2014 UCSF MEPN Applicants

Nursing Students Post Graduate

Published

Hey everyone! Given that applications are due a month from today, I figured it was about time to start a thread. How are everyone's personal statements and applications coming?

What do you guys think:

I'm talking about my volunteer experience in detail in my personal history statement, and have thus far only mentioned professional experience (briefly, to sell a point about holistic care) in my goal statement. However, in my goal statement I emphasize volunteerism as an important goal, but really have run out of room to specify my volunteer experience.

My goal statement is more about ideas/goals than accomplishments, what about yours?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Anyone interested in exchanging essays?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello! I'm glad someone started a thread for this application cycle :) I just created an account for this.

As michigan_expat mentioned, I read somewhere on the UCSF website that clinical experience is preferred but not required. I recently became a certified nurse assistant so I'm hoping to quickly find a job for the year. I have shadowed RNs and family nurse practitioners, and I have volunteer experience in hospital settings because of two different programs I was part of during undergrad. I graduated a year ago and I hope I'm not only recent grad applying! So many other applicants from previous years have more extensive life experience that I lack :( I really don't know how competitive I am as an applicant. Some days I think I have a good shot, and on other days (usually after reading about previous applicants' accomplishments ;)) I feel a little more discouraged.

I'm taking the GRE soon, and I'm just worried about math -- it's my (veeery) weak point. May I ask which specialties you are all applying to? Family nurse practitioner for me!

Hi everyone! I created an account just for this thread and I'm a relatively recent grad too - I graduated two years ago from UCD. Going through past threads also makes me feel a bit discouraged seeing how much life experience applicants usually have. :sorry:

Does anyone know if you have to address why UCSF is a good fit for you in your goal statement this year (it's not in the prompt/directions)? I'm already well over the page limit from addressing those 5-6 requirements and am still in the process of shortening my essay...I'm debating if I should cut even more things out just so I can address how UCSF is a good fit. Any suggestions/comments?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Lolo: I found an example of someone's personal history statement on this blog (who was admitted)found it very helpful, and have been writing mine in a similar format. I am worried however, that my statement is such a narrative, when other sources say they are simply looking for demographic information. So far, mine reads like a more personalized, more specific goal statement.

Any thoughts on this? I am bisexual, and the instruction say to talk about any "diversity" you have experienced. I did volunteer at a gay youth shelter when I was an adoclescent, but am having trouble bridging my psychiatric experience to "I'm bi."

My 2ยข: I think you should talk about your sexual orientation only if it helped contribute to your decision to pursue a graduate degree in nursing, and/or if it will help contribute to the care you'd give as a NP (i.e. as a bisexual, did you gain some important, relevant perspective that would help you care for the diverse population as a nurse?). Even though it would have added to my diversity, I actually cut out most of my background (religion, ethnicity, etc.) because it didn't tie into the prompt. Just make sure to stay focus in your essay by keeping in mind which part(s) of the prompt you're addressing. :)

What do you guys think:

I'm talking about my volunteer experience in detail in my personal history statement, and have thus far only mentioned professional experience (briefly, to sell a point about holistic care) in my goal statement. However, in my goal statement I emphasize volunteerism as an important goal, but really have run out of room to specify my volunteer experience.

My goal statement is more about ideas/goals than accomplishments, what about yours?

I did the same for my personal and goal statements. You don't have to specify your volunteer experiences in the goal statement since you already mentioned them in your personal statement AND they'll be under the experience section of your application.

My goal statement is also mostly about my goals rather than accomplishments. I'm sure they can see your accomplishments in the Experience section, but you can highlight a couple that would make you stand out more if you can tie them into the prompt!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

MarshaRabbit: I have the same problem. My scores were released within the last 5 days and on the MEPN application it indicates that UCSF has not yet received them. I'm going to give it one more day and then call them to verify.

I would be interested in exchanging essays because it always helps to have another person give constructive criticism, but I'm still in the early stages of putting my essay together.

AutumnRain: Hello! I'm happy to meet another new grad :D. A girl in my nurse assistant course recently graduated from UCD too, and she will be an MEPN student at CSU Dominguez Hills this fall. As for your question, I would recommend explaining why UCSF is a good fit. From the UCSF website: "Your essay should be as specific as possible and focus on your understanding of the nursing profession, your personal goals as a nurse and how you envision these goals can be achieved through study at UCSF."

MarshaRabbit and AutumnRain: I'm focusing on goals instead of accomplishments for my goal statement. Shadowing, volunteering, etc will be discussed more in my personal history statement.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
From the UCSF website: "Your essay should be as specific as possible and focus on your understanding of the nursing profession, your personal goals as a nurse and how you envision these goals can be achieved through study at UCSF."

I don't see that in the online application.. what prompt are you following?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Lolo: I found an example of someone's personal history statement on this blog (who was admitted):

i found it very helpful, and have been writing mine in a similar format. I am worried however, that my statement is such a narrative, when other sources say they are simply looking for demographic information. So far, mine reads like a more personalized, more specific goal statement.

Any thoughts on this? I am bisexual, and the instruction say to talk about any "diversity" you have experienced. I did volunteer at a gay youth shelter when I was an adoclescent, but am having trouble bridging my psychiatric experience to "I'm bi."

Seems like a great statement! Rather long though, eh? The prompt says should be 2 pages. Do you think there's a maximum? There's an awful lot to cover in just 2 pages, but I guess conciseness is key!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

N.a.norcal: I found that statement here, under the section titled "Goal statement": What are the Deadlines and Application Schedule for MEPN? | UCSF School of Nursing

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi everyone! I'm applying for the [PMHNP] Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (NP) track, and was curious about other people's GRE scores. Standardized tests are not my strong point- I got a 150 Quantitative and 158 Verbal, with 4.5 on Analytical writing. I had a 3.5 undergrad GPA and 3 A's and 3 B's for the required prereqs. Can anyone weigh in on how they did, especially anyone from previous years who got accepted? I hope everyone is doing well, I'm getting nervous and excited with just over a week left to finalize our applications! This is my second time around... didn't get in the first try a few years ago so I have spent the time since adding to my experience in the field. Anyways, good luck everyone and have a great weekend!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi myelin- I tried to PM you but the site doesn't allow it unless you have made 15 interactions on the site (to avoid people using it for spam). Are you in the Psych/MH track? I was wondering if you could specify the specific difference between the goal statement and the personal statement. I realize there may be some overlap as the goal statement includes "What you believe your previous academic and life experience will bring to the nursing profession", and the personal history includes "educational, cultural, economic, family or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Anybody submit their app yet?? Still revising my personal history statement... My GRE scores still don't show as received even though they show as delivered on 8/21.

Just to verify, we can provide unofficial transcripts until they request official ones, right?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Also, anybody go over the 2 pages for their goal statement? If so, by how much?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment