Vanderbilt Fall 2011 MSN For Non-Nurses Program

LolaMac · Nov 14, 2010

Hi! I'm applying to Vanderbilt as well. I plan on writing at least 1 page (double space) for the statement and a solid paragraph or two for each interview question. I think you need to answer the questions thoroughly, but not write an essay for each of them. I'm a bit behind on the process myself just having moved to another state, but those are my thoughts. On how competitive the program is, I really don't know. I have a 3.3 undergrad, 4.0 pre-req, and a 1220 GRE. Vanderbilt doesn't seem to get as much talk as the other schools, perhaps they get less applicants as well? Better odds? Haha, who knows! I guess we'll find out with time!

BSNMomOf6 · Nov 15, 2010

Don't know, I live near Vandy, but seeing as they are in the top 5 most expensive schools IN THE ENTIRE US I won't be going there anytime soon. There are many colleges near by for less than half the cost if you are interested in nursing, just an FYI. Good luck to you!

Klandel · Nov 15, 2010

Hi everyone,

I have a Bachelor's degree in business but am going back to school for nursing and begin taking my pre-reqs in January. I find it to be intersting that Vanderbilt's program allows you to apply to the pre-specialty year without having completed any pre-reqs, as long as you finish them before classes begin.

I was wondering if anyone has done this/is it actually possible to get in that way or should I just wait to apply next year after I am done with the pre-reqs? I would love to be able to apply this year, and not have to wait til Fall '12 to start, but I don't know what my chances of getting in would be. Thanks for any help!

gohs · Nov 17, 2010

Thanks for the replies! My gpa is a bit below yours lola and same with GRE but both above the stated "minimum." I seriously need to start the essays NOW and those lengths sound perfect.

As far as prereqs, I need to do 3 more by the time the program starts and the admissions person I spoke with said its totally fine as long as they are done by the start date. Which is pretty great! So I would worry about getting them done and waiting to apply until 2012.

I really havent heard ANYTHING about this program, how competitive it is, etc. Could mean less applicants?? I hope so!

Evita · Nov 20, 2010

Hi all!

I also applied for the fall 2011 non nurses cohort! My written interview responses really varied in length. Some were quite short, because I felt like I had covered the information in other questions, (and I didn't want to be too boring) but one was actually longer than my personal statement. I wasn't sure what was standard, so I just had to do the best I could.

I am very excited about the program, but as a California girl I have never even been to Tennessee, so I plan to visit while I am on winter break in January.

Klandel - I also have a couple more pre-reqs to take during spring semester, so we are in the same boat. :)

Good Luck to everyone!

gohs · Nov 20, 2010

Ok I think 1-2 paragraphs is plenty then. An admissions person told me goal stmts range from a Paragraph to 1 page. Evaamber-I'm from California too and have never been to TN! I want to try and squeeze in a visit but hard with work right now. I live and work in SF so I'm excited to check it out at some point and hopefully end up there for school!

I have a 3.15 and a 1070 gre and the same person said that's below average but above the min so not to worry because they obviously take ppl below the avg. Good luck!

partera · Nov 27, 2010

Does Vanderbilt grant a BSN along the way? I'm having trouble coming up with that info from their website. I know some non-nurse advanced practice nursing programs do and some don't... does Vanderbilt?

babymidwife1 · Dec 8, 2010

Does anyone know when Vanderbilt notifies about interviews? Or do they even interview in person? I was a little confused by that part of the application...

Evita · Dec 8, 2010

Hey All - I think the reason this thread is so quiet is because there is a similar one going on elsewhere. It's called "Vanderbilt Pre-specialty Fall 2011". Maybe some questions could get answered there. :)

Partera - I don't think there is a BSN along the way. I think by the end we get BSN equivalence or something.

BabyMidWife- I think only psych specialty gets an interview. Those written interview questions were it for the rest of us.

sandi1743 · Dec 8, 2010

I had looked at Vandy - but could not justify the cost of either the school or move when I could do the BSN @a school near where i live in 2 years and then do my MS after that, even though Vandy is one of the few schools that do my desired MS field. Maybe i'll reconsider them for the MS.

nikki164 · Dec 17, 2010

Hi all!
I also applied for the fall 2011 non nurses cohort! My written interview responses really varied in length. Some were quite short, because I felt like I had covered the information in other questions, (and I didn't want to be too boring) but one was actually longer than my personal statement. I wasn't sure what was standard, so I just had to do the best I could.
I am very excited about the program, but as a California girl I have never even been to Tennessee, so I plan to visit while I am on winter break in January.
Klandel - I also have a couple more pre-reqs to take during spring semester, so we are in the same boat. :)
Good Luck to everyone!

Hey evaamber!

I moved from California to Nashville this past January (Jan 2010)... it is definitely a change (weather... be prepared for almost anything. and don't think because it's the south that it will be warm... right now it is SUPER cold, and I know cold...I went to school in Maine!)

But, seriously, it is SUCH a great city, everyone is super friendly, and if you're planning on living very close to Vanderbilt, be prepared to pay a little extra than if you lived, say, about 2 miles away from campus.. however, I definitely have found that in the end, convenience is key and you can walk to and from the hospital. If you do plan on living a bit further away, you need a car, and parking on campus/in the hospital lots can be $$$. Just some pointers :)