Accelerated BSN Programs, How Competitive Are They Really?

[wannabecatcher]

Hello All,

I am in the process of applying to several Accelerated BSN programs and I was hoping that those of you who have attended or been accepted into an Accelerated BSN program could possibly post your stats/experience (what programs you got into, GPA, experience, maybe why you think you got in, etc). Also, I would be interested in those of you who are applying to an Accelerated BSN program right now: where you are applying, undergrad GPA, pre-req GPA, any other health/medical experience, etc.

I graduated with a BS in Ecology and Evolution in 2003 from UC Santa Barbara with an undergrad GPA of 3.4. I am an EMT, a doula, and I volunteer at the birth center at my local community hospital. I aspire to become a nurse-midwife (advanced practice) eventually but would like to get my BSN first and work in a labor and delivery unit as an RN until I feel ready to move up.

I am applying to Johns Hopkins University, NYU, University of Rochester, University of Southern Maine, Stony Brook University, University of Binghampton and Linfield College.

:wink2: Thank you to anyone who adds to this thread, I think it could be a good resource!

[fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN]

To all those applying or planning on applying to Accelerated BSN programs, please do your homework.

Ditto! Realize that there are really no federal funds (grants) for second bachelor's students, so you'll probably be taking loans or footing the bill yourself. I did not realize this until I was accepted and enrolled in a private accelerated program. Now I'll graduate with about $50,000 in student loan debt, plus the books and stuff I've put on my credit cards. D'oh!:smackingf But, I just started in last May and I'll graduate in August, so I guess I can't complain too much!!!

My program accepted 20 students, and while they don't tell us the number of applicants, I hear that it is several hundred. We all have pretty high GPA's, but some like me have no experience in healthcare prior to this (My 1st degree was in business). I think my entrance essays helped me get in (I'm known as one of the writers in the group).

[gudiarani, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I went to Hopkins for undergrad and got my BA in Neuroscience, with an overall of 2.94, not counting some of my pre-reqs. I got A's in Micro and A&P I, B+ in Sociology, A in Nutrition, so my pre-req GPA is much higher than my overall. 1250 GRE, writing 5.

I'm applying to Hopkins Accelerated BSN/MSN starting this summer, Drexel ACE, Temple, UMDNJ, Rutgers, Seton Hall University, William Paterson, and Fairleigh Dickinson. Nothing back yet, except an interview with Hopkins and Fairleigh Dickinson (phone interviews).

I've been freaking out over getting in ANYWHERE at this point...we'll see I guess.

Good Luck to all!

[mch84]

gudiarani, I saw your post about being worried about whether or not you'll get in anywhere and just wanted to let you know that I really do think you'll be ok. I was in a somewhat similar situation with my GPA, but like you at Johns Hopkins, I went to a really good school for undergrad and had a very difficult major. When I took my pre-reqs (at a local university in my hometown, after I graduated in May 2006), I made really good grades, because the work was easy to me comparatively speaking.

To make a LONG story short, I applied to several schools and have good news because I am starting a 2nd degree program in the fall at another really great school! Although you will hear of programs that only let in people with a 4.0, many schools, especially the really good schools, will very highly regard the quality of your undergrad education and will hopefully see how committed you are to nursing with your high grades in your pre-reqs and things like essays.

I have found that many good schools do not look solely at your GPA but also look very closely at essays and recommendations. Just wanted to give you my opinion and feel free to send me a message if you want me to tell you anything else about my experience with this. Good luck, I think you'll do great!

[FLAgal14]

I went to Hopkins for undergrad and got my BA in Neuroscience, with an overall of 2.94, not counting some of my pre-reqs. I got A's in Micro and A&P I, B+ in Sociology, A in Nutrition, so my pre-req GPA is much higher than my overall. 1250 GRE, writing 5.

I'm applying to Hopkins Accelerated BSN/MSN starting this summer, Drexel ACE, Temple, UMDNJ, Rutgers, Seton Hall University, William Paterson, and Fairleigh Dickinson. Nothing back yet, except an interview with Hopkins and Fairleigh Dickinson (phone interviews).

I've been freaking out over getting in ANYWHERE at this point...we'll see I guess.

Good Luck to all!

A little off topic but I'm a Hopkins grad myself - what year did you graduate? And more on topic - I knew a few students from Hopkins with so-so grades that got into the Hopkins accelerated program, so keep your hopes up! My undergrad GPA was OK, but I did well in my pre-requs which I think helped me with getting into an accelerated program. Good luck!