UIC BSN for Fall 2013 applicants...

U.S.A. Illinois

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Hello all,

I applied to UIC for their BSN program for fall 2013. SUPER stressed about it. If anyone else has applied, you know they have very specific pre reqs, so if I don't get in here, I will have taken a ton of classes for nothing :( I've been reading some posts from this time last year, and it sounds like the most important things are your GPA, essays, and letters of recommendation. My GPA is only a 3.54. I think my essays were pretty good- I have quite a bit of experience in hospitals, as a patient and employee, and I did well with writing papers in the past. I had a professor from UIC (who is also a professor at City Colleges of Chicago that taught my Microbio class) write one of my letters of recommendation, and my CNA instructor from Truman write the other. I got my CNA certification over this past summer, specifically to help with my application to UIC. So I work in a hospital now. I was hoping to have been able to keep my 4.0 GPA, becuase with my work experience I figured they would kind of have to take me. But now with my lower GPA I'm freaking out! Anyone gone through this in the past? Any words of wisdom? Anyone not made it in, and applied the next year?

Have you volunteered, shadowed, or do you have your CNA?

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I got waitlisted and I have a 4.0, good letters of rec, good essays, but no past experience since high school (I'm 26 now). I think experience had A LOT of weight in the decision.

Have you volunteered, shadowed, or do you have your CNA?

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Hi everyone! Let me know if anyone has gotten accepted. I was admitted into UIC's location. Does anyone know what the two years schedule looks like? Ie: what type of classes you're taking?

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Hi everyone! Let me know if anyone has gotten accepted. I was admitted into UIC's location. Does anyone know what the two years schedule looks like? Ie: what type of classes you're taking?

What was your gpa and other credentials if you dont mind sharing? Mine was a 3.74 as I am hoping to come off the waitlist

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I have a 4.0 GPA w/ volunteer work at a health organization. I received a recommendation letter from my Anatomy & Physiology instructor & another from my Microbiology instructor.

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No, I don't have any hospital experience. I worked in an assisted living home a few years ago but that's it.

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Anyone else out there on the waitlist lurking around?

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Congrats, to every one who got accepted and I wish the best to those who got waitlisted. I also applied and got accepted for the Chicago campus Fall 2013. I was wondering does any one know anything about the UIC program, I know it is ranked number 1 in the state and top 5 in the nation, but does any one know more about the program. For example, I know the program is a Mon-Firday 9-4pm class and clinical schedule and the lowest grade a student can get is a B, meaning no C's, which is fine since I have always been a almost straight A student. I also heard that the program is extremely intense, UIC takes the best of the best and only about half will graduate, and during the school year student really don't have any social life and I was told only sleep 5hr a day if lucky. They also dont work because with class, clinics and studying there is no time. I have friends who are current nursing student and graduates of other programs and their social life and sleeping patterns are very similar, but most have some kind of a part time job. I am more then willing to sacrifice the next two years to the program, but I was also accepted to Saint Xavier University Nursing Program and I am looking into SXU. I have a few friends who are students at SXU and who graduated and they told me the program is also intense, but it is a extra semester longer then UIC and you can take summer classes which allows you to balance your schedule and have a little free time. I was wonder does any one have any more info about UIC program, Thanks

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Hi everyone! I am a senior nursing student at UIC and if you need to know more about the program, please message me! My experience at UIC has been worthwhile. It was one of the best decisions I have made despite the program being so intense (and out of hand lately due to new program advisers and such). The last two years have been amazing. I believe UIC has one of the best nursing programs in the country because of its faculty. I think they have the best nursing faculty--very dedicated to nursing, compassionate, encouraging, and very helpful. They will help you succeed! I can assure you that even though there are some who give very difficult exams structured like the NCLEX but that is to our benefit in the end. All those difficult times really influenced and enhanced my studying habits. I learned SO much. I learned to actually study and not just scheme through a pile of notes. What a roller coaster ride the first year was but it gets better towards senior year. :) Once again, please do not hesitate to message me if you need to know more about the program and are anxious about it! I was in the same boat! I can't believe I'm graduating in two weeks. It has been a crazy ride in nursing school and I am so happy to be done soon! To those who got accepted in the program, congratulations and brace yourself! For those who are in the wait-list, don't give up hope yet if you really want to go to UIC. I know about more than ten people from my class who were wait-listed, got called in less than a week before the first day of class, and got in. Do enjoy your summer though! Next summer, you'll have opportunities to get internships and volunteer experience. Good luck! :)

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Hello! I got accepted into the fall 2013 nursing program and I am so excited! I heard it's going to be tough and I really hope I can handle it all. I'm a bit worried, but I will try my best and see how it goes!

The day before I got my acceptance letter my mom actually argued with me and told me not to get my hopes up. I am so relieved that I got in. I didn't think I would make it. I have a 3.8 gpa, but my science gpa is a bit lower since I got Bs in a few classes. However, I was told that gpa isn't as important as the essay writing and medical experience? Not too sure how they judge it, but I volunteered at a Doctor's office over the summer and put those experiences in my essays. My essays were also over the word limit, but I didn't care. I had to get my point through. I also got my recommendations from my biology and nutrition teacher. I had over a 100% in bio and the teacher really liked me. My nutrition teacher also used to be a nurse and I was one of the few people that got an A in her class. Well that's the gist of my story. I actually got waitlisted for NIU, so I'm glad this pulled through. UIC was my first choice anyways! Congrats to everyone that got in! Let's work hard and graduate with As! :D

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@1swooshS2:

Just to clarify, you can pass with a C or higher. However, it depends in the class. Most of the classes require you to have an average grade of 70% in total exams in that course. Say for example, you got a D in your first exam and another D on your second exam but you managed to pull up your grade in the next couple of exams. If the mean average of all your exams in that class is 70%, you still pass the class as long as you your overall grade for that class adds up to a C or higher. However, it doesn't matter if your overall grade is a B or higher if you do not get a C or higher on your exam total. Also, nursing school is hard. You may not get the grade that you want half of the time and the grade that you were used to but keep going and study, study, study! Seek for help if needed. You're in good hands. :)

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ok, thanks a lot for the clarification, I thought I heard the speaker at the information meeting say only A's and B's pass and C's are failing, but I am very happy to hear that is not the case. I was wondering what is the grading scale in the program 100-90 A, 89-80 B, 79-70 C, and are the tests curved? Also I was told that we are going to be in class or clinical M-F from 9am to 4pm first semester, is this correct, how is it scheduled? Also how are the teachers I know as a UIC student in my Bio and Chem class' most of the teachers cared more about their research then the students and if you asked them for help they belittle you, not all but some, Thanks a lot for the information and I wish you the best of luck with the remaining time in the program and your NCLEX !!!

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