UCSF MEPN 2018

Nursing Students School Programs

Published

  1. Which UCSF MEPN specialty are you planning on applying for?

    • 0
      AGCNS
    • 0
      AGCNS - Oncology
    • 3
      AGPCNP
    • 1
      APHN
    • 5
      FNP
    • 0
      HPN
    • 3
      CNM/WHNP
    • 0
      OEHN
    • 3
      PNP
    • 5
      PMHNP

18 members have participated

A place for individuals applying to the UCSF 2018 MEPN program to contact each other, share information, support each other, and provide advice.

Hi all prospective future MEPNs!

Current MEPN here and just wanted to be available for any questions and offer some encouragement! I remember how stressful it was during the application process and trying to cross every T on every little detail, but you guys are all doing great in starting early! (First part of success haha!)

The process definitely deserves a few months to work on because of the essays and waiting for the transcripts/LORs to get into their system (they're relatively fast but you want to get those in better earlier than later). To answer some of the previous questions some of you seemed to have: I mostly took my pre-reqs with the SMCCD colleges, they have a great system of 3 colleges that you can take courses from and they consolidate into 1 transcript because of their school system. It's cheaper than UC extension and to me it seems they have less pre-reqs for those pre-reqs (Anatomy, Physiology, etc.).

LOR's: Definitely quality over quantity, choose someone who knows you well and can say something special and specific about you, eg. certain characteristics for example.

I think you guys pretty much have it down in terms of the goal statement versus personal statement, but feel free to post if there's more questions about it!

One thing to note lastly, the pre-req grades/grades in general I believe is more important than your GRE scores. The GRE scores is sort of just a threshold you have to get over (I think it was the verbal score especially?), once you get over what's specified, you're fine with that. Grades can vary more so might be more open to scrutiny, especially some of the big pre-reqs like A&P, but I think my year the 3-yr stats requirement was already instated.

Best of luck to everyone!

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Hi @AnonymousA! This is my second time applying and I had an interview on my first try. I won't go specific on why I didn't get in, but do you know the chances of someone getting in for a second (or third) time applying? Thanks!

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Hi rawallace,

Good job getting to the interview on your first try! I'd like to think that's actually the hard part!

I think your chances are great for getting in on a second or even third try, simply just from hearing some of the older/previous MEPN stories where a lot of them got in on their second time applying. That said, I'm guessing that it's because of the applicant themselves who've improved in terms of their record as well as their experiences from the first run that made them stronger applicants, rather than the school actually granting some sort of priority for those who've applied before (but I would ask them about that just in case).

Hope that helps!

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That makes sense. I just hope to get another chance for an interview. Thank you so much for your wisdom and advice.

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Hello! I am another current MEPN student (FNP track) and I want to make myself available to anyone who has pressing questions. Feel free to send questions my way on the forums or through a private message.

It seems like you all have a good handle on the application itself, but I'm sure questions will come up as the deadline approaches. If the application feels grueling right now, that's because it really is. Everyone's experience was different, but in the end it forced me to think more critically and articulately than I ever had about my motivations and aims as I moved forward with this career change, so I actually came to appreciate the process. I hope y'all find something positive in the scramble as well.

It's tough, but you are all 100% capable of completing it. Try to be kind to yourself and think about how you want your story to be told to the admissions committee. Let your experiences and personality come through, but always bring it back to why you want to be a nurse. After all, the beauty of these ABSN and Master's Entry programs is that people come from such a diverse range of backgrounds. Best of luck to you all!

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Hello All,

I see a note on the poll saying "only active members can vote," so I'm going to see whether it will let me vote once I submit my first comment! I'm applying for the PNP program.

Here is my dumb/freak-out question that motivated me to finally sign up for allnurses... I just applied for the application fee waiver, and now I'm worried that might look bad :( I'm a single mom who quit work to take all the prereqs this last year-and-a-half, so I definitely qualify and could use the help; however I COULD pay the $105 if it would look better... is anyone else asking for the fee waiver, or have any knowledge on this?

Otherwise I'm alternating between feeling on top of it and freaking out :) Anyone else also applying for SFSU ELM-A?

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Hm, nope, still can't take the poll.

