UI Chicago GEP Spring 2012

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Anyone planning to apply to UIC's GEP for winter/spring 2012? (http://www.uic.edu/nursing/prospectivestudents/gep-about.shtml) The application opened on January 15 and is due March 1.

I just finished the primary application and am waiting to receive the secondary application to send out recommendation requests. Their application cycle is a bit odd and inconvenient, since most other places that start in the fall require deposits by late March into early April, and UIC doesn't inform you of your status until late April. But in the end, it's still a great program and worth a shot.

In the interview she told me there were about 50 applicants for ACNP, but if you had an interview, you already made the first cut. She wasn't clear about how many they eliminate in the first cut, so it's so hard to say how many are interviewing. gosh, that sentence sounds redundant! lol. Anyway, maybe there are about 20-25 interviewing for 14 spots. That would be great if they are accepting 14. Last year the applicants got their notice around 4/23, with the same dates of interviews. So, I'm hoping we'll be the same! The wait is awful. Are any of you applying to other programs? Rush?

CPA2MSN,

I'm pretty sure I'll also apply to Rush, but this is undoubtedly my first choice.

Regarding turnaround times, my interviewer gave me an estimate of EIGHT WEEKS. I nearly fell over when she said that.

CPA,

When did you interview? While I was waiting for my turn I found that there were two people interviewing for AC. I'm just trying to narrow down maybe how many people were interviewed by the options given to us. I interviewed Monday and was only given the option of one day from 9-11 in half an hour spots so that's five people.. but there was someone else interviewing as well so maybe 10 people on that Monday total. I had also overheard that they were going to be meeting at 11 that day and ranking those of us who interviewed.

I was told that they were going to accept 14 students.

I'm going crazy!!!!! I also looked at last years posts and it looks like we should know maybe by next Friday.

Seaster,

I don't think it will take 8 weeks to hear back from them. Thank God!! I also looked at the posts from last year's cohort and they all heard by the end of April. I am on the wait list at Rush, but I would rather get into this program. Rush and DePaul are both great programs, but each has something a little different. If I don't get in to UIC, I'll try for the next cohort at Rush. The application deadline is June 15th, I think.

Miss Priss,

I also interviewed last Monday. It looked like there were two different interviewers, but there were only six or seven people on the email I received to schedule the interview. They must have sent a couple of different emails. The whole ranking thing makes me nervous. I hope we hear by next week!!!

Cpa,

My email only had 6 people on it as well...i wonder if we got the same one? I sure that buzzj and I got the same one. I can't wait to find out. Uic is my only choice...

Miss Priss,

If you don't get in this time, will you apply again next year? If I don't get in, I have to look at some other options. I just can't drag this on for too long. I need a job! lol. I met someone at the interviews who made it to number one on the wait list last year, but didn't get a spot. She had to complete the whole application process all over this year. Ugh, I really hope I don't have to do that. Get recommendation letters and write the essays again. I do know at Rush you don't have to do the whole application all over. You just submit transcripts (if necessary) and interview again. Well, hopefully all of this won't be necessary and we'll get a spot at UIC!!!!

If I don't get in this year I will reapply next year and maybe to rush as well. Rush will involve extra certifications to add to my msn for acute care so I won't be too happy about that but like you I'm hoping that I won't have to worry about it and get in on the first try. I would hate to get letters of recommendation again...i feel like such a pain asking people to write them.

I really hope that we don't have to wait weeks to find out! It would be great if we found out in the next two weeks like last year's cohort! This waiting is rough! (sorry just had to rant a little! :p)

Miss Priss,

I know the Rush program is more general, an MSN, definitely not an NP. Seems better for someone who will want to work in administration maybe? If you plan to practice, NP seems the way to go. It would definitely require more classes with Rush's program. But, Rush offers 100% tuition reimbursement. So, if you can get hired there at least you'd have that going for you!

Hi C3323,

I hope so too!! I know exactly what you mean. I didn't plan on posting until I heard either way about getting in, but then I just needed to vent!

My interview today told me that the decision committee for FNP is meeting on April 22nd. She also said there were 25 spots for FNP.

WOW 25!!! That's a lot! My interviewer said that they wanted to take 65 students total and if FNP is taking 25 and ACNP is taking 14 that doesn't leave a lot of spots for the other areas? I know that peds and women's health are usually pretty big as well.. I'm wondering if maybe ACNP is taking less than 14... I thought it seemed high when she said that since they only took 7 last year... but then again why would she tell me incorrect info?? My mind is shot! I just want the email either way already!!!!

Does anyone know how the MS portion of the program works in terms of clinical rotations? I guess I'm wondering specifically if it's possible, after the attainment of RN Licensure, for a student to be employed as an RN in their specialty at a facility in another city. My fiancé may be unable to move with me to Chicago, so, even though we've been prepared to be apart from the get-go, I was wondering if it's possible to live elsewhere and travel back to Chicago for the necessary class sessions, etc seeing as most of the graduate courses are taken on-line.

Thanks in advance for your insight!

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