UFV 2012 Fall Intake - Insights and Meetings

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Hello!

I'm starting this topic for two reasons: one, to introduce myself and make connections with anyone else that has also applied for the fall 2012 intake at the University of the Fraser Valley nursing program; and two, to make a few inquiries.

So, I'm a 23 year old resident in Abbotsford. I've recently completed my bachelor of Science with a major in Biology and heavy focus (should have officially done a minor :( ) in computer science/software engineering. I decided about 6 months ago that Biology was not quite the route I wanted to take, as it's incredibly difficult to find a job without a PhD. And since I much prefer hands-on work and prefer research as a hobby, I figured that 4 years would be better spent persuing something else. I considered Medicine, various tech position and even Health informations, but have settled on Nursing.

I applied at UFV, since it's closest to home and have heard a lot of really great feedback about their nursing program. I considered UBC, but the commute didn't sit well with me (you have little enough time as it is being a nursing student and with the price of gas on the rise, it would be attrociously expensive).

I have just received my notification letter regarding the information sessions on March 7/15 - anyone else going too?? :o I'm getting really nervous, and have been reading and absorbing everything I can find to prepare, lol. Everyone suggests just taking it easy and being yourself. I'm not worried too much about the grades. I had a 4.2 gpa in highschool (yay for honours classes), and have somewhere between a B+/A- average for university. If I could write off my one bad semester that would bump up to an A-/A average.

Nor am I worried about cost. I managed to pay myself through my first degree somehow, and could do so again, or cave finally and take out a student loan. Either way, I'm supported financially. My family are also all in the health care field, so I'm VERY familiar in that aspect.

I'm a bit worried about my volunteer hours, though. Since I did have to pay my way through university, I didn't really have the luxery of time to spend volunteering. I worked 2 years in a vet clinic - not quite the same, but very similar environment. I do have 40 or so hours of official volunteer time in hemodialysis and ccu at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver. But I've been in and around the hospital all my life since my mom works there, and have been involved in St. John Ambulance as well.

I'm also concerned about the essay. I've read what the general interview questions are, but nothing on what I should expect to write for the essay. The notification I got in the mail said that we'd be given 3 questions to write/discuss to test our critical thinking. Any advice?

Anyway, I'd really appreciate any information anyone has to offer on the UFV interview and essay. I'd also like to get to know fellow applicants! :D

Cheers.

invictus - they told us at the information session that UFV had ~180 applications this year, and that about 100 would be, or were invited for interviews. The 100 for interviews was confirmed by my interviewer, too. :) But I agree, it doesn't seem like a lot at all. Which is either a good thing, or it means we're up against 180 good candidates.

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mission1234: UFV is definitely my #1 choice for schools. They have the best reputation from what I've heard. My interviewer even told me a story where 4 students from UFV received 5 full time positions that were available directly after their preceptorship at SMH. That was out of all the students from Kwantlen/Douglas/BCIT/etc vs 4 students from UFV. I tried the "eggs in one basket" approach too many times...unfortunately with schools who use lottery systems. I guess I was naive and figured I would get in immediately...2 years later I finally applied EVERYWHERE (including schools up north and on the island) to better my chances. Sounds like you will be okay though, based on your responses above! I'm trying to not hold my breath as well, nothing is official until May!

invictus: My group at the information session on the 15th asked how many complete applicants there were. I think she said that there were 172 complete files, but that number usually drops down to around 150 after people change their mind or get into other schools. She then said that that number includes the people who don't even get interviews as well, so overall odds are pretty good! 1/3 out of all applicants...not too bad. Wish I had realized this 2 years ago!

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Specializes in Neurology and Cardiology.

ah i see, guess because those of us who were second time applicants' were taking to a separate room to just write the essay, i missed out on the q&a.

jshadows, lol i am a pro at putting all my eggs into one basket. that seriously could be the motto to most aspects of my life. i really want to go to ufv and am willingto wait (to a certain extent) to get in. your application sounds very competitive, i'm sure you'll get an acceptance letter. really, all of your guys applications sound amazing, that's awesome and you have all obviously worked really hard, but its making me nervous!! alka_selse im getting the feeling like this is just a really competitive smaller pool!!

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I'm getting that feeling, too, invictus, and it's making me nervous! But I'm still hoping that we're all just the exception to the norm and that as a group we'll kick the butts of every other applicant. :p I'm thinking...study group!

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Hi! I've been watching/reading this topic on the forum and just wanted to let everyone know that I appreciate all the info/tips you've given.

