University of Pennsylvania

[againstallodds]

Did anyone else apply for 2011 admission? Have you heard anything? I see very little about their program here and I am curious as to why...

[KWallace19]

I applied for 2011 in July/August and just heard back from them last week. I was invited to an interview November 5th!! YAY!! There website currently states that they are no longer accepting or reviewing applicants for the 2011 cohort.

I feel like it's pretty late in the game to nab a 2011 slot, however, when I called to confirm the interview I asked if I was being considered for the 2011 or 2012 cohort and was assured it was for 2011.

Have you heard anything?

[Lolita]

I sent in my application early, July 1st. I heard back a few weeks after and was offered an interview spot for the second week of Sept. I withdrew from the interview after a accepting a spot at the NorthShore/Depaul program. I had heard a few not so positive things in reference to there clinical opportunities...and the tuition in Chicago was so much cheaper.

They told me the interview was a quick 1-hour, in and out...time split between the PD and assistant PD.

[KWallace19]

Thanks for the info Lolita :)

[PAdutch]

Hey there! Where do you work in Philly??? What type/how many years experience do you have??

By the way, love your pic! GO PHILS...specifically, Chase Utley :) :)

[KWallace19]

PAdutch,

I've worked in Bryn Mawr Hospital's CCU for the past 3 years. Enough bedside critical care experience to feel like I am ready for this, but not so much that my stress/nerves/anxiety aren't creeping up and starting to get the best of me as my interview dates draw closer!... :loco:

I read on another post that you interviewed with OLLMC. When did you interview? Any other tips/advice specifically about their interview process other than the exam?

Love me some Jayson Werth! LET'S GO PHILS!!!! :high5:

[justtesting]

hi, i interviewed and was accepted to their 2011 cohort. i put a deposit down to hold my spot, but also have been accepted to another program. if you wouldnt mind revealing what you have heard about the clinical opportunities i would appreciate it. anything to help me make up my mind. i realize everything on this board needs to be taken with a grain of salt so dont worry about me basing my decision on your answer, but its always interesting to hear what others have heard or what others have to say. if you feel it more appropriate to PM me, please do, thanks.
QUOTE=Lolita;105992]I sent in my application early, July 1st. I heard back a few weeks after and was offered an interview spot for the second week of Sept. I withdrew from the interview after a accepting a spot at the NorthShore/Depaul program. I had heard a few not so positive things in reference to there clinical opportunities...and the tuition in Chicago was so much cheaper.

They told me the interview was a quick 1-hour, in and out...time split between the PD and assistant PD.[/QUOTE]

[againstallodds]

Thanks for the feedback. I just e-mailed to find out what is going on over there. My application was in the end of August. The admin assistant said they are still reviewing applications. How did they notify you?

[KWallace19]

I received a phone call inviting me to an interview.

[earllove]

What have you heard about clinicals? I also have not seen much written about them. I did tons and tons of research before choosing PENN, and I did not find much on this site about the clinical experience at PENN at all. I can tell you personally that they are great. I would do some research into other programs and find out 1) Are you competing with residents? 2) Do you stick with a primary preceptor or do you jump around? At PENN we don't compete and have a primary, this alone I feel is a major advantage. I don't hear many complaints from our class..yes there will be some, but that is everywhere.

[JadamR15]

Ear,

How long have you been in clinicals?

I'm at a primary site with PENN students. My school also does a 'primary ' site...I don't know of any sites with a 'primary' preceptor. The PENN students where I'm at don't have one, that's for sure. Also, PENN students don't compete with residents because they don't rotate at HUP. Don't get me wrong though - I've heard great things from the students there, and from the MDAs/CRNAs who work with PENN students (yes, I asked specifically about the Ivy League school ;))- only good things!

I strongly suggest looking at clinical sites as well - IMO, there are FEW quality clinical sites in the PA/NJ/DE area. Less than 5. Generally tightly ACT controlled.

I consider a quality clinical site as the following:

Allows student to participate in PREOP and POSTOP care and management.

Allows students to participate and be taught all types of regional anesthesia and central line insertion.

Encourages teaching from MDAs/CRNAs - not just doing it "their way" - but encouraging student to develop evidence based care.

Equal distribution with MDA residents for cases (preferably not housed in a residency program).

