UBC BSN September 2017

julianth · Dec 31, 2016

tdmah: I'm glad to see you've started a new thread for the next round of UBC Nursing applicants. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask away and I will do my best to help. I am a current UBC Nursing student, but I applied twice; so, I know what it's like to be both an unsuccessful (didn't even get an interview) and a successful applicant.

tdmah · Jan 1, 2017

tdmah: I'm glad to see you've started a new thread for the next round of UBC Nursing applicants. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask away and I will do my best to help. I am a current UBC Nursing student, but I applied twice; so, I know what it's like to be both an unsuccessful (didn't even get an interview) and a successful applicant.

Thank you for your reply! Looking back on last year's thread, it appears that many people had been talking about applying to UBC by this time last year. I'm shocked that no one else has joined in the conversation yet!

Would you mind telling me your stats (GPA, EC's, etc) that led to your acceptance to the program? How are you finding it so far? I went to the information session in the summer, and the current students had mentioned how difficult the first semester was. Thanks!

julianth · Jan 1, 2017

It's hard to know how they calculated my GPA, as I'm not sure which classes they used as my last ten classes. This is because I only did three classes my final semester of my undergrad degree, and then I'm not sure which grades they used from my third-to-last semester. When I was accepted I did not get a breakdown of how I placed. But, when I applied the first time and was rejected I got a breakdown of how I scored. My GPA was not the issue; it was my supplemental where I scored very low. The first time I applied I was still in my last semester, so the last ten classes were different than the second time I applied, so my GPA would have come out different.

I'm surprised to see no one talking yet too, but I think you'll see more conversation in the next few weeks as people prepare their supplemental. This is the most important part of your application. Don't leave any blank spaces because you assumed you covered something elsewhere. Spread out what you're trying to say to fill in each section so that you don't repeat yourself. I'm sure that one of the mistakes I made the first time was not utilizing every area of the application. I stupidly put "see resume" under the leadership section, as I thought my numerous supervisory and management positions made it clear I had plenty of leadership experience. And you know what they say about assuming...

The second time, I spent about two weeks polishing my application, and I treated each 300 word section as mini essays. I had others proofread everything for me. I then tried to leave it alone the last few days before I submitted it. That way, I could go back and see mistakes more clearly (although, I have since discovered two minor grammatical errors!). I also completely changed my volunteer and work in the year between being rejected and being accepted. I made all my volunteer health related and took a 6 month care aide course and then worked as a care aide for five months. I believe this not only helped me get in, but confirmed for me my passion for nursing. Most importantly, it helped me immensely in my first clinical - which starts three weeks into the program. That being said, others did better in clinical than I did, so it's extremely helpful, but not necessary. I've noticed the experiences of my fellow students are very diverse in work, volunteer and life. So, my experience is mine alone, but, I don't think I've talked to anyone whose background isn't impressive on some level. For this reason, I think the GPA is less of a concern. Some people have done just as well, if not better, than me in the program and they came in with minimum GPAs and/or not completed their degree. So as long as your GPA is sufficient to meet the minimum you can blow them away with your supplemental.

I'm not going to lie. The first semester of the program was quite intense when you consider both the clinical and the schoolwork components. So, I'm glad that part's behind me. I managed to squeeze in a coffee or two with friends each week, but that's about it. The rest of my time was spent studying with an occasional Netflix show while I washed my dishes.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

to-be-nurse · Jan 4, 2017

Hi all,

Does anyone know how the applications will be weighed? In previous years your GPA and supplemental would merit you an overall grade which then got successful applicants an interview. This year everyone is getting a CASPer interview before any selection is made. Any ideas to what parts of the application will be weighed to determine admission/rejection?

ljfinkler-kemeny · Jan 4, 2017

Hi All,

This is my first time applying to the program. My GPA is okay but I went to a small private school and so I'm not sure how that measure up to other universities. My GPA is 3.67 but I have no idea if that is good or bad or what. Anyone have and clues onto how I might fare?