I hadn't replied right away as I'm not actually applying for UFV's Sept 2012 intake for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program.

I recently decided I think I'd like to pursue nursing, so would be hoping to get into the Jan 2013 intake at UFV.

I'm in grade 12 right now and have already registered/been accepted into the Bachelor of Science Degree Program starting in Sept 2012 at UFV, as I had originally thought I'd like to try to gain acceptance into Medical School. However, I've thought it over and just don't think that's the route I want to go - having to maintain very high marks through undergraduate, (which is definately hard and can be stressful) and trying to get accepted into a Medical School. (It's just so competitive). Then, that would be 8yrs of schooling. Plus, the residency after that, so I think that Nursing is a better suit. (In addition, they have many options when it comes to deciding on where they work and what their schedule is).

So, it's been really helpful and kind of more re-assuring reading everybody's posts on here, as I've learned a lot more about the selection process for UFV's Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and I think it will probably still be pretty similar for the next intake.

Thanks,

pet_lover48

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It is going to be interesting to see which (hoping all) of us get in next month. And when we are that lucky, we should definitely start a study group! If we are this crazy now, can you imagine what we will be like in a months time? We will be on here every five minutes checking for updates. :cheers:

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*facedesk* I accidentally hit 'leave a comment' instead of 'post' and it deleted it all...

Starting over! Pet_lover, welcome to the forums, and thanks for posting. It's always nice to know that we're helping out fellow applicants, even if you're not applying this round. I know what you're going through, too, having to decide between doctor and nurse. I made that decision, myself, last year.

I like the flexibility that nursing offers, though, in terms of hours and speciality. It's a lot easier to jump to a different department if you decide that pediatrics is too difficult to handle, or ER is just a bit too hectic, etc. For me, the biggest deciding factor is that I'm already (almost) 24, and I want to start a family hopefully before I'm in my 30s. With nursing and the fast track program, I could be done right before my 28th birthday. I'd have to give another 5 years if I tried the medical route.

That being said, you can still further your education down the line and go for NP. You get the prescribing and diagnosing responsibilities, with the same flexibility. You have to compromise, but at least you don't have to give up all the perks of being a doctor - that's the route I'd like to go down.

Anyway, glad to hear you're applying! Heck, some of us might be in the running with you for next January, but hopefully we all get in this September. :D

Mission1234 - I agree! It -will- be interesting to see which of us get our letters next month. Honestly, though, I think we all stand a very good chance. I think it will be even more interesting to see how many more join us on the forums. Maybe we'll know most of our classmates before classes even start! Hehe.

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I can't remember who wrote "chicken scratch" describing their essay but no worries thats who mine looked too - I was running out of eraser by the end!! So that's what I am worried about - My essay being my downfall! Alka_selse - Thats too funny - maybe I do live close to her! My old neighbour up here is in her first year of nursing and I know she has a bf - maybe its her?? lol - I went to Robert Bateman also - graded in 2010 - we may know some of the same people!

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Heh, you would have been in grade 8 the year I graduated (2006), so I think the age gap is just a bit too much for me to know any of your friends, or vice versa. We might know siblings, though. That'd be interesting. I'll have to toss some of my yearbooks at you sometime and see if you know any of the last names. You might know my little brother and his crew, though. He was only a year ahead of you at RBSS. Intriguing.

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Oh funny - Yes I know a few a year behind you and probably know your brother. Well hope we both get in and can chat!

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Hi! I was looking over the posts regarding the way UFV calculates the points for the selection of their Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and I wanted to confirm to see if I understand it right.

So, for your grades it's out of 16 points. Now if someonene has an 'A' in all four of the requirement courses, (Chemistry 11, Biology 12, English 12 and Principles of Math 11), does that mean they would have 16/16?

For the volunteer hours and references, I think it totals out of 6. I've read that if you have done 0-49hrs, you receive 1 point, 50-100, you earn 2 points and if you've completed over 100hrs of volunteer work, you receive a bonus point, right?

Then I've read that some people on here said the reference letter is out of 2 points. So, what are the other 2 points for, (that would total the 6 points for that category)?

I've also read on the admission info (on the UFV website for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program), that the essay is out of 4 points and the interview is out of 13 points.

Let me know.

Thanks,

pet_lover48

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That's right, pet_lover. We were only told that the volunteer is out of 6. We managed to break it down a little bit when we were shown our specific points, but they never officially let us know. So all I know is that volunteer is out of 2, but like you said, you get a bonus point for having over 100 hours. But I don't know if the x/2 for references is correct, or what the other 2 points would be, sorry :(

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