Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

[GoodyNurse2b]

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.........

[Jess RN]

Thanks Max, Smile, bruinlaura, Jen and Chris! No, I didn't get any financial assitance from BC either. I think I'm probably not one of the the uber-elite who actually got money from the schools they got into! :rotfl: It's ok, though. We have some savings, some equity in our house and I'll take out loans. It's the nice thing about going back when you are a little older- you have slightly more financial resources to draw from- but make no mistake- I will still be taking out a ton of loans. The sad situation I'm in is that childcare for two kids for three years actually costs more than tuition. It's insane. If I think too much about it it just feels like it's impossible - but we'll figure it out somehow. :chuckle

-Jess

[max6well]

Chris that sounds like an intersting program. Good Luck on that!

The Red Sox have shown us to never give up!

Wow! You guys are just firing on all cylinders! Congrats to all of you!

I just talked to the husband of our new Bishop, and I'm going to be applying for a year-long Certificate in Theological Studies at an Episcopalian Seminary in Berkeley, CA. Heck, I need to do something until I can apply again to nursing school.

[FrumDoula]

Congratulations ChrisA, that is an extremely difficult program to get into! Good luck and let us know how it turns out! :)

That's an understatement! UCSF is so hard to get into you practically need a letter of recommendation from God Himself.

And what a great school, too .... fabulous training ground. Congrats again, ChrisA.

Alison

[NP-to-be]

I got accepted at BC too !! Oh my goodness, this was the last thing that I expected ... now how am I going to make a decision ?!?!?!

[Jess RN]

I got accepted at BC too !! Oh my goodness, this was the last thing that I expected ... now how am I going to make a decision ?!?!?!

AACCCKK!!! CONGRATUALTIONS! Jen I'm so happy for you! I am right there with you- I never thought I would get to choose between three schools!

YAY!! :balloons: :balloons:

-Jess

[NP-to-be]

AACCCKK!!! CONGRATUALTIONS! Jen I'm so happy for you! I am right there with you- I never thought I would have to choose between three schools!

YAY!! :balloons: :balloons:

-Jess

I know !! How do you turn down a school that is ranked so high ?!?! How do you feel about the length of the progam? Are you worried about clinical experience ??

[Jess RN]

I know !! How do you turn down a school that is ranked so high ?!?! How do you feel about the length of the progam? Are you worried about clinical experience ??

I'm in such shock right now I totally don't know. I am worried about the clinical piece- but many people at BC take a break to work as an RN- so you could make up the hours there. Because it has fewer credits- it is actually less expensive than MGH- even though the cost per credit is higher. I feel like I need to talk to some students in these programs. I'm letting it sink in today and then I'm going to make some calls.

-Jess

[NP-to-be]

I'm in such shock right now I totally don't know. I am worried about the clinical piece- but many people at BC take a break to work as an RN- so you could make up the hours there. Because it has fewer credits- it is actually less expensive than MGH- even though the cost per credit is higher. I feel like I need to talk to some students in these programs. I'm letting it sink in today and then I'm going to make some calls.

-Jess

I think that's a good point. I think I'll try to set up some campus visits to help w/ the decision process. Do you know approximately how many people usually take a year off at BC, or go part-time after the RN portion?

[Jess RN]

I think that's a good point. I think I'll try to set up some campus visits to help w/ the decision process. Do you know approximately how many people usually take a year off at BC, or go part-time after the RN portion?

According to BC as well as a student on these boards currently in the program: 1/3 of the class.

This is in contrast to MGH who said that less than 10% of their class breaks after the RN portion. BUt it's a longer program with more clinical hours and summer breaks where you can work as an RN to get more expereince.

Also at MGH they say many students work per diem while in the program even just one or two shifts a month to get some more hands on experience.

I'm soooo torn- I have no idea how I will make this decision in the **next two weeks***

I'd love to get together if you want and see if we could do a tour at either BC or MGH (or both!) and see who we can talk to, get the low down, etc.

-Jess

[NP-to-be]

From BC: 1/3 of the class

From a student on these boards who is currently in the program : 1/2 of the class

This is in contrast to MGH who said that less than 10% of their class breaks after the RN portion. BUt it's a longer program with more clinical hours and summer breaks where you can work as an RN to get more expereince.

Also at MGH they say many students work per diem while in the program even just one or two shifts a month to get some more hands on experience.

I'm soooo torn- I have no idea how I will make this decision in the **next two weeks***

I'd love to get together if you want and see if we could do a tour at either BC or MGH (or both!) and see who we can talk to, get the low down, etc.

-Jess

That would be GREAT !! I have sent an email to the director of grad nursing at MGH inquiring about how to coordinate a visit - I will let you know what I hear back. I am so glad that we're in the same boat here. It's so helpful to have someone who understands the dilmna.

Does your hubby think that you should go to BC ??

I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to make this decision

[Jess RN]

That would be GREAT !! I have sent an email to the director of grad nursing at MGH inquiring about how to coordinate a visit - I will let you know what I hear back. I am so glad that we're in the same boat here. It's so helpful to have someone who understands the dilmna.

Does your hubby think that you should go to BC ??

I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to make this decision

Perfect!

He actually thinks I should got to MGH. He thinks it is more focused on practice than theory. And also he gives a lot of weight to gut instinct- and I had a much better feeling at MGH's infosession. I think the true test will be to visit them both again and see if my "gut" tells me anything differently. Then there is also Regis to consider - more clincials- lighter semester loads. Sigh. I feel guilty complaining but I'm right there too- I have NO idea how I will choose and fear I'll make the wrong 50K choice.

-Jess

[NP-to-be]

Perfect!

He actually thinks I should got to MGH. He thinks it is more focused on practice than theory. And also he gives a lot of weight to gut instinct- and I had a much better feeling at MGH's infosession. I think the true test will be to visit them both again and see if my "gut" tells me anything differently. Then there is also Regis to consider - more clincials- lighter semester loads. Sigh. I feel guilty complaining but I'm right there too- I have NO idea how I will choose and fear I'll make the wrong 50K choice.

-Jess

Wow, this is tough. I am going to try to let things settle and hope that more school visits will help me along the right path !!