Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Thanks for all of your responses to all of my previous posts. As you probably assume, I'm evaluating all of my options including ADN, BSN, and Direct-Entry MSN. The direct entry programs look extremely appealing, but seeing that they are at the best of colleges, I don't know how easy they are to get in.

Does anyone know what the typical GPA, scores, acceptance rates of these programs are? Anyone have any experience applying?

I'm in MD, so I'd consider Hopkins, but Columbia, MGHI in Mass, Case Western, Vanderbilt, Pace, and Yale also look appealing.

Seeing as nursing traditionally isn't an "ivy league" profession, are the credentials required for these programs less than what a typical "ivy" student would need?

I'd love to hear experiences with any programs.........

Specializes in Postpartum.
Thanks so much Jess. I took your advice and called. I found out that typically 7 of the alternates are brought in each year, so maybe there still is hope. I found out that the Gerontological NP specialty only got three people this year. I don't know how many were interviewed, but I did meet at least 5 others on my interview day.

If anyone has any suggestions or knows anything about the process please let me know. I wish I had asked more about how this altnerate business works, but I was too upset to think straight. With only 3 in Gerontological NP, it's hard to imagine any of them declining.

I'm also on the wait list at SF State. sigh.

So, are the alternates brought on board by specialty as well? Meaning, does one of those gerentological NPs have to decline for a spot to open up for you? Even if that is the case you have an excellent chance as smile123 points out. Maybe one of those three wants to stay closer to home, etc. Also, maybe finances won't work out for one of them. I know things are pretty up in the air for me financially- I have to see where I get in anf if I get any aid before knowing if it's all going to work. Who knows, you know? There are so many variables- I have my fingers crossed and am saying prayers for you.

One way to look at it is that they certainly can accomodate more than 3 geri NP students- so the whole admit based on specialty really isn't about capacity when it comes to your track. If I were you, I would write a letter to the head of your specialty and the dean of the MEPN today reenforcing how much you would like the opportunity and specifically why you would be an asset to your class, etc etc. I really think it can't hurt and would take maybe 20 min of your time. And if it helped- how cool would that be!

Hang in there!

Jess

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So, are the alternates brought on board by specialty as well? Meaning, does one of those gerentological NPs have to decline for a spot to open up for you? Even if that is the case you have an excellent chance as smile123 points out. Maybe one of those three wants to stay closer to home, etc. Also, maybe finances won't work out for one of them. I know things are pretty up in the air for me financially- I have to see where I get in anf if I get any aid before knowing if it's all going to work. Who knows, you know? There are so many variables- I have my fingers crossed and am saying prayers for you.

One way to look at it is that they certainly can accomodate more than 3 geri NP students- so the whole admit based on specialty really isn't about capacity when it comes to your track. If I were you, I would write a letter to the head of your specialty and the dean of the MEPN today reenforcing how much you would like the opportunity and specifically why you would be an asset to your class, etc etc. I really think it can't hurt and would take maybe 20 min of your time. And if it helped- how cool would that be!

Hang in there!

Jess

Good advise Jess. My boyfriend, who is currently in an engineering masters probram at BU, was originally rejected by the admissions committee. He immediately wrote a letter to the dean reenforcing his excitement and commitment to the program and asked them to reevaluate his file. They did and he was accepted the following week. So it can never hurt to give it a try !

Good luck seahorse ... keep your head up !! We're all routing for you.

-Jen

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
:crying2: :crying2: :crying2:

I just got my letter from UCSF and I am #1 alternate for the Gerontological NP program. I feel so bad. I dread telling my family and friends . . .

#1 alternate!!!

Yeah this is so --almost--fantastice!

In the big picture, (not to wish anyone who is accepted any hardships for this year) what does this mean in relation to ...next year? Would you jump to the front of the line?

Gosh, I hope so, (of course that is, if your number one alternate doesn't get you in this year if some one decides to wait another year to afford it).

This is not gggrreat but, is so close that its worth optimism!!

Gennaver

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You guys are wonderful! :p Thank you so much for the support and wise advice.

To Jess, I'm starting on that letter right now. What a great idea, and Jen, it's so good to know it worked for your boyfriend. And Genaver, thank you too for putting things in perspective.

I'm hopeful again. :D

I'm going to call again this afternoon and find out if my getting in is contingent on one of the three Geri NP people declining, or if it could anyone declining that creates the opportunity.

