Vanderbilt MSN 2019

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Hi! I'm starting a thread for Vanderbilt MSN Fall 2019. Anyone else applying/re-applying too? Please comment!

8 hours ago, ctn16 said:

Hi LCSW, happy to share! I had a rough start to my interview as I unfortunately missed my original interview time (I did timezones wrong). I was incredibly fortunate to be able to reschedule my interview for later in the day. I feel like my interview went okay. I was asked some standard interview questions, and why Vanderbilt over UCSF (as I live in California). I definitely stumbled over that last one a little bit. As some other folks in this thread have pointed out, there's not a lot of obvious difference between UCSF and Vandy. I feel like I gave a decent answer for it, and tried to focus on population differences.

I'm surprised that your interviewers spoke at such length about their decision being so difficult! My interviewers said that the interview is to augment a mostly-made decision (though they may have been saying that so I wouldn't worry so much about missing my original slot, so who can say).

Ctn16 congrats on the getting an interview (glad you were able to get it rescheduled). Do you feel like Vandy prefers if applicants only apply to their school? Did they ask you that question about UCSF because you applied there or only because you are from Cali?

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9 hours ago, ctn16 said:

Hi LCSW, happy to share! I had a rough start to my interview as I unfortunately missed my original interview time (I did timezones wrong). I was incredibly fortunate to be able to reschedule my interview for later in the day. I feel like my interview went okay. I was asked some standard interview questions, and why Vanderbilt over UCSF (as I live in California). I definitely stumbled over that last one a little bit. As some other folks in this thread have pointed out, there's not a lot of obvious difference between UCSF and Vandy. I feel like I gave a decent answer for it, and tried to focus on population differences.

I'm surprised that your interviewers spoke at such length about their decision being so difficult! My interviewers said that the interview is to augment a mostly-made decision (though they may have been saying that so I wouldn't worry so much about missing my original slot, so who can say).

Thanks for sharing, ctn16! I'm so glad to hear you were able to reschedule. I think the interviewers had a lot going on. They called me 10 minutes late, was coughing throughout (said they recently moved in a new building and dust most likely was causing it). I wasn't asked why Vandy but most likely it's because I live in Nashville. They asked me 4 standard questions and my interview was about 15-20 minutes. The wait will soon be over....

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9 hours ago, Polly Peptide said:

Interviewing "to augment a mostly-made decision" seems sensible. I would expect they choose to interview those people who look like good candidates on paper, simply to ensure that they sound relatable and answer some questions they don't ask in the application. You pick up tone and ease speaking with others (various things) that you can't when speaking vs just in print. I can't imagine they just interview everyone. (I do know they only interview PMHNP and CNM).

LCSWtoPMHNP, could something have happened during your interview to throw things off?

It's possible you simply had someone who felt the need to make sure you nothing was set in stone...that the interview didn't mean anything for certain.

Hi Polly Peptide! Based on their feedback I felt I answered the questions well. It was only after I answered the questions did they talk about having strong candidates and the competition was stiff. Maybe you are right...I'm just over thinking or putting too much emphasis on things. Of course, I will be sure to let everyone know come mid-February the outcome.

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16 hours ago, VwBee89 said:

Ctn16 congrats on the getting an interview (glad you were able to get it rescheduled). Do you feel like Vandy prefers if applicants only apply to their school? Did they ask you that question about UCSF because you applied there or only because you are from Cali?

Thanks VwBee89! I did list UCSF as a school I applied to, but my interviewers asked me if I applied there (I'm guessing they might not have had a chance to thoroughly review my application with my re-schedule). I believe they said that that question is not something they typically ask of applicants, but one they asked me because I live in California. I can't recall if their exact question was "Why would I apply to Vanderbilt if UCSF is in my state" or "Why would I choose Vanderbilt over UCSF" though, which might make a difference to some folks?

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Out of curiosity is anyone willing to share their statistics (GPA, work experience and etc.)?

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2 hours ago, VwBee89 said:

Out of curiosity is anyone willing to share their statistics (GPA, work experience and etc.)?

Since VUSN has applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds, including recent college grads and non-traditional students returning to school after having successful careers, I'm not sure comparing stats will give you much insight. Based on what they said at the open house, they put a lot of weight on the essays and references. It would be really hard to compare yourself to the other applicants even if you did have their stats without seeing their essays and references. Like Teddy Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." I'm sure you're a good applicant if you have applied to such a great program.

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14 hours ago, PNinTraining said:

Since VUSN has applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds, including recent college grads and non-traditional students returning to school after having successful careers, I'm not sure comparing stats will give you much insight. Based on what they said at the open house, they put a lot of weight on the essays and references. It would be really hard to compare yourself to the other applicants even if you did have their stats without seeing their essays and references. Like Teddy Roosevelt said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." I'm sure you're a good applicant if you have applied to such a great program.

