University of Central Florida (UCF) BSN-DNP 2023

Alx2001 · Nov 3, 2023

Hello! I am re-applying to UCF's Acute Care DNP program after being rejected last year. For everyone who got accepted to the program last year, do you have any tips for me on making my essay or CV stronger? It seems like the competition was especially tough for the last cohort. I would really appreciate any tips! I also would like to know the experience of everyone who applied! When I applied for the DNP track last year, I only had 6 months of ICU experience/ nursing experience as I was a new graduate. Is that what made my application weaker in your all's opinion?

NurseSarax0 · Nov 3, 2023

Alx2001 said:

Hello! I am re-applying to UCF's Acute Care DNP program after being rejected last year. For everyone who got accepted to the program last year, do you have any tips for me on making my essay or CV stronger? It seems like the competition was especially tough for the last cohort. I would really appreciate any tips! I also would like to know the experience of everyone who applied! When I applied for the DNP track last year, I only had 6 months of ICU experience/ nursing experience as I was a new graduate. Is that what made my application weaker in your all's opinion?

I'm sorry you didn't get in last year! I think with the GREs removed as a requirement, it become more competitive. I don't have much experience myself, but I am planning on applying to the Fall 2024 AGACNP track as well. I'm hoping that some leadership, and volunteer work and certifications will work in my favor. I would also greatly appreciate any feedback from previous applicants who got in on what they did! Thanks!

IzzyRose · Nov 3, 2023

Hi!

I'm so happy you have decided to try again!

I did get accepted into the Acute Care track. I graduated from their ABSN program at the end of Summer 2022. I started working in the SICU in November (actually December because Advent makes you do 4 weeks on a PCU first). I applied in February of 2023 (which means up to that point, I only had a few months of nursing experience under my belt). So I don't think working for only 6 months was the reason for your denial.

I did hear that it was super competitive and had the largest amount of applicants to date.

As for my stats. I had a 3.7 GPA. (Both Nursing and overall).

I think it came down to my essay and my letters of recommendations.

It was hard to write my essay as I just didn't feel like I had a lot of nursing experience to even be able to identify a problem much less how to solve it. I was encouraged by my old clinical instructor and friend, who told me to just write it. It's not about how much I knew, meaning I didn't have to research the topic...he said that I should show that I could write.

My 3 letters of recommendations, I only know what 1 says, came from amazing and credible sources. The one letter I do know of, I have it framed.

Make sure that those letters highlight you. As a person, as a student, and as a practicing nurse.

I didn't have anything else to offer. No certifications, no volunteer work, nada.

But some of the staff knew me. They saw my work ethic in school. They knew I was serious about my studies and that I would push myself to excel. Unfortunately not everyone on the board knew me, but that's why a killer essay and letters need to show those people who you are and what they can expect of you.

Good luck!

Alx2001 · Nov 3, 2023

IzzyRose said:

Hi!

I'm so happy you have decided to try again!

I did get accepted into the Acute Care track. I graduated from their ABSN program at the end of Summer 2022. I started working in the SICU in November (actually December because Advent makes you do 4 weeks on a PCU first). I applied in February of 2023 (which means up to that point, I only had a few months of nursing experience under my belt). So I don't think working for only 6 months was the reason for your denial.

I did hear that it was super competitive and had the largest amount of applicants to date.

As for my stats. I had a 3.7 GPA. (Both Nursing and overall).

I think it came down to my essay and my letters of recommendations.

It was hard to write my essay as I just didn't feel like I had a lot of nursing experience to even be able to identify a problem much less how to solve it. I was encouraged by my old clinical instructor and friend, who told me to just write it. It's not about how much I knew, meaning I didn't have to research the topic...he said that I should show that I could write.

My 3 letters of recommendations, I only know what 1 says, came from amazing and credible sources. The one letter I do know of, I have it framed.

Make sure that those letters highlight you. As a person, as a student, and as a practicing nurse.

I didn't have anything else to offer. No certifications, no volunteer work, nada.

But some of the staff knew me. They saw my work ethic in school. They knew I was serious about my studies and that I would push myself to excel. Unfortunately not everyone on the board knew me, but that's why a killer essay and letters need to show those people who you are and what they can expect of you.

Good luck!

Thank you for the quick response and amazing tips! I have some of my nursing professors and team members at work writing my letters so I am hoping that it will be enough. I rewrote my essay- in my opinion, my essay is genuine. It highlights my why, the DNP project, and my support system. I met with an advisor shortly after I got rejected and was told that my essay needed improvement and that I needed more experience, community involvement, and leadership involvement. I was also told that the letters of recommendation review depended on who was reviewing them since some faculty only look for the fact that the letters are there in the first place. So this kinda left me a bit defeated since it felt like I needed to do so much in order to be accepted. Although I completely understand since they only want the best of the best to be in the program.