Alternate listed

Agnus · Jan 23, 2008

Hi everyone,
I applied to the accelerated Nursing program at Stony brook University but i was put on this Alternate list. They told me that its different than a wait list since applicants are re -reviewed if there is a spot open. Does anyone know anything about these lists? I'm sure its different for each school and applicant pool but would anyone know if the majority of alternate list members get in usually? Thank you.

Our school put about 6 people on alternate list back when I went. I was down the list aways (don't recall but was not #1) anyway I got in. We all did.

I later was told by faculty that almost always all the alternates get in. They select what ever number of alternates they pick based on past experience of the school in filling classes.

What this means is every year a certain number who are selected do not go for one reason or another. Maybe they don't get shots or a CPR card or they change their mind at the last minute or they attend orientation and are scared away.

The school does everything it can to fill every class. If you are accepted and you drop out in the first 2 weeks an alternate steps in.

So the day I was notified that I was an alternate and what # I wasI called the Dean of the Nursing program. She told me if I really wanted to get in my chances were very good. They already had one drop out so I had already move up on the list.

She told me to attend class even though I could not register because if I missed anything in the beginning I would not be able to catch up if I did not get in until after the program started.

If I had not called and asked what my chances were I would have never found this out and even as an alternate that was later accepted I would not have known.

As It was I think I was accepted just before the first day.

The way it worked at my school was they would select enough to fill the class and then a few alternates.

Everyone else who had applied had to start all over again in the application process.

Years prior to that this school had a waiting list and it was basically first come first served in getting in.

They did away with that because people would be on the waiting list so long that they ended up changing their mind long before they were finally let in. And they found that by putting it on an accedemic point system they got better quality students. So we competed to get accepted and then I still ended up on an alternate list but at least that meant I was still in the running were if you were not accepted at all you were out of luck.

About 10 years prior to that I applied to a simular program (they did it the same way) in another state. BUT they would not tell me if I was accepted until about a week before school started and told us it would be that way. So they left everyone hanging in limbo until a week before school.

So I did not know if I was accepted and alternate or anything else. How do you get ready in two weeks? How to you recoup if you were not selected.

I wanted to know a lot of things hung on if I was going or not and they gave no hint what so ever. Whalla less than a week before it statted. they tell me I am accepted and all this stuff I HAVE to have and do before the first day. Sorry I could not drop everything and just go.

IcanHealYou · Jan 23, 2008

Thanks for all the info. I actually called the school and they won't tell me any information. All they said was they would call me if a spot opened up from now until July. I can't hold my breath for this so I applied to other schools.

If I get accepted and notified a week before school starts thats a little crazy. I'd have to apply for financial aid and find housing. Maybe if i contact the Dean directly they can tell me something.

Music in My Heart · Jan 23, 2008

Hi everyone,
I applied to the accelerated Nursing program at Stony brook University but i was put on this Alternate list. They told me that its different than a wait list since applicants are re -reviewed if there is a spot open. Does anyone know anything about these lists? I'm sure its different for each school and applicant pool but would anyone know if the majority of alternate list members get in usually? Thank you.

I don't know how many people were alternates for our program. Only one of them got in, though. She was #3 at the beginning but the first two were bumped or removed for some reason or other. One of the original 'admittees' withdrew and opened the way for one person off of the alternate list.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2008

For many programs, the app deadlines were in January for fall.....it's only january now.

What does your point system look like? How many do you have? How many spots are there? I know I started with 70, but about 14 people dropped before the first day....so good luck!

IcanHealYou · Jan 23, 2008

Hm i really dont know that info. They wont tell me anything.