young and have more experience to go in my career. I was bothered by the response of "being young" but I didn't allow it to get to me as I saw that "being young" could be a good thing sometimes, who knows. Anyways, got my letter few days ago, REJECTED. I was numb initially, but its started to bother me. I rarely get rejected in anything , applied to ONE nursing school during my undergrad and got accepted, but this rejection humbled me somehow.

I am waiting for my second choice, but the feeling of the unknown is making me feel uneasy. Am I overreacting?

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I'm guessing they perceived you to be immature and/or too inexperienced. Whetether this assessment was fair or not, I couldn't say as I wasn't there. But I doubt the issue was your actual age.

[MyPrnPleaseBSN]

- And clarify the immaturity that may be perceived? Met all the requirements along with experience, but nonetheless, thanks for your comment @LPN!

[Nonyvole, BSN, RN]

Being (amazingly, terribly) blunt here, but yes. You don't know why you were rejected - it could be that there was one person that had a touch more experience in Psych than you, or they hit all the right notes with the application committee. Maybe it was the phase of the moon.

Plus, if you start looking at the numbers, it is far easier to get into nursing school as an undergrad than it is to get into a graduate nursing program. The school that I went to accepts 90 students/year for the BSN program. And I think 12 for the FNP program. Maybe 14, it can fluctuate slightly from year to year. It averages out to 1.5 applications for each BSN seat, and 10 applications for each FNP seat. Big difference there.

Finally, there's also meeting the requirements as put down on paper, and meeting the requirements as interpreted by the admissions committee. So it may say that you need X years in Psych, but that's the bare minimum. It could be that this round of applications, everybody who was accepted had at least X+3 years in Psych.

If you think about it, though, you made it through to the interview phase. That's better than many people get! And good luck with the other school and with getting your PMHNP degree. :)

[determinedgrl]

What school was it? How old are you, if I may ask ?

[Jules A, MSN]

How old are you and how many years inpatient psych experience do you have?

[Seaofclouds, BSN, RN]

What were the questions asked and how did you respond? There may have been something in your answers that the interviewer did not think made you the best fit for the spots they had open. How much and what king of experience do you have and what is required for the program? Giving us more information may help us give you an idea of what you can improve upon for the future.

[enuf_already]

There is a difference in someone saying you are "too young" to do something and you are still young in your career.

At 14, you would be too young to be a nurse. At 25, you would likely already be a nurse, established in a career, but young in your career (as opposed to 15 years of experience under your belt).

You asked for advice and took it the way you wanted to hear it--that you were rejected because you were too young. Grad school spots are very competitive and even those who are well qualified are rejected for someone who has that special something the school wants.

Good luck to you!

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Did you just meet the minimum requirements? Just like in undergrad if the minimum GPA is 2.9, you have a 3.0 but 95% of the other applicants have a 3.8 or higher guess who is going to get passed over? It may be like others said young in your career and other applicants were significantly more experienced, seasoned nurses who had a much better interview than you. Humbling is good especially if you are used to getting most of what you apply for in life. Better now to learn from the experience

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

It sounds more like you don't have enough psych experience...

[Caffeine_IV]

I would have taken the young comment as "don't get discouraged, you have time etc"

I think you are overanalyzing the situation. It's natural to go over it again and again in your head. Rejection sucks but it is part of life. Be thankful for the experience and hope for the best with your second choice.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Did you just meet the minimum requirements? Just like in undergrad if the minimum GPA is 2.9, you have a 3.0 but 95% of the other applicants have a 3.8 or higher guess who is going to get passed over? It may be like others said young in your career and other applicants were significantly more experienced, seasoned nurses who had a much better interview than you. Humbling is good especially if you are used to getting most of what you apply for in life. Better now to learn from the experience

This is what I was thinking probably happened; you met the minimum requirements, but there were probably more qualified candidates than open seats. Hope it goes better next time!