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 everyone!

Congrats on submitting! And to answer your question @endodiabpnp I didn't do so hot on the GRE either. I'm just hoping and praying the rest of my application is strong enough. While I don't believe that standardized tests are an adequate tool to measure one's intelligence and capability, it definitely put a damper on my self-esteem! So I know what you mean.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

And for those of you asking about goal/background: For my goal statement, I focused on the reason I chose the specialty I am choosing to pursue, along with my future "goals" with that degree. For background essays, I focused on specific experiences (volunteer/job) and how they solidified my decision to pursue an AGNP specialty. There will be some overlap in thoughts but I think the background info is where you can be more specific.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you @abbybetty! I hope that the rest of my app is strong too. What's funny to me is that, there are definitely some schools that went to the university I attended during my undergrad that said standardized testing is not the best way to determine which students are capable of becoming a nurse. Hopefully we make it to the interview round at least and acceptance with the scores we received.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks @TangoDeux!

I'll definitely take the poll once I hit 15 posts. But if anyone wanted to know before I could take the poll, I'm going for PNP.

I was wondering... How did everyone do on the GRE? I didn't do so hot and I'm quite worried. I know the GRE is not a major factor in the application but it's making me feel a little inadequate.

Not great for me either, but I didn't prepare as much I probably should have. With everything going on in our country and our world, I was also a little distracted if I'm honest. I'm hopeful that MEPN applications are reviewed holistically and that not just factor is make or break.

Best of luck @endodiabpnp

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have always said I wished there were a job for people who were good at standardized tests :) I got a 167 on the verbal and a 5 on the writing without any real prep, so I actually wish UCSF cared more about the GRE; from what I can tell, basically you either make it over the 4 hump or you don't, and beyond that I'm not sure if they care at all :( I'm with @acires on the distracted thing, my plan was to learn math over winter break- I literally just had that whole period blocked out for learning the math, and then November happened and there was no learning math for me. I got a 158 on quant. I took the GRE on inauguration day and my issue essay question was something about whether laws can change society or or only society can change society, which seemed pretty pertinent at a time when the majority of our society is moving one direction and legislative power is being consolidated among people moving the other. I definitely wrote "as I sit here on January 20, 2017..." so I'm glad that worked out for me!

Anyways, luckily for you guys and unfortunately for me, it sounds like UCSF is smart enough to know better than to put too much stock in the GRE!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As a current, second-time applicant who was granted an interview last year, I can positively tell you that UCSF does not only look at your GRE scores. You may have great GRE stats but you may not have stellar grades; UCSF will still look at your application. This great institution looks at the whole picture-your volunteer and work experiences, your essays, grades, the whole shebang. While I could not pinpoint exactly what they are looking for, I know for sure that they don't focus in one area of your application. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses, and fortunately, UCSF seems to recognize that and grants opportunity (an interview, in my case) to those deserving. It just depends on how you present the whole package.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Midwife, OBGYN.

I came across this video about whether there is currently a nursing shortage in CA and I thought it might be of interest to this group. There continues to be a lot of discussions with regards to this topic with many viewpoints. The information and data is quite up to date so we can each draw our own conclusions after viewing the information. The video was published in April 2017 using their most recent survey data from 2016. Since we are all applying to UCSF, I thought it would be a good overview of what the job market is shaping up to look like in the next couple of years as we all progress in our education. While the information is specific to CA, the researchers did state at the beginning of the video that the trends are applicable for all 50 states. Additionally, the research was done by the Philip R. Lee Institute of Health Policy Studies within the School of Medicine at UCSF. It is good to see that the institution that we are applying to is also doing interesting research about the profession that we are trying to enter. Link below

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you for providing that link @TangoDeux

This is information that would be helpful should we make it to the interview process!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello. I am trying to gauge how competitive of a candidate I am, so if anyone could answer that would be awesome. My stats are: 3.3 cum gpa, 3.8 prereq gpa, 159V 161Q 5.0 writing for the GRE. Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Kirby1771!

It seems that UCSF really looks at your application holistically. On their website, it says successful applicants have a GRE score of at least 155 for verbal and quant, and 4 (or 4.5? can't remember) for writing. With that being said, your GRE scores look great to me!

Have you had work or volunteer experience in healthcare? Are your letters of recommendation strong? Have you spent time on a personal and goal statement that reflects your passion for nursing and portrays you as a good match for this program?

Those are the kinds of things they look at when considering applicants. Hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you so much for the speedy reply. I put in a lot of work for my personal statement and goal statement. I waived my right to view my letters of recommendation, but I have confidence that they were good. I volunteered for a bit of time in a hospital. I also having been providing behavioral therapy for kiddos diagnosed with ASD for the past three years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Glad to hear from peers. Just eagerly waiting to hear back :) I applied to the CNM/WHNP specialty.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment