University of Pittsburgh CRNA Spring 2023

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Sorta surprised that there is no post for this current application for Pitt, especially since the application deadline is a month away. Decided to make this thread for people looking to discuss the application process. 

Anyone applying to Pitt? I made a last minute decision to apply just a few days ago, so I'm trying to get all of my things in order to submit on time, haha. 

Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.
5 minutes ago, Dfib_the_Vfib said:

There were 4-5 of us commenting about getting offers after the first round of interviews in late March. Not sure how many ultimately accepted. I did ?

You’re one of the lucky ones!

And you’re right, it’s tough to make a guess on how many spots are available because we don’t know how many offered spots were declined from the first round! That’s sorta promising that there are probably more than 20 spots available. I can’t imagine it’s an even 50/50 split since it seems there were much more applicants that submitted for the second deadline. 

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.
16 minutes ago, Dfib_the_Vfib said:

There were 4-5 of us commenting about getting offers after the first round of interviews in late March. Not sure how many ultimately accepted. I did ?

That’s awesome! I’m trying hard not to speculate, but ultimately the analytical ICU nurse comes out. Keeping patients alive is easier….

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25 minutes ago, EC-PELLA said:

That’s awesome! I’m trying hard not to speculate, but ultimately the analytical ICU nurse comes out. Keeping patients alive is easier….

Oh lord ain’t that the truth! I was soooo happy to be done applying, and extremely excited to get into my top choice. I applied last year just before the final deadline and got an interview, but not a spot. I took two classes through the university that count toward the program and made As, and then reapplied for the priority deadline this year. That plus more experience I think helped with getting a spot this cycle ?

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.
22 minutes ago, Dfib_the_Vfib said:

Oh lord ain’t that the truth! I was soooo happy to be done applying, and extremely excited to get into my top choice. I applied last year just before the final deadline and got an interview, but not a spot. I took two classes through the university that count toward the program and made As, and then reapplied for the priority deadline this year. That plus more experience I think helped with getting a spot this cycle ?

Congrats! I’m sure you’re happy. Were you accepted part time last year or did you just take courses as a non-degree student? I was under the impression that this was a guaranteed admission for the following cohort. 

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14 minutes ago, Living2Learn said:

Congrats! I’m sure you’re happy. Were you accepted part time last year or did you just take courses as a non-degree student? I was under the impression that this was a guaranteed admission for the following cohort. 

I took courses as non-degree seeking and also applied to a second program the same time this year, which I was also accepted in. It seems like handling grad classes is definitely a big plus. I also attended CRNA conferences. I made sure I gave a clear signal I was going to be all in!

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.

I took patho and adv pharm recently and got A’s too. It’s def a boost and looks good on the resume. Esp if your GPA needs work. 

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.
3 minutes ago, EC-PELLA said:

I took patho and adv pharm recently and got A’s too. It’s def a boost and looks good on the resume. Esp if your GPA needs work. 

Same - took those classes and also a research course. I do hope it helps my chances. I know Pitt uses a point system so I’m sure it has a tangible benefit in the selection process. 

15 minutes ago, Dfib_the_Vfib said:

I took courses as non-degree seeking and also applied to a second program the same time this year, which I was also accepted in. It seems like handling grad classes is definitely a big plus. I also attended CRNA conferences. I made sure I gave a clear signal I was going to be all in!

Got it - what made the say no the the program you got into? 

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Specializes in ICU.
5 hours ago, Trauma-ICU said:

Did anyone else apply priory deadline and still has not heard anything back? I interviewed in April LOL 

I interviewed 4/21 and haven’t heard anything ?

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2 hours ago, Living2Learn said:

Got it - what made the say no the the program you got into?

 

Talking with students and faculty from each program. When you talk to enough programs you can really tell the ones that are very supportive vs ones that are more ‘power through it.’

I just really really enjoyed talking with everyone in the Pitt program. I had fun during my interviews. I very much respect that the director and faculty are all present for the interview process. Many personally responded to emails. They feel like ‘real people.’

I also like that they let you take classes early part time before the main program. Maybe it’s a small thing, but it’s a lot more flexible than a lot of programs I looked into. When I didn’t get in the first time of course I was sad, but I was also immediately determined to come back as a stronger applicant. 

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.
1 hour ago, Dfib_the_Vfib said:

 

Talking with students and faculty from each program. When you talk to enough programs you can really tell the ones that are very supportive vs ones that are more ‘power through it.’

I just really really enjoyed talking with everyone in the Pitt program. I had fun during my interviews. I very much respect that the director and faculty are all present for the interview process. Many personally responded to emails. They feel like ‘real people.’

I also like that they let you take classes early part time before the main program. Maybe it’s a small thing, but it’s a lot more flexible than a lot of programs I looked into. When I didn’t get in the first time of course I was sad, but I was also immediately determined to come back as a stronger applicant. 

This makes a ton of sense. I also had a fantastic experience from Pitt (I went in person for a CRNA-related event as well as virtual interviews). 

Out of curiosity, did you get any feedback regarding why you weren’t admitted? I know some schools are open to having those conversations with candidates. 

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9 hours ago, Living2Learn said:

This makes a ton of sense. I also had a fantastic experience from Pitt (I went in person for a CRNA-related event as well as virtual interviews). 

Out of curiosity, did you get any feedback regarding why you weren’t admitted? I know some schools are open to having those conversations with candidates. 

Yes I did get feedback on how to improve, and one of those areas was in having more research experience. We didn’t have a lot at my hospital, but I got more involved in what I could and also one of the classes I took was a research for EBP classes. I learned a lot in it and was able to use it to help formulate a stronger DNP project idea. 

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.
2 hours ago, Dfib_the_Vfib said:

Yes I did get feedback on how to improve, and one of those areas was in having more research experience. We didn’t have a lot at my hospital, but I got more involved in what I could and also one of the classes I took was a research for EBP classes. I learned a lot in it and was able to use it to help formulate a stronger DNP project idea. 

I love that they have you such fantastic feedback! Sounds like you addressed their advice marvelously (and successfully!)

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