Samuel Merritt ABSN San Francisco

biggiecali · Apr 21, 2009

I'm a total worrier, but I'm scared to death that there are 48 applicants out there that have 4.0 GPAs, all their pre-reqs completed, and volunteer and healthcare experience on top of that.

That is exactly what I am worried about. I got a 93 on the NET, my last 60 GPA is about a 3.9 or 3.8, I never really calculated it...and my science/prereq GPA is only like a 3.7. I have only volunteer experience in a hospital from High School...which was 8 years ago...and no healthcare experience...sounds like we are in pretty similar boats. I sure hope our boats make it to S.F. in November!! I'm really nervous too. I am just praying that everyone else that applied still has classes to take, or doesn't have as great of a NET or GPA, or they have other choices and they end up not accepting if they do get a spot. Also, the economy has got to make some of these applicants think twice...paying $55k+ for a year education and then taking who knows how long to actually find a job, that might make some people change their mind. This is the only place I applied, so this is my only chance. If I don't get in now then I am hoping they will let me move my application over to the May Oakland cohort and not have to take the TEAS now that they changed the test requirement. We'll see. Good luck to you!

NuRsesRocK08 · Apr 21, 2009

hello run2savelives and biggiecali,

just dropping in to read some posts and got some info for you two. If it helps any, I was accepted to the San Mateo June 09 absn at Samuel Merritt University. When I applied, I had two ongoing classes (stat and pharmacology) and one class still to take (pathophysio). The advisor told me that it was okay to put these on my application even though they have not been completed before the application deadline. You should speak to an advisor to make sure this is still acceptable. I know of a few people in my class that were also accepted with ongoing classes. Hope this encourages you both!

BeeSupporter · Apr 29, 2009

Hi everyone, I have been accepted into SMU's ABSN program and just want to affirm PP's input - I don't believe having prereqs in progress necessarily compromises your chances of getting in as long as the list is reasonable/doable. I had patho and pharm on my to be completed list and it was not an issue. I would definitely make certain that your admissions application included a listing of what is in progress along with firm to-be-completed by dates. If in doubt contact your admissions counselor and make sure they have the information! It seems to me that the people who get unwelcome surprises during the admissions process have failed to take the time to communicate directly with the appropriate contact at SMU. They are busy folks so call and e-mail. Be respectful and patient, but don't be a stranger. :twocents:

Good luck and try not to stress!

PS If you have a lot of science pre-reqs in progress like Physio and Micro or Anatomy plus patho and pharm send spring 09 updates or even instructor letters verifying mid-semester grades just to make sure Admissions is clear that you are getting them done. It can't hurt.

carolc415 · May 5, 2009

Hi all,

I'm an applicant for the Fall '09 ABSN cohort in SF. I have 3 prereqs in progress.

I'm wondering, for those of you who have healthcare experience, why you would apply for a second Bachelor's rather than a Master's degree?

Izzy16 · May 6, 2009

Hi,

I am hopping someone knows the answer.... I have taken NET two times and first time did better in math but second time did better in English. Can Samuel Merritt take one test result from each section or do they look at one test only? HELP!!! Thanks!

Mar123 · May 6, 2009

I think that it's the composite score that they are concerned with. I think anything above 85 is pretty competative.I'm not really sure what they are looking for. I think they consider everything.. grades, Net, and experience.But some decisions they have made don't make sense to me......I heard somebody got accepted with 6 prereq courses in progress. There have been others with pretty good grades that haven't gotten in and others with lower grades that have gotten in.So who's to say what they want? I stopped trying to figure it out.

All we can do is wait.Good luck!:anbd:

Izzy16 · May 6, 2009

I think that it's the composite score that they are concerned with. I think anything above 85 is pretty competative.I'm not really sure what they are looking for. I think they consider everything.. grades, Net, and experience.But some decisions they have made don't make sense to me......I heard somebody got accepted with 6 prereq courses in progress. There have been others with pretty good grades that haven't gotten in and others with lower grades that have gotten in.So who's to say what they want? I stopped trying to figure it out.
All we can do is wait.Good luck!:anbd:

thanks for your reply... what I am concerned with is: Can they take my math results from NET #1 try and my English from NET #2 try.... what do you think?

Mar123 · May 7, 2009

I think they will look at both of you scores from both. Some say that they have some kind of formula that they use.......and maybe they do in general but I think that they consider all your information to see if you have a profile that say's ..."this person would be a good nurse".

scistav · May 7, 2009

At my admissions counseling appointment, it was explained that the NET is the first thing they use to eliminate candidates. They establish a cut off score and if you fall below the score, the rest of your application won't be looked at. I was told they were expecting that score to be around 70 for my application pool but it varies depending on the applicants. I would guess the actual number was a little higher since they received more applications than expected. The admissions counselor didn't mention the score also being used in formula later but that makes sense to me.

For your specific question about whether they will combine scores from two tests, send an email to admissions. They were great about answering my questions during the application process.

RNinSF · May 15, 2009

I too, am applying to SMU ABSN SF program, and like the others, am a little worried due to the 75% increase in apps. I spoke to Che, she confirmed that results should be coming out in July.

My stats:

Cum GPA- 3.5ish;

last 60, 3.5ish;

pre-reqs 4.0. have my BA in bus mgmt from St. Mary's.

NET- 87% (96th percentile) with 100 math, 73 reading (however i did get 94 writing which i know doesn't count..).

I am currently volunteering at JMMC in Walnut Creek and I was president of the DVC Pre-Nursing Society for two terms.

As for complete applications, i think that refers to whether you have everything they need, i.e. check, complete forms, etc. I don't think it refers to whether your pre-reqs are completed. However, i do know that you have to have your pre-reqs completed by summer term to qualify...

Base on the above info, does anyone have any idea of my qualifications? So far this is my only app- i really need to do accelerated or else I need to work during a two year program. I REALLY don't want to do that.

ANY feedback would be appreciated- thanks!!!

Mark

PS- Oh, and I'm male...

audrey409 · May 15, 2009

Hey Mark! I have the exact same stats as you, but a 96 for math and a 74 for reading so I guess we're on the same boat. I spoke to Che before I applied and she saw my stats. She said it was very competitive because of the GPA and prereqs. She also said that it's going to be more difficult for the SF cohort because there's more applicants than usual. So hang in there, we are considered fair game because of "health care experience" so we got a good chance! Keep your hopes up and good luck!

lunaflaura · May 15, 2009

I applied to the SF campus for November and got an email today saying that my application passed the SMU admissions review and is being forwarded to the SF campus for further review...

Did anyone else get a similar email?