UMASS Worcester - GEP 2020

massDNP · Mar 4, 2020

20 hours ago, futurenp1234 said:
Hi Everyone, with there being much confusion about the fb group created and people still waiting to be accepted including myself, I reached out to admissions with the hopes that someone will create a new fb group. I just got word that there is a new official facebook group that has been made for our class called "UMass Med GSN Incoming Class 2020" please join if you have not done so already! ?

Thanks for doing that. Joined.

grace Cheng, EMT-I · Mar 4, 2020

On 3/3/2020 at 3:19 AM, AMPatts1190 said:
Hi Grace!
I am also in the GEP AGACNP track for 2024. I had my interview a couple weeks ago and I recently received a call from the head of admissions (Diane) stating that I was accepted. ?
To answer your question- how it works is that after the interview, your application will be forwarded to the "admissions board" for further review. They meet every other Thursday and typically you find out that day (don't hold me to it, this is just based off what I was told/experienced). I am assuming you will hear something on March 26th based on your interview date. You will get a call first, then the official letter/financial aid information if applicable.
Best of luck to you on your interview!! Also, if you have any direct questions that you don't want to post publicly, feel free to direct message me on this page or on the UMass Med GEP 2024 facebook group that I think we both recently joined.

Thank you much for this amazing info! Congrats on your acceptance! I’ll certainly reach out with any more Q. Thanks for being so thoughtful & hope to meet you soon.

ellabellia · Mar 5, 2020

Does anyone know the total cost of the program? I've been trying to figure it out but I've seen several different costs.

Niithompson22 · Dec 11, 2020

Hello Everyone ,

Thank you all for sharing your experience. I just submitted my application for the GEP-Mental Health DNP route, hoping to start school next year 2021. It is my dream school and dream job.

Ms. Brescia was a wonderful help and she reiterated that healthcare experience was not necessary. Did anybody on this platform get through without any healthcare experience?

I am military and intend to get some healthcare experience through the "Skills Bridge" program six months before I separate.

Also, would getting a B in any of the pre-requisites put you at a disadvantage? Your experiences and answers will help immensely.

Thank you all.

AMPatts1190 · Dec 11, 2020

I wouldn’t say you need healthcare experience, but it would be nice to have. Many students were EMT’s, but I was a Research coordinator (so not healthcare related). If you are military, you could spin that a little bit. To answer your second question, getting a B in one course I wouldn’t say would be detrimental to getting in. I got A’s in every prerequisite but one (where I got a B... stupid stats LOL).

ProspectivePMHNP · Dec 11, 2020

Hi @Niithompson22!

I am currently in the program and would recommend reaching out to past students for information on their personal experiences in the program... I am happy to share what I have experienced, privately.

I would also say that they are looking for people with educational abilities... but more importantly, their life experience... So I think you will do well! Especially with the Psych track!

Feel free to send me message on here and we can connect and chat about any part of the program you want to know!

FutureAdultGeroNP · Dec 12, 2020

Hi, I'm in my second year of the program (DNP1). I did not have direct healthcare experience. While it would certainly be helpful (it seemed like the CNAs and EMTs were more comfortable in clinical at the outset), it's not necessary - they will teach you everything you need to know.

As far as educational abilities, I don't think you need to be a straight A student, but it probably also depends on the amount of competition in your program track. I agree that life experience matters a lot - I think they really look at the whole person, not just grades when they look at applicants. I had straight As in my prerequisites, but my undergrad GPA wasn't that great and I just hit the minimum for GRE math. That said, the program is challenging. The first year is a firehose of information that you have to keep up with the best you can.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the program. Good luck!

Niithompson22 · Dec 12, 2020

@AMPatts1190 Thank you so much for your response. I really hope I sail through. Will keep you updated.

@ProspectivePMHNP Thank you and congratulations for getting into the program. I sure will welcome more information as it will help me prepare adequately. I will definitely send you a private message.

@FutureAdultGeroNP Wow. Thanks for that insight. Appreciated. I am happy for you. The good thing about the program I figured is that you could work after you first year to gain enough experience before you gain your DNP Cert. I surely will link up for more guidance. Thank you!

FutureAdultGeroNP · Dec 13, 2020

Yes @Niithompson22, being able to work in the 2nd and 3rd years is definitely a big benefit of this program and one of the reasons I chose it. Now that I am working, I can definitely see the benefit of getting this experience before trying to work as a DNP. Making some $$ is also a nice benefit!

p.s. for those of you in the GEP year of the program - it gets better! Hang in there!

CCProspectiveDNPFNP · Dec 19, 2020

Hi Everyone!

Thank you for sharing your experiences throughout the admission process and the program as well! It has been really insightful.

I recently applied to the GEP-DNP program, for prospective entry for 2021. I submitted my application mid-November, with the program’s deadline being December 15th. Would anyone have any insight as for estimating when I may be able to hear back or receive an invitation for an interview?

Also, I received an email a couple weeks ago advising completion of financial aid apps aside from FAFSA, but have not heard anything back yet from admissions overall. I emailed the director of admissions for clarification, who has been really helpful in the process, but haven’t gotten a reply for ~2 weeks. Did this happen to anyone else during their process?

Any advice or insight is welcome ?

Thanks so much in advance!

Niithompson22 · Dec 19, 2020

@CCProspectiveDNPFNP

I have also emailed her. I think she is very busy at this point and does not go to the office often too. But I know she will certainly respond in no time.

Good luck. Hope we both get accepted.

CCProspectiveDNPFNP · Dec 23, 2020

On 12/19/2020 at 1:48 PM, Niithompson22 said:

@CCProspectiveDNPFNP

I have also emailed her. I think she is very busy at this point and does not go to the office often too. But I know she will certainly respond in no time.

Good luck. Hope we both get accepted.

Great, thanks for the insight! That's what I had figured, but it's also reassuring to know I am not the only one experiencing that as well. She is definitely very prompt in her responses otherwise so I'm sure we'll hear soon as you mentioned.

And thank you so much, good luck to you as well and hoping we both get accepted!