We've had several threads from everyone saying they were accepted to various schools, but if everyone is willing let's do one big thread for everyone that will be starting anesthesia school this summer or fall. If you don't mind please include where you applied, the status from each school ( meaning didn't get an interview, interviewed and not accepted/made alternate/accepted), and the school you chose and why. Thanks, so much!
I applied to :
1) Medical College of Georgia- interviewed and made alternate
2) Samford (in Birmingham)- interviewed and accepted
3) University of Alabama at Birmingham- interviewed and accepted and will be going there this fall. I chose UAB because I loved the Director and all of their clinicals are in Birmingham, so I won't have to travel all over the state.
So discouraged, 15 years experience, last seven in SICU.
CCRN, ACLS, PALS, TNCC.
Have retaken undergraduate sciences to become current, have taken grad. statistics and am currently taking grad. research.
Undergrad GPA (fifteen years ago) 2.5, Current GPA 3.6
GRE 890, analytical writing 3.5
Interviewed at 1 out of 3 schools, not accepted
Shadowed at 6 different facilities, attended senior seminar, etc.
Humbled and frustrated, advice? Will persistance pay off in my case or is NP a better route to take? Advice?
Did you try taking graduate level physiology or pathophysiology or even advanced pharmacology? I think even if you go the NP route those are classes you would have to take, so you wouldn't be wasting time either way. I am sorry you were not accepted. I was accepted at one and did not even receive and interview at the other I applied to (did not even think I would be accepted at all and the rejection was a blow to my self esteem and my confidence in my ability to succeed in CRNA). I would say to be persistant.
I think you need to be persistent as well. If this is what you want to do, you will eventually get excepted somewhere. Every single program turns away qualified applicants, so there is no reason to take this as a rejection. In my area, the programs even seem to like repeat applicants and often accept people on the second go 'round.
Call them, ask them what you can do to improve your application, do it. If they can't come up with anything specific or something truly missing, they may not have seen the fire in your belly during the interview (that's where the repeat application comes in handy). Make sure you know what your references are saying about you. You may need to find a new reference. Your stats look fine except the GRE. I'm a big believer in studying for the GRE as I know it paid off huge for me. If you can't improve your score, you'll have a better chance at an interview with programs that don't require the GRE.
I agree with Class2011 that calling the school to find out specifics on what you could have done to make yourself a more competitive applicant. From what I have gathered here, schools usually like this. The information can be helpful for future attempts. It also gives you a chance to perhaps stand out and have familiarity with the board the next time around.
Your stats seem good, save perhaps for the GRE. One option is to retake it or seek out schools that do not require it. i am not sure what the situation is with the schools that you are attempting to go to. I agree with questionsforall that you may want to attempt taking some more advanced science classes which will aid you with schooling, regardless of the route you take.
However, I would emphasize that you should not be discouraged. It would be a shame to give up because of not getting in on your first try. The fact that you were granted an interview is a big step in the right direction. Something about your application, be it references, experience etc made them want to talk to you and give you face time. Sometimes the interview and reaction are what accepting boards base their final decisions on.
Thanks each of you for taking the time to reply. I have been very discouraged and appreciate your support and advice.
I intend to retake the GRE prior to reapplying as well as possibly obtaining a cardiothoracic certification. I am applying to Michigan schools which are rumored to be especially difficult to get into. (?) After receiving my rejection letter I contacted the program chair to get feedback on my interview. Her secretary suggested calling back after the holidays. I phoned back after the holidays, left a message and did not receive a return phone call. I have not called back recently fearing that I may look too agressive. I intend to shadow once more this spring and attend the senior seminar in effort to show face once again prior to reapplying. I am convinced that persistance is the key. Thanks again.
What kinda of SICU/hospital? large teaching hospitals with high acuities are very important too. (along with the GRE) I had a score of 980 the first time and they even commented in my interview about how low it was...
It is an 18 bed surgical ICU. Cardiothoracic, trauma, neuro, general, etc. We have over 500 beds, are a teaching facility and a level 2 trauma center. We have high acuity patients and accomodate nearly everything other than the transplant and burn populations.
I studied independently for the GRE for 2 weeks prior to taking the test and the computer shut off prior to the end of my verbal section. I realize that my score is not impressive and will retake it. I know people that have been accepted that have one tenth my experience, borderline gpa and no surgical ICU experience, I don't know that leaving my job and going elsewhere will necessarily get me in.
Have you considered applying to out of state schools? I have heard that Wolford College in Naples, Florida looks at the whole person and recent work. I actually interviewed there and was offered a spot, I really liked the directors. I interviewed at some other schools too, but Wolford was a good fit for me. Starting in Fall 2010.
questionsforall
114 Posts
Did you try taking graduate level physiology or pathophysiology or even advanced pharmacology? I think even if you go the NP route those are classes you would have to take, so you wouldn't be wasting time either way. I am sorry you were not accepted. I was accepted at one and did not even receive and interview at the other I applied to (did not even think I would be accepted at all and the rejection was a blow to my self esteem and my confidence in my ability to succeed in CRNA). I would say to be persistant.