My friend was interviewed for pediatric NP and just got her envelope, but she was afraid to open it while we were on the phone. I'm waiting to hear what happened to her.

Take care everyone and I wish you all good luck too!

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Specializes in Postpartum.
You guys are wonderful! :p Thank you so much for the support and wise advice.

To Jess, I'm starting on that letter right now. What a great idea, and Jen, it's so good to know it worked for your boyfriend. And Genaver, thank you too for putting things in perspective.

I'm hopeful again. :D

I'm going to call again this afternoon and find out if my getting in is contingent on one of the three Geri NP people declining, or if it could anyone declining that creates the opportunity.

My friend was interviewed for pediatric NP and just got her envelope, but she was afraid to open it while we were on the phone. I'm waiting to hear what happened to her.

Take care everyone and I wish you all good luck too!

Yay! I'm glad you are feeling more hopefull! Jen- I'm so happy to hear of your boyfriend's experience turning his rejection decision around. It can happen!! Seahorse, let us know what you learn from the admissions office, but just from what we know right now- I would bet you will hear very shortly that you are in!

-Jess

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You guys are wonderful! :p Thank you so much for the support and wise advice.

To Jess, I'm starting on that letter right now. What a great idea, and Jen, it's so good to know it worked for your boyfriend. And Genaver, thank you too for putting things in perspective.

I'm hopeful again. :D

I agree with what everyone here has said, Seahorse! *Crossing my fingers for ya*

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:crying2: :crying2: :crying2:

I just got my letter from UCSF and I am #1 alternate for the Gerontological NP program. I feel so bad. I dread telling my family and friends . . .

Hi again,

I'm so sorry to hear that you weren't accepted off the bat. They're crazy :uhoh3: :uhoh3: .

But seriously, I think that you still have a very good chance of getting off the wait list. Only ONE person has to choose another school and you're in! I met a lot people on the interview day who had also applied to Columbia, Yale, Penn, and other schools that closely rival UCSF. So I think you should stay hopeful.

It's going to be a tough month coming up, waiting and hoping is the WORST :rotfl: . I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Did the letter say when you might get off the list?

-Emily

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I'm going to call again this afternoon and find out if my getting in is contingent on one of the three Geri NP people declining, or if it could anyone declining that creates the opportunity.

Take care everyone and I wish you all good luck too!

The way it works at UCSF and at many other places, is they have a certain amount of slots for each specialty. They have to reserve a spot for each person for their 2nd and 3rd years (the MEPN year is the general RN track, so they don't go by specialty). However, they could decide that they might have enough resources to take on an extra gerontology NP. Writing a letter is definitely worth a shot. What is the worst that could happen? They could say no. On the other hand, the fact you wrote a letter means you really want to get in and they may reconsider. Also, if you have any new transcripts to show a higher GRA, that would be good to include too (they could be unofficial, since you want to act quickly.)

To answer Gennaver's question: if you reapply next year, you do not automatically go to the front of the line. They have a whole new set of people and the criteria could go up for GPAs, GREs, etc. They could have a different number of slots for the different specialties. If you reapply, they just ask for 1 additional recommendation and a revised essay. (Not to say you won't get in this time, but it's good to know!) I know one woman who got in the 2nd time around to UCSF this year in Peds, so she's very happy! It's not over yet! Keep the faith!

Smile123

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Hi Smile,

I am also applying to College of San Mateo. Thanks for the support.

So that's another opportunity for you! The CC's and state universities often send out acceptances toward the end of March or even April. They are on a different schedule. You could definitely call them up and ask when they are sending out their letters.

Smile123

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Thank you futre nurse jess for the update on the MGHIP open house.

Did you happen to notice if there were many men there compared to any other open houses you went to?

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Specializes in Postpartum.
Thank you futre nurse jess for the update on the MGHIP open house.

Did you happen to notice if there were many men there compared to any other open houses you went to?

You know, more than I would have expected. I'd say about 1/4 of the total attendees were men. The number that stayed for nursing presentation was proobably slightly less than that though. So, many of them were probably there for physical therapy or medical imaging or one of the other programs. Once we broke out into groups by specialty there were no men in my goup- but my specialty is Women's Health. :)

-Jess

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If you hear anything from MGHIP, please let us know. March is going to be a looooong month.

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