UCSF MEPN Program 2009 Applicants

tsscal · Jun 16, 2009

In the goal statement, speak to SPECIFICS and be concise. Convey the specific population(s) with whom you want to work and why your chosen specialty is the one that best suits your career goals. You want to say as much as you can in as few words as possible.

In the personal history statement, simply follow the prompt. Discuss personal experiences, hardships, and how your culture and/or gender and/or sexual orientation and/or family structure and/or you name it informs your decision to seek a graduate degree in nursing and how who you are/what you have done/the challenges you have faced/the obstacles you have overcome will make you a damn good nurse.

Good luck to the 2010 applicants. It seems like not very long ago when the '09s were applying. We are here to help, as the '08s were there to help us. We will be super busy when classes start on the 22nd, but we will try to offer you the support you need!

apalmer31 · Jun 16, 2009

Thank you so much for your advice.

I have another couple of questions. For the personal history essay does it need to focus on conflict and struggle or can it be a more fluid approach to our life and path?

Also when it comes to foreign languages I know that competency is important. I find it very hard to classify myself as fluent in any language other than English. Does placing myself as good put me at a disadvantage?

Thanks for your help again!

Anne

tsscal · Jun 16, 2009

Hi Anne, the personal history statement is personal, so you should take any approach you feel would best show who you are on paper. It's your chance to give the school a reason to want to interview you, so make it personal and show who you are.

Not sure about the language thing, but "good" is definitely appealing. Maybe take a foreign language course to improve your language skills even more and you can mention it in your goal statement.

mpcali · Sep 5, 2009

Hey everyone! I don't know if anyone still checks this thread, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I have a question for a current MEPN... I am currently applying for Fall 2010 and I'm looking to pick up a pathophysiology textbook to do a little studying on my own (I've heard many find that class the toughest). Ideally i'd like to take a class, but since I have a few other pre-reqs to take i doubt i'll get to it (unless I don't make it in the first time...but i'm thinking positively!). I'm wondering what textbook you all used in your first quarter in the program? I know i could pick up any book, but I might as well use the same one (I might even get lucky and be able to use the same one when I get in....if the edition hasn't changed a million times before that! If anyone happens to check this, please let me know! Thanks! And I hope you guys are doing fantastic in the program!