Vanderbilt MSN 2015

sbthomas93 · Jan 21, 2015

I'm wondering the same thing, my GRE scores weren't all in the 50th percentile! I also applied later than the November 1st deadline. The GRE is pretty hard but I hardly studied and got in the 60th percentile for verbal! I'm really hoping they are looking for more than just the GRE score. I applied at the end of December and still haven't heard anything yet.

SweetINFJ · Jan 21, 2015

I submitted my application for the ACNP program just last week sans GRE score. I received an e-mail today asking when I would be taking the GRE due to the ACNP program "rapidly filling up". I wrote back stating I am scheduled to take it next week. They said good luck and to start monitoring my application 2-3 weeks post exam date to make sure ETS submits my score.
I have friends and co-workers who applied last year (ACNP) just a few months before the semester began and got accepted into this specialty with GRE scores below the 50th percentile. It is my impression that there is more emphasis on scoring in the 50th percentile for 2015 applicants. Does anyone else have an opinion on this or have the same thoughts? I'm having major anxiety over the GRE, especially the quantitative section. I'm afraid that my score will overshadow a decent application-5 years adult critical care experience, CCRN, CEN, 3.6 nursing GPA, experience in the pre-hospital setting as an EMT-Paramedic, etc, etc. Friends who graduated from the program and who are currently enrolled keep assuring me that taking the GRE is a formality, but I can't help worrying that the GRE score will define me or ruin any chance of advancement in my education.
I'm so glad to have found this thread. I will continue to check back for more feedback. Congrats to those who have gotten accepted, and good luck to those who are still waiting to hear.

Cdgccrn and sbthomas93,

I wouldn't worry too much about your GRE scores as long as the rest of your application looks great! I got accepted into the AG-ACNP program in mid-December with less than stellar GRE scores. I only had a 40th percentile Quantitative score, 54th percentile Verbal score, and 4.0 Writing score after studying a lot and taking it TWICE. I thought the CCRN was so much easier haha.

I think the rest of my application helped me out, because I have 5 years of RN experience (4 years so far in an ICU at a top level 1 trauma center), prior experience as a CNA, patient sitter, and hospital volunteer, a 3.7 GPA (4.0 in pre-reqs) at a private 4 year university, and I'm heavily involved in my unit and hospital (i.e. various committees and running meetings). I had great letters of recommendations, and I worked on perfecting my statement of purpose and narratives for 4 months before I anxiously hit submit in mid-October. This was the only program I applied to, and it has always been my dream to go to Vandy for ACNP school. I am also eternally grateful that my amazing employer is going to help pay for the majority of my tuition. I am going to do the 2 year part-time program, so that I can continue to work full-time. I can't wait for August!!!

In conclusion, the GRE will not ruin your chances of being accepted unless you didn't try at all and got in the 0 percentile or if the rest of your application is lacking in some way.

I hope you guys hear good news soon!!!!!!! ::Fingers Crossed For All::

DoulaMe · Jan 21, 2015

My quant scores were below 50th. My verbal was 87th and my writing was 94th. I may not be remembering exactly on those (I tried to block out the whole GRE experience ha ha ha) but I think my math was 44th or something equally bad. I am not a math person and I do not do well on standardized math tests. Horrible math anxiety.

bdero87 · Jan 21, 2015

I am waiting to hear from both Emory and Vandy about Neonatal NP. Both programs have said they look for scores in the 50%, but this is not as heavy if the rest of the app is good. Also, they do not consider a high GPA to be the best deciding factor either. I was told that schools are looking for more well rounded students with a variety of involvements and passion for their field.

I applied late for Vandy (Jan 3) and by priority deadline for Emory (Jan 15). So, I am hoping to hear something soon. Good luck to all who are waiting, I know I am a nervous wreck! And then after acceptance, I will be a wreck waiting to find out about financial aid! Because really, Who has this much money just sitting around??

alexevans21 · Jan 21, 2015

I have applied for FNP programs at Emory, Vandy, and Duke. I have currently been accepted at Emory and waiting to hear back from Vandy and Duke.

Sisyphus_01 · Jan 21, 2015

..............

britt_possible · Jan 21, 2015

From what I've heard if you are a direct entry student, the GRE is a formality. Way I see it, I'm a BSN nurse, what is knowing irrelevant high school level stuff gonna do for my Master's of Nursing degree compared to my clinical experience? NOTHING. The writing portion, okay, maybe its an indicator but its also timed and im not going to be writing timed essays as an NP. I took that test and quickly forgot about it.

Sisyphus_01 · Jan 21, 2015

..............

snoozyd, NP · Jan 21, 2015

However, I pretty much always expect the absolute worst so that I will be prepared to deal with it. It's like my brain's default. Definitely helps me maintain calm in emergency/unusual situations and not be shocked by really horrendous behavior. For example, I worked in a bar once and this guy came out of the bathroom and flung poo everywhere. Everyone else was freaking out, I was like, "huh... well that was uncalled for." Calmly asked the bouncer to make sure the guy didn't leave, said we needed to call the cops for a possible psych issue, and grabbed cleaning supplies. All in the space of 30 seconds, everyone else was still staring at the dude... BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! What's even weirder is as I was cleaning up the poo, I realized that I had totally imagined that scenario before... like I said... I have an active imagination.

HAHAHAH you are well-suited to psych, it seems. I only had ONE situation ever surprise me - when a patient started a fire. It required such an amazing amount of concentration and creativity. I never would have imagined it. Poop-flinging in a locked psych unit - it happens. Poop-flinging in a bar - whoa.

As for GREs - so long as the rest of your application is strong I imagine they're more of a formality. I had an iffy undergrad GPA and two really bad semesters so doing well on the GRE felt important to me. Those of you with amazing GPAs and experience are fine, I'm sure!

DoulaMe · Jan 21, 2015

I studied for an obscenely long time to get my 153 or whatever it was I got on math. I read an article the night before about how to tackle the writing portion and I did super well. I am glad I read that article though. It was a good strategy.

Basically think of the writing in five paragraph essays. You have something like five minutes to brainstorm three examples that apply to their question and kind of briefly outline your approach. Then 20 minutes to write it with each example being a supporting paragraph after your intro. Then the fifth is your conclusion. Then you have five minutes to reread and edit. It worked pretty well. I think I got a 6 but I can't remember my scores. I tried to log onto ets this morning to refresh my memory and I couldn't access them for some reason. I don't know if any of this helps the GRE takers. If not, chalk it up to me babbling.

DoulaMe · Jan 21, 2015

I have no helpful math tips. Ha ha

DoulaMe · Jan 21, 2015

And I said I got a six. I meant five.