UIC GEP 2013

Nursing Students Post Graduate

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Anyone applying to UIC's graduate entry program starting Jan. 2013? I've glanced at the threads from the past couple of year's and thought I'd start one for the next application cycle. I'm finishing up pre-reqs and taking the GRE in a month. Good luck to all who plan on applying!

Hello! I am also applying for the January 2013 class at UIC. I actually just took my GRE yesterday, and was wondering if anyone has a new range of acceptable scores in which UIC sees as competitive? I know the rank system changed and didn't know if anyone knew what kind of score UIC is looking for. I'm very nervous to be applying!

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I'm trying to write my essay(s) and having a rough time with it.

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I hope to apply in 2013! I have a bit of a ways to go, with a few pre-requisites and the GRE to knock out, but this is only the beginning of getting together my application.

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I am also applying for 2013, for the ACNP track! I'm working on my supplemental app now. Does anyone know when their interview season runs? Also, do you know anyone who has done the whole program full-time. Part of me would like to just crank it all out full time and finish earlier.

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I'd love to know about the average financial aid as well. Since they don't want you to work (I don't know how I would), we'd pretty much have to live off it. Chicago is comparatively inexpensive for a city of its size, but it's not so cheap that you can live off a $2000 a semester student loan refund either.

Hi y'all!

I was in your shoes a year ago, and I just finished my second week of the UIC GEP! *takes a deep breath in*

Hopefully I can offer some insight into some of your questions.

Angelala-I'm living solely off of financial aid this semester (and yes, there are GEPers who work while in the program and there are even some moms with newborns!) and at our orientation, I'm pretty sure they said that the average amount of cost of living expenses given to GEPers is around $1,900 per month. Now, keep in mind that those will usually be in the form of loans, so you will need to eventually pay it back. But unlike my undergrad loans, the non-Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized) loans are PLUS loans, which are also from the government (instead of a private lender). One thing a lot of GEPers do in their 2nd or 3rd semester is become a TA or research assistant and get a tuition waiver. (It doesn't waive the tuition differential, etc, but every bit helps, plus you get experience!) Also, if you are going into specialty that's in need (such as becoming a PMHNP) there are programs to help you pay back your loans if you work in an under-served, approved, site.

On the DNP issue, I'll say that I've been concerned about that as well and when I asked my mentor about it (she's in the 2011 GEP class) she said that she's going to apply for the DNP program in the last semester of her MS program (yes, UIC gives you a MS, not an MSN-the difference is that MS degrees have to be approved by the university as a whole whereas MSNs are awarded by nursing colleges alone) she'll apply to UIC's DNP program and apparently some of the credits from her MS will count towards the DNP and she estimates it will take her two more years to complete the DNP.

On GRE scores, the best advice I've ever heard is, "no one ever got into a graduate program just based on their GRE score" I think they mostly want to ensure that you have a basic competency in those general ed areas.

On pre-reqs, I just needed A&P and Research Methods, and I did all 3 classes after I was accepted. I think just finishing A&P in the fall of 2011 has actually given me an edge in patho because the material is fresh in my mind. So if you need to finish pre-reqs this year, don't sweat it! :) Also! Malcolm X (a City College of Chicago) got dissed in previous years' GEP threads, but I took A&P there anyway because it was a fraction of the cost and convenient. I had a *phenomenal* prof for the second semester (Dr. Sheila Wicks) and I have other classmates who had another prof at Malcolm X and they had good experiences as well. The first semester... Well, at least at CCC, that's just route memorization so don't be surprised if you get a pretty dry and boring prof no matter where you go. Oh, and I would recommend steering clear of the Research Methods in Psych class offered at University of Washington (Psych 209). It's an independent online course, which means that you need to have lots of self-motivation because you have no cohort. Yes, it is cheaper than the other options, but from discussions with my classmates who took it at UW versus University of Phoenix, University of Phoenix is completely worth the few extra $100s. Also, it's a total pain in the butt to find a proctor. The Chicago Public Library doesn't do it anymore, neither does Loyola, or CCC, or.... Basically you can go to UIC's testing center (and pay ~$80!) or pay Sylvan Learning Centers $200 to have your two tests proctored. (A third option is throwing yourself at the mercy of another prof you have at the time and asking if they'll proctor for you personally.)

Interview season-for our class that seemed to run from very late March through April.

Going full-time through the whole program-I think UIC would prefer if everyone did that, but from what I've heard from older students is that getting some real-life work experience on your resume is pretty much invaluable for when you are starting your career. Some people are able to do both (work and go full-time), it just really depends on what you prefer.

I hope this helps, and good luck to you all! I'm sure I'll meet some of you later this year or next spring. :)

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Glad to see that you all started a thread! I found it so helpful last year and it was a great opportunity to connect with people even before class began. I just wanted to echo the advice of onephoenixrising and also encourage you to do what you can to gain nursing experience before your interview. I had went through a CNA training course and while being interviewed this was positively referenced by my interviewer on multiple occasions. In terms of GPA, GRE, etc. while a great score can definitely augment your application, they truly are looking for a good understanding and commitment to the nursing profession. Think long and hard about your reasons for wanting to take part in this program and start working in health care ASAP!

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Great advice from current GEPer's! What are the biggest speciality tracks in your class right now? Is your current class size around 60-65?

What specialities does everyone plan on applying to? Anyone else looking at other nursing/PA programs?

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Thanks for the detailed advice! Is the Admin speciality really difficult to get in? Do you know approximately how many Admin specialty GEPer are in the current cohort? I am switching from a non-healthcare field but have 7 years of working experience. I am trying to get healthcare volunteer experience but the process is moving really slow...just wondering what else I can do.

Thanks!

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Hello everyone! I am applying to this program for Spring 2013, currently undecided on specialty.

What specialty is everyone looking at? What's the reason you're applying to this program and want to become an NP in general?

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What's up everyone! Just joined because I just saw this thread on UIC and thought that I could gain some insight during this whole application process.

Anyway, I just hit "send" on my application for 2013. I'm crossing my fingers. As for my specs: 3.3 Undergrad in computer art, 3.9 Grad in International Relations. Just completed an EMT course at UCLA. Just got back from a 1 year tour to Iraq as a public affairs office in the Air Force. GRE: 520 verbal, 740 math, 4 analytical.

I'm looking into the Family NP specialty. I just went to the info session last week and I think Julie said that there's like 7-10 spots for that one. There's also only 10% males in the GEP program so I'm hoping that might be in my favor too.

Well, good luck to everyone else!

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I'm thinking family NP too. I turned in the UIC grad application and started working on the supplemental. Went to UIUC undergrad and currently work in OB/GYN at UIC in the College of Medicine. Excited to find out what happens!

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I have submitted my graduate application and working on my supplement application. My essay is complete I am just waiting on further feedback from family member who's helping me with it. I am applying to FNP. I do not have alot of volunteer experience in health care but I currently work as a program coordinator for a clinical research trial at the University of Chicago Medical Center. So I think I am luckily to have that background. I have people who work in the field of medicine and research who will write my letter of recommendations.

As far as undergrad I have a BS in Psychology but I took the nontraditional route compared to most psychology majors and focused on most bio-psych. So I completed most of my per-requisites like bio and chem in undergrad. I am currently completing my A&P I at one of the CCC. I am hoping my research and work experience and my letters of recommendation will set me apart since I have and okay undergrad GPA 3.27 and GRE of 1100.

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