U of Maryland

PennyLane, RN · Aug 31, 2003

I did my pre-reqs at CCBC Catonsville!

I just started at UMB last week. My undergrad GPA was 3.3 and I had a 4.0 for my 4 pre-reqs, as well.

A friend of mine got in last fall with an undergrad GPA of 2.8. But since then they have had a whole slew of applicants. I was just speaking with my advisor on Friday, and she said typically at this time of year they would have about 30 applications for the spring, but this year they have over 300. As a consequence they have really had to raise the bar.

Another friend of mine got in for the spring, also with a 4.0 in her pre-reqs, but I think she had a 2.9 or 3.0 from her 1st degree.

I had excellent references and also volunteered at a hospital last fall. I asked one of the nurses there to write a recommendation for me, as well.

I would think that with your GPA you would have no problem. You may want to schedule a time to meet with someone in the admissions office and bring your transcripts. They may be able to assess your chances. I did that for Hopkins.

NursePru · Aug 31, 2003

Thanks so much for the info! It's so helpful to get info from someone who has been through the same process. I have a co-worker that has been going there for about a year now, but she is in the traditional program and I'm going to try for the accelerated option as well. I have it worked out so that I don't have to work starting next fall. Are you planning on working at all? I hear there are several possible scholarships and grants available, but some of them aren't for second degree students. Do you know any people who actually received some kind of grant? I'm just curious to see if there are as many grants available as all of the schools say. Sorry for all of the questions :) I just want to stay realistic so that I can anticipate whether or not I will need more student loans (yick). Keep me posted on how it goes. I know it is a rigorous program, but I really enjoyed the school visit and thought the facilities were amazing.

Thanks again!

PennyLane, RN · Aug 31, 2003

I didn't receive any grants, nor have I heard of anyone who did. Well, that's not entirely true. I did receive one state delegate grant, but it wasn't for very much.

I'm not working at all during the 16 months, if I can help it. So far I've taken out the maximum amt. of Federal loans for undergrad ($10,500/two semesters). I've applied for additional aid, but they think I made enough money to contribute $10,000 of my own money for the first year. hah! I may look into bank loans (ack).

Just recently I submitted a form stating that the amt. of money I made this year will not be equal to the amt. I made last year, but I'm not too optimistic this will help. The state has no money to give to students, and the school doesn't have enough for everyone.

The school itself seems great. The labs are apparently the best in the world--people come from all over to see them. The library is beautiful and huge. The profs seems great and I'm so happy to be there.

bigmona · Sep 23, 2003

mel, you said you brought in your transcripts to hopkins. what was that like? did they tell you right then and there your chances of being accepted? what other kind of information did they give?

right now UMD is my first choice - but i don't know how I measure up compared to most other students. Do you know if UMD has a similar pre-admissions counseling opportunity?

I would love to get the chance to speak to someone about my transcript, since I started off college horribly but did very well the last two and a half years, and am doing really well in all my pre-reqs now. I have no doubt in my ability to excel in nursing school but I'm afraid they'll take one look at my GPA and assume I'm a poor student- which used to be the case, but is not at all anymore.

NursePru · Sep 24, 2003

Actually I went to a UMD info session and the way they figure out your entrance GPA is from the last classes taken. So they take the ones from your senior year and fill them in going backwards. If you did better towards the end of your studies, this method would benefit you. I wouldn't give up on it...definately go talk to someone there, you might be surprised by the info you get.

Good luck :)

bigmona · Sep 24, 2003

woohoo! thanks!!! :)

PennyLane, RN · Oct 1, 2003

Bigmona- I had less luck with people at UMD. They seem less inclined to get back to you. I went to an info session and brought my transcript and waited in a long line to speak to someone from the admissions office. They told me my chances were good.

At hopkins they did the same thing, but one-on-one. I had a rough semester or two with my first degree (didn't go to class at all, basically), but then got my act together and ended up with a 3.3. I had a 4.0 with my pre-reqs (just A&P I and II, Nutrtion, and Human Growth and Dev.). Since I had an upward curve, both schools liked that. I was waitlisted at Hopkins, but they did say I could do the regular 2-year program, or wait until the following year for the accelerated program.

Things are becoming a bit more difficult to get in, I think. Due to the increased # of applicants. My advisor said they received 10X the number of applicants for the spring semester than normal. So over 300 rather than around 30.

bigmona · Jan 8, 2004

so if anyone happens to read this who goes to UMD, how long did it take for them to let you know of their decision?

I'm mailing my application in tomorrow for fall 2004! *nervous*

NursePru · Jan 20, 2004

I thought it was by March that you would hear something, but they may have changed it. Kepp us posted! I'll be applying for the Spring of 05 so I'll send my application as soon as I finish my classes this semester.

Good luck!

bigmona · Jan 20, 2004

thanks. i called today to make sure they had the application and they said they were missing one of my transcripts. i was so annoyed! i am a thousand percent positive it was in there, i checked soooo many times to make sure i had everything in that envelope before i sent it off. anyway, no harm done i hope, i mailed the transcript this morning right after the phone call so hopefully i'll hear something in a few weeks. it's rolling admissions, so i think they process the applications as they come in.

usameisje · Jan 22, 2004

I just graduated from UMD School of Nursing, and I have a few things to say...

Overall, I have received an excellent education and feel prepared for anything the world could throw at me:D

The admissions office has a bad habit of losing applications and associated materials. Over half of my classmates experienced more than one lost application. I attribute this to the fact that the state is gutting the school's budget, so only a very few people are available to handle applications.

The labs are wonderful, and the equipment in them is better than the equipment in many area hospitals. Debbie Spunt (the lab director) is tough, but you will learn a lot from her. The simulated patient interviews are great too. Actors are trained to be patients, and you are sent in there to take care of them. State Department nurses from all over the world come to Maryland to train for their embassy positions.

I would say the original poster is a shoo in ! They are taking anyone who meets the admission requirements as long as there is room in the class. Our state really is in a desperate situation when it comes to nurses. Especially since more and more employers are preferring the BSN, Maryland is a great choice!

If anyone wants more info on classes, professors, tips on how to do well, please don't hesitate to ask me !

Lexi