Vanderbilt MSN 2017

[PowerMPH]

For prospective applicants for the 2017 year in the Vanderbilt MSN program. Being as I am currently wait listed in the 2016 year due to a very late application, there is a high probability I would have to apply again come November 1st 2016 for the following year acceptance.

November 1st, 2016 is the priority application deadline for the 2017 year. All materials (GRE, official transcripts, application payment, letters of recommendation, statement of intent) must have been submitted by this date.

Letters of acceptance for August 2016 orientation and start were sent out the first week of February 2016. Wait listed recipients received their wait list offer in an around the first week of March 2016 with the caveat that seats may open well into late July.

[PowerMPH]

Good luck to all those doing the preparation for your application for admission! Don't fret about the GRE too much. Be sure to diversify your skills and portfolio and become an expert without the credential in the area of being a nurse practitioner you're aiming to get into. Speaking competently about your chosen profession during the interview is critical. Letters of reference are key as is your statement of intent. And again, don't fret about the GRE if you're taking it for the first or second time.

[spdunlap]

Hi all! Joining this thread in hopes to gain insight regarding MSN admission at Vanderbilt. I currently work as a ER nurse at a level 1 trauma center and will have three years of experience at the time of my application. I will be considered a direct entry student having gained my BSN from a traditional four-year university.

I am currently participating in a 6-8wk GRE prep course and, like some of you, am anxious about the test! I called Vanderbilt MSN admission's office this week and gleaned this information regarding their average admission GRE scores: verbal 154, quantitative 150, and writing 4.5. They also informed me that to be competitive for scholarships, the average GPA is 3.6, and that the full-ride scholarships usually go to those with a 4.0 in undergrad studies (however, there are always exceptions). The counselor also informed me that each applicant is viewed holistically, with consideration given to their undergraduate performance, current employment, GRE score, statement of purpose/essay questions and (if applicable) the interview.

A colleague of mine is approaching her final semesters in Vanderbilt's MSN Acute Care program, and mentioned that at the time she submitted her application, she had only scheduled her GRE, and was able to submit her application without adding her scores but having listed her test date. She was admitted (obviously), but I was wondering if anyone, past or present, has any commentary on this situation. The GRE scores are reported 10-15 days post exam (however you are given "raw" scores immediately following your exam), and I'm planning on testing in mid to late October. Is it necessary to have my GRE scores submitted prior to the Nov 1 deadline, or can I simply put my test date on my application? Ideally the best scenario would be for Vanderbilt to have official scores from GRE ETS, but my scores may not arrive at Vanderbilt until Nov 3-5. Any commentary is welcomed and appreciated!

[Lovetennessee]

I took the GRE for the 2nd time and improved my scores a little. I will be taking the GRE again in September. This time I'm enrolled in an 8 week GRE prep course. I feel like I'm close to getting the numbers I want, but just need a little push.

[spdunlap]

Hi again! I just finished a lengthy conversation from one of the MSN admission counselors at Vanderbilt. Here's some clarification I received that might help others:

Once you have completed each template on the application, entered in your reference letter recipients, entered in your GRE test date and or scores, confirmed that your undergraduate program has received your transcript request, and you feel comfortable with your essay responses and statement of purpose, they recommend submitting your application, even if your requested documents have NOT yet been received. By submitting your application, you can then view your "status" page where you'll receive updates as Vanderbilt receives your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. I originally thought that the following sentence from the MSN admission page,"Do not wait to submit the online application until all supporting documents have been obtained" was a typo! However, it is not! They want you to submit this information to help you meet the early bird deadline.

The admission counselor also reinforced having your transcripts sent to the Center for Data Management. She also mentioned that the CDM does not have a telephone contact, and if you have questions whether or not your transcript was received, you should call MSN admissions for further assistance (especially if you made the transcript request >2weeks and haven't seen your status page updated).

Regarding the October 15 OPEN HOUSE: enter your contact information by using the "Request Info" tab on admissions page to receive a postcard or check back on the admissions website in early September for online open house registration.

Emergency NP Specialty Applicants: The admission counselor did say that this program considers your GRE scores more than other Vanderbilt NP program specialties.

:) Hope this has been helpful!

[Lovetennessee]

Thank you for all the info Spdunlap. I keep staring at those GRE numbers you posted. Those are average scores? So Vandy will admit with scores a little lower than those posted? My last GRE scores were 152 Verbal, 148 Quant and 4.0 writing. I am afraid those scores are too low, especially since they say on their website they want scores in the 50th percentile and 4.5 writing. Like I said before, I'll be giving the GRE one more shot after this prep course.

[NPToBe1]

Does anyone know how long the essay is supposed to be? Trying to get a jump start on it now.

[mandalynne85]

Man, I'm feeling really discouraged about getting into V. Since I made my first F ever in the spring in chem 2, It took me from a 4.0 to a 3.5 gpa. I'm retaking it this fall for a grade replacement to try and bring my gpa back up to what it was before, but I'm worried that if I apply and submit everything by the Nov deadline, it will automatically disqualify me. I guess I could send my updated transcript in Dec, but will that be too late if I've already sent in everything else? I'm planning on going to the open house, and hopfully will feel a bit more confident after getting more info. Good luck to all of you guys. Hope to see some of you there in October.

[tessag12]

When sending official transcripts does anyone know if you had AP credits from high school do you have to get those from your high school or can you just send the college transcript?

[Sami92]

Hi Everyone,

I too am considering applying this year however I might wait one more year because I have completed very few of the prerequisite courses. So far I have taken Statistics, Lifetime Development, and Nutrition. I am taking A&P 1 this fall semester, A&P2 during the spring semester, and Microbiology the first summer session. This would allow me to complete all prerequisites before the deadline, however does anyone know if not being able to submit grades for these courses during the admissions process hurts applicants chances?

Also, if I do not get in the first time, does anyone know how they view repeat applicants? I had one grad school tell me that they do not typically admit students who have reapplied- I am not sure why.

Lastly, does anyone know which GPA they consider? I know several grad schools who only consider upper level course work (last 60 credits or so) and prerequisite GPAs. Any chance Vanderbilt is one of these schools?

Thanks!

[amdstrots]

Joining in on this thread. I am hoping to be able to go to the October Open house, but will be applying for Fall '17 for the PMHNP program. Does everyone applying for this have previous psych experience?? I am actually coming from the pediatric world, but have always enjoyed Psych and find this specialty fascinating.

[Lovetennessee]

I'm planning on going to the October open house too. I went in March and found it very informative. At the end, you choose up to three specialty areas and attend those info sessions. I am applying for PNP, but also went to a few other session of areas I have some interest in. To fit them all in the schedule, I had to attend the PNP session last. I was the only person in there and I felt like I missed a lot of information and interaction since no one else was there to talk or ask questions. I would also like to meet others that are applying for Fall 2017.

[mandalynne85]

I'll be coming to the open house in October too! Really excited, have never been to vanderbilt before. Amdrots- As far as applying for the pmhnp program, I worked as a medical assistant for a few months and currently I'm a social work intern at a snf and I get to do admissions and discharges daily. Part of the admissions includes doing depression screening and cognitive scaling. Other than that, I don't have any direct psych experience. Social work has been a great major for me though, because we get to practice lots of interviewing skills with clients, which will Def come in handy in psych. Obviously, I'm applying to the non nurse pathway. I think having peds experience is awesome!