USD's MEPN program for Fall 2008

pretzelpug, how did you accept the offer? did you send dr. hunter an email? i think i'm going to accept too!

Yeah I just replied to the email and said I accepted the offer!

Past MEPN here, graduating with my MSN in CNL May 08

congrats you guys, it seems like so long ago i was anxiously awaiting that acceptance letter. its a great program, and a huge accomplishment to make it in :nuke:

Hey NurseJewels!

How much do you love USD's program? Did you get a job already for when you finish? Did you still have time for yourself during the program? (and geez, how heavy was YOUR lunch box, haha!) I can't wait to start!! Do you have any good advice on where to live? I've had a few suggestions but would like them from anyone!

Congratulations to you all!!! Unfortunately I've been put on the waitlist

I've been accepted into a couple of my backup programs but am still hoping to get into USD's. One question for those of you that received an acceptance letter... how long and/or by what date did they give you to respond by? I'd like to know so I can get a feel as to when they might start sending out more acceptance letters to those on the waitlists.....

hey hermosa,

they gave us till april 1 to let them know...i hope you get in! it sounded likely that people will get in off of the waitlist. good luck!

Congratulations to you all!!! Unfortunately I've been put on the waitlist

I've been accepted into a couple of my backup programs but am still hoping to get into USD's. One question for those of you that received an acceptance letter... how long and/or by what date did they give you to respond by? I'd like to know so I can get a feel as to when they might start sending out more acceptance letters to those on the waitlists.....

They told us by april 1st to give our notification of acceptance. :) Hopefully they've responded quicker so they notify asap to those who are on the waitlist. good luck bumping up!!

Thanks for getting back to me. Just so I've got it right... you have until April 1st or March 1st? April 1st seems like a really long time. Samuel Merritt gave us only 1 1/2 weeks.

Kurt

[email protected]

Thanks for getting back to me. Just so I've got it right... you have until April 1st or March 1st? April 1st seems like a really long time. Samuel Merritt gave us only 1 1/2 weeks.

Kurt

[email protected]

Hey Hermosa,

Yeah, they gave us til April 1st, since the original notification day was March 1st so I guess we got the 8 day advantage of knowing ahead of time. :) I'm guessing this is when they compile the list of waitlisters they can tell got bumped up to acceptance.

But, on our email from Dr. Hunter it said we have until April 1st. If you have a question about it, I'd call Kelly Keniston w/any questions, like if you're on the waitlist, what your position is, how long until notifications, etc. etc. for whatever concerns you have. :)

I'm actually going to be applying for 2009 and was wondering about statistics. I heard it's really competitive. Is there anywhere that posts the avg GPA and GRE scores? also, the people that got in, your personal essay I heard carries big weight with the committee did anyone use a writing coach? Thanks so much! I really want to go to USD! I'll apply to some others but that is my first choice! Also, any tips or pointers from those that just got in would be GREAT! thank you soooo much!

I'm actually going to be applying for 2009 and was wondering about statistics. I heard it's really competitive. Is there anywhere that posts the avg GPA and GRE scores? also, the people that got in, your personal essay I heard carries big weight with the committee did anyone use a writing coach? Thanks so much! I really want to go to USD! I'll apply to some others but that is my first choice! Also, any tips or pointers from those that just got in would be GREAT! thank you soooo much!

Hey maj0079,

I don't think I found anywhere with really straightforward information about the applicants, aside from what they already list in their information packet (did you request one?). They have minimum GPA and GRE requirements (I think it's a 3.0 for GPA and GREs may be about 500 in each section verbal and quantitative but I could be wrong). I didn't use a writing coach, I just made so many drafts and revised them, had other people look at them, revised again, etc. It's hard to fit everything about your life into 500 words, but I don't think you have to go into incredible detail - just make it clear why you landed at this point, why you're good for it, and why USD. Make a personal connection w/your statement.

Pointers: Go in and talk to the faculty. I met up with Cathleen Mumper before I applied, along with 3 or so other people related to USD. They were very welcoming and enthusiastic about meeting me. When they hear your name frequently or remember your face and know that you put effort in, it helps I'm sure. Always e-mail Cathleen with questions that you have - she is VERY responsive and very helpful. Also, make sure to sign up for the info session they'll have later this year. I went to the info session even though I'd visited USD twice to meet with people, just so they knew I was making an above-most effort to get into the program. When you meet with them, make sure you know what to say about why you've decided nursing is the career path you want, but remember to be concise. Also, before meeting with any of them, make sure you are informed about what a CNL degree is (somewhat) and have an idea of what nursing is and what their role is in the health care delivery system.

Hope this helps!

Actually it helps alot! I was going to try and find someone to shadow (probably an NP) this summer. But going to USD and meeting faculty I never thought of. Thanks! I'm already nervous about applying! Thanks so much!

Actually it helps alot! I was going to try and find someone to shadow (probably an NP) this summer. But going to USD and meeting faculty I never thought of. Thanks! I'm already nervous about applying! Thanks so much!

No problem. And now that you bring it up - shadowing an NP is a really good idea, just to have some clinical exposure at least... plus, I spoke with one of the nurses I worked with at my last job and she became my "mentor" who gave me some useful insight into nursing. So I would speak with as many nurses as you can to ask them what their take on nursing is, too. :)

Well, as I said, I didn't get in but I was asked to interview. They told us that there had been about 350-400 applicants (if I remember correctly), 100 were asked to interview for 50 spots. They said that last year they drilled down on the wait-list 20 people. Therefore, approximately 70% of those interviewed eventually got an acceptance letter.

I would assume that your essay is important but the nice thing about USD and other private schools is that they look at the WHOLE person and how they fit into the program... not just at the grades and scores. While public schools are required to inform you of where on the wait-list you are, most private schools - including USD, will not disclose that info. I think that allows them some freedom in their criteria for acceptance. I don't remember them telling us an average GPA or scores etc and I think it's for that reason - depending on essays, interviews, recommendations the GPA's and scores can really vary and an average would be scewed.

USD is an incredible program so I would take a chance and apply!!!!