accelerated BSN for fall 2010 - looking for advice

[RNpatterson]

Application season is upon us and I think those of us applying for the accelerated programs could use all the help we can get. For those of you who are starting this year, can you tell us where you're going and what you think it was about your application that got you in? For those of you who were denied (and will be applying again with us this year), list where you applied and why you think you didn't get accepted.

THANKS!!

[cwa82]

Hi! I'm about to start my second and final year at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. As a private school with crazy tuition, it wasn't my first choice but I was able to get a spot in their program and felt I would have been a fool not to take it!

I originally applied to UVA and VCU's 2nd degree programs, only to be rejected by UVA and waitlisted by VCU. I feel that I had good applications to both schools, but I was simply a name on a piece of paper to them. I ended up making an appointment at the end of last summer to meet the admissions person and dean of nursing at EMU to talk about application options for the following year. I was really bummed out about the experience with UVA and VCU and ready to give up on nursing school. During my meeting with the people at EMU, they looked at my transcripts and told me that they had a spot open if I could start with the entering fall class in three days! Getting ready and lining up my loans in about 48 hours was crazy, but I'm so glad I said yes - now I'm looking forward to graduating in May!

Bottom line - make an appointment to talk to someone at the schools of your choice. You never know what could happen, and I really think that meeting face to face makes an impression that will speak louder than your application. Be a face and a voice to them, not just a folder in their stack of applications! Good luck to you!

[LifelongDream]

I'm graduating from the Accelerated BSN program through Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center tomorrow! The program is a second degree program for people that already had bachelor's degrees in other areas. I was accepted the first year I applied. I think what helped me get in was the interview and my grades. They really want you to be yourself and have a GREAT answer to the question "Why do you want to be a nurse?". Getting accepted is just the first step. If you get in, it's going to be a long hard year. Good luck!