UW BSN Program

[ap917]

Hi! So I am junior in high school right now. I am in the running start program so once I graduate high school I will also get my AA in pre-nursing. My goal is to apply to UW and the UW nursing program but I didn't realize how competitive their nursing program is.. I have a 3.8 gpa and I've volunteering at a hospital for the past year. I'm also going to start working as a CNA in March. Are my chances slim? And what can I do to get an advantage? Thank you so much!

[honaish]

Hi!

Have you looked into applying to UW-Bothell's? This option wasn't available when I graduated high school 5 years ago, or else I definitely would have done it.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (First Year Entry) - UW Bothell

[DaniellaHumphreys]

Hi there!

So I JUST found out 2 days ago that I got accepted to UW BSN program in Seattle! Super excited! :)

Here are my tips...

Your grades are awesome but they are NOT everything..

This year 500 people applied, only 92 got accepted. I got accepted with a GPA of 3.1 (the min requirement is 3.0)

Although my GPA is not awesome, I believe this is why I got in..

-Ive been a CNA for 5 years at a hospital

-I volunteered at American Red Cross, the needle exchange, assisted with state disaster events, and many hospitals before I became a CNA.

-I did a medical trip to Cambodia where I was able to do CNA stuff there (my essay was all about this trip)

-My reference letter was from the director of my department and she had a MSN (masters in nursing) -which by the way, getting a reference from a nurse with a masters degree is such a plus.

-My essay was a "story" of what made me want to be a nurse. (admissions get hooked on essays that are stories, that is how they remember you)

My advice is, do your CNA, take a year or so to get some healthcare experience. See if nursing is really your calling. You are competing with 500 other students where 80% of them have HOSPITAL experience as a CNA, some of them work for harborview medical center, seattle childrens, emergency rooms, etc. Some of them have volunteering experience with awesome organizations. Some have traveled outside the country to volunteer. Some of them have been doing that for years.

Although it seems like UW likes people with good grades, they truly want the ones who know that they love nursing, students who went out of their way to volunteer or work in the field. UW School of nursing is the best in the world- They want WORLD nursing LEADERS. Good grades and some volunteering at a hospital will not get you there.. get hands on care, get creative when it comes to your resume.

I also did running start, got my pre-nursing associates at 18 years old and thought that my "youngness" and having my associates degree at 18 years old would impress them, but they don't care about that at all (an admission advisor told me this herself)

Please consider this advice, I've applied to UW the past 3 years and it was the 3rd time where I finally got it! Good luck to you! :)

[adri.aco]

Congrats Daniella!

Thank you for your comment above. You made some good points regarding the application process.

AP917,

We're DEFINITELY looking for a well rounded applicant. Proven success in time management is crucial (full time school + work + extra curricular activities). This shows us you can handle the rigors of the nursing program, because you'll definitely be busy!

While stories in the essay can be engaging, we're really looking for core content: (Strength/Weakness, examples of both, how those qualities/overcoming your weakness will make you a better nurse) A well written essay that has those things can be a major asset to your application.

The application is essnetially your way to convince us of three things.

1. You can handle the program academically.

2. You know the nursing role, and what you're getting into.

3. Your fit with the program.

Hopefully this helps! If you want to come in and discuss the application, i'd be more then happy to meet with you. Feel free to email me at [email protected].