UPenn accelerated BSN 2011...anyone?

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Just wanted to know how many people here are planning to apply for the accelerated program at UPenn in 2011? (one starts in the summer)

Hi B1154,

Regarding interview preparation tips/suggestions, two things you might consider adding if you haven't done them already and have the time: (1) familiarize yourself with the research of your interviewer -- this doesn't mean go out and read everything he or she has ever written, it means looks over their CV (available on the Penn School of Nursing website) and find a couple articles, book chapters, whatever, that YOU can sincerely connect to and (2) do a little public policy reading on the future of advanced practice nursing, particularly as it relates to your speciality. Enthusiasm is definitely your greatest asset, but I figure it never hurts to demonstrate that your enthusiasm is backed up by some scholastic and policy knowledge about the profession.

Good luck on your interview!

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I agree with Annika. What it will come down to is whether or not you are a good fit for their program. So it's really important to make that connection with your interviewer by doing background research on them and emphasizing your knowledge and background and how that would be a good asset to their program.

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Yep that's what I was thinking my strategy was going to be. Thanks for the tips, wish me luck and good luck to you both, only 2ish months of waiting left...what a killer.

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I interviewed last year and it was really informal. I agree with whomever said to have questions ready--I wish I had had more. That being said, good luck to you all. I don't think the interviews can really break you, but I do think it's a great opportunity to see the school and show yourself off. I'll be around for the lunches with current students for Friday and Monday's interviews.

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hey all,

i had my phone interview a little more than one week ago for WHNP. i must admit, i thought it was going to be more conversational. for the most part, i felt like i was being asked a ton of questions off of a list with little feedback. it wasn't until towards the end that i felt it was more conversational since i had a lot of questions about the school and for my interviewer. so much so that my interview lasted nearly an hour! not sure if that's a good thing but it seemed to have ended on a good note...i think? :)

but i totally agree with all of the above tips. definitely know why you want to go to penn and why you want to practice your specialty. i felt that a majority of my questions had to do with whether or not i'd be a good fit for the program (e.g. why penn?) rather than questions about myself (e.g. what are your strengths and weaknesses).

good luck to those with interviews coming up!

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Hi everyone, new to the thread but I googled it once I finished my interview day yesterday for the Accelerated BSN/MS-FNP. Waiting till February to hear back is going to drive me nuts!! Good luck to all of us staying sane for the next 2 months :op

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Good Luck to everyone who has interviews coming up! I had mine on Monday for the FNP program. I'm sure it depends on what faculty interviews you but mine just asked if I had any questions and had no prepared questions for me at all.

She took phone calls and responded to her beeper during my interview and put very little effort into the whole interview. I talked about myself unprompted which felt weird but what else was I gonna do!

Like others have said, I wld just make sure to have some background on the program and be sincere in your questions and reasons for wanting to be there. I heard alot of people were asked: Why Penn? not just why nursing.

Mostly it was a half hour to 45 minutes and it was what I made of it.

I really enjoyed the lunch with current students! They all seemed really happy with the program, for real.

Good Luck!

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I also had my interview for FNP on Monday. It was pretty laid back - very conversational and no tricky questions.

The whole event really felt like more of a marketing event than anything else. I think it was mostly an opportunity for Penn to sell their program to us and a chance for them to get to know their applicants a little better at the same time. Wouldn't be surprised if interviews play very little role in the decision-making process.

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I imagined the admissions committee meeting this past week and next...can't wait to hear news! Good luck everyone!

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hey! was wondering if you were applying to the bsn accelerated for summer 2011. I am so anxious to hear from them! apparently we are notified in feb!? I'm nervous my essay, gpa, etc. aren't very top notch but hoping they'll see past that....are you nervous to find out too?

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Hi, vball. Yes, applying for summer 2011 admission. I'm about to go on travel for work where I won't have an Internet connection for two weeks. I think this will actually be helpful so that I'm not checking the portal every day :uhoh3: I'll be anxious to get home and hear some good news (fingers crossed!).

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hey! was wondering if you were applying to the bsn accelerated for summer 2011. I am so anxious to hear from them! apparently we are notified in feb!? I'm nervous my essay, gpa, etc. aren't very top notch but hoping they'll see past that....are you nervous to find out too?

My interviewer told me in secret that the date decisions are out for the BSN acceptance is 1/24 ;) and the MSN decision will come shortly after. I sure hope this is true..

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