UMASS Worcester - GEP 2021

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Hello,

Anybody applying to the DNP program GEP at UMASS, Worcester, hoping to start next year 2021??

I will appreciate the experiences of others and tips on how to sail through the interview! Thank you.

If this is helpful to know, both my husband and I work full time (and we file taxes jointly so it shows as a combined income) and I still applied for financial aid for myself. After I was accepted to the program, I received my Financial aid letter very quickly after submitting my FAFSA. I think it can be absolutely worthwhile to do that FAFSA and see what comes back. There are options for loans that are not based on an income limit, such as Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans which are based on other factors and just simply allow you to take the loan through your school at a maximum allowed amount based on certain factors (the program leads to a degree, you are enrolled so many hours, etc). Hope that is helpful! 

 

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Hi Everyone!

I'm so happy I found a thread for this year's application cycle! I just received my acceptance on Friday to the GEP-DNP FNP track for this fall! 

I just read through most of the thread and it's been helpful to have that additional info about the program! I did have a couple questions if anyone would be able to provide any insight:

1.) I noticed that the last accepted students day seemed to be online from what I read, but is there an additional platform that the student cohort would be connected on--like a facebook group--where we have the option to get to know each other a bit before starting the program? Especially if things remain online I figured it would be a bit harder to do that since we wouldn't all be together in-person LOL

2.) In terms of living/housing, do any current or past students have any advice on where it may be best to look for an apartment/roommates or can talk about their experience (I.e. what worked, what didn't, what you may find most helpful for succeeding in the program relating to this)?

Also pertaining to my first question--if a group isn't already put together or may not be in the future, I'd love to start one with you all!

Looking forward to connecting more with you guys and congrats to everyone who received their acceptances too! ?

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4 hours ago, CCProspectiveDNPFNP said:

Hi Everyone!

I'm so happy I found a thread for this year's application cycle! I just received my acceptance on Friday to the GEP-DNP FNP track for this fall! 

I just read through most of the thread and it's been helpful to have that additional info about the program! I did have a couple questions if anyone would be able to provide any insight:

1.) I noticed that the last accepted students day seemed to be online from what I read, but is there an additional platform that the student cohort would be connected on--like a facebook group--where we have the option to get to know each other a bit before starting the program? Especially if things remain online I figured it would be a bit harder to do that since we wouldn't all be together in-person LOL

2.) In terms of living/housing, do any current or past students have any advice on where it may be best to look for an apartment/roommates or can talk about their experience (I.e. what worked, what didn't, what you may find most helpful for succeeding in the program relating to this)?

Also pertaining to my first question--if a group isn't already put together or may not be in the future, I'd love to start one with you all!

Looking forward to connecting more with you guys and congrats to everyone who received their acceptances too! ?

I’m also curious about these two points.  I’d love some feedback from @AMPatts1190 regarding these two and also if the schools match preceptors for you?

I’m looking forward to any information about financial aid, still waiting on the school to send me something. 

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Hi @CCProspectiveDNPFNP:

Congrats on your recent acceptance! I’ll number my responses to your questions based on your question number. I apologize that this turned into a book. ?

1.) A facebook group I think is the best way to connect with other incoming students. That’s what we did last year (it’s called: UMass Med GSN Incoming class 2020) and then we later created a “social hour” on zoom as a meet and greet. -------------------------- can send an email to all accepted students notifying them of the creation of the facebook group and disseminate zoom links as needed so people can join and connect. I’ll join the facebook group and/or meet and greets as well (if you like) when one of you creates it and I can add first year input as well. I’ll also notify my cohort and have them join to not be the only opinion in the room (LOL). I’m sure they would love to join and help answer questions. 

2.) Last year (around Summer time) a Google doc circulated through the above mentioned facebook page for either older students looking for new roommates or new students looking for a roommate. I recommend to start this right as Summer hits (May) to make sure you can find people in time and lock-in a lease.

And to gain insight on how to succeed in this program, what went well for us/didn’t go so well, etc. I would recommend to meet with some of us who are in our first or second year on Zoom. If you want to meet with me to ask the non-public questions, we can definitely arrange that, or if you want a small group of us, I can see if I can arrange for you all to zoom meet some people from my class. A different perspective is always good. ?

Now to answer @wp650 about matching preceptors to students:

The answer is yes. For clinical, they automatically assign you (in groups of 3) to a clinical instructor and location. Unfortunately you can’t pick the time, floor, instructor, etc. 

For the end of GEP year internship and NP internships (might have been what you meant), they also arrange for us to have a preceptor for the Summer to work with. I guess there were issues in the past with students not doing much by working with their friends who were nurses/NP’s so then they decided to assign people instead. I hope that answered your question.

Please tag me and let me know if anyone here needs anything else. ?

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@AMPatts1190

I’m not sure how to PM on here but I’d really like to join the office hours for financial aid. Is there a specific link you could possible send me with a passcode? 
 

I’m having so much trouble getting in contact with them. 

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Financial Aid Zoom office hours

Tuesday and Thursday Morning Meeting link: 10-11 AM EST

https://umassmed.zoom.us/j/99437303091?pwd=ZktUYkJ0NFkwR2VxR2wwVVBoTk1VQT09

Password: 762531

 

Tuesday and Thursday Afternoon Meeting link: 2-4 PM EST

https://umassmed.zoom.us/j/95312921990?pwd=UjhkUmlJTVBZTVpsU2RLVjh4YlJnZz09

Password: 188235

 

We will see if anyone is there!

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Unfortunately, no one showed up to the 10am financial aid office hour zoom. I waited for 20 minutes and nothing....Sorry! I tried!! 

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@ryoung79 they meet with people 1-1 so you might have just been in the waiting room. I recommend if you decide to go back from 2-4 to wait for the entire length of time and eventually you will be entered into the room. I would use your phone and just have them in your ears as you go about your day

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Really? I plan to attend Thursday’s AM zoom..

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OK! Will try again. ? I was there a little before 10am so I thought by 10:20 that no one was coming. I will definitely give it another go! Thank you! 

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I just finished my chat with financial aid zoom office hours. Very nice gentleman who answered my questions. I stayed in the waiting room until my turn came up. I did ask the question that someone on here previously wanted to know about how much institutional aid is given to students, what percentage of students receive awards, and what the average amount is. He really couldn't answer that with any specific numbers as it varies widely year to year and is based on each individual need. He encourages you to simply complete the FAFSA and apply for aid so you can have options available to you. Hope that helps! 

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@ryoung79

Awesome! I'm still in the waiting room. This is actually the 1st time I've been in a waiting room the previous times there was legit no host. Super happy we're getting somewhere this time.

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