Hi there. I am applying for the UofA MEPN 2021 program this Fall, and thought I'd open up this thread for others also applying at this time.
A little about me - I was originally going to apply for the 2020 program, but delayed it a year due to the birth of my youngest in late 2019. I have quite a bit of healthcare experience before the birth of my children, as well as volunteer experience in other areas. I haven't taken the HESI yet, but my stats are 3.5 (last 60), and 3.8 (prerequisites). I have a Bachelors degree in Biology, and am *really* hopeful to make it into this MEPN program. My goal is to be a Nurse Practitioner ? One of my aspirations is to serve impoverished communities in third world countries.
Would love to hear from others, and open up dialogue regarding questions and general advice.
Teensie, I am sure you will do great on the HESI! Crossing my fingers for you.
Shouldn't the GPA calculations from CASPA be the same as what we calculate for ourselves? Do they calculate the GPA in a different way? ?
I'm not sure what CASPA is; maybe you are referring to the CAS system we apply through? - either way, I couldn't find the GPA in that, and I have been lazy haha, so I just need to calculate it, and they gave me the excel sheet they use, which is handy. I just have to plug it all in and see.
1 hour ago, ANWong said:
I just asked a friend of mine who interviewed for the Fall BSN program and she said that they had to send in a video. So it might be that if the situation does not improve or maybe even a zoom call.
Oh my goodness! send in a video?! I would hate that. I would prefer a zoom call... The problem is that this will definitely change how they score us because how you interact with your co-interviewer actually can impact things.
I'm not sure what CASPA is; maybe you are referring to the CAS system we apply through? - either way, I couldn't find the GPA in that, and I have been lazy haha, so I just need to calculate it, and they gave me the excel sheet they use, which is handy. I just have to plug it all in and see.
Sorry, I meant NursingCAS! CASPA is for Physician Assistant school ... I was considering this route at one point in my quest to be a midlevel provider ?
Are we supposed to apply to the UA grad program AFTER our CAS application goes through? Also, we are supposed to apply as "Non-Degree Seeking", right? I saw the "Accelerated Masters" option, but I thought I remembered someone saying that we're not supposed to choose "Accelerated Masters" ...
Do you know where to find the GPA on the CAS? Just in case I'm just missing it!
So I actually got an answer on that but it's technically not the official word - you don't have to apply to the grad program until you're accepted to the school (through the CAS application). I wish I had known that last year because I paid for the grad app and did both that and the CAS by the deadline, but it's not necessary - just the CAS is really necessary.
Do you know where to find the GPA on the CAS? Just in case I'm just missing it!
So I actually got an answer on that but it's technically not the official word - you don't have to apply to the grad program until you're accepted to the school (through the CAS application). I wish I had known that last year because I paid for the grad app and did both that and the CAS by the deadline, but it's not necessary - just the CAS is really necessary.
Thanks for the info about the UA grad application. Not sure where to find the GPA on CAS - pretty new with the process, but if I find it, will let you know ?
Thanks for the info about the UA grad application. Not sure where to find the GPA on CAS - pretty new with the process, but if I find it, will let you know ?
I got a 3.59 in the pre-reqs (I think...one of the classes I CLEP'd out of which I'm not sure if they count it as an A or just take it out..which would be a 3.54). I'm hoping I get an A instead of a B in psio 2 which I'm retaking right now which brings me up for a 3.74...unless the previous B for psio 2 stays in the calculation and then I'm at a 3.64. This is all very confusing LOL.
I'm not sure what CASPA is; maybe you are referring to the CAS system we apply through? - either way, I couldn't find the GPA in that, and I have been lazy haha, so I just need to calculate it, and they gave me the excel sheet they use, which is handy. I just have to plug it all in and see.
Oh my goodness! send in a video?! I would hate that. I would prefer a zoom call... The problem is that this will definitely change how they score us because how you interact with your co-interviewer actually can impact things.
Oh you have co interviews? How does the interaction between you two impact the score?
On 9/9/2020 at 3:54 PM, teensie said:
I got a 3.59 in the pre-reqs (I think...one of the classes I CLEP'd out of which I'm not sure if they count it as an A or just take it out..which would be a 3.54). I'm hoping I get an A instead of a B in psio 2 which I'm retaking right now which brings me up for a 3.74...unless the previous B for psio 2 stays in the calculation and then I'm at a 3.64. This is all very confusing LOL.
They take your best grade so the other grade doesn’t matter!
I haven't been told how it directly impacts your score, but they want to see that you interact with the other candidate appropriately - that you're a human and not a robot (I can't tell though if they actually want us to interact, but if someone tells an emotional story, you can acknowledge it; or if their answer is similar to yours, acknowledge the similarities etc).
I just recently talked to an advisor about the interview process and they said it will most likely be a virtual interview similar to zoom but not zoom. But it will be a 1 on 1 interview.
I just recently talked to an advisor about the interview process and they said it will most likely be a virtual interview similar to zoom but not zoom. But it will be a 1 on 1 interview.
Im glad I found this forum. Im applying this Winter, and Im wondering how you all are doing with healthcare experience/work experience.... I lost my job due to covid in march and have been unemployed and unable to find volunteer experience. It's stressing me out because this is the are I was lacking most in to begin with. Im just retaking classes and studying for the HESI at the moment becuase it feels like thats all there is to do.
Anyone in the same boat or have any advice?
Thanks :)
PS, I live in California where the lockdown has been super strict. Maybe people in other states haven't had this same probelm!
Im glad I found this forum. Im applying this Winter, and Im wondering how you all are doing with healthcare experience/work experience.... I lost my job due to covid in march and have been unemployed and unable to find volunteer experience. It's stressing me out because this is the are I was lacking most in to begin with. Im just retaking classes and studying for the HESI at the moment becuase it feels like thats all there is to do.
Anyone in the same boat or have any advice?
Thanks ?
PS, I live in California where the lockdown has been super strict. Maybe people in other states haven't had this same probelm!
Hey! Good luck with taking the HESI and retaking your classes! I am sorry to hear about the loss of your job due to COVID and hope you can find one relatively quickly. I would try to volunteer work such as Crisis text line or something similar where it is nationwide so it might be easier to get into.
Hey! Good luck with taking the HESI and retaking your classes! I am sorry to hear about the loss of your job due to COVID and hope you can find one relatively quickly. I would try to volunteer work such as Crisis text line or something similar where it is nationwide so it might be easier to get into.
Thanks! I actually was looking into crisis line volunteering, or other online options. I know its not ideal, but I hope they will understand that volunteering in a hospital is impossible right now! ?
teensie
104 Posts
I'm not sure what CASPA is; maybe you are referring to the CAS system we apply through? - either way, I couldn't find the GPA in that, and I have been lazy haha, so I just need to calculate it, and they gave me the excel sheet they use, which is handy. I just have to plug it all in and see.
Oh my goodness! send in a video?! I would hate that. I would prefer a zoom call... The problem is that this will definitely change how they score us because how you interact with your co-interviewer actually can impact things.