Yale GEPN competitiveness - advice please!

[bex18]

Hi all,

So I am trying to decide if I should go ahead and apply to Yale's GEPN program for 2016 (I would specialize in PNP).

I am in the process of deciding if I would like to pursue a career as a NP rather than a PA.

I am almost entirely convinced to go the NP route, with one main concern: location. I am in CT and not in a position where I can move to go to school. Obviously, this greatly limits my options. The only two direct entry programs that are close enough for me to commute are Yale (51 min) and UMASS (1 hr). I am also keeping UConn's cein/bs program in mind, but its not ideal for me as I you have to work as a RN for a year before you can apply to MSN program.

Yale is also the only school that has a PNP specialty. I know I could choose FNP and ultimately still work in pediatrics, but this is another big reason I much prefer Yale.

Anyways, I'm not sure if I am really competitive enough to apply to Yale. I would love to hear about the experience of past/current applicants or current students.

I graduated from UConn this year with a 3.464 overall GPA and 3.9 GPA in my major, Human Development and Family Studies. It may be useful to note that I maintained at least 1 part time job my entire undergrad career, at times 2. I was a part of the honors program and graduated with honors. I volunteered occasionally as an EMT while I was in school, and I am now working as a PCT at a nearby hospital. I am continuing research on my UConn honors thesis, which is examining social anxiety in survivors of pediatric cancer. I designed the study myself, do all the data collection myself, and an old advisor helps me with the analysis. I have put a ridiculous amount of time and effort into this project, and the doctors I am collaborating with hope I will go on to publish/present at ASPHO this spring.

I was involved in numerous extracurriculars including Greek life and an honors society. I also single-handedly started a club water polo team my sophomore year, and this team is now a member of the Collegiate Water Polo Association and flourishing.

I have not yet taken the GRE... I haven't started studying. If i decide to apply I will take it on October 30th or 31st. I'm not super worried as I have very strong verbal/writing skills and got a 2100 on the SATs without ever cracking a book (I know they're not the same.. but I figure it's some indication...)

I feel that my grades are a bit low, but I am a very well rounded person. I am also extremely passionate about working in pediatrics and I am very much a people person so I interview well. If anyone has any input for me on what my chances of getting into Yale are I would greatly appreciate it!

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

You sound like an ideal candidate! You won't know until you try. Go for it! I'm at UCONN right now and getting in was tough because they required experience and good grades. There were many applicants for a few places but if you present yourself well there's always a chance. Sounds like you know how to present yourself well. Good luck!

[Bumex, DNP, NP]

Do you plan on working for a year or two as an RN? If not, rethink it. I was going to go straight through RN-NP without working. Life happened and I needed to work for a year before starting. It was the best thing that ever could've happened. Working a few years before and while in school have helped me really understand medicine, patient behavior, and the healthcare system as a whole. It really doesn't matter the school, but it does matter the experience and what you get out of it. Nursing school taught me a fraction of what I understand about medicine, it was just the tip of the iceberg. Just after 6 months of working in cardiology as a RN, I really understood differential diagnosis, signs, symptoms, appropriate and inappropriate medication, etc.

Being a PCT and EMT is great experience, I did it as well. But a year as an RN can really teach you to succeed as a NP when you get there.