ABSN Duke Fall 2010

snoozie64 · Nov 30, 2009

Hey Duke ABSN hopefuls,

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL! It is an awesome program and worth all the agony of waiting to hear whether you've been accepted! I'm finishing on the 12th of December and it has been quite a ride! Challenging, difficult, and at times disheartening, but TOTALLY worth it all! And let me tell you that you will be uniquely prepared to enter the field of nursing!

Please allow me to share what I learned during the application process:

1. For our cohort there were about 250 applicants for 72 seats. We began with 72 and are finishing with 68-not bad!

2. I applied online from WI in mid-November 2008; notified of interview days via snail mail and chose a phone interview day in mid-January.

3. Had my phone interview on 11 Jan (a Friday) and asked the question about the wait...... Received the best e-mail ever on Tuesday, Jan 15!

4. Moved to Durham and found the hard part was not applying and waiting to hear; it was adjusting to being a student in an ACCELERATED program!

Having said all that, I totally remember being in your shoes! They will let you know about the interview before the Christmas holidays; probably around the time we are getting pinned. *You know who* has always been an amazing source of information and she continues to support you after the notification. Those who are not able to make Duke Days do not feel at a disadvantage--they really want students from different backgrounds and not just the good GPAs. Although it is obviously important to impart your commitment and ability to complete a difficult and challenging curriculum in very little time (it really IS accelerated!!!).

It feels so good to get accepted and then the hard work really begins... :eek:

Again, good luck to you all!

Susan

Carolina11 · Nov 30, 2009

Thanks for your point of view, snoozie! If you're getting ready to graduate, (congrats!) how does the job market look? Are you staying in Durham? What specialty? Any financial aid tips?

snoozie64 · Dec 1, 2009

Well, you know, the job market here is not that great! There are so many new grads and few positions for us. Hopefully things will be better in the Spring. I know financial aid was a huge deal for me but after all is said and done, it was easy to pay for school up front-we'll see how repayment goes :eek: !

I made a mistake in my timeline-I applied in November of 2007, not 2008! I was finishing up Foundations and wondering how much harder it was going to get-wait til Spring! It was crazy for us! Hopefully you all will have a great, organized and relevant semester!

Good luck! :specs:

Maryash79 · Dec 1, 2009

Hey Everyone!

Jason welcome to the board. You sound like you come from a great background, I absolutely love to cook though I think the pressures of being a professional chef could probably rival a hectic nursing schedule! I'd love to hear more about hte Durham area, places to live, eat and shop...

Carolina- Thanks for reporting back on the information you recieved from "you know who". It sounds like we have a very nail biting few weeks ahead!

Snoozie- Congrats! You must feel on top of the world, and you should. Thank you so much for sharing your experence with us. Have you had any sort of life outside of school these last few years? I'm a serious student but need some sort of life too!

WomensHealthNP-BC · Dec 1, 2009

Hey everyone!

This is my first post on allnurses.com! It wouldn't be me unless I was editing my personal statement up until the last hour :typing Of course, now I'm starting to really freak out because I'm not sure about the length and if I will need to shorten it a ton. Does anyone know the length requirement (minimum/maximum)? Any information would be appreciated! I'm looking forward to reading through the thread and joining everyone else in the stress of waiting!!

Thanks!

Abbie Grace · Dec 1, 2009

I love your story, Susan!

It will be a very merry christmas, indeed, if I have a promise of an interview!

Every time I check my email, I get hopeful that I'll have good news. Which is ridiculous since they just received my application this weekend. I know that there's no logical way that they could have even read my application, yet.

Carolina11 · Dec 1, 2009

Hey everyone!
This is my first post on allnurses.com! It wouldn't be me unless I was editing my personal statement up until the last hour :typing Of course, now I'm starting to really freak out because I'm not sure about the length and if I will need to shorten it a ton. Does anyone know the length requirement (minimum/maximum)? Any information would be appreciated! I'm looking forward to reading through the thread and joining everyone else in the stress of waiting!!
Thanks!

I was told by admissions that the essay needs to be 2 pages 1.5-2 spaced. Was that hard to do or what!?!?!

kspills10 · Dec 1, 2009

My essay is definitely longer than 2 pages, because it didn't say anything about the length on the application or instructions, and I didn't think to ask. Oops.

Maryash79 · Dec 1, 2009

Welcome Emmy :)

I think my statement was like 2 to 2.5 pages...I hear that this is what the interview is based on so I feel like we should give them something to talk about!

GenevaMarie · Dec 1, 2009

Hey ya'll~

I think reading this thread might actually be making my Duke anxiety WORSE. I keep reading about what everyone *else* did and start second guessing my own stats. :cry:

Geez Louise. I will continue to read... as I am a glutton for punishment.

Welcome Abbie Grace and Jason. :)

:heartbeat (rapid heart rate) :heartbeat

Carolina11 · Dec 1, 2009

Welcome Emmy :)
I think my statement was like 2 to 2.5 pages...I hear that this is what the interview is based on so I feel like we should give them something to talk about!

Mine was the same-about 2.5 pages. I've heard the same thing about the interview: Read your statement thoroughly before you go in. Also, the interviews are supposed to be very relaxed and comfortable but don't dress that way!

Best of luck to everyone!

Maryash79 · Dec 1, 2009

ohhhh what to wear to the interview...if I get an interview...