Allows students to far surpass minimum case requirements - ie 1000+ GA cases, 200 Spinal/Epidural (each), 100+ PNB.

Essentially, everything you'll need to be a full-service provider able to collaborate with anesthesiologists, surgeons, dentists, and podiatrists.

[JadamR15]

also:

http://www.nurse-anesthesia.org/showthread.php/6562-Jefferson-or-PENN

[MmacFN]

PENNs clinical sites are no better than any of the other philly programs, which in general have highly restrictive ACT practices.



What have you heard about clinicals? I also have not seen much written about them. I did tons and tons of research before choosing PENN, and I did not find much on this site about the clinical experience at PENN at all. I can tell you personally that they are great. I would do some research into other programs and find out 1) Are you competing with residents? 2) Do you stick with a primary preceptor or do you jump around? At PENN we don't compete and have a primary, this alone I feel is a major advantage. I don't hear many complaints from our class..yes there will be some, but that is everywhere.

[mummer43]

The price of Penn's program ruled it out immediately for me. Why would you pay that much when you get get the same education at several of the Philly area programs for significantly less? It's not like a degree from Penn will get you any further than a degree from Villanova, Naz, Jefferson, or Montgomery. The only thing I see being an advantage at Penn is the length of the program. I am attending a Philly area program and I will be at a primary site, but will most definitely not have a primary preceptor. I don't think any program does that. What would be the benefit?

[JadamR15]

The price of Penn's program ruled it out immediately for me. Why would you pay that much when you get get the same education at several of the Philly area programs for significantly less? It's not like a degree from Penn will get you any further than a degree from Villanova, Naz, Jefferson, or Montgomery. The only thing I see being an advantage at Penn is the length of the program. I am attending a Philly area program and I will be at a primary site, but will most definitely not have a primary preceptor. I don't think any program does that. What would be the benefit?


Only beneficial if you have an amazing teacher. Being thrown around sucks, too, believe me.

BTW - no program has that here in PA to my knowledge.

And PENN's length isn't always a plus. Jeff has considerbly longer clinical hours (based soley upon program set up), however, PENN probably has better didactics at this point (phys taught by physiologists, etc...)

BUT, PENN's MSN courses are more work (I've heard).

Every place is what you make it. Some are just more work to make it worthwhile :).

Still, programs out west have better didactics and MUCH better clinical.

[mummer43]

I'm not sure I would consider a 24 month program to be a benefit unless you have all of your MSN classes finished prior to starting. Taking all the MSN classes while taking the anesthesia classes, plus clinical would suck big time.

I would think that having several preceptors would be better than having just one. Yes, being thrown around would suck, but you get to learn a variety of different techniques and hear various points of view regarding the administration of anesthesia.

I agree, your program is what you make of it and I'm sure everyone has a different experience within the same program.

Why do programs out West have better didactics/clinical experiences? I know nothing of them.


Only beneficial if you have an amazing teacher. Being thrown around sucks, too, believe me.

BTW - no program has that here in PA to my knowledge.

And PENN's length isn't always a plus. Jeff has considerbly longer clinical hours (based soley upon program set up), however, PENN probably has better didactics at this point (phys taught by physiologists, etc...)

BUT, PENN's MSN courses are more work (I've heard).

Every place is what you make it. Some are just more work to make it worthwhile :).

Still, programs out west have better didactics and MUCH better clinical.

[JadamR15]

I've spoken to students from various schools from west of the missipi who have excellent regional and all-CRNA rotations. U of Oregon and Midwestern to name a few.



I'm not sure I would consider a 24 month program to be a benefit unless you have all of your MSN classes finished prior to starting. Taking all the MSN classes while taking the anesthesia classes, plus clinical would suck big time.

I would think that having several preceptors would be better than having just one. Yes, being thrown around would suck, but you get to learn a variety of different techniques and hear various points of view regarding the administration of anesthesia.

I agree, your program is what you make of it and I'm sure everyone has a different experience within the same program.

Why do programs out West have better didactics/clinical experiences? I know nothing of them.

[JadamR15]

There is a survey being created by a member of this site (not sure if it's public yet) that will help determine what schools provide the best clinical experience.

[mummer43]

There is a survey being created by a member of this site (not sure if it's public yet) that will help determine what schools provide the best clinical experience.

I'm looking forward to seeing the results.