Vanderbilt Summer 2011

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I know it's still early, but the application process starts in 2 days and I'm getting antzy about just applying. I saw past threads on here about previous cohort application process and wanted to start one for the summer cohort. I'm applying with one of my friends from school, and we both have Vandy as our #1 choice.

Anyone else on here thinking about applying soon?

I'm applying for the critical care track, but I've heard that it is the most competitive....it makes me nervous because I feel like my resume is unremarkable. How important do y'all think volunteer work is? Do you think if we have a lot of work hours it will make up for no volunteer work?

I haven't even started my letter of intent, I am hoping to get it done next week, just in time for my transcript to be ready for pick up. I've been writing down little things that I want to include in it and I think it will end up being around 2 pages? Is that too long. I don't want to write too much to where it is boring, but I don't want to leave anything out either!

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mangatron- I'm having the same problem! I am not sure I can fit everything on to one page. Especially because they ask 3 different questions....not sure what to do...

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

I was able to keep everything one a page. First paragraph, introduced myself and gave some background, 2nd paragraph - my career goals and how the program was a good foundation for achieving my goals and final paragraph - brought it all together and wrote why I chose Vanderbilt.

It's all about editing. I figured I need just enough to get them interested and wanting more. Everything else, I figure I can say in the interview...hopefulluy!

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Did you use single space or double space? I can do it w/ single space, but I was told that it's harder for interviewers to read.

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.
Did you use single space or double space? I can do it w/ single space, but I was told that it's harder for interviewers to read.

I used double-spaced. It's funny because with single-spaced, I felt I didn't have enough but with double, I actually had 1.5 pages..so I knew double was the way to go. And yes...make it easy for them to read because if it's hard to read, it will be hard to motivate them to keep reading...

Now I just got to secure my recommendation letters. I already sent out the requests to my instructors..just waiting for their responses...

:uhoh3:

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I have my rec letters already, so that's one thing off my plate.

OH...I know this is kind of a "duh" thing, but make sure you ask people that you are 100% sure will write you a good letter. One of my friends, who is also applying asked her Nurse Manager (who was also one of her clinical instructors once upon a time). She had good evals at work and what not, so she figured the rec would be good. Luckily she opened it because although the NM said she highly recommended her, the letter was absolutely HORRIBLE!

Where is everyone from?

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I'm from Northern Ohio. I am so excited for this program I really hope I get in!!

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Specializes in ED.

Hi all! I'm applying, too. Just submitted my online app last night and got my email this morning with the application packet. I'm really excited and VERY nervous. I'm kind of in a rut because I have always loved both ER/Trauma and L&D and I am so torn with which track to pick. I just did a rotation in ICU and really liked it, so I am thinking I may just go with the Adult Critical Care Track. I just really love both, but they're so different!

Good luck to everyone. I'm from Florida, by the way!

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I'm the same way. I worked in an ER this summer and loved it, but I want to eventually be a midwife so I think I'm going to try for the Women's Health track

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.
I have my rec letters already, so that's one thing off my plate.

OH...I know this is kind of a "duh" thing, but make sure you ask people that you are 100% sure will write you a good letter. One of my friends, who is also applying asked her Nurse Manager (who was also one of her clinical instructors once upon a time). She had good evals at work and what not, so she figured the rec would be good. Luckily she opened it because although the NM said she highly recommended her, the letter was absolutely HORRIBLE!

Where is everyone from?

When you said good, you mean grammatically? Because she highly recommended her so how was it horrible? Yes, I always choose instructors who I know love me and I know can write well. I am using one who I used for my externship applications. Besides, you got to trust them because they are suppose to seal the envelope and sign across the seal. So, unless you read it before they sign the seal, no way to know what they wrote!

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

Oh..and I'm a Jersey girl. I'm going for the Critical Care track...no place I'd rather be..

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lovelymo: She wrote in the last paragraph that she highly recommended her...but the entire letter highlighted a bunch of negative points... she said she had a bad attendance record (when she is constantly working overtime as an hourly employee and comes in at the drop of a hat), avoids conflict, and has bad interpersonal skills. She thought that person would be a good reference letter, but some nurses on her unit told her some horror stories so she opened it to see. Apparently that unit has a high turnover rate and the NM goes to great lengths to keep all staff on the unit (i.e. writes bad reference letters and places interdepartmental transfer blocks). Needless to say, she isn't using the reference and asked someone else.

I'm from Virginia. :)

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