Yale Changed Their Admissions requirement for GEPN program

dg05, RN · Jun 10, 2007

I'm currently in an accelerated BSN program and the requirements were A&P, Micro, statistics, and maybe a nutrition class. I can't imagine how Yale is going to teach everyone basic A&P along with everything else...it just seems like too much. Plus, having those foundational science classes as a req allows people to prove (to themselves and to the admissions committee) that they have the capability for rigorous scientific courses, which I think might lead to a higher rate of success in nursing school.

At first blush, I don't see these as positive changes.

dg

arciedee · Jun 10, 2007

That's interesting... my program (also a direct-entry program) initially only required stats and only recommended the basic sciences. They changed their admissions requirements this year, too, except that the changes were to require micro, A&P, and stats w/ a minimum of a B in each. They want well-rounded students, for sure, but they found that a lot of students who hadn't had those classes were struggling. I think it's fine for schools to not require those sciences, as long as students recognize that by not having the background they will need to do a lot of independent study to fully understand what they are learning and quite honestly, with everything we're taking there's not much in the way of extra time to do independent study. Speaking of which, I need to get off allnurses and go write two papers for my policy class, study for my med-surg test this week, and write a process recording for my mental health class.... aughhhhhh!

JazzyOneRN · Jun 10, 2007

I agree with you both dg and arcidee they need some form of requirements such as the sciences b/c of space and i do beleive for students that havent had the sciences will tend to struggle in those courses. I'm registered for a stats class this summer and I am going to continue to take it b/c im applying to other programs that require it and I've taken a&p, biology, microbiology and chemistry so I'm not to worried with struggling in those courses in grad school.I wonder why they would'nt have a minimum requirement for stats or push for a requirement for the sciences or have a minimum GPA for that matter. Like, I said before The GEPN program at Yale are looking for Non-Nursing degree students which can range from degrees in Music, fine arts, anthropology, english, business, and the list can go on and on. However, by not having a minimum requirment of courses in the sciences could only mean that the school is really trying to open and diversify their students. So people who want to apply are intimidated because its "YALE" so to ease people minds the may have chose not to have prereq (im just guessing) In any sense I still think it is something positive.

arciedee · Jun 10, 2007

I think it can be positive... like you said, it sounds like they're trying to maintain a diverse student population and by eliminating the requirements they may be better able to attain that. Plus, most people will already have taken a lot of those courses anyway since they're probably applying to other programs that do require them, such as yourself. And I think it allows people who may have a degree in something like, say, biology, but who didn't necessarily take A&P or whatever to get in without having to take a class when they're already familiar with the basic concepts. I had a friend who had to petition to have her vertebrate anatomy and vertebrate physiology courses count towards the A&P requirement at her school because it wasn't specifically human A&P, which I thought was kinda silly (though her school did eventually approve it after she provided a letter from her old professor stating that the course included everything that a human A&P class would have included).

It's certainly not a black and white situation, and I know that Yale has an excellent reputation, so I'd say they know what they're doing! Best of luck to you in your application. And in your stats class. I was a math major, so I took a super-duper stats class and I don't remember a darned thing about it, so I'm not sure how much it will really help when I get to my research class in the fall. Guess I'll be spending summer break brushing up on that!

lovingpecola · Jun 14, 2007

I can't imagine how Yale is going to teach everyone basic A&P along with everything else...it just seems like too much.
dg

Actually, they teach it, just like any other course nursing schools teach. If you haven't taken it, or did not earn a B in all portions of it, you must take the course. It's a laid back, fun kind of course including human cadaver lab and the faculty who team teach it are great.

Otherwise, I agree with everything else folks are saying...it can be extremely hard for some folks who haven't taken those science courses to catch up. On the other hand, others did just fine!

I took stats to get in, but I don't remember any of it...so really, I don't think it's needed...you're going to have to take it when you get here anyway.

And I would agree with the previous poster who said something to the effect of "they must know what they're doing" since we haven't lost a lot (any?) of students because of academic failure....

Good luck with trying to find the best school for YOU!

LP

JazzyOneRN · Jun 15, 2007

Yes, I would agree as well they do know what their doing. I hate math and I dropped stats. I looked over the other schools that I am applying to and the statistics course is offered in the nursing program as well. So I dont have to stress about that. I have already taken A&P and I actually loved the class it was fun. I've also taken Microbiology and that class was taught by the same professor and it was fun as well. I think the science classes can be fun and easy to learn, it just all depends on the instructor...And thats just in my opinion.

Throughout this application process I will admit I have been STRESSING!!!! Mainly because of undergrad GPA, but guess what, I am applying to 6 other schools. Howard, Wayne State, Michigan State, UIC and U of Mich, and Columbia. I need to relax I am putting to much emphasis on my undergrad gpa and I am trying to make logic into why a program is doing this and that. I think I'm going to go with the current instead of against it. (In other words) If I dont get into Yale which is my first choice, hey I will try again. Whatever the outcome will be its all in divine order. God has my footsteps ordered. I have moved the cart back behind the horse :innerconf .. So overall.. I'm finished worrying about something I have no control over and now Im just going to roll with it and go with the flow and see what happens after Nov.

I wish everyone the best of luck with their applications process. I think I am through talking about Yale for now. I will talk about them again when I get an interview:wink2:

Christina

AK556 APRN · Jun 21, 2007

Almost 10% of the class of 2007 dropped out for one reason or another at Yale during the last 2 years - don't know how many the first year or between years 1 and 2 of the GEPN

emily84 · Jun 29, 2007

I'm not sure this is the right place for this post, but it's definitely related to Yale's admissions requirements so...

I just graduated from a small, well-ranked liberal arts school in the Midwest with a degree in Religious Studies. I have a 3.9 GPA but almost no science or math, although I did take a class on Women's Health and a stats class. I also have basically no experience in the health care field. In the past three or four months, however, I've done a lot of research and decided that I'd like to pursue an MSN, either to become a Women's Health NP or a CNM.

My question is, should I even consider applying to Yale in the fall? I do meet the minimum requirements, and I'm thinking of applying just for the hell of it, but with no volunteer/work experience and very little science background, will my good grades, reqs., test scores, and a passionate personal statement be enough to merit consideration? Or should I wait a year or two until I've racked up some experience and taken Anatomy and Physiology, at least?

JazzyOneRN · Jun 29, 2007

I say go for it! I am I do not have a high undergrad GPA, but Im still applying because of the program and all the good thing that I fee; I would benefit from it as well as all the good things I heard about the program. I say do volunteer at a hospital and shadow an NP so you have some type of insight into what you are trying to pursue.

I dont think you should wait, I say apply now what do you have to lose is 65 dollar app fee. Its worth the try to see what will come out of it. I am applying to the GEPN program as well with a specialty interest in WHNP.

lovingpecola · Jun 30, 2007

Almost 10% of the class of 2007 dropped out for one reason or another at Yale during the last 2 years - don't know how many the first year or between years 1 and 2 of the GEPN

The class of 2007 had about 60 people in it, is that correct? So, less than 10% would mean they loss, what, 4 or 5 people? And was it all due to academics?

Of course we don't want to lose any of classmates. Our class just lost someone at the end due to academics, so I think that's 1 for us, unfortunately.

LP

kimiij · Feb 28, 2008

Are there any other schools that have no (or essentially no) prerequisite courses?? I just finished doing a pre-med postbac but I'm leaning towards midwifery so I'm considering an MEPN but I am tired of doing pre-reqs. Any help is much appreciated!