USAGPAN 2019

pkstien · Apr 25, 2018

How's everyone doing in the application process? I am also currently working on my Army packet, it is very specific and lengthy! Completed my GRE last week, scheduled to take my CCRN in a few weeks from now. Getting excited that things are moving along!

bec16, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2018

I am still working on everything.. Mainly the Army packet stuff and rounding up the tons of LORs we need. I am stressed that I don't feel like I am moving things along fast enough! haha

pkstien · Apr 25, 2018

How many LORs do we need? I'm only aware of the letters for the program, but haven't been told about any for the Army yet. I am meeting with my recruiter on Thursday though, so I guess I can ask him then! I also feel like things are moving slowly, but I guess all I can do is keep on plugging away!

gptgrl · Apr 25, 2018

pkstien,

Do you mind sharing your GRE score? I haven't gotten any replies on my thread. I am AD Air Force, hoping to go back to school via their AFIT program. The GRE is required by AFIT, no minimum score is listed and none of the schools they recommended to apply to require the GRE; so, I'm just trying to get a good idea of what to aim for. Thanks

How's everyone doing in the application process? I am also currently working on my Army packet, it is very specific and lengthy! Completed my GRE last week, scheduled to take my CCRN in a few weeks from now. Getting excited that things are moving along!

pkstien · Apr 25, 2018

gptgirl,

Although I am happy with my score, I'm not comfortable with sharing my GRE score on here- but if you want to message me privately feel free. However, for USAGPAN you need a minimum 300 (150 quantitative and 150 verbal), and a 3.5 writing. Hope that helps!

Crj8999 · Apr 26, 2018

I have completed the school application. I have finished the Army paperwork. Need to schedule MEPS. GRE Math 154 Verbal 151 Writing 4.0. It is def a long process.

ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA · Apr 26, 2018

Hey everyone. Current SRNA here. I almost took the USAGPAN route, but decided it wasn't for me. Still considering the reserve when I graduate though. Not for ALL, but more MOST application cycles, if you meet the minimum academic requirements (3.0 GPA, 297 GRE score, 1 year critical care experience) along with the minimum physical requirements (weight, good health, 2 mile time, push up etc.), they will take you. No CCRN needed (at the time at least). My recruiter said the difficulty for them is finding people who meet both requirements e.g. applicants will be good academically, but not meet the physical or background check requirements or vice versa. She also said a lot of people will have good GPAs, but they can't hit a 297 on the GRE. After I scored > 300 she took me more seriously.

I am by no means a special applicant, but I did meet all of their minimum requirements. I ended up NOT completing my application, and the PD emailed me saying I was a very strong applicant and I should finish my application.

I guess the moral of the story if if you guys meet all of the minimum requirements, you have a really really really good chance of getting in. If not then work on getting physically fit, hitting that GRE score, etc.

pkstien · Apr 27, 2018

Hey everyone. Current SRNA here. I almost took the USAGPAN route, but decided it wasn't for me. Still considering the reserve when I graduate though. Not for ALL, but more MOST application cycles, if you meet the minimum academic requirements (3.0 GPA, 297 GRE score, 1 year critical care experience) along with the minimum physical requirements (weight, good health, 2 mile time, push up etc.), they will take you. No CCRN needed (at the time at least). My recruiter said the difficulty for them is finding people who meet both requirements e.g. applicants will be good academically, but not meet the physical or background check requirements or vice versa. She also said a lot of people will have good GPAs, but they can't hit a 297 on the GRE. After I scored > 300 she took me more seriously.
I am by no means a special applicant, but I did meet all of their minimum requirements. I ended up NOT completing my application, and the PD emailed me saying I was a very strong applicant and I should finish my application.
I guess the moral of the story if if you guys meet all of the minimum requirements, you have a really really really good chance of getting in. If not then work on getting physically fit, hitting that GRE score, etc.

Thanks for the insight, it makes me hopeful! I'm personally not quite at the height/weight requirement quite yet, but I'm hopeful I can reach it in time for this application cycle.

CCURNCO · Apr 30, 2018

Greetings all! I wanted to extend my willingness to help anyone seeking to enter USAGPAN next year. Long story short, I was accepted into the FY18 USAGPAN class last November, but am unable to begin the program this year in June since I did not scroll in time to attend DCC and BOLC (basic training). The "Scroll" is the process in which your packet goes before Congress and the Secretary of Defense for final approval to commission. This happens after you submit your application to the Army, where it will then go before the Army "Boards". The Army Boarding process took approximately 3 months to complete. Along the way, I was told that the Scroll should take between 30-60 days. Unfortunately that was not the case, as I finally Scrolled only last week, making the Scroll a 5 month long ordeal. This is not always the case. Many other candidates in my position Scrolled at the very last minute in time to go to DCC. One candidate Scrolled the Friday before DCC began the following Monday. The very last minute. It was an incredibly frustrating time, as both the Army and I were at the mercy of the government. I am not the only person that this has happened to, as one of the FY18 candidates was held back from the FY17 class due to similar circumstances.

