What makes an applicant stand out??

Be honest and a little pushy about what you want and what you need and what you will except. don't sit and let them ask all the questions make it interactive and ask many questions to prove you are a seeker and willing to learn

It's never a bad idea to ask the school what they are looking for in an applicant. Taking the initiative to show your interest and determination will pay off.

Should you go on a second interview if you can??

My application was held over and was wondering if I could visit again and update my file prior to the next committee meeting is this tooo pushy??

:eek:

Definately if they want to see you again GO!

Consider this: It's a short trip from driven to desperate. Admission to a CRNA program is more than just admission to a school - it is an admission to the profession.

When I say that it takes more than GRE and GPA to gain admission, I am also referring to the intangibles of personality, ability to achieve and reflect positively on the nurse anesthesia profession, and professional demeanor. CRNA programs look carefully for "personality pathology", whether you realize it or not.

The best way to stand out in the admission process is to interview well.

Understand, too, that wait-listing or denial is not necessarily a statement against your personality, attributes, or character. In this time of very competitive applicant pools, there just may be nurses that are a better fit for the particular program. Schools have a general idea of who will be a successful student in their program. That is a part of the admission process that simply cannot be changed.

I know the waiting and stress is tough. Here's a quote from Alexander Graham Bell to ponder:

"We so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us".

Wonderful post Athlein.

Thanks!:)

Thanks for the input.. I am begining to realize how important it is to show the school I am serious and how much I desire to become an CRNA. It is difficult for me to sell myself so hard.. I have been a nurse for 18 years and really want this just did not realize how hard this would be.. But dont worry I am not going to give up that easy.. I really want this...thanks for everyones help this board has been a great info area..

I'm just kinda thinking out loud here but one of the above posts triggered this question.

When a school asks what YOU think YOUR weakness is, after a well thoughtout and tactful answer, is it fair to turn around and ask the interviewer(s) what they think the weakness of THEIR CRNA program is? Do you think it would be a good idea to actually interview them to see if you want to accept THEIR program? Just a thought. Might be a little too agressive.....I dunno.

I don't think that this is too aggressive at all. If you can gauge from the tone and direction of the interview that it seems interactive and two-way, then by all means, ask the question!! It just shows them that you are seeking the best fit for you and that you are not desperate. However, I do advise doing this with tact and humility and perhaps within the context of a list of questions you have prepared for the admissions board to be asked when appropriate (i.e., when they ask if you have any questions)

what did you all tell them your weaknesses were??

i told them quite honestly that clinically i have none and that my only weakness was at times being too direct. hey, they accepted me - so i guess it wasn't sooooo bad.....:chuckle :chuckle

Originally posted by Athlein

When I say that it takes more than GRE and GPA to gain admission, I am also referring to the intangibles of personality, ability to achieve and reflect positively on the nurse anesthesia profession, and professional demeanor. CRNA programs look carefully for "personality pathology", whether you realize it or not.

The best way to stand out in the admission process is to interview well.

This seems to answer a question I posted on another thread.

So you can meet all of the requirements, even exceed them. But if you bomb on the interview, you're out?

Wow. Any idea how often this happens?

i have seen quite a few posts on here of those w/ outstanding stats who weren't accepted - i would imagine that can only be attributed to the interview.