Any Fall 2008 UCLA - MECN Program Applicants out there?

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Are any of you starting to get anxious about the forthcoming decisions? We have another month or so yet to know, but I still want to know NOW! :innerconf ... Wanna share in the waiting process? Have you heard anything about the # of people they are accepting? Anything?

Specializes in mostly in the basement.
Hello Nursinstudenthopeful,

As a nurse, you need clinical experience. A BSN is not a bad degree. You will get your BSN in 15 months or less, and then you can apply for other on-line graduate programs. At CSUDH, I think there is a distance-learning program for graduate students. :typing

Or you could go to UCLA!

You can enroll in their regular MSN programs immediately after you get the BSN from wherever you can get in.

Unless you were specifically looking for an online master's education, do know that a BSN qualifies you to enroll in MSN/NP programs at UCLA, UCSF, Yale or any other MSN or DNP program anywhere.

Actually, if you do go that route, it's conceivable that you could be a graduate MSN NP prior to the co-hort that will begin the MECN this year........crazy, huh?

You have many options.

Good luck!

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or you could go to ucla!

you can enroll in their regular msn programs immediately after you get the bsn from wherever you can get in.

unless you were specifically looking for an online master's education, do know that a bsn qualifies you to enroll in msn/np programs at ucla, ucsf, yale or any other msn or dnp program anywhere.

actually, if you do go that route, it's conceivable that you could be a graduate msn np prior to the co-hort that will begin the mecn this year........crazy, huh?

you have many options.

good luck!

i just got the following information back from the licensing board- is this "second-degree program" a bsn?

in order to take the nclex, one must graduate from an approved nursing program. however, there are some really excellent second-degree programs now that would be perfect for your situation. it will take about 1 year to complete one of these programs. i have seen jds, phds in biochemistry, business owners, physical therapists, etc., in these programs; they attract a variety of people for a variety of reasons.

i

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Specializes in SRNA.
i just got the following information back from the licensing board- is this "second-degree program" a bsn?

in order to take the nclex, one must graduate from an approved nursing program. however, there are some really excellent second-degree programs now that would be perfect for your situation. it will take about 1 year to complete one of these programs. i have seen jds, phds in biochemistry, business owners, physical therapists, etc., in these programs; they attract a variety of people for a variety of reasons.

i

a "second-degree" program can mean bsn or msn, if they are speaking of a 1-year completion term, they are most likely speaking of Accelerated BSN programs like those offered at mount st. mary's college or samuel merritt college for instance. however, ucla mecn is also considered a 2nd-degree program as it is geared to students who possess an undergraduate degree in a field other than nursing.

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I noticed that a few students from other nursing schools are creating a Yahoo Group for their classmates. I found one for UCLA MECN. I'd think it is too early to start a group until everyone confirms their acceptance by the deadline. After the deadline, one of us can serve as moderators for the UCLA MECN Cohort 3 Yahoo Group.

I think the Class of 2008 and the Class of 2009 have already formed their own group.

http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=ucla+mecn

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I spoke with Dean Cardin today in her office. I would encourage anyone out there who was not accepted and wants feedback in order to reapply to the UCLA MECN program and other nursing programs, to contact her. She is very candid and tells you exactly how the admissions committee arrived at their decision. I really wish I had had her guidance before applying (also that UCLA offered interviews because there were issues with my statement I could have clarified in person). It was invaluable to speak with her and to go over my application. I recommend a one on one with her if she can squeeze you in and bring a pad of paper and pen to take notes. Dean Cardin is a lovely person. I now have a clear plan as to how to strengthen my application. BTW, apps for fall 2009 will be due Nov. 1 this year. They were overwhelmed with past cycles and do not want to feel so rushed this upcoming year. Also, she told me it makes no difference if you apply early or at the 11th hour- the review process does not start before the deadline.

I can see I will be busy this coming year!

Oda Mae

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Specializes in SRNA.
I spoke with Dean Cardin today in her office. I would encourage anyone out there who was not accepted and wants feedback in order to reapply to the UCLA MECN program and other nursing programs, to contact her. She is very candid and tells you exactly how the admissions committee arrived at their decision. I really wish I had had her guidance before applying (also that UCLA offered interviews because there were issues with my statement I could have clarified in person). It was invaluable to speak with her and to go over my application. I recommend a one on one with her if she can squeeze you in and bring a pad of paper and pen to take notes. Dean Cardin is a lovely person. I now have a clear plan as to how to strengthen my application. BTW, apps for fall 2009 will be due Nov. 1 this year. They were overwhelmed with past cycles and do not want to feel so rushed this upcoming year. Also, she told me it makes no difference if you apply early or at the 11th hour- the review process does not start before the deadline.

