USF CRNA low GRE vs. high Experience.

[SergiyO]

Hello guys. I have already submitted my application to the USF CRNA Fall 2018 program, and perhaps just looking for some peace of mind.

My GRE score is low: 144 Verbal, 149 Quant.

I had little time to practice for GRE (2 weeks or so), since I wanted to meet the priority deadline. But I think there's little more I can do to improve it, since English is a second languege for me and I haven't had algebra since 5th grade, and it was never in English. I am very good at math, took Calculus 2 years ago, but I felt like I was taking 2 English tests vs. math and verb. and ended up running out of time quickly.

I have 10+ years in ICU setting behind my belt: (Trauma ICU, Neuro ICU, Burn ICU, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU, Vascular ICU, Cardiac ICU, PACU). Including 2 years in level one Trauma Center (TGH) & 2+ years being an Agency Charge ICU RN in local hospitals.

I have 3 solid recommendation letters (CRNA, ICU Director/Supervisor, and MD)

I feel like my Statement of Purpose is very solid and personal.

I speak 5 languages.

Maybe someone has some input on the interview and if can sway the odds in my favor.

Or perhaps I should consider taking CCRN exam in 1 month from now (I took some practice tests and got 73.3% without practice).

Thanks

SERGE.

[Etomidating]

I applied to the same school with a 296 GRE. Only 1.5 years CVICU experience but we do transplants, VADs, Impella, ECMO and pretty much everything else. I have a 3.7 GPA, CCRN, PALS and ACLS and am an ECMO Specialist.. who knows what they will think...

[m1lkofamnesia]

Your GRE might be okay. Definitely get that CCRN. I would say that the majority of applicants will have their CCRN.

[SergiyO]

GOOD LUCK... too late to retake )

I briefly worked in TGH CSU unit a long while ago.

GRE is one unorthodox test, feels like it doesn't evaluate your knowledge at all, rather it tests on how well you take the GRE. Only part I liked was the 2, 30 min writing parts.

I think if they made math questions harder (not wording wise) and drop the # of Q to 11 and Verbal to 15 not changing times, it would be a better test. Don't see the point, how exactly are they testing persons ability if one is too short on time and forced to guess the answers. And I never freaked out was calm and methodical the whole time, good under stress situations. Its just not feasible for me as its a foreign language, even the math language they use. I bet the verbal part is even foreign to some English Natives!)

I was traveling the world prior to September...Wish I had more time to prep for all these tests!)

[GaMommy81]

I remember reading on USF's website that their minimum GRE score for the CRNA program is 292.

[SergiyO]

Yes, thank you... but the preferred is 300... so hope they look at the whole package vs this nonsensical test.

[SergiyO]

CRNA*Application*Checklist*I found from 2016 Revised for applicants

TRANSCRIPTS:*One*Official*Sealed*transcript*from*every*institution*of*higher*learning*previously*

attended.*

GRE:*Graduate*Record*Examination*(GRE)*taken*within*5*years*of*application.*Competitive*scores*on*the*

GRE*are*required.*An*overall*score*of*292*(combination*of*Verbal*and*Quantitative)*is*the*minimum*

score*needed*to*be*awarded*points*towards*the*initial*rubric.*An*Analytical*Writing*score*of*3.0*is*the*

minimum*score*needed*to*be*awarded*points*towards*the*initial*rubric.*

RESUME/CV:*A*copy*of*your*current*resume*or*curriculum*vita.*Format*must*follow*the*template*found*

at:*http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/pdfs/Resume_Template‐Masters_and_NBM.pdf*.*

PERSONAL*STATEMENT:*Two‐page*statement*of*professional*and*academic*goals.*Must*meet*the*criteria*

found*at:*Page Error - USF Health

RN*LICENSE:*Unrestricted*Registered*Nursing*license*to*practice*in*the*United*States*at*the*time*of*

application.*Must*have*an*Active*and*Clear*Florida*RN*license*prior*to*the*start*of*the*clinical*phase.*

RECOMMENDATIONS:*Must*submit*no*less*than*3*recommendations.*To*be*considered*official,*these*

recommendations*must*be*made*via*the*form*provided*at:*

http://health.usf.edu/nocms/nursing/pdfs/Letter_of_Recommendation‐CRNA.pdf**.*The*

recommendations*should*be*from:*

o Current*clinical*supervisor*evaluating*clinical*competence;*

o Academic*faculty*member*familiar*with*academic*performance*and*potential*for*graduate‐level*

performance;*

o CRNA*or*Anesthesiologist*indicating*potential*as*an*anesthesia*provider.**

CRITICAL*CARE*ICU*EXPERIENCE:*A*minimum*of*two*current*years*of*experience*as*an*RN*in*an*

aggressive*adult,*pediatric,*and/or*neonatal*ICU*critical*care*unit*must*be*complete*prior*to*

matriculation*into*the*program.*

o Critical*care*is*defined*as*medical*intensive*care,*surgical*intensive*care,*cardiovascular*intensive*

care,*coronary*critical*care,*or*neurology*intensive*care.**

o Must*have*daily*or*full‐time*contact*with*patients*in*intensive*care*units,*use*of*invasive*

monitors,*continuous*cardiac*monitors,*ventilators,*vasoactive*infusions,*and*life‐threatening*

pathophysiology.**

o Emergency*room,*operating*room,*post‐anesthesia,*and*obstetrics*are*not*accepted*as*critical*

care*experience.*

[elm831]

I have a friend in the program now who got in with a 293 on the GRE and have heard of others with similar scores getting in as well. It's not impossible! I do think they had their CCRN though.