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Welcome, @rhnovak :) In my opinion, I don't think applying for the fee waiver looks bad at all. It is an option for a reason and for individuals in situations such as yours. Your diligence and commitment is admirable! Best of luck.

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Thanks, it looks like there's no way for me to take it back now anyway so I'll just have to let it go :/

I just saw the comment about having to post 15 times before taking a survey, sorry for missing that earlier!

In response to @rawallace , this is only anecdotal, but the one person I know who went to UCSF (MEPN nurse midwife) got in on her second try. She had strong but not stellar grades and GRE, speaks Russian, worked at Planned Parenthood, and has an MPH. After being denied once, she volunteered at a clinic in South America and worked up a little Spanish. I don't know whether those extra "checkmarks" are what put her over the second time, or whether she had in the process gotten better at formulating her goals, or something else.

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Specializes in Midwife, OBGYN.
Hello All,

I see a note on the poll saying "only active members can vote," so I'm going to see whether it will let me vote once I submit my first comment! I'm applying for the PNP program.

Here is my dumb/freak-out question that motivated me to finally sign up for allnurses... I just applied for the application fee waiver, and now I'm worried that might look bad :( I'm a single mom who quit work to take all the prereqs this last year-and-a-half, so I definitely qualify and could use the help; however I COULD pay the $105 if it would look better... is anyone else asking for the fee waiver, or have any knowledge on this?

Otherwise I'm alternating between feeling on top of it and freaking out :) Anyone else also applying for SFSU ELM-A?

Hi @rhnovak, welcome to the boards. I don't think you need to worry that applying for the fee waiver will make you look "bad." Like @abbybetty said, they offer the fee waiver for a reason so take advantage of the waiver if you meet the requirements. With only 12 more days to go before the submission deadline, I am sure all of us are having all sorts of feelings especially after the time and energy that we have all put into getting where we can even apply to the program. So deep breaths and calm thoughts, we are almost there! Good luck and kudos to you for all the work you have put in.

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Hello everyone, I have a wild story to tell you. I recently was driving to take my GRE and on my way I thought to myself isn't it interesting I have been driving for over 10 years and I have never witnessed and accident happen. Well 5 minutes later I saw a five car crash happen towards the left of me and I was unusually and safely in the far right lane. Miraculously, I was able to make it to my test center with 30 minutes to spare, hands shaking and all. I was not in a position to help as there was traffic and it was behind me, but fortunately I saw highway patrol coming on the other side. I scored 155 on my verbal and 153 on quantitative. I wish I scored higher, but unfortunately I didn't have time to retake the test. Now I'm going back to the essay portion again and spending a lot of time with myself haha. I realized through reading the past threads that while my experiences may not match the majority of applicants for CNM/WHNP, it's a holistic process first and foremost. I have also been able to receive encouraged from my husband and clients. I work for a homeless shelter for women and children. Remember self care folks, we need it now, and we will need it even more in the field. Oh...and please drive safe. =)

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Specializes in Midwife, OBGYN.
Hello everyone, I have a wild story to tell you. I recently was driving to take my GRE and on my way I thought to myself isn't it interesting I have been driving for over 10 years and I have never witnessed and accident happen. Well 5 minutes later I saw a five car crash happen towards the left of me and I was unusually and safely in the far right lane. Miraculously, I was able to make it to my test center with 30 minutes to spare, hands shaking and all. I was not in a position to help as there was traffic and it was behind me, but fortunately I saw highway patrol coming on the other side. I scored 155 on my verbal and 153 on quantitative. I wish I scored higher, but unfortunately I didn't have time to retake the test. Now I'm going back to the essay portion again and spending a lot of time with myself haha. I realized through reading the past threads that while my experiences may not match the majority of applicants for CNM/WHNP, it's a holistic process first and foremost. I have also been able to receive encouraged from my husband and clients. I work for a homeless shelter for women and children. Remember self care folks, we need it now, and we will need it even more in the field. Oh...and please drive safe. =)

Hi @shini92 welcome to the boards and thank you for sharing your story. I am glad that you are okay and you got out of there safely. I agree with you that self-care is important; it will be even more so after we get into a program so definitely something to bear in mind.

On that note, anyone ready to submit their applications? I have everything uploaded and am ready to hit the button but can't quite bring myself to do it because I keep tweaking my goal statement. Anyone in the same boat?

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