[Meytal]

Hi! I applied to PBI, but my package wasn't complete until April 30th.

I'm freaking out waiting for any answer. It's a bit of a long shot, but I really would love to go to school at Beth israel. I was very impressed when I went to take the NLN last year. The students were friendly and helpful. They even had a mini-exhibition on Elisabeth Bing! I imagine their program produces some very excellent nurses.

Oh, but back to me....
Here's my application package:

Scores: NLN 155, 99% Science was weakest, 12 wrong, but a 98%

That's the end of the good news.

Grades: not good. B's-D's in Sciences (a/p, chem, bio, org.chem...), A's in English, Poli Sci, etc. GPA is like 2.9 or something. Incompletes in 2 course. Ugly transcript.

Many different colleges, many poor grades.

Recommendations: My science courses were huge, couldn't ask for rec. from Prof.
Decided not to get recs. from social science profs.
I asked people who volunteer with me.

Essay: Good? I was conscious of not being too "literary". I found it hard to answer the questions in one essay. I was direct and honest. Hopefully, that's what they wanted.

I know I made big mistakes-- taking a/p at Hunter when I didn't really have time to study, for example.

Anyone had similiar experience? Anyone know anyone who got in with yucky grades?

Thanks so much everyone. Good luck!

[keanni]

Hi Meytal,

That was a great NLN! I also got in the high 90 percentile (96%ile to be exact). I also did not have the highest GPA possible, I never really calculated since I also went to alot of schools. I think it would average out to be between 2.8 and 3.0. The only difference between you and I is that I always did good in the sciences between A to B, except for one semester of Organic Chem I got a C. My poorest grade was in English which was a C. Remember, they really care about the prereqs you have completed so if you are in th B range with those, I am sure you are fine.
As Bayley said, I do not think they weigh GPA as much as they do the NLN and the essay. They want to know why and how much do you want to be a nurse. The NLN is important because it shows them that you are capable to do well on standardized exams,so you can pass the NCLEX.
Please do not be discouraged, I think you have a great chance of getting in.

BTW, When did you complete your application? There is still more rounds of interviews to go so call and check on your application, it is not too late.

[Meytal]

oops. Double posted!

No, Triple posted! ugh.
Sorry everyone.

[keanni]

Oh I just saw that you put April 30th, that was just last week. Girl I'm sure they will call you with an NLN like that. They just met on Sunday or Monday to chose the next set of interview candidates, so maybe you might be in the next round since your application was completed just a few days before.

I know how it feels

[Meytal]

My app went in April 1. The transcripts and recomendation should have dribbled in all month. I emailed on April 30th to be sure everyone got in. I didn't get a message back, but I worded my email to let me know if anything is missing. I should have asked for confirmation.

For whatever reason, I was afraid to call. Other posters have described the staff (and faculty!) as being really great.

My concern is that my grades haven't really improved over time. oh well.

[Meytal]

Congratulations Keanni!! That must feel so great!

Re: interviews I know that it's time consuming for them, but I really wish the interview were one of the initial parts of the application. It's not that I think I'm so charasmatic, but I do come across as much more together in person than in my application.

[knitknit]

Originally Posted by Meytal

First, I just want to thank everyone who has written in this forum so far. Thanks for sharing your stories. Good luck to all of you!

Here's my situation. Please let me know if you've heard of anyone with this kind of "package":

Scores: My NLN scores are very good: 155 which was 99%
My weakest area was science, I got like 12 wrong, but Ithat was still 98%

That was the end of the good news.

Grades: weak. Long, historical pattern of poor grades. From High School to the pre-reqs I took last year (10 years). I made stupid choices like taking A/P at Hunter when I was too busy to study. I have a 2.8 GPA, but not so much more. (2.9?)
Worse: I consistantly get A's in English and Poli Sci and B's-D's in Science. Even my good grades count against me.

Essay: I don't know. I didn't want it to seem too "literary". My essay was direct and sincere. I answered all their questions. Don't know.

Recommendations: Toughy. I asked two people who volunteer with me. I hope that was good enough.

I had a million transcripts to get in. I emailed to confirm that they were received. I didn't hear that they weren't. I shoud have called, I know.

Beth Israel really impresed me. I took the NLN there last year-- I was so impressed! The students were warm and friendly. I was thrilled to see an exhibition on Elizabeth Bing. The whole environment just seemed so great. I could imagine the you would really learn to be an excellent nurse there. Oh well.

Any reactions? Anyone know anyone who has a simliar record as I do? (pref. one who was accepted!)

Best of luck to everyone!

When I emailed to confirm that all of my application materials were in, Mrs. Gallo emailed right back with the full list of everything received. That was back in February, when they weren't so deluged, however. That said, I think you should definitely call the main number and check to be sure they have your entire application, particularly if things were going in in bits and pieces. The PBISN website says they require a GPA of 2.5 or higher; you're above that, and with the high NLN score, I would think they would be interested in you. They really couldn't be nicer, so you have absolutely nothing to worry about in terms of calling or emailing—really. Good luck!

[MollyMel]

Originally Posted by CaramelP

OMG, I totally understand you! I am in the process of doing! Please let me know what stage are in (are you applying to nursing school or you already a nursing student or an RN). I know I have more than a year ahead of me to apply but I am so NERVOUS!!!!!!! I am currently taking three course loads (BIO, A&P1 and Math). It would've been two classes but they told me I needed a bio background before I can take A&P. I am going to be attending NYC City tech in the summer. Also, after really thinking about it, I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket with City tech (as I heard that its very hard to get into the nursing program) so besides applying to the latter, I am going to apply to PBISON and Farmingdale. Maybe I should apply to LICHON for the sake of it. I don't know why but I'm freaking out as we speak just because of this NLN, I don't know why I'm letting it get to me, lol. I should be worried more about my classes(actually, I am) because I know I have to get As...

I'm sorry I'm freaking out like this, lol. I know its early....

Hey CaramelP,
I wrote the post you quoted last year (around this time I think). I am now finishing my first year at PBISN. I am still really happy that I took the A&P and Micro at BMCC. I think I was well prepared for the nursing classes, and I am glad I was able to focus mostly on nursing while at PBISN (and keep a good GPA). I am really happy with Beth Israel, but I believe strongly that any nursing school is what you make of it and I am making sure I am getting the most of my experience. I would suggest applying to a lot of different places, and going to a few different open houses. It is good to hear what current students have to say, and to get a feel for the place. Maybe one school will click. Don't stress too much, well, DO stress about the classes you are currently taking ;-) There will be a lot of time for stress later.
good luck

[dt209]

Congrats Keanni!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dt209]

Hi meytal,
It's surprising that you did well in science on the nln but not on your transcript.That's a great score by the way. I had a friend that got a 90,but his transcript wasn't good.He got an interview but was denied i guess due to his D score in a science subj.(the lowest possible for them is a c especially in science). like you i'm waiting for a call for an interview.some schools consider an incomplete as a F, if you didn't complete it the following semester. I know the cuny schools do that because you said you did some courses at hunter.If you did'nt complete that course eventually it's going to stick to you and follow you on your transcripts.did you get a chance to see your transcript if the inc. was turned into a "f" before it was sent off to PBISN,cause i know cuny students can view an unofficial one online from their school.I don't want to come across as being callous i just want to give you a heads up on the inc. and "D" thing before you go into your interview,and if you really have good recommendations and a good essay more power to you!!! GOOD LUCK!!! Hope we both get a call soon