university of detroit mercy second degree program

U.S.A. Michigan

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I am thinking about going to Mercy's accelerated second degree program but I hear they lose many people during the year due to grades. Is that true? Is it too fast and should I consider a 2 year program? I am a good student but I'd hate to spend all that money then not make it as they don't allow anyone to retake a class so I hear as other schools do. I am open to all feedback. Thank you.

I just found out that I was accepted to the Jan 2011 cohort! How was your first month in the program?

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

The first 3 weeks of the program are a honeymoon. Week 4 is when the full load gets dropped on you. It basically sucks for the next 25 or so weeks of the program (about 10 months all in all) and the last 5 are great.

Somewhere on here I went into great detail about the program. If you look at the threads I posted you should get a pretty good feel for my opinion it.

Was it worth it? Yes. Would I do it again? Only if I absolutely had to.

It's hard, but it's doable.

Good Luck

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Hello 313RN:

Thank you so much for your responses! 313RN I wanted to ask you do you feel since graduating from U of D Mercy Nursing Program did it prepare you for your present in Nursing job. I am going to U of D Mercy in 2011 . I want to make sure the program will prepare me for my nursing career. Thank you so much for your response or any input.

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I just wanted to respond and say that the likely reason no one from this cohort has come on here to respond recently is because we are far too busy to have time for anything except studying! Honestly, I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed right now and I'm not sure if I can be very helpful at this moment as far as sharing information with future students! Ask me again when I've made it through this first semester and I'll probably be able to give a more balanced answer.

(BTW to anyone in my class reading this, this is Claire :-) )

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Hello!

I have been looking to speak to someone in the accelerated program for a while now, so I was happy to come across all of these posts.

I have my first Bachelors Degree from Ferris State and currently I'm waiting to hear back regarding the January program; however, I'm finishing up 4 remaining pre-reqs this fall. Can someone tell me if there is a required GPA to get into the program? I know that they accept 70 students, but I haven't heard if there is a cut off with GPA. Also, how quickly did you find out that you were accepted into the program? Is there an interview process at some point?

Finally, I understand that this is an extremely expensive program. Does the school provide you with information on getting student loans? I'm definitely going to have to get some, but with the economy I'm hoping it won't be too difficult. I definitely think it will be worth the cost in the end...

Any further information you can provide is greatly appreciated:)

Thank you!

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Hey ccarts, the GPA from your bachelors degree overall must be a 3.0 or higher, and all prereqs must be a 2.5 or higher. Good luck to you, I hope to see you in January!!! :lol2:

I had a question for anyone already accepted to the program... I am also waiting to hear back for the January 2011 cohort and today I got a packet in the mail that contained a letter about a criminal background check and also a generic letter that didn't say I was officially accepted BUT thanked me for my interest in the nursing program and that "they were sure I would do great things here". Is this my acceptance letter? I thought it would be more along the lines of "CONGRATULATIONS" and that I would get an email first.... But I'm not sure why they would send information about a background check to someone who wasn't going to be in the program...

I called admissions and left a message to get back with me but they haven't called back yet.

Basically I don't want to get my hopes up if I'm not really accepted, but I feel like I am... so I'm about to scream with happiness :D

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Thanks for the info...that's basically what I thought I read, but I still get nervous with a 3.57 that it won't be good enough. May I ask what your GPA was from your previous degree and pre-reqs? I understand if you don't want to say. Also, have you fully completed your pre-reqs, or are you still taking some courses in the fall?

I have a friend that gave me the name of someone in the program and she said that the letter you received is the acceptance that she received. Once you take the drug screen and all that good stuff you will get another letter in the mail. At least this is what she told me, but then again ... this is just hear say.

Also, if you aren't paying out of pocket have you looked at loan programs and grants?

Congratulations...sounds like you will be ready to start in January - how exciting! I hope to be joining you:)

Thanks for the info!

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No problem and thank YOU for the info ccarts :) It is so nice to hear that from you because I was so confused why they wouldn't write something more clear like "you have been accepted" lol.

I will be taking my final two prereqs this fall. I'm sure you read from previous posts on this page that they will still give you an admissions decision as long as you have 4 or less to complete.

