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?
The waiting game....good thing I am way to busy to get anxious, lol. Taking my GRE's in 3 weeks and need to start practicing exams. Thank you everyone for the very useful information. I am excited that some of us might end up being classmates but in the long run-colleagues! Keep the spirits up! We can do this! :)
Two weeks 'til I take the GRE. Stress level is climbing...
I think we're getting closer to the application opening. I checked this morning and at least there is a link to the application now (I don't think that was there before), but when you click through it still only has 2009 & 2010 class info...
I too am waiting for the application window to open. I find this waiting game quite frustrating . Last week I was told that they hoped for this week. Now the calls go straight to a voicemail message from 2 weeks ago. I'm worried about my letter writers taking off for vacation when the window opens. FYI, you can send your transcripts to UCSF in advance of the window opening. My GRE scores are in, Goal Statement is close to finished, 5 letter writers waiting in the wings. Open the application window already!! (BTW, the deadline will still be September 1.) Best of luck to you all--I hope we will all be in the program together!
I suggest contacting your references now at least to get the seeds planted. They can follow the guidelines on the application instruction pages and prepare the letter as a PDF. Once your recommenders are emailed by the program, they respond with a PDF of the letter, which they can (ideally) get started on before the app opens up. I work with a lot of MDs at UCSF and they were very amenable to this method when I approached them.
Once the app is up, I have a feeling its going to go fast! Then fingers crossed. I'm glad that they want copies of CVs now, as I think that is one of my strong points (work experience and publications). Now all that is left is my personal statement. Good luck everyone!
I just read about the CV being part of the application yesterday as well--good to know. I finally got through to nursing affairs yesterday, and at first the lady on the phone was a bit snappy, but when I told her that someone in her office actually told me to call back to check whether my transcripts were received, she backed off. She said that there is no way for us to know whether our transcripts have been received until after the application has been "locked." That seems counter intuitive to me. I have transcripts coming in from three different schools, and would like to know they made it before I lock my application. I also confirmed that there will be a spot on the application where you can enter any prereq. courses that are "In progress." Finally, she said they expect the application to go live by the end of next week. Not going to hold my breath.
Thanks for the update Jeanette! I was wondering about the transcripts as well. I want to have them sent but dont want them to get lost. Most schools seem to get the requests out within a week so I might just wait until the app goes live. If it ever does! That whole part about it being "locked" does seem to muddle it a bit. Argh.
Hi I called them about transcripts too and they told me they cannot confirm until it's locked, but assured me they would not get lost. However, I emailed them asking the same question, and they replied saying that they have received them. Maybe you can try emailing too.
Gotta start working on a personal statement as well O_O
I see some of you mentioning "personal statement." I think they only request a "goal statement" now. I'm wondering if there is any gray area b/w a personal statement and goal statement. I've written my rough draft of a goal statement but I'm afraid it sounds more like a personal statement. I feel compelled to be somewhat narrative and chronological which makes it seem more personal. I thought it might be memorable that way.
Does anyone know if it really matters or if there is a distinction b/w the two?
Hi, as you can see my user name is UCLover and this is because I applied 2 times already and thinking about applying the 3rd time around! Just not sure how much rejection I can take.
I find it ironic how highly they weigh GRE's for MEPNs when the regular Masters students don't even need to take the GRE's! WTH right?! I'm just bitter because my GRE's were not as great but I guess they need to weed out the mediocre test takers...
Anyways, the first time rejected, I told them about my son's transplant and how that inspired me to do nursing. Second time around rejected, I told them I added volunteering on the very floor we spent post-transplant. This time, I'm going to tell them about the CNA certificate I'm getting. You think it'll work?
Undergrad GPA is 3.3 (while raising a baby), GRE's in the 450s - 500s, writing is 4. I'm definitely not on the high spectrum of the smart scale which I think will be my cryptonite.
I too am anxiously waiting for the application to be released. Has anyone heard anything about the release date yet? I tried looking today and the website isn't even working.
I hope it works out for you this year, UCLover610! Did you talk to an advisor after being rejected? I heard it's been very helpful for some applicants. Did UCSF give you tips on how to make your application better?
. Last week I was told that they hoped for this week. Now the calls go straight to a voicemail message from 2 weeks ago. I'm worried about my letter writers taking off for vacation when the window opens. FYI, you can send your transcripts to UCSF in advance of the window opening. My GRE scores are in, Goal Statement is close to finished, 5 letter writers waiting in the wings. Open the application window already!! (BTW, the deadline will still be September 1.) Best of luck to you all--I hope we will all be in the program together!
AdrianMPH
13 Posts
The waiting game....good thing I am way to busy to get anxious, lol. Taking my GRE's in 3 weeks and need to start practicing exams. Thank you everyone for the very useful information. I am excited that some of us might end up being classmates but in the long run-colleagues! Keep the spirits up! We can do this! :)