I'm wondering if anyone knows of any accelerated second degree BSN programs that don't require letters of reference?
I'm aware that most do, but if there are any that don't I'd like to look at them and possibly get a head start on applying as I'm going to be waiting a few weeks for my professors to get their letters done.
I know that UNC Chapel Hill doesn't require or accept letters, but I think they might be a little too competitive as they're one of the topped ranked schools :)
So, about a dozen schools have been listed that do not need letters of recommendation. How many do you need? Have you tried selecting schools that you are interested in applying and checking for their requirements?
Really, it should not be that hard to get a couple letters of recommendation.
Sorry but I did take some offense at the tone of your last message - it came off rather condescending.
The point of this thread was programs that do NOT require letters of recommendation...so there really is no need for you to state that "Really, it should not be that hard to get a couple letters of recommendation"
Further, in terms of what you said towards mell260 about "how many do you need?" in terms of replies, well...usually the more the better! If you started a thread I certainly wouldn't be like "really, how much more advice do you need?"
So, about a dozen schools have been listed that do not need letters of recommendation. How many do you need? Have you tried selecting schools that you are interested in applying and checking for their requirements?
Really, it should not be that hard to get a couple letters of recommendation.
You'd be surprised. I had a very hard time tying down recommendations from professors. I had one professor that I signed up for more than one class with in order to build more of an academic relationship with him (I also felt I was learning a lot from him). I did well in class, participated, spoke with him and he agreed to do the recommendations, discussed what information he needed in addition to my classwork to do a recommendation and then about a month before they were due I couldn't get in touch with him to save my life. I was really pretty shocked because I've never had issues before. My applications were due, and I'd only taken one other science course at that point which was where my other recommendation was from.
I don't see a problem with compiling a list of schools that don't require reference letters.
The OP asked about letter of reference- not academic recommendation.
I can understand having a school or two that does not require a letter of academic recommendation, as it can be hard to get recs for multiple schools especially when you take courses online. I was one of the posters that listed multiple schools for the OP.
However, many schools just require a letter of recommendation, not that it has to be an academic letter of recommendation. (Could be from employer for example).
Frankly, to me (and this is just my opinion) it is disconcerting that schools preparing a person for the responsibilities of a professional nurse are accepting applicants without a letter of recommendation or alternatively, an interview. Just screening by background check and drug testing sets too low a standard.
I know I am idealist but I would hope that applicants would be selecting schools FIRST on criteria based upon quality of instructors, clinical venues, geographic location, quality of students selected, cost etc.
Frankly, to me (and this is just my opinion) it is disconcerting that schools preparing a person for the responsibilities of a professional nurse are accepting applicants without a letter of recommendation or alternatively, an interview. Just screening by background check and drug testing sets too low a standard.
I wouldn't say these schools screen by lack of criminal history- don't you do the background check and drug test *after* being accepted? None of the schools I was looking at expected me to do the background stuff until after I was accepted. It's just a straight academic numbers screening.
I know I am idealist but I would hope that applicants would be selecting schools FIRST on criteria based upon quality of instructors, clinical venues, geographic location, quality of students selected, cost etc.
In an ideal world, many of us wouldn't be looking at 2nd degree programs because we would have known what we wanted to do straight out of high school and wouldn't have screwed around getting there Cost and geographic location are very practical criteria (ideally, you'd go to the school with the best experience available but practically you need to stay in a certain location and go to somewhere you can afford)- I don't think filtering based on application requirements is much different.
So, about a dozen schools have been listed that do not need letters of recommendation. How many do you need? Have you tried selecting schools that you are interested in applying and checking for their requirements?
Really, it should not be that hard to get a couple letters of recommendation.
Excuse me - but why do you feel the need to make a post like this? How is a thread like this ANY different than one asking which schools have low GPA requirements, certification requirements, or any other slew of admission considerations?? How is coming at me with a tone like that in any way beneficial?
Really, it should not be that hard to ignore a thread if you aren't going to say anything the least bit relevant.
hey all. i understand how stressful procuring academic references can be - putting your future into the hands of someone for whom you only have an email is disconcerting at best. however, as a successful applicant to several second-degree programs i would second the suggestion to consider whether each program is asking for only academic references.
in my experience all of the programs that i was interested in wanted at least one academic reference, but most would accept two or three professional references instead of requiring all four be academic. as a second-degree applicant this was perfect and reduced a lot of the stress.
also, i am not sure how soon you are planning on applying, but another option is to take a class with the express goal of procuring a reference. about four months before i was going to begin applying to programs i realized that i there was only one professor that i felt comfortable asking for a reference. so, i looked on ratemyprofessor for a medical terminology professor that had warm and fuzzy ratings, signed up for a six-week summer course, made a point of participating, earned a stellar grade, and the professor ended up providing lors for eight nursing programs that i planned on applying to.
so, while in no way criticizing the op's question. . .just make sure that you do not unnecessarily reduce your school options!
good luck - before you know it the stress of applying will be over and the stress of paying for it will begin! :wink2:
Old Dominion does not require recommendations. I was accepted for fall but unfortunately had to decline as I will be moving out of the area. Now I have to apply all over again somewhere else!
I actually don't see much of a purpose of letters of recommendations for BSN programs, especially if someone has been in the workforce for a while. My first choice program requires 3 letters of recommendations, one can be professional. I've worked for my current boss for 5 years so I figure I will talk to him about it although he doesn't know yet that I am changing careers (he does know that I want to do something different workwise).
So I've worked for the same company for over 10 years but somehow I need to get 2 letters of recommendation from teachers I've had in class for 15 weeks. I don't know of any other bachelors programs that require letters of recommendation. I'd understand it more for masters programs.
Cost and geographic location are very practical criteria (ideally, you'd go to the school with the best experience available but practically you need to stay in a certain location and go to somewhere you can afford)- I don't think filtering based on application requirements is much different.
curiosity123
91 Posts
mell260
So, about a dozen schools have been listed that do not need letters of recommendation. How many do you need? Have you tried selecting schools that you are interested in applying and checking for their requirements?
Really, it should not be that hard to get a couple letters of recommendation.