I was browsing and did not see a thread for the 2018 UBC BSN applicants so thought I'd start one.
I am just finishing up my supplemental nursing application and hope to finish my application by the end of today and have already submitted my transcript. Just wanted to know who else is applying/GPA/past experiences with UBC/any tips or information for the application anyone wishes to share.
A bit about myself.. I am currently an LPN working at a hospital and also work part-time in retail in a leadership role, I do not have a Bachelor's degree but am applying anyways (hoping my supplemental weighs heavy in my favour). I have a GPA of 3.55 and will have ~30 credits at the end of this Fall term. I have some volunteer experience working with companies during their charity campaigns and am hoping to do more volunteer work this year. I will also be applying to BCIT, Langara and Queen's University once their applications open up.
Good luck to everyone and please share any information you're able too!
I got my acceptance letter! I literally laugh cried and my son thought I was losing my mind and kept asking me if I was ok. Holy cow!
Hang in there, everyone on reserves and those who were waitlisted or didn't make it in this time. This journey has been four years for me (since my first prereq) and involved a lot of sacrifice and double and triple-checking in with myself that it was my dream. I have no doubt we will see each other either in the program or as working RNs in the future
I'm in the same boat as futurern_1234 and will most likely go to U of T since it's closer to home! So that will open up one more spot for those who are waitlisted!
I got my rejection letter today, ranked top 50% for all 3 segments. Was feeling kinda blue but I suppose life really has its own ways ! Sending lots of comfort to those who got rejected and a huge congratulations to those who got accepted!
any of those that got accepted have any advice for the rejected? if one is to try again next year, I guess taking some courses to try to raise GPA would be one possibility?
what would you suggest for volunteering, if one has no volunteer position right now?
The Casper test was tough, so fast it went by like a blur. I guess we could improve our typing skills, but not sure if that would make enough of a difference. We do get to write the test again next year and this year is not considered, correct?
thanks, and congrats to those that got accepted, and those of us who didn't, best of luck finding somewhere else or perhaps improving enough to get accepted next year
Regarding GPA, from my understanding, UBC does not consider the average of the courses that you're taking or the difficulty of your major when they look at your GPA. As a result, I would recommend taking courses that you might enjoy while also looking at UBC pair to view previous averages for the courses so that you have a better chance at succeeding.
Regarding volunteering, I only volunteered at a hospital since last August but took on a volunteer opportunity at a more isolated hospital that would enable me to have more unique experiences to talk about. For example, i volunteered in the psychiatric ward at a hospital, which exposed me to a new demographic and provided me with a solid foundation to discuss in my personal profile. This is better suited to the type of application versus volunteering as a way finder, which may have limited information to discuss. All in all, try to take on opportunities that are unique and allow you to stand out.
Regarding the Casper exam, from my understanding, the Casper exams are written every year and disregard past exams. Here is a link to the Casper website page that discusses what evaluators look for in a strong exam. Top 12 Tips for an Oustanding CASPer Performance | CASPer Test
To those who were accepted into UBC for this year, congratulations and to those who were not accepted, I wish you the best moving forward in whatever path you take.
I feel the supplemental is a big part of it, honestly. I volunteered on the critical care floor of a hospital, provided tea service to ICU and medical daycare families, and volunteered at a youth sexual health clinic. I think that's all kind of standard for many of us though, as most nursing students have volunteered or worked in health care. My GPA is not stellar, and I haven't traveled. I do have in home end of life care and about a dozen other 'life experience' things that help show resilience (or at least I like to think so). My advice would be not to take it personally or worry too hard about your previous GPA - focus on what you can control like taking a course or two to bump the GPA or finding opportunities for more life experience. Also, keep your options open - there are a number of good nursing schools around and each has its pros and cons.
What I think helped for me is that I also fundraised and created a summer group for low income single parents to go to events and workshops, and I personally ran that for about three years while going to school, volunteering, working as a tutor, and raising a kid. From everything I've seen, UBC looks for applicants with leadership skills and initiative who are invested in their communities. Pick a passion, even if it's not in health care, and spearhead something that can improve your community. Worst case scenario, you still make a difference in the lives of people around you. You also have the opportunity to learn a lot from what does or doesn't work about your project. That alone is very valuable.