I applied for the program end of June so they got back to me really quickly. I was very impressed with how the university treats applicants.

I don't feel like giving out my actual GPA:p, but I will tell you my GPA from my degree in physiology from MSU was lower than your GPA. I have been terrified that my GPA wasn't good enough. Because my major was basically for premed students, I had to take 400-level biochems 1&2, organic chem 1&2 w/ a lab, general chem 1&2 w/ labs, physical chemistry, physics 1&2 w/ labs, math up to and including calc 2, two biology classes w/ labs, and four physiology classes and physio 2 labs... so I'm assuming they took that into account.

As far as paying for it, yikes! I know UDM gives out a grant for your previous degree GPA... look back earlier on this thread and you will find more info about that. I believe since your GPA is above a 3.5 you would receive the highest amount possible. But, this grant only puts a dent into the total cost of the program. I will definitely be looking into other grants and scholarships, but I'm pretty sure most of it will need to be covered by private loans.

Thanks again for your info, I hope my info has helped you as well!!

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The cost of the program is extremely high, about 53 k. Then add living expenses on that. I do believe that includes books. if you're over a 3.5 they give you about 11 k as a grant that you don't have to pay back. That's it. The rest is a Stafford loan, 12 k or around there a year. I think you can have it go to 17 k if you go the right time of year and how the govt gives out the money. Even though the program is one year, you get second year money. It's still a huge debt to carry when you are coming out as an RN and in this economy, no job is guaranteed. I've thought about this program, but knowing I also want to be an NP, that is some crazy debt to carry. But I hear it's a good program but FAST. Also, if you end up with a 75 percent in any class at the end of the class you are OUT! There are no second chances to repeat the class. You just lost any money you might have already put in. So if you're in your second semester and you've given the school 30 k, that money is now gone if you get below a 75%. That is also a huge burden to carry if god forbid you do struggle early on and have to catch up.

Just my thoughts. Plenty of people do well, plenty don't make it. Keep getting more feedback.

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Yes, I agree that it is important to really sit down and think about what type of program is right for each individual. UDM is extremely expensive, and I am very fortunate to have parents willing to help me with the loan process and living costs. Without their help there is no way I would be able to complete such a program.

Of course it is terrifying to know that you will get no second chances in the program, and the thought of wasting that much money makes me sick! But it is a risk I'm willing to take to get my nursing education completed. I had applied to another school for August 2010 start and was declined, so I personally cannot afford to wait for acceptances (or rejections) to schools that have about 500 qualified people applying for maybe 50 spots. We all know that nursing school is competitive and expensive in general and therefore we are all taking huge risks in our search for further education.

Luckily there are a lot of different options in the area and each person has a chance to evaluate where they feel is their best fit. I think everyone who comments on these threads has great potential to become nurse, and I hope everyone is able to find a nursing school path that fits their own financial, family, and personal needs.:redbeathe

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Well, the key is that your parents are willing to help which is great. I think it is very different when someone has 60 thousand in loans. You might never have to pay your parents back which again is a fantastic situation to be in. For most, 60 k is A LOT of loans to have out when you are a nurse. People don't realize how long that can take to pay back. I am not saying it's not a good invenstment, but if you can go to OCC for 4 k, get the same job when you are done and get the BSN over a year at Oakland U as you work as an RN, it's something to consider. There are even programs now where you can go from the associates to NP. Most people don't realize the burden of carrying 60 k debt to 4 k debt. Ask anyone who has spent tons for their education and they can go back and do it again, they'd tell you if they would have gone the less expensive route. Again, just my opinion and I have known people who get through that program and I know people who didn't so yes, there are pros and cons to both. But again, its a bit different if you are carrying no loans. Are your parents looking to adopt? : )

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No, I don't think they're looking to adopt, and I'm pretty sure they would rethink having me in the first place if they would've known how much I'd cost them in the future ;) They are willing to help me get the loans I need and probably to aid me in the pay back process until I am settled with a job... but they are definitely not paying them back. So yea, having that much debt before I'm 25 is scary!

So I know you started this post awhile ago, are you still considering UDM or are you focusing on other options since you want to continue your education past a BSN right away?

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