Yale GEPN 2018

allisonnn317 · Dec 19, 2017

I thought we determined earlier in the thread that it's closer to 50% ish? someone did a super detailed breakdown, i was very impressed haha

psychnp_2b7 · Dec 19, 2017

Yeah, at the open house they mentioned about 50% recieve interviews, then abut 70-80% of those are accepted.

Pnp__2020 · Dec 19, 2017

Hey everyone!

So I will just respond to people's questions in one big comment.

With regards to interviews, I wore black pants, a blazer, and a nice top. Business casual is totally the way to go. The interview is not bad, I know its easier said than done but try not to be nervous. The interview is more of a conversation with a faculty member. Trust me, it does not feel like they are interrogating you. At least for me, my interviewer was extremely nice and very much wanting to know about my life. I would say prepare by knowing your resume, why you applied to Yale, what you would bring to the community, and why you want to be part of your specialty.

I really like the GEPN program, but I'd be lying if I said it was easy. It requires a lot of work and a lot of time. Coming in, I didnt think it would be that bad, but it did require me to study a lot and focus all of my time on. It is totally doable, it just requires a lot of work. I really like my professors. they always make time for you if you need help and provide a ton of resources for you to be successful. That is my opinion, I know other students who have mixed feelings, but they are there to help you. Classes are very interesting and will keep you thinking.

I chose pediatrics because of my love for kids. I have always known I wanted to work with kids since I was younger, and that didnt change throughout the years. Some people choose family because its a bigger range, but I knew from the start that I didnt want to work with adults. Id say that knowing your 100% with your specialty is very important before coming into the program because its hard to switch once your in. Some people I know have been able to switch but its not always an option. I haven't been able to interact much with the peds faculty yet, but I will be able to once I am done with the GEPN year.

If you all have any other questions, please ask!

allisonnn317 · Dec 19, 2017

Hey everyone!
So I will just respond to people's questions in one big comment.
With regards to interviews, I wore black pants, a blazer, and a nice top. Business casual is totally the way to go. The interview is not bad, I know its easier said than done but try not to be nervous. The interview is more of a conversation with a faculty member. Trust me, it does not feel like they are interrogating you. At least for me, my interviewer was extremely nice and very much wanting to know about my life. I would say prepare by knowing your resume, why you applied to Yale, what you would bring to the community, and why you want to be part of your specialty.
I really like the GEPN program, but I'd be lying if I said it was easy. It requires a lot of work and a lot of time. Coming in, I didnt think it would be that bad, but it did require me to study a lot and focus all of my time on. It is totally doable, it just requires a lot of work. I really like my professors. they always make time for you if you need help and provide a ton of resources for you to be successful. That is my opinion, I know other students who have mixed feelings, but they are there to help you. Classes are very interesting and will keep you thinking.
I chose pediatrics because of my love for kids. I have always known I wanted to work with kids since I was younger, and that didnt change throughout the years. Some people choose family because its a bigger range, but I knew from the start that I didnt want to work with adults. Id say that knowing your 100% with your specialty is very important before coming into the program because its hard to switch once your in. Some people I know have been able to switch but its not always an option. I haven't been able to interact much with the peds faculty yet, but I will be able to once I am done with the GEPN year.
If you all have any other questions, please ask!

Thank you so much for all that info!

Would you be able to briefly go over the different off-campus housing options? More specifically just the different neighborhoods people live in. New Haven has some really sketchy areas and I've never been there so it would be good to know what places have a lot of students.

TeachEm, MSN, RN · Dec 20, 2017

@TeachEm - funny thing - i got waitlisted at emory and rejected from USM as well for FNP. Glad we both got interviews for Yale! Good luck to you :)

That's crazy! Ahaha. Congrats on your interview! It seems like we're two peas in a pod for this cycle. Ahaha.

TeachEm, MSN, RN · Dec 20, 2017

Also, does anyone have any ideas on how they are getting to New Haven for the interview? I know that there's a local airport near Yale, but I'm curious to hear if anyone is taking a bus or train from a bigger airport.

MidwifeLife · Dec 20, 2017

Also, does anyone have any ideas on how they are getting to New Haven for the interview? I know that there's a local airport near Yale, but I'm curious to hear if anyone is taking a bus or train from a bigger airport.

I am flying into JFK (the only non-stop from my local airport) and renting a car. It was actually cheaper than flying into the local airport.