Thanks

meowth · Jan 5, 2017

Thanks for starting this thread! I'm a first time applicant. I have been going back and forth about a career in nursing since my last year of undergrad (I'm nearly 4 years out of school now!). I've been working at a clinic for the last couple of years which solidified my desire to be a nurse.

To be honest though, I'm not very optimistic I'll make it in this round as my GPA is a bit low. I definitely had a rough undergrad, and wanted to take some time off school before really deciding which path to pursue. I always see applicants with tons of experience - mine is nowhere near as impressive or extensive, but for me, I will just try my best to write from my heart why I feel nursing is right for me and see what happens from there. But here's to hoping for the best!

bcastle · Jan 6, 2017

Hi everyone! I'm a second time applicant. I applied last year and got an interview but did not get accepted into the program. I was very disappointed because I felt as though I did really well on the interview. They sent me a breakdown of my application and said I placed in the top 25% for my supplemental application and in the bottom 25% for my GPA (3.3). However, I still got an interview even though I had a pretty low GPA. The supplemental is a huge deal although I'm not sure how they are ranking people this year with the new CASPer test. How is everyone preparing for this? Do you think it will be more ethical based questions or personal?

vnt6022 · Jan 6, 2017

Hello! This is my first time applying to the BSN program at UBC, and I submitted my application a few weeks ago. I graduated from the University of Washington in 2015 with my BS in Biology/Pre-Med Track. Initially, I started my undergrad career in hopes of becoming a doctor, but my hospital experience has shown me that nursing is what I am truly passionate about. Since graduating I have been taking pre-requisites for nursing schools and gaining experience in the medical field. I have volunteered in Vietnam at urgent care wards, orthopedic centers, orphanages, and schools. I have worked as an autism therapist, completed an externship at the children's hospital, and currently work on an inpatient med/surg unit.

I've been anxiously browsing previous year's discussion boards, and it seems like a super competitive application process and rigorous program (which I am really excited to hopefully be a part of). At the moment, I am practicing for my CASPer assessment. My current GPA is a 3.82, which I'm hoping is competitive because per the Information PowerPoint, last year's range was 70-90% with an 82% average.

Does anyone have any information on what the interview process is like? I have read that it is done via Skype.

Looking forward to learning more about everyone and hearing everyone's insight!

brigmo · Jan 17, 2017

Hi everyone! Also applying this year. Not sure how competitive I'll be, but my will is strong! So hopefully that will stand out. How is everyone preparing for the CASPer assesment?? I looked through the CASPer website and they specifically mention that preparation is not necessary as they are scenario based questions... I have good grades in Undergrad, and some medical-related volunteer experience, but my first degree was not at all related to Nursing. I'm also doing my A&P course through Athabasca, and so far, am doing well :) Wishing you all good luck with the finalizing of your applications!

tdmah · Jan 18, 2017

Hi everyone! Also applying this year. Not sure how competitive I'll be, but my will is strong! So hopefully that will stand out. How is everyone preparing for the CASPer assesment?? I looked through the CASPer website and they specifically mention that preparation is not necessary as they are scenario based questions... I have good grades in Undergrad, and some medical-related volunteer experience, but my first degree was not at all related to Nursing. I'm also doing my A&P course through Athabasca, and so far, am doing well :) Wishing you all good luck with the finalizing of your applications!

How far into the A&P course are you? I just started January 1, but I'm devoting full-time hours to it and not working at the moment.

If you google "How to study for the CASPer", a few websites come up with different suggestions. I'm going to do all the sample questions and maybe pay to take the sample test. :)

brigmo · Jan 18, 2017

Hey tdmah, I did the first midterm before the holidays and am working on the next series of chapters. How are you finding the course? I wanted to send you a PM but I'm new to this forum, so apparently I can't Thanks for the CASPer suggestion!