I can see I will be busy this coming year!

Oda Mae

Good for you Oda Mae, I'm sure your proactive approach will pay dividends! Keep us updated on your progress throughout the year as it gets closer to application time. ;)

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Thanks Asherah- I am so glad I slapped some sense into myself, swallowed my pride and marched myself over to the SON. And I am glad it was in person too with my application carcass available for post-mortem. I was completely clueless as to issues in my statement the committee had questions about- my statement seemed pretty clear and convincing to me. But from a different perspective, I could see where there were questions/concerns. I cannot emphasize enough how important the statement is. It can make up for a multitude of sins or it can completely overshadow steller accomplisments. And it is not enough for a friend to proof it- I had an english instructor and a law school professor read mine and they liked it. But a NURSING admissions committee needs to like it. Lesson learned is that I need a nurse to review my statment before submission next time.

It was also a chance for me to give my application another dimension and put a face and a voice to my application which may be important too. But I am not going to be so limited in my scope this next time and am going to cast a wider net. This upcoming application season I will apply to more programs. Even those out of state. Perhaps even JHU :wink2:

Yes, you can count on reports from this cub nursing applicant:typing- it will be an eventful year for sure!:nurse:

Oda Mae

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Thanks Asherah- I am so glad I slapped some sense into myself, swallowed my pride and marched myself over to the SON. And I am glad it was in person too with my application carcass available for post-mortem. I was completely clueless as to issues in my statement the committee had questions about- my statement seemed pretty clear and convincing to me. But from a different perspective, I could see where there were questions/concerns. I cannot emphasize enough how important the statement is. It can make up for a multitude of sins or it can completely overshadow steller accomplisments. And it is not enough for a friend to proof it- I had an english instructor and a law school professor read mine and they liked it. But a NURSING admissions committee needs to like it. Lesson learned is that I need a nurse to review my statment before submission next time.

It was also a chance for me to give my application another dimension and put a face and a voice to my application which may be important too. But I am not going to be so limited in my scope this next time and am going to cast a wider net. This upcoming application season I will apply to more programs. Even those out of state. Perhaps even JHU :wink2:

Yes, you can count on reports from this cub nursing applicant:typing- it will be an eventful year for sure!:nurse:

Oda Mae

Thanks, Oda Mae :bow:. To all prospective applicants, start thinking about your application essay and remember that Nov. 1 is the deadline to submit your applications to SON. Most graduate programs at UCLA require applicants to submit their applications by Dec. 1, but apparently SON needs more time to review every application. The applicant pool gets bigger and better every year.

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Asherah- Is the GRE required for the Accelerated BSN program at JHU? There is an open house for JHU prospective students this weekend in Marina del Rey- I just registered. I would so love to go to JHU for this program- sounds great!

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Specializes in SRNA.

No, the GRE is only required if you are applying for the BSN/MSN combination program which allows you to apply for and be accepted to the MSN portion which you can enter right away upon successful completion of the BSN.

I may be attending the JHU session in Marina Del Rey this Saturday, and hoping to meet up with other accepted students in SoCal who didn't get a chance to make it out to Baltimore a few weeks ago. I will highly recommend that you check it out, they give you a lot of information at those sessions.

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No, the GRE is only required if you are applying for the BSN/MSN combination program which allows you to apply for and be accepted to the MSN portion which you can enter right away upon successful completion of the BSN.

I may be attending the JHU session in Marina Del Rey this Saturday, and hoping to meet up with other accepted students in SoCal who didn't get a chance to make it out to Baltimore a few weeks ago. I will highly recommend that you check it out, they give you a lot of information at those sessions.

Thank you for this information. I am glad I stumbled onto this when looking at the JHU SON website. My regsitration has been confirmed for March 15.

I know some people are not able to go out of state for training but there are really terrific programs outside of CA if you can make the temporary sacrifice for the longterm gain of an elite school education.

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Was anyone nominated for a UCLA fellowship? I just got an email today saying I was.. very unexpected! It definitely sways my decision towards UCLA more and more.

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