UCI MEPN Fall 2019

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Hello Everyone! Anyone applying for the MEPN Program at UC Irvine this year? Keep us updated if you receive any new information from the school! :)

I just got the invitation interview email as well! I’m just scared to click the link because it might cause the incerview to start but apparently we have to sign in to get another email? Anyone has used spark hire before?

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Just now, chocoli said:

I just got the invitation interview email as well! I’m just scared to click the link because it might cause the incerview to start but apparently we have to sign in to get another email? Anyone has used spark hire before?

Wow that's awesome congrats! Do you guys mind sharing your stats and whatnot? I just want to see maybe where my weaknesses are so I can improve on them next year :(

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I got the interview email too and I’ve never used that platform. Does this mean we will basically be talking to a camera? ?

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Hey everyone! It’s been a crazy week of waiting and checking my email 20 times a day. I also got an interview spot!!! We have to complete a video interview on Spark Hire. I’m also wondering on what questions they’ll ask us. Anybody have a clue? Sending good luck and positive vibes your way!! ??

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@dirtyrice I’m so sorry to hear that hun :( don’t give up hope, maybe they’re not done sending all the other invataions out yet! GPA wise, I legit got B’s in ALL of my science classes. My overal GPA is either a 3.4 or just a tad lower- so, don’t let your grades scare you away from having an opportunity. As for my personal statement- I would say it’s pretty strong. I’ve been a CNA for 2 and a half years now, I’ve had healthcare volunteering experiences both in the U.S & abroad + leadership skills. I’m not sure what areas you have experience in, but i’m sure they’d probably favor a candidate who has more experience in certain departments, particularly healthcare experience

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Just got an interview email too! ? Anyone have any ideas of the 4 interview questions they might be asking us? Congrats to everyone!

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1 minute ago, nikkiiii said:

@dirtyrice I’m so sorry to hear that hun :( don’t give up hope, maybe they’re not done sending all the other invataions out yet! GPA wise, I legit got B’s in ALL of my science classes. My overal GPA is either a 3.4 or just a tad lower- so, don’t let your grades scare you away from having an opportunity. As for my personal statement- I would say it’s pretty strong. I’ve been a CNA for 2 and a half years now, I’ve had healthcare volunteering experiences both in the U.S & abroad + leadership skills. I’m not sure what areas you have experience in, but i’m sure they’d probably favor a candidate who has more experience in certain departments, particularly healthcare experience

Hey Nikki,

Thanks so much I really appreciate the encouragement ? You sound like an awesome applicant so congrats on the well-deserved interview. I had a 3.4 undergrad GPA with mostly A's in all core science classes, 4.0 prereq GPA, and have been manager and lead technician of a neuropsychiatry clinic for two years. Had great letters too... Maybe it was my essays. In any case, best of luck to you and those who got interviews. See you in the nursing field someday!

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@D_leonThis might not be helpful because all schools are different and 4 questions isn’t that many but I’ve had a couple interviews for this type of program over the past 2 months and the common questions have been:

-How are you going to handle the demanding nature of this program? i.e. What you learned from your past academic mistakes? & Describe your support system.

-Strengths and weaknesses

-Why nursing?

-Have you ever had issues working with others? Give an experience where there was a conflict and how you handled it.

————————————————————

Random other questions I got (not a common thread between all programs):

- What inspires you?

-What are your thoughts on the divide between older and younger nurses?

-What community service have you done?

-?s about diversity (Do you work well with a diverse team? Diverse patients? Why is diversity important in nursing?)

If anything, these questions should get our wheels turning to think of experiences and beliefs that will help answer any question. Some of the best advice I ever got about interviewing is to talk naturally (“unreheorificed”) but have a toolbox of stories that you have recently practiced because every statement should be backed up by evidence.

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Hi guys!

I just made an account to join this thread. I’ve been a ghost user just reading up on forums of past cohorts. This is my first time ever applying and I only applied to two schools, so these forums have been a huge help for me.

