UCLA MECN Fall 2020

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Hello All!

I'm applying to UCLA's MECN program this year for Fall 2020. Who else is applying? I hope we can all support each other through this process. ?

What are some of the questions you may have about the application process?

I was wondering if anyone who got in this cycle would feel comfortable sharing their stats with me? I am looking to apply for 2021 and Im unsure if I will be competitive enough, I have so much anxiety about it

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Hi @nursingbound - I'm also applying for 2021! I will start a thread for the 2021 cycle so even if your stats question doesn't get answered you'll have a space where we can all be anxious about applying together ?

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I am applying again this year! I’m excited and feel more competitive than last year.
It’s definitely competitive, I do know 5 people who got in though. All were very recent UCLA undergrads. I would say their undergrad GPA’s were variable from 3.2 up.. GPA really isn’t the most important thing. All we’re engaged in nursing volunteer programs and had at least 200 hours but likely much more. Most had diverse ethnic background and I believe they leaned into their own story for their personal statements. My direct feedback from faculty that read my applications was that they wanted to see more community service on top of the volunteer work I did at the hospital. This is big as many people come in with tons of hospital volunteer hours now, so they want to see what you are doing for your community. It’s a great time to volunteer at one of the Covid testing sites or a food bank or even helping neighbors who need shopping and errands. It doesn’t have to be 20 hours a week, even once a month is good if you show a consistent commitment to it.

They also asked for stronger letters of recommendations and I agree that that was one of the weaker parts of my application as I graduated from my BA 15 years ago and most of my recommendations were from people outside healthcare.

They also wanted to see more experience with diversity, which I had a hard time interpreting. I have a very diverse background, but think they wanted to see more evidence of me working/volunteering in diverse communities.

DIVERSITY IS HUGE AT UCLA. So think about those things. While academics is important I’ve been told time after time that they really weigh the essays heavily and want to see a lot of heart and commitment to nursing in their applicants.

Good luck to everyone! I’m excited for this cycle!

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45 minutes ago, marielle marquette said:

I am applying again this year! I’m excited and feel more competitive than last year.
It’s definitely competitive, I do know 5 people who got in though. All were very recent UCLA undergrads. I would say their undergrad GPA’s were variable from 3.2 up.. GPA really isn’t the most important thing. All we’re engaged in nursing volunteer programs and had at least 200 hours but likely much more. Most had diverse ethnic background and I believe they leaned into their own story for their personal statements. My direct feedback from faculty that read my applications was that they wanted to see more community service on top of the volunteer work I did at the hospital. This is big as many people come in with tons of hospital volunteer hours now, so they want to see what you are doing for your community. It’s a great time to volunteer at one of the Covid testing sites or a food bank or even helping neighbors who need shopping and errands. It doesn’t have to be 20 hours a week, even once a month is good if you show a consistent commitment to it.

They also asked for stronger letters of recommendations and I agree that that was one of the weaker parts of my application as I graduated from my BA 15 years ago and most of my recommendations were from people outside healthcare.

They also wanted to see more experience with diversity, which I had a hard time interpreting. I have a very diverse background, but think they wanted to see more evidence of me working/volunteering in diverse communities.

DIVERSITY IS HUGE AT UCLA. So think about those things. While academics is important I’ve been told time after time that they really weigh the essays heavily and want to see a lot of heart and commitment to nursing in their applicants.

Good luck to everyone! I’m excited for this cycle!

ty so much for your feedback this is so helpful!

1 hour ago, lilyrose212 said:

Hi @nursingbound - I'm also applying for 2021! I will start a thread for the 2021 cycle so even if your stats question doesn't get answered you'll have a space where we can all be anxious about applying together ?

great I cant wait to join it let me know when its up!!

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@nursingbound - it's up!

@marielle marquette - thanks for sharing. That is super helpful information! I honestly think the volunteer/healthcare experience is my weakest area so this has be kind of nervous, but I have (a tiny amount) of time to try to make up for it. There's a new thread up for 2021 if you want to share anything else you learned from your last application. Good luck!!

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I’m not seeing the new thread - what is the heading?

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3 minutes ago, marielle marquette said:

I’m not seeing the new thread - what is the heading?

It's UCLA MECN 2021. It's already pretty far down the page, this forum is active!

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Could you possibly link please? I’m not sure what’s happening but it’s just not coming up in my search. I’ve tried every iteration of UCLA MECN 2021 I can think of and I’m just getting the old 2020 thread

It’s possible it’s hidden while the site approves the post but I’m not sure..

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Definitely! It's https://allnurses.com/ucla-mecn-t723358/

You're right, my account is new so maybe it needs to be approved before it goes up. Hope that works!

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I don’t know if anyone is still following this thread, but I was taken off the waitlist today! They are still admitting students (I believe up until classes start). For reference, I was #13 back in February. Don’t lose hope! 

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Congratulations Yuki!! That’s so exciting. I know a lot of people in this years cohort and you’ll be in great company. 
 

Good luck!! 

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14 hours ago, Yuki Minami said:

I don’t know if anyone is still following this thread, but I was taken off the waitlist today! They are still admitting students (I believe up until classes start). For reference, I was #13 back in February. Don’t lose hope! 

Congratulations!!

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