2019 UPENN BSN/MSN

Nursing Students School Programs

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Hey everyone! I started this thread for this years application cycle.

Has anyone been accepted with "lower stats?" I say this in quotes because sometimes knowing the stats of others has, at least for me,made me have moments of insecurity. Plus, a lot of people with otherwise impressive stats are considered lower in nursing. Even though programs are supposed to look at applicants more holistically for graduate level, I can't help but wonder how much GRE scores and GPA play a factor? I'm above a 3.0 for my GPA but I'm taking the GRE tomorrow and honestly I'm pretty scared about what score I may get. I'm going to try to retake it before Nov 1st depending on what score I get, but I may not be able to afford it. Any comments are greatly appreciated

Hi! I hope my answer is of help to you.

I am currently enrolled in UPenn AGACNP program with 7 years of clinical experience. GPA was below 3.0 for undergrad. GRE: 158 Q, 161 V on my second try. My first try was 158 Q and 148 V lol.

After the first GRE, I signed up for Magoosh GRE for 3 months and did it religiously throughout. I felt that the computer simulated environment helped. The question bank was amazing and you could simulate poets with the q banks. I felt that the timed essay practice also helped with trying to piece through your thoughts for the set time frame. This is much better than using books and paper, IMO. However, I did have to pay for it but I felt it was worth it rather than keep retaking the GRE. Not an advert but just my personal take on it.

I Guess the GRE saved me from my dismal undergrad grades.

I also have research experience which i listed in my application. I was also very certain about my plans after taking this program.

Ugh I forgot for a second that this is due on the 15th of October so I actually will not be able to do it again in time. Thank you for your elaborate response @Charsiewshuz! It does make me feel a little better to know someone got in with below average gpa scores. I'm very certain of what I want to do long term and pretty certain of what i want to do shortly after graduation. However, I know I need to be open to whatever comes my way because things don't often go as planned. I did some research in school but didn't participate in a lab outside of class. I'm also applying after only being out of school for 1 year so not as much experience as you, but I have spent the past 3 years in healthcare so i hope it counts for something. Seeing how it worked online was an eye opener but paper works better for me to learn so that's what I've been doing. Although I do like some tools online where you can do exercises with vocab words. Again, thank you for your insight!

I can only really speak to my cohort but I do believe Penn does an amazing job at looking at the whole applicant, not just strictly focusing on grades. While academic history is pretty important, we have such a mix of people! From students who graduated in May and started at Penn in June, to students who haven't been to school in almost 15 years, there isn't really a standard applicant/level of experience they seem to be looking for.

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Sorry to send this notification at such a late hour. I'm hoping a current student can respond asap. So I completed the application and turned it on the 15th. I just received an email saying my gre scores are missing when I took that test on September 15th and my scores said verified within the actual application. I understand you all are not admissions but what I was wondering if you had any tips or contact info to someone I can reach out to who will actually reply. As I stated before, I've called and emailed multiple times and have not once received correspondence back including in regards to this issue. I worked very hard on my application and for the money to pay for it. So I will be beyond furious if it was all for nothing. Has anyone else experienced this in past years or is currently? It would be great to know someone has been through this and it worked out in the end. I see from last year they asked not to be contacted and apparently they're giving time for people to submit materials, but if I sent them over a month ago I don't understand what is happening

Hi Psychme192

i am a current student at the graduate acute care NP program at Penn and I can concur with many of your anxiety in the application process. I was an international student so it was worse for me with more requirements needed.

When I submitted my application I had pending credentialing materials. What I did was to do a print screen of my certificate (which you can do with your GRE) and email it to ANY email address that is on the Penn application website. At the same time, email GRE side to ensure that the materials have been sent to university of Penn. There is an option of sending scores to particular schools. Make sure this is done.

It was a nerve wrecking experience for me. I feel you. Summary, print screen the certificate, email to any admissions mail stated on the site quoting your ID or whatever. If they think you are a suitable candidate, Penn will contact you anyway and let you know what else is missing.

Good luck!

Thank you so much!!!! Wow I cannot even imagine being outside of the country and finding out that info. So glad you were able to get past it and think on your feet like that. I am definitely going to get on this right away. UPenn has so many other qualities about it that I love about it so I don't want to give up. They're going to be annoyed with me by the time I get through emailing people haha!

I would not worry! It will go through in a day or so! It is just pending before admissions can put it together that it has been submitted. Same thing happened to me when I submitted it on the 13th and I got nervous as well as it took a few days...

I know this is an old forum but I was wondering if any current students in the program could share their thoughts on Penn’s BSN/MSN. It’s my top school but I’d love to know the strengths and weaknesses being a student here first-hand....i figured by asking a current student I’d get the most honest answer compared to what I’d learn from the website or an info session ?

@Charsiewshuz I followed your advice after waiting a couple days and saw nothing was done. Happy to announce that within 24hrs after I sent my screenshot to multiple admissions emails they FINALLY corrected everything so thank you for that!

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