Honestly, I really thought I had no chance at UCI because I couldn’t compare to all the past accepted applicants. But I just got the e-mail and got an interview!

With that being said, don’t ever look at your application solely off your grades because they want more than just good grades! I’ve been rejected from the BSN program during my undergrad and got waitlisted (I felt like I should of been rejected because of how poorly the interview went) for another MEPN. So despite all the downs, make sure you keep pushing because there IS a place and TIME for you.

These past couple of weeks were rough on me because I felt like I wasn’t good enough...

I would overthink and lead myself into doubt because I just saw myself as a number and not as an individual.

All I want to get out there is that grades DO NOT DEFINE you and it’s about your passion for the profession.

Really dig deep on why you want to become a nurse and that is going to be your key to success.

Also, don’t be like me and read up on past cohort stats. I literally told myself to just accept that UCI wouldn’t consider me because I didn’t have a 3.9-4.0 gpa and that the small 6% acceptance rate for last year’s cohort would only take “high stat” applicants.

It may sound cliché, but keep on trying!! Life does surprise you when you least expect it.

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Hey guys, sorry I am new to this but congrats to everyone who got interviews! I haven’t used spark hire before but I did have an interview through hirevue which I think is similar. The way it worked was the question would come up on the screen and you have time to come up with an answer (I had a piece of paper and jotted down points I wanted to make sure to address) and then the camera starts recording you. I’m not sure if this will be the same but just thought I’d share. It is a little nerve racking just talking to the screen though! Good luck to everyone and thanks for the sample questions, I will definitely use those to brainstorm!

As for stats I have a 3.99 cumulative GPA and a 4.0 GPA for prereqs. I have a degree in Psychology and though I haven’t really used my degree since graduating, I have done a lot of volunteering and am currently in the ICU of a local hospital.

Like other people have said, I wouldn’t feel discouraged if you didn’t get an interview. I applied to multiple places and have been shot down immediately for some and gotten interviews for others. These programs are crazy competitive and there are so many applicants, it is definitely a process! I think it is just important to apply to as many schools as possible and hope for the best. Just my tidbit, but good luck to everyone in their interviews and future schooling!

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1 hour ago, Alexam said:

@D_leonThis might not be helpful because all schools are different and 4 questions isn’t that many but I’ve had a couple interviews for this type of program over the past 2 months and the common questions have been:

-How are you going to handle the demanding nature of this program? i.e. What you learned from your past academic mistakes? & Describe your support system.

-Strengths and weaknesses

-Why nursing?

-Have you ever had issues working with others? Give an experience where there was a conflict and how you handled it.

————————————————————

Random other questions I got (not a common thread between all programs):

- What inspires you?

-What are your thoughts on the divide between older and younger nurses?

-What community service have you done?

-?s about diversity (Do you work well with a diverse team? Diverse patients? Why is diversity important in nursing?)

If anything, these questions should get our wheels turning to think of experiences and beliefs that will help answer any question. Some of the best advice I ever got about interviewing is to talk naturally (“unreheorificed”) but have a toolbox of stories that you have recently practiced because every statement should be backed up by evidence.

Wow thank you so much for sharing this! I really appreciate it!!

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Hi everyone! Congrats on getting in. I haven’t gotten an email for an interview so I’m thinking I haven’t gotten in.

My grades weren’t that good in college, overall GPA was 2.67 so I became an LVN to try and make up for it. I have some volunteer work, but my nursing experience just comes from being an LVN. Do you think my grades weren’t enough? I did really well during my vocational nursing program, one of the top 5 students. And I don’t really want to go into a LVN to bsn because it’ll take about 3 years and I don’t see a point in getting another bachelors when there’s an option for masters.

Also, any idea where else I could apply? I really wanted to go to UCI because of their emphasis in research. And with my grades, I feel like it would be hard to get into anywhere. Just feeling really discouraged right now. Also applied to USF 3x’s and didn’t get in.

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