University of San Francisco Entry Level MSN CNL spring 2014

[Polo goalie]

Has anyone else out there applied to University of San Francisco Entry Level MSN CNL program for spring 2014?

[statsleeper]

Hey everyone,

Like MN2b, I'm also in the program already. This is definitely a time of anxiety... so try to relax. As MN2b said, you all won't receive acceptance letters/calls at the same time. I know that some people in my cohort didn't get accepted until the day before orientation... so you just have to be patient.

Familiarizing yourself with medical calculations would be helpful, but I wouldn't stress too much yet until you're in the program. Just keep in mind that you'll have to take a medical calculations test each semester and are expected to get 100% (don't worry, you get a few attempts).

As for what makes you stand out... gpa and such matters but that's not all that matters. What really matters is your personal statement. It also helps if you finished all your pre-req classes before applying. Also if you don't make this cycle, don't feel discouraged... I didn't make it in the first time when I applied, but did the second time around.

I'll also be here to help with questions if I can.

[haha09]

Thank you @mailnursetobe and @statsleeper!

[eeswim]

Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts and anxieties! I am glad we are all in the same boat. This is my second time applying to the Master's entry program, and I would lie if I said, I wasn't checking my application every day! @statsleeper, what were your grades like? Do you know how much your letters or rec weigh into your application? I have been working in hospital administration for 5 years, completed my pre-reqs with a 3.25 GPA, but my undergrad GPA is less than par. I started volunteering at a children's hospital this past year, and all I want to do is be working on the clinical side of health care. I can imagine, most of us are all on the same page with this. I wish you all the best, and I will look forward to reading the future postings on this thread. :)

[statsleeper]

@eeswim my undergrad gpa was 3.4 and my pre-req gpa was 3.9. Again, USF looks beyond your GPA. I'm actually not sure how much your letter of recs count, but I'm assuming it's pretty important since the school doesn't hold interview sessions, instead they know the applicant through their personal statement and letter of recs. I wouldn't ask just anyone for a letter of rec, would definitely ask a professor that you've built a relationship with and someone from work or volunteer that also knows you pretty well (I think it was 2 letters of rec... unless they changed it).

[Ksfiles]

Hi, everyone, and thanks for starting this thread!

I've also applied for the spring '14 cohort. It's my first time applying to the program, I'm excited, and also beginning to get a bit anxious. Let's keep each other posted on the progress of the process. Good luck.

[Polo goalie]

@statsleeper, did you change anything between the first and second time you applied? Did you get more experience, did you have any prereqs in progress the first time, ect?

I am considering taking a class to become a CNA to get more experience if I need to reapply.

[statsleeper]

@polo goalie, I worked on my personal statement more after the first time. When I first applied, I had 1 pre-req still in progress... the second time around I completed all my classes. I also got an additional letter of recommendation and I guess since I was still volunteering during that time, I got more experience.

[mailnursetobe]

Greetings all,

Just wanted to chime in. Having been accepted on my first time applying I can confirm @Statsleepers comments that the application process and what they are looking for goes far beyond just GPA. They will also tell you that on the website and the info sessions. If you haven't already or are thinking about applying for the summer cohort I would attend the information sessions regarding the MSN program. There is some great information that is provided and they lay out for you exactly what they are looking for in applicants. They also provide very clear and concise instruction in how to write your personal statement. In the end it gives you some time to talk directly and in person with those in admissions, I found it very helpful. I don't know what the schedule is for the next round of info sessions but I am sure that you can find it on the USF website.

My undergraduate GPA was in my opinion horrid, i won't tell you exactly what it was so please don't ask. it is unimportant. My prereq GPA was very very strong. However, my life experiences and my experiences in healthcare were very valuable, I was accepted with 3 pre req's outstanding that I finished before matriculating the following year. I was very careful to follow the instructions on how to write the personal statement very carefully.

I know that this period can be the most difficult having to wait to find out. If you haven't heard by the expected date that acceptances are going out. You most likely won't hear until the beginning of Dec. Hang in there. Develop a game plan and stick to it. If you don't get in it is important that you don't lose momentum and prepare yourself for the next application period.

MN2b

[Ksfiles]

Hi, everyone. Just curious about "application status" for all of you: Has your "application status" changed, or does it say anything different than when you submitted it? For instance, I submitted my application in late September, but it still says

• [h=4]STAGE 1: APPLICATION COMPLETE - TO BE REVIEWED AFTER DEADLINE[/h]
  

I believe that means they haven't even reviewed it yet? Or just haven't updated the status for me?

My last name begins with "W" so maybe they're just going down the list of applicants in alphabetical order? Or is it chronological order, and they have several submitted before mine in late September? (or not??) Clearly I'm over thinking this whole process LOL

Who knows, just wondering what yours might say.

Thanks :)

[JS88]

@ksfiles I wouldn't worry too much about the website... if I recall, they didn't update it until you were either rejected or accepted into the program. I could be wrong though.

[SJforlife11]

@Ksfiles my application status still says

Application Status: Submitted

I submitted my application around mid Sept. Should it already say "Stage 1 Application Complete?" I emailed Susana Torres about it, but she hasn't replied.

[Ksfiles]

@SJforlife11:

When I submitted the application in late September, it immediately displayed the following:

APPLICATION STATUS: SUBMITTED

Submitted Date: (date, time)

Stage 1: Application Completed--to be reviewed after deadline

Recommendation Providers:

Name 1

Name 2 etc etc

Stage 1 must just mean that it's been completed and submitted (by the applicant). The following stages are all up to them. I've been told by other cohorts that they might be in the "reviewing" and "deciding" stages but have not necessarily updated that info in the "application status" section. In other words, we wouldn't know THE status until the final decisions have been made.