UCONN MEIN 2012-2013

mac05032 · Sep 25, 2012

Hi Ajbernier!Welcome to the group! I'm glad to hear this forum has been helpful thus far! Hopefully more info will be added along the way as we learn more about the process and the program. I have not come across anyone with provisional acceptance for this program, although, its actually not a bad idea. Maybe you can call/email the school and ask.... From what I recall from the info session is that your file must be complete in order to be reviewed. But, you never know, especially if they are not organized as others have mentioned. I would contact them. Goodluck!

To my knowledge the entire file has to be complete for them to review your application - every last grade has to be in. It's certainly worth a shot to ask about it - I'd recommend calling, not emailing, as they are either slow to respond or may lose your email (UConn's email system is pretty abysmal)

Melissa

MEIN student 2012

mac05032 · Sep 25, 2012

Hi. This is my first-ever post on allnurses. I applied for MEIN in June, but my prerequisites were not complete, so I was told that they would be unable to review my application at that time. Fortunately, I managed to get everything done by the August deadline; now I am just waiting and crossing my fingers. Has anybody else received a reply yet? Is it too soon to begin following up with them via email or phone? I, too, have noticed that they tend to be disorganized. I don't even know if there is still space in the 2013 cohort. If not, do you know if they accept people for January 2014 (or do they just reject you)? My first choice is the Waterbury campus.
Thanks so much! Good luck everybody!

If there is no space in the 2013 cohort you WILL be automatically enrolled in the 2014 cohort. If there are no spaces at your preferred location you MAY be offered a spot for 2013 at another campus if they have room - this is what happened to me.

Melissa

MEIN student 2012

mac05032 · Sep 25, 2012

Hi MEINstudent
Congrats on starting your last semester..the end is in sight! I am starting the program in 2013 and am curious about the actual start date. Did you start in the beginning of January or with the normal college semester? Also, did you manage to get sufficient financial aid? (I know that might be a bit personal, but just curious)And, the list of everything you need to buy, are there other ways to get them instead of purchasing them from the school? Thanks for any help/advice!!!

Sadly, there is NO financial aid for this program (at least for this year) because it is not an undergraduate degree (or a graduate one for that matter). All they really offer is loans (that may not cover all the costs for some students); the majority of scholarships are also reserved for undergraduate nursing students. It's tough :***:

They do give you a list of books, scrubs, supplies, etc. you need to buy either at the orientation or soon after. There is a MONSTROUS list of books they have you buy for the first semester, but they offer a bundle they claim will cost you less than if you bought them all separately - but do your research first. Also, a bunch of us from this year's program are already itching to sell all our books and supplies!

For those of you wondering, here's this year's schedule - they keep it pretty much the same every year:

Jan 9 - classes begin

March 11-17 - Spring break

April 21 - 1st semester ends

April 22-May 4 - break

May 7 - 2nd semester starts

Aug 11 - 2nd semester ends

Aug 12-26 - break

Aug 27 - 3rd (final!) semester starts

Nov 19-25 - break

Dec 8 - 3rd semester ends

Dec 9 - pinning ceremony

Dec 17-19 - NCLEX prep class

We had Martin Luther King Jr. day, memorial day, July 4, and labor day off (but they do sometimes make up a class day later on that same week).

narose · Sep 25, 2012

First and foremost thank you for being the best source of information thus far about what to expect next year. It's nice to hear from a current student about what to expect.

I have to admit what caught my eye the most was the idea of buying your books from you or another student! you'll have to let us know closer to the end of your program. Do they change editions between years though?

mac05032 · Sep 25, 2012

First and foremost thank you for being the best source of information thus far about what to expect next year. It's nice to hear from a current student about what to expect.
I have to admit what caught my eye the most was the idea of buying your books from you or another student! you'll have to let us know closer to the end of your program. Do they change editions between years though?

They would probably change editions if a new one came out, but honestly, the books are 95% the same between editions...I've only ever had a single chapter missing when I had a different version. I'll definitely be happy to sell books and supplies (including uniform if the right size) to someone who wants them in December/early January.

Melissa

vbarth11 · Sep 26, 2012

They would probably change editions if a new one came out, but honestly, the books are 95% the same between editions...I've only ever had a single chapter missing when I had a different version. I'll definitely be happy to sell books and supplies (including uniform if the right size) to someone who wants them in December/early January.
Melissa

Thanks for all the information, Melissa! You have been a big help. I have a question that I hoped you could answer. I was wondering, do most people in the MEIN program live close to their respective campuses? I will be at Storrs, and I am debating whether I should move up there, or if I should try to commute from the shoreline. Do most of the clinical sites end up being close to the university?

Thanks so much for your help and your time!

HeidiM27 · Sep 26, 2012

Nicole will definitely email you :-)

mac05032 · Sep 28, 2012

Thanks for all the information, Melissa! You have been a big help. I have a question that I hoped you could answer. I was wondering, do most people in the MEIN program live close to their respective campuses? I will be at Storrs, and I am debating whether I should move up there, or if I should try to commute from the shoreline. Do most of the clinical sites end up being close to the university?
Thanks so much for your help and your time!

Most students do live relatively close to the campus...I'd definitely recommend within a 45 min driving distance. You only have one class day a week on campus, but they try to make it so all clinical rotations are within an hour in any direction from the campus. I've been lucky and have had a 30 minute drive or less for all rotations (I live in Ellington + go to the Storrs campus). Some students have had bad luck and have had 1hr 30 min drives to clinical...that definitely gets tiring! Many clinical rotations begin at 7a and they do have some as late as 10p so keep that in mind.

Ajbernier · Sep 28, 2012

I was accepted while I am still enrolled in my final prerequisite so I guess they do make provisional acceptances. Is anyone else a little worried about the rumored disorganization of the program? I'm hoping that this next year will be better since they have many new faculty members. Anyone here anything abou Quinnipiacs program compared to the mein? I plan on making a list of questions to bring on October 19th :)

alaboringstart · Sep 29, 2012

Congrats Ajbernier! I have to admit that I am a bit worried about the rumored disorganization, considering the physical, mental, and financial stakes ahead :-/ There are pros and cons to having new faculty and I'm looking forward to what each may bring. I think (hope!) orientation will give us a glimpse of what we are getting into.

Ajbernier · Sep 29, 2012

Yeah I also applied to Quinnipiac but they don't make decisions until march and uconn was my first choice so I'm definitely going to take this opportunity. Hopefully it all works out and I'm happy with my choice. Anyone else here going to Waterbury?

alaboringstart · Sep 30, 2012

It will workout (and you'll save tons of money :-) !! ) As someone said before, disorganized as the program may have been or is, graduates have been able to find jobs, even before MEIN became a degree program. I wonder if there are differences between the campuses. It seems the majority on this forum are going to Storrs.