Questions for JHU students

U.S.A. Maryland

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I would appreciate if any JHU students could kindly answer a few of my questions. I've been going back and forth on whether I'd submit my application for Fall'07. I'm trying to pacify my anxieties. For those students who are attending Hopkins, would you mind answering any of the following questions:

1.) What your overall GPA is

2.) What your GPA for the prerequisite is

3.) How soon did you receive an acceptance letter

I work full time, attend school at night and raise two kids. My GPA for the Science prerequisites is a 3.9. However, my overall GPA might be pulled down by my other subjects (Humanities, Social Sciences etc...) I took those subjects way back in the early 90s when I was younger and wasn't serious about school. Basically, I'm looking for someone who can share with me their experience in getting accepted. I know how cut-throat it is to get accepted. I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who didn't really have super high grades but was accepted into the program.

Any response would be extremely appreciated!

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I moved your post to the Maryland Forum, where it's more likely to get some responses. Good luck!

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Hi! I see you are deciding between Hopkins and Maryland. I got accepted at both. They were the only two schools I applied to. I actually decided to go to Maryland because I could get the same quality of education for much less than at Hopkins. I talked to several Hopkins grads when making my decision and the majority of them told me that they would have picked Maryland for their BSN if they had to do it over again. Just food for thought!

I applied to the traditional program at Hopkins. It is hard to say what my overall GPA was because I have a prior bachelor's and a master's. I am not sure what they calculated to get the GPA they used, but I would say it was around a 3.7. My science pre-req GPA was a 3.9. I think they contacted me (Hopkins calls to tell you you were accepted before you get the letter) at the end of March/beginning of April.

I work 12 hours a week (I graduate in May). If you want to do really well at either of these schools, it will be challenging, but not impossible if you work full time (depending if you are applying to the traditional or accelerated program). I have a friend who works over 20 hours a week and she does well.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions!

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Thanks for the reply TLR03!

It would surely be nice to be in the same predicament as you, having to choose between Hopkins or UMaryland. :) I will be submitting my application for fall '07 to Umd this month. I don't think I will be able to make it in time for the Jan. 15 deadline of Hopkins. But, I'm really more keen on getting into the Traditional BSN at Maryland. I also have thought about the cost of involved in studying in a private University such as Hopkins.

How is the Nursing program at University of Maryland? How are the professors? Btw, I wish to take the program at the Shady Grove campus. Have heard of any feedbacks from Shady Grove students?

Thanks again for taking the time to answer my query.

Good luck with your studies. Time surely flies don't you think?

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Did I mention that I am in the traditional program? I am glad that I did that instead of the CNL program (the accelerated masters that replaced the accelerated BSN).

I have been really impressed with the program at UMaryland. I have had some phenomenal professors (especially Adult Health and Health Assessment) and I have had one or two mediocre professors. I think you will find that at any school. Things are not always organized, but the administration and professors are open to constructive criticism and trying to improve how things are run.

We do not have any interaction with students from the Shady Grove campus so I can not speak to the situation there at all.

Have you visited the Baltimore campus to see the sim lab, etc...? It might be worth the trip!

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I called the admissions office yesterday to inquire if there is an open house scheduled any time soon, but it seems that there aren't any. I went to an information session at the Shady Grove campus, though. I hope that the admissions office will schedule an open house sometime this spring. I'm eager to see the campus.

Thanks for all the information you shared. At this rate, I think I'm really dead set on getting into the UMD BSN traditional program. In the meantime, I need to work hard on the remaining prereqs. Hopefully, I would be able to achieve a competitive overall GPA.

One last question....Is it tough to maintain a competitive GPA in the Nursing program? I have cousin who's currently in an ADN program, and he's having a tough time. He is usually on top of his class, but only managed to get a 'C' in one of his Nursing subjects. Is the program really that hard? How do you manage?

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I would say it is not too difficult to get in the 3.0-3.3 range. If you want to get a 4.0, yes, you are going to have to study A LOT! Nursing school is A LOT of memorization and then applying that knowledge (i.e. critical thinking) to different situations. All of our tests at UMD are NCLEX format. They do this to prepare you the best they can to pass the NCLEX. It takes practice to know how to answer these types of questions. My suggestion to you is to go purchase an NCLEX review book (I like Lippincott's) at the beginning of school and start practicing. The various sections will correspond to the different classes you are taking in school.

Nursing school is not easy! If you want to go into one of the more competitive areas of nursing (ie critical care and L&D) you are going to want to keep your GPA up. The practicum placements at UMD are competitive.

I have done really well in school because I study a great deal (more than some of my classmates, I am sure). I don't have children and I only work 12 hours a week, so I have a good amount of time to study. The trick is to learn how to study and what to study. For example, the professor may assign you six chapters for one lecture. It is nearly impossible to read every word and still prepare for your other classes. You can skim the reading to get the main points and focus on the lecture notes. ALWAYS GO TO LECTURE!!!! There were 120 students in my pscyh class. By the end there were about 20 of us attending lecture. There were only about 6 of us who got A's in the class and I believe it is because we attended lecture. If you do all this, than you will do well in nursing school!

Good luck and feel free to ask me more questions! I wish that I had more guidance before going to nursing school, so I am more than willing to help others.

ALSO, GET YOUR APPLICATION IN ASAP!! They say it is rolling admission (or at least it use to be), but I really think you get more consideration the earlier you apply!

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Hi TLR03, can I jump in here and ask why you are glad you didn't do the CNL program? I have been considering it for Fall of 2007. Thanks in advance!

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Thanks TLR03 for taking the time the answer my questions and for all your advice. I know how valuable your time is.

I'm currently working on my personal statement essay, the remaining requirement that has taken me the longest time to complete. I'm still not satisfied with what I have written. I know that a good essay can make a lot of difference.

Good luck again with your studies!

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Hi MEO82,

Well, there are several reasons why I decided not to do the CNL program after I had been accepted.

1. The CNL program was a brand new program that started the year that I applied. That meant that the students in the year I would have been in were guinea pigs as UMD worked out the kinks in designing their curriculum.

2. CNLs are not recognized by many hospitals or universities because it is a new category of nurses. Many do not even know what they are or what they are suppose to do. All the CNL students therefore had to to do all their clinicals as UMD where as BSN students can go anywhere. This may change as they become recognized by more hospitals.

3. When you graduate, CNLs and BSNs are hired for the same positions (as they should because the CNLs and BSNs have all the same classes and get the same clinical training) and therefore they earn the same amount and do the same thing that BSNs do, BUT they pay A LOT more for the their education. I think the idea is that once CNLs get a couple of years of experience, they can apply to become nurse managers and the like, whereas BSNs can not until they get their masters.

4. I knew that I wanted to go back for a masters in nursing in a specific area (the CNL program earns you a generalist masters degree in nursing) and I did not want to pay for two masters degrees. You can get a certificate in a specific area if you already have a MSN, however, these are just as expensive as masters programs.

I think the CNL program is a good choice if you know this is your terminal degree and you want to go into administration or management. If you want to become an NP, I would consider the BSN route because it will give you more time to absorb what you are learning and will cost you less in the long run.

These are my reasons for choosing not to do the CNL program. If you can find someone in the CNL program, I think it would be good for you to talk to them about their experience and whether or not they would do it over again to get their perspective. I have heard mixed reviews from them.

Let me know if you have any other questions!!! Good luck!

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Thanks for all the info! I had some of the same concerns...

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