Yale GEPN Fall 2010

[girl.w/useless.b.a.]

Okay, I know it's early, but Yale is my first choice, and I'm already terrified that I'm going to screw it up. My goal is New England (although I'm also applying to Pace because they have this Science Summer thing for those of us who haven't taken anatomy yet), and I want to be a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.

I eventually want to either have a mobile clinic for poorer older folks who can't afford more traditional options or who are home-bound, or make home-calls in some other way.

I think Yale will help me get there, but I don't think I'll get in. I have a lower GPA (but still above a 3.0) from UC Santa Cruz, and I spent the last two years teaching in Taiwan, only to find out I don't like teaching very much. I'm taking my GREs in three weeks and I'm starting some prereqs this summer.

I'm also applying to Simmons, Pace, Northeastern, MGH and Boston College.

Before I ramble on any longer, anyone else applying?

[PhillyNurse75]

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone started working on the FAFSA yet? Here is my dilemma. I'm applying to some programs (like Yale) that are graduate programs, and others (like Hopkins) where I would begin by earning a second Bachelors degree. Since I'm applying to both simultaneously, how do I complete the FAFSA? It asks at the beginning whether you will be an undergraduate student or a graduate student in 2010-2011. Are we supposed to complete two different FAFSA forms for the two types of programs? So confused! Anyone have an answer?

Also, do we need to wait until we do our taxes to complete the FAFSA? It seems to ask for lots of information that I won't know until I complete my taxes, but I won't be able to do that for a while. I don't even have my W-2's yet.

Would love some advice!

Thanks!

[ooooladoula]

Marinara,

So I've been reading the Yale message board and this is what I've learned from administration. It might help you:

"Someone separately asked about the FAFSA so I thought I would make a post. You must submit the FAFSA between Jan 1 & Feb 6th. You do not need to wait to do your taxes, but your "guesstimate" should be as good as possible because you are required to submit a copy of your tax return in order to verify any financial aid award down the road. So, don't think that you can fudge the numbers and still keep a great financial aid package. You should be as honest and accurate as possible.

Also, some people have asked about parental info... We do not require it, but some programs do. This means that if you are applying to a school that requires parental info (ie: a BSN/MSN program) then you MUST include that info on your FAFSA. When your FAFSA arrives at Yale, our Financial Aid Office deletes the parental info.

For YSN purposes, you are strictly a graduate student. However, this is where things can get tricky if you are applying to programs that offer a BSN/MSN combined because they may consider you an undergrad for the first year. You might just want to check with any BSN/MSN combined programs that you are applying to just to be sure. If THEY consider you an undergrad, then you should check the "undergrad" box when filling out the FAFSA. YSN will make any necessary changes to your information when it arrives in our Fin Aid office."

http://messageboard.chatuniversity.com/yalenursing2/

[PhillyNurse75]

Thank you! That is very helpful information.

[maziemoo22]

Agreed! Anyone getting nervous? Interviews are coming up!

[macmac84]

Unless you have a personal conviction against suits, wear a suit. Most people will wear suits and if you don't, you might feel uncomfortable for having not. Of course it won't make or break you, but it is an interview for a grad program at an ivy league...

[rocker66]

Good point on the suits. Most people will be wearing them and you might feel uncomfortable without one. Just be confident in whatever you choose to show up it!

[maziemoo22]

Does anybody want to post on how the interviews were for 22nd? I am freaking out for the one this friday?

P.S. any additional info on the PMHNP specialty would be awesome!

[jjsrn1]

I had a phone interview on the 21st for FNP. It went well and took about 30 min. My interviewer was very conversational and she asked me about four questions. Definitely wasn't stressful! Good luck! :)

[maziemoo22]

That's great to hear! What specialty did you apply for?

[jjsrn1]

I applied to the FNP specialty. I'm assuming you applied to the PMHNP specialty since I see you wanted more info about it, am I correct? :) Such a great career to have right now, especially since the waiting lists to see psychiatrists are terribly long these days. PMHNPs are taking in a lot of those patients.

[maziemoo22]

Yup, I'm going for psych. I'm a tad bit worried though because my interviewer would say things like "great answer" and things of those nature. However, at the end of the interview she said that I should make sure I investigate other programs because it I will be in a lot of debt, etc.. I don't know if this is a polite way of saying get out or if I am just over analyzing it. Did anybody elses interviewers say that?

[ooooladoula]

Hi Mazimoo and everyone,

Congrats to all of us for getting through interviews! Now we have to wait, again. Mazimoo, I think its hard not to over analyze the interview. I remember feeling good after I got out and then agonizing that I maybe I didn't stress a certain aspect enough. Don't read too much into your interviewer's comment. He/she was probably just trying to make sure you know how much of a financial commitment Yale is. Don't get me wrong, it scares me that most students exit with $100K in debt but its ultimately a trade off for your top notch education and future career. I recall the admission's director saying cost is the number one reason students don't chose Yale. As a result she said they may admit more students in anticipation of students turning down the school for cheaper alternatives. Hope this helps. Now go enjoy your weekend and pat yourself on the back for getting through one more hurdle!