Ahead of the Casper, I also did the practice test, typed like a ******* mad woman for that, and got familiar with the format as much as possible in advance. Leave questions you're not sure of but come back to them asap, and be thorough.
I'm not sure how helpful any of this is. I think we were all very strong applicants, and it's hard to make anything of the Casper because it's scored by a number of people you'll never even get to talk to. Hang in there and keep your spirits up - it might be a long and uncomfortable journey, but if you're committed you can make it happen.
Very well said jacqat, I think the admission committees of accelerated programs generally appreciate it when candidates demonstrate a clear vision towards their future career as RNs, and have equipped themselves with skills required to support their area of interest through volunteer/work/life experiences. As per Casper, I would strongly suggest looking up jurisprudence guidelines for nurses, or any other health care professionals. I'm currently a dietitian so I reviewed RD jurisprudence again (partly due to I had very little time and this was easier for me) and found it EXTREMELY helpful for Casper, I would say 8/12 of the questions were related to the professional conducts listed in the guidelines. Some other questions are geared more towards social workers in my opinion but the foundation is actually pretty similar. Just as a reference, this is what I reviewed: https://www.collegeofdietitians.org/resources/publications-cdo/jurisprudence-handbook-for-dietitians-in-ontario-(.aspx I have to say some of the cases are pretty dietitian-oriented so I would recommend to read RN jurisprudence if you're preparing to write next year.
I absolutely echo the above two commenters. I didn't have a lot of healthcare-related volunteer experience, but my volunteer experience largely had to do with helping and impacting my local community. I also did an internship last summer (also not healthcare-related) that allowed me to develop and showcase leadership and organizational skills. In my case the big project was starting a summer tutoring opportunity for foster kids struggling in math and science and headed into middle or high school. I think it's all about displaying well-developed critical thinking skills and the ability to liaison and work hard for the betterment of the community. Find those opportunities. Volunteer with your local farmers' market (I did!), find a great internship, implement community initiatives at your own workplace, or even sit down with some healthcare professionals to learn about their careers. It's all helpful. Keep at it, you've got this!!
I have also receieve my acceptance and am really looking forward to beginning the program in a few months!
I have been an LPN for two and a half years working primarily in surgical but I also pick up on medical, rehabilitation, and emergency units. I have a background in psychology from UBC Vancouver.
I had actually applied to this program back in 2013 before I became an LPN and was rejected. I decided to try my LPN for a few years to see if it was the career for me. In a way I have come full circle and have finally met my original goal of doing my BSN at UBC!
Congrats to the others accepted and to the ones that were not, don't give up! :)
EDIT:
In regards to the application, the above comments are very well said. I think the supplemental is extremely important if not the most important. I wrote well written paragraphs with proper format/grammar while expressing my passion for nursing, highlighting my experiences I have had so far in healthcare.
For CASPer I also practiced typing fast and timed myself answering practice questions over and over so I knew exactly how much time I had per question. My current experience as an LPN helped IMMENSELY just because we have studied ethics very thoroughly and I found the test to be quite ethics based.
Congrats to those accepted and don't give up to those who weren't!!! It's all about the journey. I was not accepted to OT twice at UBC, took a couple years to continue exploring career options and gain more experience, and now I've been accepted into both UBC and BCIT BSN!
Gopher_ and any others who have been accept to both BCIT/UBC- Have you decided what you're going to do re: choosing BCIT/UBC?! I would love to chat about it!
Could anyone tell me what the deadline is for people to accept/decline offer? I'm on the waitlist, so I'm wondering when I might hear if I've made it in.
jacqat
22 Posts
I got my acceptance letter! I literally laugh cried and my son thought I was losing my mind and kept asking me if I was ok. Holy cow!
Hang in there, everyone on reserves and those who were waitlisted or didn't make it in this time. This journey has been four years for me (since my first prereq) and involved a lot of sacrifice and double and triple-checking in with myself that it was my dream. I have no doubt we will see each other either in the program or as working RNs in the future