Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) CRNA 2025 start

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Is anyone in here applying for the upcoming VCU CRNA application cycle for January 2025 start?

Hi 

Did anyone recieve any interview invite from VCU CRNA  school yet? It was supposed to be end of May. 

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pulm_icu said:

Is this school really popular ? Seems like a lot of applicants? I don't know much about it . 

Last I checked, it's the best in the country. Idc where I go I just need to be accepted LOL 

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icu2bcrna said:

Im struggling with this because this is my second cycle applying. First cycle I didn't even get an interview but watched nurses in my unit with <2 years experience/single ICU experience  get accepted. I have 3 years and multiple ICU experience all at level 1 trauma center/academic hospital. Basically was told my GPA was too low. Retook some classes this last year and got As (chemistry etc). Very active in unit committees, volunteer etc. Guess I'm anxious bc it seems hard to know exactly what they're looking for each time around?  Was pretty shocked to see them accepting such young (age) nurses who also lack experience (1-2 years at bedside) 

I'm sorry to hear that. That would be my second year too. I get interviews but I get so nervous and they always waitlist me. Something is wrong to the way I interview. I decided to take a break but I will start applying again in two months. It's hard to see all your ICU peers being accepted and you're not. Just gotta trust the process and understand that the school that you take you will be the one that best fit you. I have to repeat that to myself every single day. If they don't take you on this one, another one will. 

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CoffeeScrubsAndRubberGloves said:

Same. I watched just about every single new grad I oriented and went to interviews with get accepted. Most with 1-2 years under their belt and barely swimming on their own in big emergencies. don't get me wrong... very happy and excited for them, but it burns knowing you taught them that stuff and you can't even get in yourself. I guess I taught them well. LOL

 Same type involvement, great GPA. I assume I was a terrible interviewer. I'm just running out of things to "improve" on besides how I answer interview questions and I'm not getting any younger. It's even becoming embarrassing to admit I got rejected again. I hate having to be like, hey Dr so and so, want to send that letter of recommendation in one more time? The rejection isn't even what bothers me. I just feel embarrassed when people asked if I got in. It's become a joke where they say, "this is your year". I surely hope so. 
🤞🏻 good luck to you. 

Don't feel bad. I'm in the same boat. Just keep applying and don't give up. Don't care what people says. It's what it's. I got very discouraged after my last interview. The content is in my head but I get anxious and blank it out. The feedback that I got is that I lack of basic nursing knowledge. I know I know the content. That's why I decided to stop and take a break. Don't give up on your goal 😉 

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pulm_icu said:

I honestly don't know why you guys are going nuts about this program and why there is so many applicants. I literally just through one over here have no idea about this program. You have to broaden your horizons. A lot of times I feel like it's just lottery and they pick who ever. Gotta think everyone is basically qualified. I'm not even thinking about this school because I have 8 other apps out up the east coast and already got interviews. Can't keep the eggs in one basket with CRNA school. 

I applied to 15. For interviews, waitlisted and them rejected. I want to go to any program at this point. I just feel super discouraged 😕

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Specializes in Emergency (CEN) and Critical Care (CCRN-CMC)_SRNA.

Nope nothing as of yet. As for being #1, VCU no longer holds that title. #1 title goes to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and VCU is #6.

I was already accepted to another program and in the process of moving but holding out from withdrawing my application from VCU. The "what-ifs" is still sitting in the back of my mind LOL.

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EmergentAnesthetics said:

Nope nothing as of yet. As for being #1, VCU no longer holds that title. #1 title goes to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and VCU is #6.

I was already accepted to another program and in the process of moving but holding out from withdrawing my application from VCU. The "what-ifs" is still sitting in the back of my mind LOL.

How do you know the rank ?

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EmergentAnesthetics said:

As for being #1, VCU no longer holds that title. #1 title goes to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and VCU is #6.

I wouldn't put too much stock in that. Do you want to know how U.S. News & World Report's creates that list? They send a survey to two randomly selected faculty from each program in the country and then tally up the votes. It is literally a popularity contest among nurse anesthesia faculty, and nothing else.

I would guess that most faculty vote either for their place of employment or their alma mater. If that's the case, then it's probably a reflection of which programs have the most graduates in teaching roles.

None of that to say that programs at or near the top of the list aren't excellent, but it should be taken with a grain of salt. It's not informed by any objective measures of quality like attrition, first-time NCE pass rates, etc.

The best advice I ever got was to use it as a starting point along with my geographic preferences, make a list of 12 to 20 programs, and then do a little homework to narrow it down to five or less.

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Specializes in Emergency (CEN) and Critical Care (CCRN-CMC)_SRNA.
WillResuscForCookies said:

I wouldn't put too much stock in that. 

Trust me, I'm not. I'm just answering the question and the general consensus on here when prospective NARs are asking "why VCU"

I'm matriculating in a program that's not even listed in the top 30. That said, USNews among the other 3 links I provided also listed VCU as #1 over the past couple years. I personally do not care for ranking. In the end, they all go through the same accreditation process.

My #1 program of choice was: first to accept me from the 5 programs I applied to, small cohort (<30 per class), and clinical opportunities (lots of CRNA only sites).

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Specializes in ICU.
RNtoCRNA2024 said:

I applied to 15. For interviews, waitlisted and them rejected. I want to go to any program at this point. I just feel super discouraged 😕

Don't get discouraged, I applied to 13 schools this year since the fall. I interviewed at 5, rejected to 4, waitlisted to 5, didn't hear back from 4 still, but just got in off the waitlist and start August somewhere. Like everyone said, cast a big net. If you're willing to go anywhere, keep your eye on that goal. And apply to newer programs too bc less people know about them. Ohio university just got accredited and have a cohort they're starting this fall. Their app is still open. Keep the options wide, you got this!

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Specializes in CardioThoracic Surgical ICU.
EmergentAnesthetics said:

Trust me, I'm not. I'm just answering the question and the general consensus on here when prospective NARs are asking "why VCU"

I'm matriculating in a program that's not even listed in the top 30. That said, USNews among the other 3 links I provided also listed VCU as #1 over the past couple years. I personally do not care for ranking. In the end, they all go through the same accreditation process.

My #1 program of choice was: first to accept me from the 5 programs I applied to, small cohort (<30 per class), and clinical opportunities (lots of CRNA only sites).

Isn't it nice to have the freedom of choice. I guess I could just pack up and leave my 6 year old and 8 year old with their dad and take off to school for 3 years, but it's not realistic in my personal situation. I live in the Richmond area, my kids are here and my husband is my support system. So I applied to VCU and that's what I have for close options. I really could care less on what some popularity contest ranking system gave them. I simply said that when they are ranked higher they get more applicants. If VCU isn't your pick since you already got in, why are you even here? Just to hold your admission over our heads while some of us with only one choice eagerly await a response from the only program we can apply this year. I swear if the schools could see you all mean, braggy types for what you are on these forums your interview may not have been as successful. Good luck to you. 

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