Is there anyone lurking who is planning to apply to the 2011 program?
I have spent the last 12 years in financial marketing/communications and am excited to try and change paths into nursing. I am currently taking my prerequisite courses at city college- stats and anatomy/physiology- and going in for the GRE Saturday. I'm volunteering at a children's hospital, which is causing me to consider the pediatric nurse practitioner track... I know UCSF is very competitive and it's a long-shot for someone like me to get in, but I feel like I have to try! If it doesn't happen next year, then I'll just keep building my volunteer experience and re-apply. Also on my mind is that if for some miracle I were to get in how I would pay for it.
But enough about me... what are some other candidates' takes on preperation, interests, anxieties, etc?
Congrats to those who have been offered interviews! Condolences to those who have received unhappy news. I know from experience that it can be a tough blow to take. And, best of luck to those waiting anxiously!
I'm also applying to UCSF and just received an invitation to interview for the midwifery specialty Jan 28th. The thin envelope definitely threw me for a loop for a second too! I actually am reapplying after having been selected to interview last year, but ultimately being rejected. The interview was tough last year, but hopefully it will go better this time around. I also was amazed at the caliber of the other people applying to the CNM program - one woman had attended over 200 births! I felt honored just to stand alongside them, even if just for a day :)
Anyway, this year I'm also applying to SFSU at Canada College, OHSU, Seattle U, UCLA, and USF and really hoping to start a program this summer/fall. I'm working as a birth doula and attending 3-4 births a months, which is a great introduction to the hospital setting. With every birth, I feel more committed to my dream.
Best of luck to all and I look forward to meeting some of you in January!
I just got the mail and in it an invitation for a interview on the 28th! I can't believe it! I would love to hear from those that have been through the interview process as far as the type of questions that get asked, etc.
v98giner: I've heard in previous years the school allows those of us not chosen to meet with a department head to discuss how to make our applications stronger for the next round. I don't see anything on my rejection letter about this, do you?
I also have an interview on Jan 21st. If anyone is intersted in getting in touch and practice interview questions, I would love to do that.
I am very sorry for those who did not get an interview. As I am sure you have seen in the previous posts, when you apply second time your chances increase.
Congrats to those who have been offered interviews! Condolences to those who have received unhappy news. I know from experience that it can be a tough blow to take. And, best of luck to those waiting anxiously!
I'm also applying to UCSF and just received an invitation to interview for the midwifery specialty Jan 28th. The thin envelope definitely threw me for a loop for a second too! I actually am reapplying after having been selected to interview last year, but ultimately being rejected. The interview was tough last year, but hopefully it will go better this time around. I also was amazed at the caliber of the other people applying to the CNM program - one woman had attended over 200 births! I felt honored just to stand alongside them, even if just for a day :)
I'll be there on the 28th too (interviewing for CNM)! I am VERY nervous about the interview. Can you share more about the interviews day? My letter just said we'd get more information later/day of the interview.
Also, any idea about how many people interviewed vs how many were accepted last year?
Congrats babymidwife! I look forward to meeting you! Do you currently work as a midwife as your name suggests?
Last year the 'day' was really just a half-day. It consisted of a speech by the dean, a tour of the school, lunch, and the interview itself.
The interviews were with two people - a faculty member and a MEPN grad. I interviewed with a faculty member from the CNM program and a grad who was not. It was very conversational, but they had a list of specific questions they asked. Before the interview last year I googled it and was able to find a list that was pretty close to what I was asked. The questions were those that would be expected, why do you want to be a nurse, why midwifery, why UCSF, etc...
Last year I'm pretty sure they interviewed twice as many as they had spots for and everyone who was there on my interview day was incredibly qualified! If I remember correctly, they accept 84 or 86 students. Again, if my memory serves me, the professor I interviewed with told me the largest CNM class ever was 9 students. Apparently, UCSF chooses people to interview based on qualifications, rather than based on specialties. It seemed that last year there were way more than twice the number of midwifery interviewees competing for the slots.
The part I most enjoyed last year was that the current CNM MEPN students had the interviewees over for snacks after the interview and allowed us to ask questions. I guess it is a tradition, so hopefully they will do the same this year.
I also realized that I have a client due on my exact interview day... I'll be crossing my fingers that her baby cooperates!
Congratulations to all who have been invited to interview! My heart is with those who were not invited to interview this year...I haven't received a letter yet (I'm on the east coast), but I'm definitely nervous and trying to stay optimistic in spite of the many many qualified applicants, but hey, we can always apply next year! Best of luck to everyone!
calinursetobe - I'm not working as a midwife, but I've been involved in midwifery for about 7 years. I've assisted and apprenticed with a few homebirth midwives, I've done some doula work, and I've been to one of the high volume birth centers on the US/Mexico border twice. In total I've been to around 100 births, which it seems isn't that many for a UCSF MEPN applicant!
I've also worked as a breastfeeding educator at a WIC office for the last (almost) 4 years, and I just received my IBCLC this year. I'm hoping that my breastfeeding knowledge will give me an edge, but I'm sure I'm not the only one!
I'm most worried because my Spanish language skills are very, very minimal and I know that UCSF really likes applicants to have a second language.
I wish I had a better profile of who normally gets in so I knew how to set my expectation/excitement level!
First, let me say I totally feel for those who didn't get an interview this year.... I didn't last year and was totally bummed for the holidays because I didn't hear until about 12/20. Anyhow, please stay positive and don't let it bring you down, especially if it's your first round to apply.
So yes, I did get an interview-- my second time applying! OMG, totally shocked, but my personality type is making me temper that excitement knowing that I still have an interview to get through. I'm interviewing on 1/28 for the Peds track... anyone else get an interview for Peds?
Again congrats to all... even those who didn't get an interview, because I know something will come through for you all very soon AND you have the added advantage next year of having a close to complete application. It's so much easier applying the second time.
I opened my rejection letter last night right before bed. Needless to say I didn't go to sleep for a bit after that I opened it.
It was my first time applying. Perhaps I'll have better luck next time. I appreciate everyone's support for those who didn't get an interview. I had to keep telling myself that a lot of current UCSF students I talked to said they didn't get in on their first try and to not take it personally b/c the denial could have been due to a number of trivial reasons.
Does anyone know why they don't normally take first round applicants? Do they just want to see that you're dedicated to their specific school/program? I wish I would have known this in 2009 b/c I would have just applied to get the "first round" out of the way but I wanted to volunteer abroad in hopes to make myself more competitive. I have to get on with my life now and apply to other programs; I'm not sure how practical it is to think that applicants can just wait around for another year to pass.
calinursetobe
24 Posts
Hi All,
Congrats to those who have been offered interviews! Condolences to those who have received unhappy news. I know from experience that it can be a tough blow to take. And, best of luck to those waiting anxiously!
I'm also applying to UCSF and just received an invitation to interview for the midwifery specialty Jan 28th. The thin envelope definitely threw me for a loop for a second too! I actually am reapplying after having been selected to interview last year, but ultimately being rejected. The interview was tough last year, but hopefully it will go better this time around. I also was amazed at the caliber of the other people applying to the CNM program - one woman had attended over 200 births! I felt honored just to stand alongside them, even if just for a day :)
Anyway, this year I'm also applying to SFSU at Canada College, OHSU, Seattle U, UCLA, and USF and really hoping to start a program this summer/fall. I'm working as a birth doula and attending 3-4 births a months, which is a great introduction to the hospital setting. With every birth, I feel more committed to my dream.
Best of luck to all and I look forward to meeting some of you in January!