UTMB BACC2 Spring 2012

[laura.c.j]

I wanted to start a thread for those applying for UTMB's 2012 accelerated nursing program. The application is open April 1-July 15. I was told invites for interviews start after the application is closed and interviews start end July-August. Does anyone have any additional information? Has anyone applied before? Know of any interview questions? Please share everything you know!!!!!!!

Good luck to everyone

[punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN]

When I was down there driving around lost.. someone mentioned a red building.... either "big red" or "old red"??

can someone enlighten me on this?

That would be the Ashbel Smith building, AKA Old Red :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashbel_Smith_Building

[Nene1488]

I was just wondering how is everyone going to pay for school. I know that since we already have a degree there is no chance for grants. Only option are loans but im afraid that it won't be enough.

[ttnncc]

Nene1488,

I am with you on that one. Are you out of state? It is over double for out of state students. I am thinking we are going to have to go old school and double up in apartments, etc. (Like 2 people in a 1 bedroom, and 4 in a 2 bedroom), so we can lower costs. I am in major pray mode and am going to try to talk to financial aid this week to get my ducks in some sort of a row! I wish I had answers. Loans are so expensive too. 6.8% interest is rediculous when I can get 1.9-2.5 on a car loan. The government should be making a killing on interest from student loans! Let me know if you hear of any ways to pay for this dream of ours!

ttnncc

[HeartNurse3]

Not true on the grants. UTMB offers institutional scholarships and grants that you should DEFINITELY apply for. They give them out regardless of degree history. They require your parents' tax info (weird for those of us who have been independent for a few years) along with your own tax info, and they basically hand it out on a first come-first served basis. If you get accepted, inquire about the "institutional scholarships and grants" - use those exact words.

Also, if you're really concerned about housing, UTMB's Ferry Road apartments offers one-bedroom efficiencies (EXTREME efficiencies- no kitchens or anything) for $300/month, and that includes light, water, and internet. So if you're willing to give up a kitchen for a year, check 'em out. You can also look into the dorms - if I remember correctly, they are about $1400/semester, or $350/month, and you'll have a communal kitchen available, plus cable and internet.

[ttnncc]

Hey Sarah,

Thanks for the information. What if our parents refuse to release their tax info? I am almost 40 and my parents don't want anything to do with my financing! I am still waiting for Enrollment Services/Financial Aid to call me back. I called last Wednesday and am now wondering just how backed up they are. I appreciate the information though!

[ttnncc]

Has anyone attended the Nursing Information sessions? Is anyone attending the one in November? I am thinking of going down for it if I am admitted so I can learn more about the area and meet people.

[sarahbeth321]

I was accepted to the accelerated program and plan on living in Houston. Does anyone know how often we have to be in Galveston? Would anyone be interested in a roommate in Houston?

Thanks!

[ttnncc]

Sarahbeth, I have heard 2-3 days a week. I haven't been accepted yet. Just interviewed on Thurs with Dr. Cuellar. She told me I should hear by the end of this week. Plus I have to find financing. I am also interested in Houston area, as we will be at hospitals there too. Keep in touch or privately message me if you want to talk more!

ttnncc

[laura.c.j]

Does anyone know of a good site or person to find homes/condos for rent? I don't know the area at all and I keep running into vacation rentals. ugh...

[HeartNurse3]

I used Apartments Galveston...very helpful. Their website (with phone number) is apartmentsgalveston.com. Doesn't look like much, but they found me a reasonably priced, decent apartment on VERY short notice -less than 12 hours (long story).

As for how many days you have to be on campus, it varies from week to week. Some weeks, we've been on campus only on Tuesday, others, nearly everyday. You get to request clinical sites, and they do try to place you according to your preferences, so most people have done clinical near where they live. Lots of people live off the island, and in Houston, and they've seemed to do fine. Personally, I hate commuting, so living in Galveston has worked for me. I would say, of the 2011 class, probably about half of us live in Galveston and half live elsewhere in the greater Houston area.

[laura.c.j]

Thank you Sarah!

Does anyone know how to access the meningitis acknowledgement on our MyStar account? Also, MyStar won't let me fill out the OptOut option for insurance. Anyone else having this issue?

[hnphan]

Check Craigslist!