Good point PNinTraining. I guess it would be more beneficial to know what type of experience applicants have in medicine, research and etc; rather than GPA. I am aware that they admit students from a wide variety of backgrounds. However, I am sure there are certain life/work experiences they value and prefer. I think learning about an applicant pool's statistics can be insightful and beneficial. I am sure most applicants are exceptional candidates, however Vanderbilt might be more or less interested in candidates with certain experiences. In cases of admissions, I think the more information you have the better, at the very least it helps pass the time (until Feb.) (:

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On 1/26/2019 at 6:49 PM, catcando said:

I'm preparing for the interview for this upcoming Monday and trying to see if I can get any info about the program that is outside of what they outline on the website. Something that would make my motivation for applying to VUSN more compelling than just saying it's a great program...

Hi Catcando! So how did it go?

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2 hours ago, VwBee89 said:

Good point PNinTraining. I guess it would be more beneficial to know what type of experience applicants have in medicine, research and etc; rather than GPA. I am aware that they admit students from a wide variety of backgrounds. However, I am sure there are certain life/work experiences they value and prefer. I think learning about an applicant pool's statistics can be insightful and beneficial. I am sure most applicants are exceptional candidates, however Vanderbilt might be more or less interested in candidates with certain experiences. In cases of admissions, I think the more information you have the better, at the very least it helps pass the time (until Feb.) ?

VwBee89,

I do think Vanderbilt really looks holistically at each applicant but here are my stats below. I applied direct entry AG-ACNP, not sure which you applied for! I’m in my last year of BSN but I have already been accepted into the AG-ACNP program at my current school and I have completed courses towards it the past year. Most of my clinicals have been at trauma 1 centers such as Pennsylvania Hospital, CHOP, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. My GPA has been maintained at a 4.0. My first BS was in health promotion and I worked as a spine surgeon assistant and in an urgent care between then and entering my BSN/MSN. My husband is in Nashville and I left to go back to school so I’m really praying I get into Vanderbilt! I’ve been away for two years already! Good luck to all applicants! I truly believe everything works out for a reason and at the proper timing.

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4 hours ago, JDN2014 said:

VwBee89,

I do think Vanderbilt really looks holistically at each applicant but here are my stats below. I applied direct entry AG-ACNP, not sure which you applied for! I’m in my last year of BSN but I have already been accepted into the AG-ACNP program at my current school and I have completed courses towards it the past year. Most of my clinicals have been at trauma 1 centers such as Pennsylvania Hospital, CHOP, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. My GPA has been maintained at a 4.0. My first BS was in health promotion and I worked as a spine surgeon assistant and in an urgent care between then and entering my BSN/MSN. My husband is in Nashville and I left to go back to school so I’m really praying I get into Vanderbilt! I’ve been away for two years already! Good luck to all applicants! I truly believe everything works out for a reason and at the proper timing.

JDN2014,

Thank you for your post!!! I am actually applying to the Prespecialty for AG-ACNP program. Your work experience is impressive and I can see how it clearly aligns with AG-ACNP. I hope you get in!!!!!!!! ?

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9 hours ago, VwBee89 said:

Good point PNinTraining. I guess it would be more beneficial to know what type of experience applicants have in medicine, research and etc; rather than GPA. I am aware that they admit students from a wide variety of backgrounds. However, I am sure there are certain life/work experiences they value and prefer. I think learning about an applicant pool's statistics can be insightful and beneficial. I am sure most applicants are exceptional candidates, however Vanderbilt might be more or less interested in candidates with certain experiences. In cases of admissions, I think the more information you have the better, at the very least it helps pass the time (until Feb.) ?

Hey,

So it really does seem that they look at your application with a holistic view in mind. I am a business major in my first degree. My BSN gpa was a 3.5 and total gpa is 3.3-3.4 not exactly positive. I worked in various mental health positions throughout college while pursuing a business degree. Became a branch manager at a bank (LOL) then went back to school for my BSN and worked as a nurse extern while being in an accelerated program. I am now a psych nurse. I also speak three languages and my goal is to work in an underserved community health setting in mental health. I just graduated in December so I’ll be a little shy of eight months of experience as a psychiatric nurse. With that being said during my interview I was told that I am exactly the type of person they want in the program based on my application and phone interview. So i hope to god i get in. I want to be a Vandy student so bad! It’s my dream college.

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Based on what I was told, direct entry students are not to be concerned. There are "tons of spots for nurses" - per admissions. Unfortunately, there are only 150 pre-specialty seats. This means across the board no matter what your specialty is. I was unclear as to the number of seats available for pre-specialty students and was only focusing on PMHNP specialty. This was helpful and put things into perspective.

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