2013 UCSF MEPN Applicants

kdiem · Jan 25, 2013

smallcarbon- That's the exact method I'm taking. Bart and N-Judah muni! I hear FNP is quite competitive so congrats on completing your interview for that specialty. Interviewing at UCSF is definitely a dream come true. I didn't even think I'd make that cut!

samdaman-Are you from the Bay Area too?

samdaman · Jan 25, 2013

I'm actually driving up as I type. I'm from Los Angeles

sdominic1010 · Jan 26, 2013

Hi sdominic,
I interviewed last Friday as well and was able to attend the meet & greet on Saturday. I would say you didn't miss anything of overwhelming importance. They went over what to expect in terms of classes/coursework/clinicals, questions about the step out year, and their own application stories. I think the most useful thing I learned was that as a Masters Entry program rather than an ABSN/MSN program you get access to graduate funding right off the bat, so although you'll rack up a lot of debt in student loans at least they will all be federal student loans and you won't need to take out private student loans. They said to expect to take out around $75k in total for the first year. If there is any particular question you were seeking an answer to, feel free to ask.

Yeah the amount of debt is a little scary, so it's good to hear that it's not as bad as it could be. Thanks!

smallcarbonfootprint · Jan 26, 2013

Samdaman, there were a number of applicants for the FNP specialty, but I think that the timing of your interview is just a random result of scheduling. Sounds like you're driving up from SoCal- hope you get a chance to walk around the campus, it helps to make all the dreaming and hard work feel worth it in seeing the concrete goal of being at UCSF. Good luck on your interview!

smallcarbonfootprint · Jan 26, 2013

Thanks Kdiem, I also just feel encouraged for being invited for an interview; I have to say that it's challenging to keep ones dream alive sometimes but I have to tell you- just being around the other (prospective) MEPN students and faculty, just walking around the campus and imaging being part of such an amazing group and program, lit the fire agin :) Best of luck to you during your interview!

smallcarbonfootprint · Jan 26, 2013

Oh, I thought of something else that might be helpful to those interviewing this weekend- try and bring a notepad and pen for jotting down information from the informal informational meeting; I wound up taking three pages of notes, from the tiniest of details, of information that might be of use during the first year. Otherwise, it's easy to forget a lot during all the other things going on. It was a really helpful meeting, by the way, the current MEPNs do a great job and are helpful

chaparrita · Jan 26, 2013

Does anyone know if this year it's a 50 percent chance after interviewing? I interviewed last year and they interviewed 2x as many applicants as spots. They didn't mention anything about that this year. Also good news for FNP applicants is that they have 15 slots this year. That's one more than last year. I figure that's a good sign. Now we just got to wait....good luck everyone!

scwolf · Jan 26, 2013

Hi everyone,

It was exciting and exhausting (at least for me) having our interviews. Overall, I was really struck by what a great group of people MEPNs are, both the current ones and the applicant group. It was a true pleasure to meet each one I talked with.

My interview went well but I came away with all sorts of "wish I'd said" thoughts. Frustrating. I hope they got a good sense for me. Then I'll just have to see from there if I make the final cut. Fingers majorly crossed.

Chaparrita, in answer to your question: "Does anyone know if this year it's a 50 percent chance after interviewing?" A friend of mine interviewed on the 18th. She said that this year they interviewed 99 people for 60-64 slots. I'm not sure where she got those numbers but she's usually accurate so I'm guessing it's right. Good odds!

chaparrita · Jan 27, 2013

Thanks scwolf. Anticipating the interview was exhausting! This whole process is exhausting but also really exciting. Those look like great odds :-)

samdaman · Jan 27, 2013

scwolf, your numbers are correct. We were talking to Stephen before starting our group meeting and gave us the stats. Also, the reason why it's quieter here (besides all the lurkers who don't write) is because there are fewer applicants this year....down to like 400. It was 500 last year and like 600 the year before that. The decrease in numbers can probably be attributed to the increase in the MEPN cost..

As for the interview, I think mine went ok...don't want to jinx myself though and eat my words later. I was definitely prepared with more answers from our pool of questions and wish they had asked more questions. I think the interviewers were too restricted with the questions they had to ask and not as organic and oftentimes I answered questions thoroughly enough that they'd say "well you already pretty much answered this question but...." I think this happened like 3 times. Well, at least it's good that each applicant gets asked the same bank of questions...I just hope my answers were good enough to make the cut. I'm glad that they're adding an extra FNP slot though! I'm sure we're all highly qualified and wish we could just all get in already!

My interview went on for about 50 minutes...and the most frightening thing I realized afterwards was that my zipper was WIDE open...and I'm pretty sure it was in full purview. *SIGH* Well, hopefully I left a lasting impression....or something to laugh about.

Now the wait is on.

scwolf · Jan 28, 2013

Oh, Samdaman, that is too funny. I'm sure they understood your *oversight* was due to nerves. Thanks for the smile!

smallcarbonfootprint · Jan 29, 2013

Samdaman- it sounds like you did great during your interview though, answering your questions with solid answers, and that's what they were looking for. Sounds like you did a great job!

Now the waiting game, I keep checking the website to see if there are any updates, the anticipation is just killing me!