UVA direct entry CNL

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Hi everyone! I just found this site and I love it already! There is a lot of great information here and I'm hoping you guys can help me out. I am really interested in the CNL program at UVA, and was hoping that someone who is currently in the program or in the process of applying could give me a better understanding of what they're looking for in an applicant, and what my chances might be.

To make a long story short, I took anatomy and physiology about 3 years ago but recieved a C in both. Knowing how competitive nursing programs are, especially in CA, I became really discouraged and ended up switching my major. I recently earned a B.S. in Business Administration, but I really want to get back into nursing. I took physiology over this last summer and recieved an A, and I'm currently retaking anatomy.

I'm just wondering how much the fact that I've had to retake these classes hurt me. My undergrad gpa was only a 3.0, and I have a couple of retakes on that transcript as well. However, I've worked in the medical field as a medical assistant, both front and back, for about the last 3 years. I've also done a lot of volunteering and job shadowing with nurses, and I know I would have great letters of recommendation.

Also, I know that being an out of state student is also puts me at a disadvantage, but I'm hoping you guys could give me a little guidance on what you think my chances might be and if there are ways I could improve my odds.

I would really appreciate any advice you could offer me! :)

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Madison,

I'm currently in the UVA CNL program now and expect to graduate in August. I think its great that you decided to retake your A&P. My undergraduate scores were not great, but later I rocked on my pre-reqs. I think the program is looking to see if you demonstrate potential and drive. They look at all aspects of your admission packet. So, if you keep doing well on your pre-reqs that will speak volumes for you. Also, you working in the healthcare industry is a big plus too. Let me know if you have any questions. The assistant dean for graduate studies for UVA lurks on these boards, I'm sure he'd have some great information.

If you have any questions on the program, don't hesitate to ask! I'm loving it. Its definitely challenging, but the actual clinical experiences you get out of it is better than anything else I have seen out there.

Good Luck!

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Madison:

I am the Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services (admissions, financial aid, enrollment, etc) at UVa. I have held back on contributing initially because your first post suggested that you wanted to hear from students in the program first.

Retaking A&P are excellent moves on your part. Our admissions committee has placed a great deal of emphasis on the grades in the four prerequisite classes, as well as your academic record from prior degree(s). We also look for hands-on experience in health care or client services (more than just watching House or Gray's Anatomy marathons on cable.

According to state law, 50% of any incoming class needs to be Virginia residents. But we've not needed to focus as much on this for the graduate program since most of the applicants are from instate. This is very different from the admissions experience for undergrad programs (where 2/3 of the admissions spaces must go to instate students).

Good luck with the application

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Madison,

I'm currently in the UVA CNL program now and expect to graduate in August. I think its great that you decided to retake your A&P. My undergraduate scores were not great, but later I rocked on my pre-reqs. I think the program is looking to see if you demonstrate potential and drive. They look at all aspects of your admission packet. So, if you keep doing well on your pre-reqs that will speak volumes for you. Also, you working in the healthcare industry is a big plus too. Let me know if you have any questions. The assistant dean for graduate studies for UVA lurks on these boards, I'm sure he'd have some great information.

If you have any questions on the program, don't hesitate to ask! I'm loving it. Its definitely challenging, but the actual clinical experiences you get out of it is better than anything else I have seen out there.

Good Luck!

Thank you so much for your response! It's great to hear from a current student, and I would love to get your perspective on the program. What drew me to this program was the clinical experience students received, and I'm hoping you can give me some insight as to what this has been like for you. I know a few people currently in a nursing program who have had bad experiences with their clinical preceptors, and I'ld be really interested to know what the relationships between you and your preceptors have been like.

Also, maybe you could give me a general idea of what a typical week for your might be like. For instance, how much time do you spend at school, in clinicals, and studying? Is it possible to work part-time, or do you think it's best to just be a full-time student? I'm assuming your schedule is pretty hectic, so I'm very appreciative of you taking time to share your experiences with me!

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Madison:

I am the Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services (admissions, financial aid, enrollment, etc) at UVa. I have held back on contributing initially because your first post suggested that you wanted to hear from students in the program first.

Retaking A&P are excellent moves on your part. Our admissions committee has placed a great deal of emphasis on the grades in the four prerequisite classes, as well as your academic record from prior degree(s). We also look for hands-on experience in health care or client services (more than just watching House or Gray's Anatomy marathons on cable.

According to state law, 50% of any incoming class needs to be Virginia residents. But we've not needed to focus as much on this for the graduate program since most of the applicants are from instate. This is very different from the admissions experience for undergrad programs (where 2/3 of the admissions spaces must go to instate students).

Good luck with the application

Thank you for your quick response! It would be great to learn a little more about the application process from you, especially what your policy on retakes are. Many of the programs I've looked into all seem to have a different policy. For instance, some programs won't allow grades from classes that you've retaken to be calculated in your gpa, while others will only allow one. Since I will have retaken both A&P, would you use the grades from both of my retakes or a combination? I've also had a few schools tell me that as a result of their program being so competitive, those of us who have retaken classes will have a real disadvantage. Do you find this to be true at your school also? Given your position at UVA, I would really appreciate any information you could give me regarding these issues. Thanks!

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I'm kind of in the same boat, but my boat is a lot smaller!! I also had some issues during my undergraduate at UVA, but I can only blame myself! However, now that I'm more mature and my life is together, I am ready. I've taken all my prerequisite and earned A's in all of them. The problem is even with all A's in prerequisites my overall GPA is only a 2.4.

In sum:

I have been in health care for 7 years as a CNA/EMT, a male, did well on my GREs, have a 4.0 on prerequisite courses, 2.4 overall, double majored in Cognitive Science and Psychology at UVA, and have a passion for nursing! What's my chance of getting into the CNL program?? Any suggestions?

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Mattva,

My undergraduate was a 2.89 (or something like that). Like you I had a 4.0 on pre-reqs. In your application I would be upfront about your undergraduate grades and acknowledge that you've grown since then. I would highlight your prereq scores and your healthcare experience. No harm in applying. For what its worth, I was denied my first application. I took some more prereq's, took the GRE (did fairly decent) and resubmitted my application again and got in. Its a really good program..... I'm really happy I decided to go this route.

Good Luck!

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Matt:

Katmarie is right. There are several students in the program who were not successful on their first application, but the admissions committee liked their perseverance.

The committee does consider many factors, and grades in the prerequisite classes and practical work experience in healthcare are very important factors. In your case, a strong performance on the GRE will certainly help. Other students with lower GPAs have taken extra courses in related areas to underscore their focus in health care and nursing. Taking nutrition or microbiology (even though they are not admissions prerequisites) could show the committee that you are truly interested in nursing and have received strong grades in classes that go above and beyond the admissions requirements.

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Thanks so much for your feedback!! It really helps!

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