The application process is long and daunting, but I encourage you all to get both your Army and Baylor applications completed and submitted ASAP, the sooner the better. The Army Boards, if I recall correctly, occur quarterly. I believe that the next Boards will be in July, though I would confirm this with your recruiters. At the same time, I encourage you all to thoughtfully consider your decision to pursue Army Anesthesia vs. the civilian world. USAGPAN is the best CRNA program and offers training that is second to none! However, you will be at the disposal of the Army, you and your family will face hardships, and you will be deployed. I began my application process in January of 2017 when I first met with my recruiter. I did not submit my application until mid August, which is less than a month before it was due. The reason? I spent that entire time soul searching, talking this decision over with my wife, and praying on it. It is a heavy decision, and one that should not be taken lightly. In fact, during your 3 day interview, they will want to see that you have thoroughly considered this decision, and are fully aware of the sacrifices needed to complete the program. Your character and resilience is weighed very heavily during your interview. Had I submitted my application sooner, I would likely begin the program this year as planned. That is the moral of this story. With that said, do take all the time you and your family need to weigh this decision. That is more important.

Some have asked about CCRN being necessary to be accepted. I will tell you that it is not. I was accepted without having my CCRN at the time. I was also told during my interview that I was an incredibly competitive candidate and that they would be shocked if I was not accepted. With that said, I encourage you all to get your CCRN, as it will make you more competitive and can count towards rank experience. Prioritize studying for and completing your GRE though, as the GRE is a requisite and is a much more painful test to both prepare for and take.

A list of things you will all need to complete:

-GRE top priority! I used the official ETS manual to study. It was painful, but ensured success.

-If you haven't yet, schedule a meeting with an Army Medical Recruiter.

-LOR's (I had 5 and was asked to produce another during the Boarding process. One will need to come from your director, and one will come from the Army Officer in charge of your interview.)

-Get cracking on the ACE app! It is long and extremely detailed. Your recruiter will likely request more and more information along the way, this is not uncommon.

-Complete MEPS, it is usually a prerequisite to having your interview scheduled. MEPS is not a pleasant experience, but just get it out of the way. Also, be sure to tell them that you are an Officer Candidate! They should treat you better and get you through faster, though this is not a guarantee.

-Start working out now! The more fit you are, the better things will go. If any of you want tips, I would be happy to offer some.

-Carefully consider your decision. You, your family, and the Army will very much value this!

So where do I stand now? I have been guaranteed a slot and have already been placed in the FY19 class. I will likely go to DCC in June and report to Ft. Sam Houston to work as a critical care nurse up until the beginning of next year's program. It is not the path that I had planned for, but it is all working out.

I hope this post is of help to you all, and please feel free to ask me any further questions that you may have. I look forward to meeting you all next year!

Best,

Nick

Bootsnpants · May 2, 2018

Is anyone out there applying to USAGPAN 2019 as a VA candidate? Also, does anyone know exactly how many VA applicants are accepted each year? I've read that they accept four per cohort, but I'm not sure how accurate that info was.

Good luck to everyone!

pkstien · May 2, 2018

Is anyone out there applying to USAGPAN 2019 as a VA candidate? Also, does anyone know exactly how many VA applicants are accepted each year? I've read that they accept four per cohort, but I'm not sure how accurate that info was.
Good luck to everyone!

Bootsnpants,

I'm applying as a civilian, but if you're interested in their VA limit for the cohort I would contact Jana Johns with Baylor, she is the program coordinator. Her email is [email protected]. Hope that helps!

wattsuprn · May 3, 2018

Hey everyone,

It's nice to see many people on this thread. It is very helpful. I have been a part of a Neuro ICU, CV ICU, and now Surgical ICU for two and a half years. I have my CCRN and all other science requirements. I will be taking my GRE within the next month. I do however have some questions about GPA for people that have previously applied to the army program. I was a college athlete through school as well as nursing school. I played college football and my GPA suffered from it as I have a 3.3. I have no C's in my science courses and my last class was Organic Chemistry and I got an A. I am just wondering if they look at both how you balance life, school, and other variables during the application process. Not many people can say that they played college sports all the way through nursing school. I am however going to go ahead and retake one or two this summer just in case. Any comments or help is appreciated.

Thanks everyone,

M. Dylan Watts RN, BSN, CCRN