2011 UCSF MEPN Applicants

Ride Red · Jun 9, 2010

Hey guys I have a question about letters of reference. When do you ask for them? Before they get the official email from UCSF or after? I figure it's probably fine to ask for them now, but I am wondering if UCSF asks specific questions or something. I don't want to make my letter writers do extra work, or have to wait and limit themselves on time. Thanks!

AdrianMPH · Jun 10, 2010

Hi Everyone!

I was finally able to log onto this! Excited to see this journey take off for all of us. I see many of you with great experience and with the determination to pursue your dreams.

In my case, I was not proud of my undergrad GPA in the sciences and had to take classes to boost my GPA in order to get into graduate school. After obtaining my MPH and doing well, I have the momentum and drive to finally pursue the clinical training that I have wanted for so long! I wish everyone much luck and success.

Question-has anyone been able to access the UCSF 2011 application? I only see the 2009 and 2010 on their website...

artemis30 · Jun 11, 2010

Called them today and they said the person in charge of the app site is "sick" so apps won't open until July.They don't have an exact date either...they say to just keep checking the site.

Ride Reed, if you go to the MEPN site, they explain what they wants in the LORs. I think it's a good time to ask now.

MissTessSF · Jun 11, 2010

I am so glad to have found this blog! I am also applying for the 2011 track and was beginning to get a little worried when I didn't see the link for the 2011 application. Good to know I have a couple more weeks to work on my personal statement. I am currently focusing on taking the GRE which I will be taking at the end of July. Standardized tests have never been a strong point for me so I am a little scared. I know the website says that people who get into the program get between 500-700 on verbal and/or quantitative but that seems like such a large gap! Does anyone know what the "minimum" score is that they're looking for?

Ride Red · Jun 11, 2010

Thanks Artemis30, I guess I'll take your advice and ask for them sooner rather than later. I am also relieved to hear about the delay in the online application, I had heard that it was supposed to open June 10 and was confused when it wasn't open yet. That makes more sense though. It would be nice of them to push back the deadline since we have to wait another month now :rolleyes:

AdrianMPH · Jun 15, 2010

Thank you Artemis30! I actually also heard from someone via email that it would not go live until July! This is good and bad, as I have one of my professors who wanted to fill out the form before July, as she will be extremely busy up through when school starts again:o! Ooops, I guess I will have to apologize for the inconvenience and hopefully get the recommendation still at a later date!

Is anybody also applying to the Samuel Merrit program? :lol2:

cartwheel · Jun 15, 2010

Wow! Can you guys believe this little adventure of ours is about to begin??? So exciting!

I haven't really decided if I'll apply to Samuel Merritt. I have a handful of apps due in the Fall and will likely wait until I hear back from those. Where is everyone applying? What specialty are you considering?

Good luck everyone! I'm glad we have this little arena to support each other! :up:

megan2011 · Jun 17, 2010

I just had a minor heart attack when I realized how much time has gotten away from me and how unprepared I am for this application!!! I've pretty much been living out of a suitcase since the beginning of May and haven't even started thinking about personal statements, lors, etc. Not to mention studying for the GRE ...

I better get on all of this!

AdrianMPH · Jun 17, 2010

megan2011- Don't stress! You can pull it off. Needless to say I need to take the GRE next month as I just signed up having found out that my Jan 2005 scores are considered expired! Bummer! I am taking some classes, and work full time managing health education programs at a non-profit. There is SO MUCH to do and times are busy BUT we can pull it off. One day at a time! :)

EnvisagePsych28 · Jun 17, 2010

Hi all UCSF MEPN hopefuls,

I am applying for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) program for 2011. I am getting excited and extremely nervous waiting for the application to open. I too was expecting it to open in June, but was told by the admissions office that it will not open until July. I guess it is a relief, but I am getting anxious to see what the application entails. I graduated December of 2008 and have been working full time at a financial firm as an administrator. I have always wanted to pursue working in the mental health field, but ended up working at the financial firm because I needed to pay the bills. I was a psychology major, however, I took several science classes including General and Organic Chemistry, Physics, Biology (Organismal and Cellular), Anatomy/Physiology, Genetics etc. I was originally planning on applying to medical school, but after careful consideration I have decided that a nursing degree will be more beneficial for what I plan to do. I want to work in the psychiatric field with an emphasis in drug & alcohol abuse, and specialize in drug induced psychosis.

My stats are as follows, please let me know if you guys think that I will be competitive for this school, as it is my number one choice, and I will only be applying to UCSF and USD (I know that is a stupid idea, but I am really passionate about going to UCSF). I have a cumulative GPA of 3.44 for the last 60 units (do they look at the last 60 or 90 units does anyone know?) I have not taken the GRE yet, I am currently studying for it and am really only worried about the math section. I am definitely rusty on my algebra/geometry etc. As an undergraduate I volunteered in a Cellular/Molecular biology lab and was published on a paper. I have several volunteer experiences and internships, however, I have not done any volunteer work since I have been working full time. I am planning on starting up again with the Red Cross sometime in August. I have four letters of rec, one from a previous professor (english/writing class), one from the professor that I did research for, one from my current employer, and one from a doctor that I shadowed/interned. I am now trying to figure out a way to make my goal statement stand out, and work hard at studying for the GRE.

Does anyone have an idea about the acceptance statistics for any of the previous class years? I can not seem to find averages for anything regarding the applicants of previous years. Also, we only need to write a goal statement, not a personal statement, right?

Good luck to everyone applying this year, and please let me know if you have any suggestions or constructive feedback for me. What an exciting and scary time we are all about to embark on! So glad this forum is here so we can share ideas, best of luck!

artemis30 · Jun 18, 2010

Hey AdrianMPH, I also had to email all my letter writers about the inconvience. I felt bad, since I've been emailing them back and forth about LOR directions and that the letter should be by middle of June (I asked in late April already lol).

Hello newcomer!

jBj4321 · Jun 23, 2010

Hello,

I'm applying to the ACHIN track at UCSF for 2011. Does anyone know any public health nurses in the SF Bay Area who would be willing to do a career interview or shadowing? I would love to meet someone in the field.

Thanks so much!