YSN_student · Dec 20, 2017

Congrats to all who got an interview! I'm a current GEPN and thought I'd chime in. I remember how much I looked to this forum last year for guidance and advice. Just remember that the few GEPNs that are writing to you are just a sampling of the whole class. What we share is not a complete picture of the program. It is our personal experience. Here's a bit of what I'll share halfway through the program. I also want to share some of what I wish I'd known before beginning. Some stats: Last year, 400 people applied to the GEPN program. This year's class started out at 107 and now we're down to 104. If you've made it to interviews, you've made the first cut! But, they will cut that group of students again in half following the interviews. On the day of your interview, be yourself, ask good questions, and demonstrate your passion. Interviews are only 20-30 minutes. It's more like an orientation day than a day centered around your interview.

Housing: I love living in New Haven. The nursing school campus is in Orange, CT -- about 15 minutes away from downtown. Most students live near central campus in East Rock or downtown. Somebody above wrote "New Haven has some really sketchy areas and I've never been there ..." Hmm. So, you do really know that there are sketchy neighborhoods? Don't pre-judge based on what you've heard. In general, use common sense and you'll be fine.

What I'll say about the program (four months in) is that it is very, very accelerated. It will push your limits in every way and make you dizzy sometimes. When they say, "It's like drinking from a water hose," they kid not. Your first term you will take Pharmacology, Biomed, Med-Surg, Advanced Health Assessment, Anatomy, something called ILCE (2hr/week), and 12hrs of clinical each week which require you to write up weekly care plans that take 15-20hrs to complete. Your grades are pretty much based on exams only so come into this program knowing how to take advanced multiple choice-style questions or you'll potentially be in trouble. I know a few student who were dropped from the program because they weren't doing well enough on their exams. Unlike the medical school, there is no remediation at YSN. Be ready to arrive and hit the ground running. You will be tired all the time. They've made this program accelerated but it doesn't serve students well. Most of us are just eager to plow through school and get on with our lives as practitioners. All that being said, a number of the staff are wonderful people and the students in the years ahead of us are wonderful humans, helpful, and sympathetic. The school is lovely with great simulation labs on the lower level.

Ask hard questions at interview day and really determine if Yale is the best fit for what you want. Unless you have a background in it, you won't necessarily have a strong command of the subject matter in each class by the end of the term. We're just whipping through the material so quickly. I'm realizing that to be the practitioner I want to be I'm going to need to do my own studying/educating outside of Yale. I need more time and space once the program is done.

Finally, I'll say, IT'S YALE! So, you will come and get connected to this a-m-a-z-i-n-g, historical place that has loads of phenomenal resources and then you'll graduate with an Ivy League degree and land any job you want ... well, perhaps. This is a good place, all-in-all, but it definitely has its problems.

NOTE: If you don't have a science background you need to wrap your head around what this fall will be like. The program is not designed differently for you. It is at the same speed and intensity. No papers or reports. Just exams. Multiple choice, all day. I'd suggest getting NCLEX prep books this spring/summer and studying the questions. You belong here! Just don't get left behind.

BEST OF LUCK EVERYONE!!!

MidwifeLife · Dec 20, 2017

Thank you so much for this information YSN_student. I am curious- what is your background in? Do you feel like we should spend time reviewing our A&P book before hand?

Also, why do you think those few people dropped out? The accelerated program itself? Or did they have too much on their plate in other areas? Did they not like the school?

Thank you so much for your help and guidance!

DXnDischarge · Dec 21, 2017

Current GEPN here. It's a very, very fast paced environment. I have a very science heavy background and while it started out somewhat comprehensive for me, it soon became a little hectic because of the sheer amount of volume the program throws at you. Reviewing a little A&P definitely won't hurt, but just be prepared that the review will really just be scratching the tip of the iceberg. The people dropped out because the program might've simply been too accelerated for them. That all being said, however, it's not impossible- you'll meet new friends, maybe even study together, and you'll definitely cry together, and all that will help you plow thru everything. I would say that during interview day, don't just try to impress your interviewer- YSN needs to impress you too! Ask hard questions, make sure that the $89K you are spending the first year is worth every damn penny because it is an investment that requires you to thoroughly analyze!

In terms of visiting and housing- I think last year some GEPNs were gracious enough to open their doors and board some of us interviewers, so definitely ask around! East Rock is a lovely area in New Haven where most of us students stay, but there are some parts of New Haven that are rough, as one would expect from an urban environment. There are also some nice towns around the school in West Haven/Orange where you can rent, but you'll miss living so close with most of your classmates in New Haven.

Hope this helps- if there are any other questions, I'm sure one of us can help!

futurefnp123456 · Dec 21, 2017

Hi all! I will be interviewing for FNP! What is the interview format typically like? It's about 30 minutes, right? What kinds of questions have people been asked?

rdl1 · Dec 21, 2017

hey everyone, this is my first time posting but I have an interview as well for PNP. Im super excited because I didn't think I would get an interview!!!