ABSN Duke Fall 2010

MaryAsh- Hey Girl! I was going to start a new thread, but yours comes up in my search now, so I don't think I have to. I took my GRE's this weekend. I'm so glad I did, because I talked to a lady today, and Duke still hasn't made a final decision about discontinuing it. Looks like I'll need it after all.

How are things going with you? Hopefully some other Fall 2010 applicants are going to chime in...

Well, I suppose if it just us we have a pretty good chance of getting in! Ha Ha.

The GRE went fine. I actually got the exact same score as when I took it MANY years ago. How weird! But it's a pretty good score I think, so I'm happy. Good to know you're running around like me. I sent my application in on Monday night, am ordering transcripts today, and will have to sit around biting my nails while I wait for my reference letters to be done. Speaking of waiting, someone said they pushed some of the interviews to February, so we'll hear final decisions mid-February.

Oh, the waiting!

Sorry to hear about the death of your harddrive. That happened to me, and I was helpless without my computer!
Hey, I can't remember...Are you planning to apply to UNC? I know it's a great program, and would save me about 10K vs Duke. The paperwork sound exhausting, plus no recommendations are accepted and no interview. Which hurts me b/c I'm better with the qualitative stuff (except for test scores, and they don't take those either). My GPA will be much lower for UNC than Duke, so I might be wasting my time...

Hey everyone!
I'm applying to Duke's ABSN program for Fall 2010. I'm about to officially submit my application and will begin the waiting process! I'm pretty nervous about it... I feel like I have a *chance* but my GPA and GRE are just above the cutoffs. What I do have going for me are A's in all but 1 of my pre-reqs (a B in English Comp, ugh), experience working with patients, good recommendations from Duke doctors, applicable certifications and training, and a strong personal statement. I wonder if there are others out there who have previously been accepted to Duke's ABSN program or are now applying with a similar situation? Anyone besides me think I have a shot in the dark or are GPA and GRE heavily weighed??

Hi Kelayy! Sounds like your credentials are the exact opposite of mine... I've got the GPA and GRE scores, but no experience and certainly no Duke doctors! I think they are looking for all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds. Sounds to me like we both bring something different to the table and they should let us both in!

I've applied and am anxiously waiting on letters of recommendation to be submitted, but my part is done.

Always good to have more people to stress out with over admissions! Good luck to us all!

I was just browsing the board and I came across this thread I was in your exact position this time last year and now I'm wrapping up my first semester in the ABSN program! My recommendations are as follows:

1. Pray everyday! Ask others to pray that this is the right school for you. If it is God's will, it will definitely be done.

2. Be sure your application package is solid. Turn in everything on time and stay in touch with Melissa.

3. It was helpful for me to allow myself to check in with Melissa via phone call once every other week. It calmed my nerves and she's so nice about explaining the process multiple times

4. Stay on allnurses and chat with the other applicants from time to time. It really helped me to know others were as freaked out as I was about the process.

5. On interview day, wear something very nice. You want to make a lasting impression. Suits are great and have copies of your CV just in case.

6. Talk with the ABSN students who linger around the cafe on interview day. They were a wealth of information for me about the ins and outs of the program.

7. Pray about it again. Seriously important!

Good luck class of 2012 applicants!

I have a classmate who has a great pep talk about making the UNC/Duke decision. I'll see if I can get him to post here. I'd say, even with the additional expense of 10K, Duke is very worth it. My education thus far has been amazing and I decided at the last minute during the application process not to apply to UNC for some of the same reasons you've mentioned. Good luck with your decision!