UCLA MECN Fall 2014?

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Hi- Is anyone applying to UCLA's MECN program for next fall?

@ceecoxy - I heard other CE's who had great things to say about L&D, Peds, and the ER (when the ER had some action going on - otherwise it could be boring). Onco was a place to really be able to get to know patients, in my opinion. I can't say enough good things about it!

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Is it true that technicality of experience doesn't count? I had overseas training to start IV lines for dehydration, blood draws, and much more in regards to emergency care for stabilization assistance. However, I didn't mention it on the app. It would seem more applicable to mention for PA school. The application criteria at the workshop seemed to revolve more around the passion to study nursing without medical qualifications or technical experience.

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I just found out this thread. Submitted application. However, transcripts from my country still in process. I sent a copy of them. I studied physical and occupational therapy and completed prerequisites at San Francisco State University. GPA in undergrad school was 2.9 and prerequisites 3.58. I wonder if UCLA does a holistic evaluation of applicants. I also applied to UCSF. Both of them are my top choice. I am also considering USF, which makes entering a program more easy.

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I might be mistaken but when I went to the open house for the program they mentioned that they don't use a GPA for prereq's as factor. Also, if you take courses after your bachelor's is conferred they don't use that either as a factor for GPA. I got the feeling they are looking for upward trends in grades and obviously B or better in sciences. Just thought I would mention that to help anyone worrying about prereq GPA.

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Does anyone know if there's more information session happening? If not, can someone put in detail how they rank their candidates? I mean, do they put one factor higher than the other? I believe that my LORs are definitely great so as my upward trend of grades from my last 60 units at least. Also, I have at least 1000 hours of direct patient contact but I don't think that my hours was specified on my application. However, I think my statement of purpose was not as strong as I hope for. Any help will be appreciated!

Would love to see everyone's stats as well :)

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I feel like a weirdo replying so quickly but I took some detailed notes at the info session/open house. To me ( this could be different from other people who attended) they emphasized volunteer hours and the statement of purpose. On the statement of purpose they stressed not to write about a sick family member inspiring you to go in to nursing ( i guess that was common a few years back) but to focus on giving them a sense of you as a person, why you are choosing nursing ( they emphasized bedside nursing), and what you can contribute to the field. There's no interview so it makes sense as to why the statement probably has more weight. I think the last info session was in September and I went in August. Lovely experience and beautiful campus, as everyone knows. We also heard from students currently in the program. It was first and second years and all of from a variety of backgrounds and majors. People who graduated from CSU's, UC's, and Universities. There was even an english major who spoke about how he got in to nursing. Also, tons of people get accepted of the wait list. They made a couple jokes as to why anyone would not attend UCLA but it's just something they could not explain. What I found really intriguing was that a young lady spoke about how she was offered a job at the hospital she did her clinical rotation at, I can't remember which one. She said that she had just accepted it and hasn't even graduated yet from the program.

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Thanks for the information! I just hope that my statement of purpose is enough for them. sigh.

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No problem! I'm sure if you stuck to the guidelines that they presented on the website/application you should be fine. Plus, your other aspects are strong. Don't worry! :D

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Specializes in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
I feel like a weirdo replying so quickly but I took some detailed notes at the info session/open house. To me ( this could be different from other people who attended) they emphasized volunteer hours and the statement of purpose. On the statement of purpose they stressed not to write about a sick family member inspiring you to go in to nursing ( i guess that was common a few years back) but to focus on giving them a sense of you as a person why you are choosing nursing ( they emphasized bedside nursing), and what you can contribute to the field. There's no interview so it makes sense as to why the statement probably has more weight. I think the last info session was in September and I went in August. Lovely experience and beautiful campus, as everyone knows. We also heard from students currently in the program. It was first and second years and all of from a variety of backgrounds and majors. People who graduated from CSU's, UC's, and Universities. There was even an english major who spoke about how he got in to nursing. Also, tons of people get accepted of the wait list. They made a couple jokes as to why anyone would not attend UCLA but it's just something they could not explain. What I found really intriguing was that a young lady spoke about how she was offered a job at the hospital she did her clinical rotation at, I can't remember which one. She said that she had just accepted it and hasn't even graduated yet from the program.[/quote']

I went to the last info session. I wrote in my notes that the statement of purpose was the most important application component. They did emphasize that they wanted applicants to write about their volunteer/work experiences in healthcare, specifically what it means to take care of patients 1-on-1. UCLA also has a diversity mission statement which is why they wanted you to write about multicultural / international experiences in your SOP, as per the website. They also wanted to see evidence of leadership abilities in the SOP.

They use your GPA from undergrad (last 60 semester / 90 quarter) as part of the decision-making process. While the pre-req GPA is not officially part of the decision-making process, the speaker said that even one C in your pre-reqs can hurt your chances.

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I didn't catch the C part but I'm sure that's true with UCLA and all schools. It's just soooo competitive. cj-shima Thanks for the Info!

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@cj_shima

I guess my main concern with my SOP is that I wasn't able to explain why I chose UCLA. But as what you mentioned about what they look for in the SOP, I definitely covered all of those. Unfortunately, I do have one C on my pre-reqs and that was when I was younger and foolish. Well, Im just crossing fingers for all of us.

Thank you for the information!

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Hi frank_sf,

Is the UCSF one 3 years? Also, what do you mean about USF making entering the program easier? (Just curious!) I think UCSF is one of the top nursing programs in the country?? That's great that you can do either!

I just found out this thread. Submitted application. However, transcripts from my country still in process. I sent a copy of them. I studied physical and occupational therapy and completed prerequisites at San Francisco State University. GPA in undergrad school was 2.9 and prerequisites 3.58. I wonder if UCLA does a holistic evaluation of applicants. I also applied to UCSF. Both of them are my top choice. I am also considering USF, which makes entering a program more easy.
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