Accelerated BSN programs in Pa

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2009

Keep in mind that you''ll have about a year from when you apply to when you'll start. That should give you time to finish up a couple of prerequisites once you know where you're going. I saved all of my "unique" classes for last. Since you have a BS in exercise science, I imagine you'll have a lot of the prerequisites already? If you have Philadelphia residency, you can take any remaining prerequisites at the Community College of Philadelphia very cheaply.

If you can get in to UPenn, they offer excellent financial aid. West Chester University has a good accelerated program that is very affordable, but last time I checked you had to have *all* prerequisites completed before applying.

There's Drexel and Jefferson, and I can't speak for Jefferson but at Drexel the only aid I get are federal loans (I took a private loan out to cover what fed loans and savings didn't cover). I believe Temple no longer offers an accelerated program.

bluestates · Oct 14, 2009

drexel is expensive. I too was shocked that i received no aid/grants/nothing- based on my income i had always gotten a little financial help prior to Drexel.

the plus is that the program is fast, but the stress and the pressure really does have a lasting affect not only on students, but on faculty and they way students are treated. to be honest, in my 20 years of working and in the multiple colleges/universities i've attended, it's the worst i've ever seen. if you chose drexel ace make sure you have a lot of outside support (you won't get it from the staff- but you'll certainly need it after dealing with many of them) and be prepared to slow down and possibly take much longer than the 11 months they advertise- it appears, from observation of my class, that only about half of the students actually do it in a year. the rest end up paying thousands more and graduate about 7 months later than expected. some take even longer. so the promise of completing your degree in 11 months doesnt hold up if you don't make the grade, literally.

i personally have never met an ace grad who said they'd do it again. on the other hand, it is fast, which was the draw for most of us.

i have heard better reports from graduates of jefferson's accelerated program.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2009

drexel is expensive. I too was shocked that i received no aid/grants/nothing- based on my income i had always gotten a little financial help prior to drexel.
the plus is that the program is fast, but the stress and the pressure really does have a lasting affect not only on students, but on faculty and they way students are treated. to be honest, in my 20 years of working and in the multiple colleges/universities i've attended, it's the worst i've ever seen. if you chose drexel ace make sure you have a lot of outside support (you won't get it from the staff- but you'll certainly need it after dealing with many of them) and be prepared to slow down and possibly take much longer than the 11 months they advertise- it appears, from observation of my class, that only about half of the students actually do it in a year. the rest end up paying thousands more and graduate about 7 months later than expected. some take even longer. so the promise of completing your degree in 11 months doesnt hold up if you don't make the grade, literally.
i personally have never met an ace grad who said they'd do it again. on the other hand, it is fast, which was the draw for most of us.
i have heard better reports from graduates of jefferson's accelerated program.

I've actually found the staff to be incredibly supportive and certainly don't feel mistreated by the faculty, and have run in to Drexel grads who've said they'd do it again. Everyone's experience differs, I guess. Granted, it is my first quarter, but I've run in to as many people with positive things to say as I have people who have negative things to say about the program.

The lack of financial aid does suck though. Definitely not a program to look in to unless you're comfortable with significant loans.

AugustRain · Oct 15, 2009

I agree with hiddencat. You can't please everyone, but ACE was a good fit for me, and I really liked the majority of my professors. There are pros and cons to any program, and I had an overall very positive experience with this one. So yeah, I'd do it again.