What else should I do to prepare?

Moved to Pre-CRNA Forum for more responses.

how about some community service, volunteering.

Also, when you're done with your BSN, take a few graduate level courses, (assuming you're entering a MSN program, you can take a certain number of credits in the core courses as a non matriculating student until you get accepted.)

Good Luck!

You sound like a strong applicant already, just gain your experience!!! But, I have to add my 0.2 cents in here. This goes out to all those wanting to get into CRNA school asap after graduating with a BSN. Don't forget to live and enjoy life a bit after graduating, it is a big accomplishment. Having an income may or may not be new to you, but I encourage you to enjoy it, spoil yourself, travel, etc.....I am in my first semester in CRNA school, and I have been a nurse for approx. 5 yrs. I travelled and enjoyed myself for those past few years, and now that I am in school, I do not regret one bit of it, nor do I regret waiting these few extra years (after the two yrs. proposed by many schools) before applying..........For me, it was important to get all of that out of my system, before being able to give 200% in anesthesia school!!! So, just my 0.2 cents. I know there are so many new graduates with a lot of drive to get into school, and I think that is great. But, dont' forget to have fun before getting there, b/c believe me that will be pushed aside for another 3 yrs....................

I am a nursing student working on my BSN currently at WSU-Spokane. Once finished with my BSN I am hoping to start in an ICU and begin gaining experience to apply for CRNA school.

I am curious what else I should do as an undergrad to distinguish myself from all the other applicants.

I was just recently told by a graduate professor that she will allow me to take her advanced physiology and pathophysiology courses, which I plan on doing sometime in the next year.

I currently have a 3.3 GPA, with courses such as Ochem 340,341,342, MBios 302, Chem 105 and 106, and a slew of other upper division science courses (never took a single 101 or 102 course).

I have participated in a genetics study during my first two years and wrote my own paper about it (I dont think it ever got published though), and am currently working on a research project comparing metabolics of visceral versus sub-q adipose tissue in relation to insulin sensitivity.

So what else should I be doing to help make my application to CRNA school competitive when the time comes to apply? (besides keeping my GPA as high as possible)

You sound like a strong applicant already, just gain your experience!!! But, I have to add my 0.2 cents in here. This goes out to all those wanting to get into CRNA school asap after graduating with a BSN. Don't forget to live and enjoy life a bit after graduating, it is a big accomplishment. Having an income may or may not be new to you, but I encourage you to enjoy it, spoil yourself, travel, etc.....I am in my first semester in CRNA school, and I have been a nurse for approx. 5 yrs. I travelled and enjoyed myself for those past few years, and now that I am in school, I do not regret one bit of it, nor do I regret waiting these few extra years (after the two yrs. proposed by many schools) before applying..........For me, it was important to get all of that out of my system, before being able to give 200% in anesthesia school!!! So, just my 0.2 cents. I know there are so many new graduates with a lot of drive to get into school, and I think that is great. But, dont' forget to have fun before getting there, b/c believe me that will be pushed aside for another 3 yrs....................

That sounds like the way to go. I'm exploring all options of my nursing career, but if I was to go to CRNA school, I would definitely work for a few years. The benefits are just too many to name here, and goes beyond experience and having a decent income (finally!)