UCSF MEPN 2016

Published

Hello!

I know this is a bit early, but I'm planning to apply to the apply to the UCSF MEPN program (among a few others) this summer/fall. I've seen similar forums for past application periods, and thought it might be nice to get one started so we can start to bounce ideas and questions off each other.

Has anyone been to an open house? Any information worth sharing?

I'm not sure if this is exactly what they're looking for, but I'm planning to talk about my experiences volunteering with a local non profit, that focuses on raising money for LLS generally, but more specifically on supporting local patients and their families.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes that makes sense...but how is it different than your experiences working with underserved populations? Or do you think there is overlap here?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is some overlap, but I'm planning to talk more about my experience volunteering at the hospital for the undeserved populations portion.

With the LLS group the focus isn't necessarily on those undeserved so much as it is on community support. For further clarification- the main focus is less on filling a need like lack of access to funds or healthcare, but more on offering additional outlets and comfort to the community.

With the hospital however, there is a special effort to care for the undeserved and its location lends itself more to treating those in need. The goal is definitely to provide services and access to services to those who may not have many opportunities for quality care.

does that help?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm thinking of it as: an undeserved group is usually a community, but a community is not always undeserved.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi everyone,

Happy to see that people have started this thread! I am planning on applying to the FNP program this cycle. Have a BA in Classical Civilizations and Political Science and have been working in the area in tech for the last 5 years. Undergrad GPA is probably a bit below average (3.2), but I have gotten a 4.0 in all of my pre-reqs.

I am having a REALLY tough time with the "Additional Requirements". It is marked as voluntary...does that mean that it won't count against you if you don't do it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel the same way... I have no clue how to really approach those questions, what types of things to put, how long it should be, and if it's even necessary to answer them. I'm assuming it should be seen as a great opportunity to add more about yourself, a perspective that you don't necessarily portray in the other essays. So even though it probably won't 'count against you' per se, it will most likely count against you in the sense that you don't get to show them as much about your background if you don't answer them. But, even saying this, I have no clue how to answer them :/ I think I've gone back and tried to take a different approach to them 3+ times at this point and am still in the same unsure spot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I sent Steve Johnson a note. I will let everyone know what he says!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Here is Steve's response!

"It's to allow you to capture and flesh out whatever else you want to make sure we see. You can submit your application without it, if you feel that what it asks for is adequately represented elsewhere."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am also feeling a little unsure where to put what information - I feel like I am being a little redundant in my additional info section since a lot of it is mentioned in my resume and experience sections, but I also don't want to leave it blank. Also, I am not necessarily writing that section as essays, but rather as a list of activities with about a paragraph explaining each one. When I emailed Steven Johnson awhile back he said that clarity is more important than length.

Also, what is everyone putting for "career goals/objectives" in the additional info section? I am not quite sure what to put for that and how specific I need to be. Although I have a general sense what I want to do with my career, I feel like it is too early for me (or most people, for that matter) to know EXACTLY where I want to end up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How long is everyone's goal statement turning out to be? It says "approximately 2 double-spaced pages," and I know shorter is usually better, but mine is about 2 double-spaced pages and 4-5 lines on a third page. I've been trying to figure out how to condense it, but I feel like it will come off as too blunt and not greatly written if I condense it any more than I have. Does everyone think it's sort of up to us how long it turns out, or should 2 pages be the limit?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mine started out much longer than 2 pages, but I've shortened it down to about 2 pages because I want to make it as concise as possible. Maybe try to go through it and really ask yourself which parts are the most important, and what parts you could save for the "additional info" section.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Quick question for those of you who have finished the "experience" section. I went in to add another description to my current job, and it is not letting me save it without putting an "ending" date. Obviously, it hasn't ended yet, and I cannot for the life of me remember how I saved it as "present" in the first place! Has anyone else ran into this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion