Stony Brook Accelerated BSN Class of 2014

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MelMont

9 Posts

Just found this site, as I was looking for information during my daily panic attacks about getting into the accelerated program. Figured I would say hi and ask if anyone knows when acceptance letters are mailed? Also, anyone's opinion on me getting in?

I am graduating with a bachelor's in speech-language pathology this december. I have had a 4.0 my whole undergrad career and I currently have a 4.0 in all my prereqs. My only concern is that I haven't really had any experience in a hosptial or doctor's office. I volunteer over 16 hours a week counseling young girls through theater and workshops. I also was a one to one for a boy with autism for three years. Any thoughts??

PacoUSA, BSN, RN

3,445 Posts

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
Just found this site, as I was looking for information during my daily panic attacks about getting into the accelerated program. Figured I would say hi and ask if anyone knows when acceptance letters are mailed? Also, anyone's opinion on me getting in?

I am graduating with a bachelor's in speech-language pathology this december. I have had a 4.0 my whole undergrad career and I currently have a 4.0 in all my prereqs. My only concern is that I haven't really had any experience in a hosptial or doctor's office. I volunteer over 16 hours a week counseling young girls through theater and workshops. I also was a one to one for a boy with autism for three years. Any thoughts??

Just my opinion as someone who graduated from the program (and having been through the admissions process twice as a waitlist/rejected and accepted candidate):

A 4.0 is no guarantee of acceptance, and neither is the quantity of hospital or volunteer experience one has, or lack thereof. My ABSN classmates spanned the gamut, some had 4.0's yes, but others had C's in micro as well. Some had experience as EMTs and years of hospital volunteering while some other classmates' only experience with a hospital was when they were born. Your application will be accepted as long as you meet the minimum requirements for admission, but then your application goes up against everyone else's in the end. The only ones that can determine if you're a good candidate to be accepted is the admissions committee, and the method to their madness is more secret than the special sauce McDonald's uses.

However, the only thing I can determine so far in the literally 3 completed Stony Brook application periods I have observed personally and here on allnurses threads is that your personal statements and your recommendations are of most importance in admissions. Looking back at my class, clearly not everyone was a 4.0 student, and clearly not everyone had the same hospital experience before nursing school. Not everyone had a health or science major either. I had classmates that came from pure business, theater and education backgrounds. I can confidently say, it's what you say in your statements and what your recommenders say that moves the admissions committee.

So, that said -- your chances of getting in are as good as anyone else's that meets the minimum requirements. It's the statement you write and the letters people write for you that make you stand out as one of the possible 64 or so students for the class.

Waiting for acceptances is intensely stressful (coming from someone who has done this TWICE for Stony Brook, I know too well what it's like, and I have developed a sick joy in watching it unravel on here ever since I got in and now finished :cheeky:). Don't expect to hear anything before late January at the earliest. I myself heard from Stony Brook late Jan the first time and mid Feb the second. Keep in mind however, I have noticed these dates get longer, as more applicants apply and it gets more competitive. Last year was later than mid-Feb if I recall. I think now it's easier to find out online. That's how I found out first, the letter followed a week later.

Good luck with everything!! :)

MelMont

9 Posts

Thank you so much for answering! I was afraid of that wait period. Everyday is a battle for me. It has always been my dream to do this but unfortunately because of my fears I never pursued it. Now that I am ready to do this..it's so much more meaningful! As you know, a day never goes by without thinking about it. Congratulations to you by the way!

KMG1020

15 Posts

MelMont,

I had daily panic attacks too waiting to hear back from Stony Brook! I'm in the 2 year program at SB now and I was wait-listed for the 1 year. I heard back from the 1 year on February 13th (it's pathetic how I remember the date lol) and I heard back from the 2 year program in May I think. They will send you e-mails updating you on the admissions process. I had a 4.0 in my pre-reqs and had no hospital experience but a lot of volunteer experience. I worked in a chiropractor's office for 4 years and that was the extent of my medical experience. Like many people have said, your personal statement and references have to really stand out and I think that your volunteer experience will help too. I would highly suggest applying to both programs since that is what a woman from admissions had told me years ago and although I really wanted the 1 year program at first, the 2 year program is definitely better suited for me because it's a lot of work.

If you have any questions though I will try my best to answer them since I know I was on this website at least 10 times a day when I was waiting to get a response and it really did calm my nerves sometimes!

chele118

129 Posts

MelMont,

I had daily panic attacks too waiting to hear back from Stony Brook! I'm in the 2 year program at SB now and I was wait-listed for the 1 year. I heard back from the 1 year on February 13th (it's pathetic how I remember the date lol) and I heard back from the 2 year program in May I think. They will send you e-mails updating you on the admissions process. I had a 4.0 in my pre-reqs and had no hospital experience but a lot of volunteer experience. I worked in a chiropractor's office for 4 years and that was the extent of my medical experience. Like many people have said, your personal statement and references have to really stand out and I think that your volunteer experience will help too. I would highly suggest applying to both programs since that is what a woman from admissions had told me years ago and although I really wanted the 1 year program at first, the 2 year program is definitely better suited for me because it's a lot of work.

If you have any questions though I will try my best to answer them since I know I was on this website at least 10 times a day when I was waiting to get a response and it really did calm my nerves sometimes!

How is the program going? I have a couple of friends who are in it and they love it! I'm really hoping that I get into the 1 year this time around, since it's my third time applying, but I am also applying to the 2 year program again.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN

3,445 Posts

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
How is the program going? I have a couple of friends who are in it and they love it! I'm really hoping that I get into the 1 year this time around, since it's my third time applying, but I am also applying to the 2 year program again.

Both programs have advantages and disadvantages as you probably know:

The 1-year accelerated: It's no joke, you live and breathe school for a year, no excuses! You can't work (I should say that you "shouldn't" work, as the school does not formally forbid it) ... there are some of my classmates that did work while in the ABSN, but unless you thrive on masochistic stress levels, don't do it! Most people that do work while in the ABSN don't graduate with high GPAs either, so consider this if you want to graduate with honors. But the bright side is that it's over in 1 year, BAM! That means you're working a year earlier than if you had gone through the 2-year.

The 2-Year Basic: It's still intense but less courseload per semester, so you CAN work during the program. The summer between years you will have time to do a paid externship which will be a good opportunity to get real hospital experience on your resume. Another advantage is that you can take the NCLEX a little earlier than the accelerated students you graduate with (2-year students graduate in May, accelerated graduate in June -- but both classes walk as one in May).

** Keep in mind, the school does not certify your degree to the state for a little while after graduation, so anticipate taking NCLEX a month after graduation at the earliest.

I'm sure both have more advantages and disadvantages, but that's all I can think of right now ... because I am still recovering from the accelerated :eek:.

KMG1020

15 Posts

How is the program going? I have a couple of friends who are in it and they love it! I'm really hoping that I get into the 1 year this time around, since it's my third time applying, but I am also applying to the 2 year program again.

It's going great! I really love it! The course load this first semester is intense. We're taking over 20 credits since Pharmacology and Pathology was added on to the first semester's courses and those 2 classes are usually taken during senior year. We're all pretty stressed but we're managing lol

I think you're doing a good thing by applying to both programs. Stony Brook was the only program I really wanted to get into and I was an emotional wreck the day I found out I didn't get into the 1 year program because that's the one I was aiming for and I just wanted to get a job sooner. I just kept putting the idea in my mind that it was meant to be and now that I'm in the 2 year program I really believe that! Good luck with everything and feel free to ask any questions :)

DEZZIE22

41 Posts

Hi every1. :) longtime reader first time poster. Be nice guys I'm a virgin. :) so I guess I just am looking for advice or someone to tell me it will be ok. I applied to several schools ( NYC,sb,umdnj,liu etc) and I am going banana in pajamas over here. My back story: my ba gpa was 2.974 Ap 1: A(repeat) Ap2: A- (repeated) Micro : c+Chem : b- Lifespan A Stats: a I have a social services background employment wise. I did americorp for a yr back in 04 but that's about it. I repeat the course for a better grade. I can't leave NYC area because my husband is a recently returned home from the military and doesn't want to leave. Can anyone out the give any advice hope or anything. I'm becoming hopeless. I am trying everything i can think of By the way I didn't mention anything about my husband in my statement because I didnt want the pitty vote. Help......with anything. I'm a big girl I can take it.

Mindylane

334 Posts

I just found out that I got into NYU's accelerated program. Obviously a whole lot more expensive than SBU, but it starts in January (so by the time I'll even HEAR from SBU, I'll be 5 months into the program.) I really need to figure out what I want to do. Hopefully I'll hear from other schools before I have to give NYU a decision.

MrsKBV

34 Posts

Congrats Mindylane, that is fantastic! Keep us posted with what you decide ;)

Mindylane

334 Posts

Thanks so much, MrsKBV :). Stony Brook still would have been my first choice, but I am SO tempted by the fact that I can start in two months rather than eight. Ahhhhh so nervous/excited. There's also the $80k thing at NYU. LOL.

MrsKBV

34 Posts

Dezzie22-

Don't lose hope, just make sure you have a safety and a reach school. I have applied to three programs. One is a reach, one is a safety, and one is a plan B. If you can't leave the area see if there are any two year programs you can also apply to. Its not ideal, but its easier to make a decision when you have some options.

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