Any Johns Hopkins (JHU) BSN/MSN 2008 applicants?

[Asherah]

Yes, we're a few months away from applications for the Accelerated BSN track, but I thought I'd see if anyone else was applying for the BSN/MSN (or just BSN portion) at Johns Hopkins, 2008? JHU is my first choice, but I'm also applying to Columbia, Mount St. Marys College (Los Angeles, BSN only) and Oregon Health & Science University.

I'm nervous as I haven't visited the school yet although the Admissions Officers have been very helpful, answering all of my endless questions via email and phone. I'm taking the GRE in October and I have one shot to get it done and get my scores sent off by the Accelerated track early decision deadline, November 1st. I've spoken to some JHU Nursing Alums via allnurses as well and they've been super helpful with my questions as well (thanks!).

How would I pay for it...? Who really knows...

[Winnie04]

Speaking of financing our education, has anyone received financial aid information of any kind from JHU or to those who were accepted awhile ago, have they given you any preliminary information? I understand that it takes awhile to get the full package, if there even is one. As Columbia issues $20K for their 1-year ETP/BS portion, I doubt JHU does anything comparable or we would have heard about it by now.

I'm composing my list of questions to ask on 2/29, but I keep thinking of how soon I need to approach private lenders for the balance of anything I'm going to need to borrow.

Hi Asherah,

I am currently in Hopkins' accelerated BSN program. I didn't anticipate any tuition help from them because I hadn't heard of any, so I was pleasantly surprised when I got my finanicial aid package and saw the school had given me a $13,000 grant. I think at least 25 or 30% of my class got these- although it could be many more people, I am not sure. Also don't know if the amount is the same for all students or if it varies.

The only school scholarship that I know of is the baccalaureate merit scholarship. http://www.son.jhmi.edu/academics/finaid/aid/grants.aspx

Although it looks like the deadline for applying already passed. I also am not quite sure what the school is looking for in scholarship recipients- I know some classmates who had very strong backgrounds and didn't receive it.

It is totally do-able to live on loans, but the idea of paying them back is daunting...I was accepted into the masters program too but I decided I wasn't ready to take on more debt right away so I am going to work for a while first before going back to grad school.

[Asherah, BSN, RN]

Winnie,

Thanks so much for chiming in with first-hand knowledge! I read on the JHUSON Fin. Aid website that they besides the Merit Scholarship they do offer grants of $1-15K for accelerated students and between $1-$9K per year for the Traditional programs, however I'm not clear if this is need based or merit based...I have many questions for them and will be phoning them soon. It is just my hope that there might be something/anything to offset the large cost and thus reduce private loans but of course I will be taking advantage of their list of private scholarships they encourage everyone to pursue.

:redbeathe:heartbeat Happy Valentines Day, everyone! :heartbeat:redbeathe

[traveler2000]

I found out a few days ago that I was accepted into the BSN/MSN program, so for those of you who might not have heard anything yet, don't lose hope! I haven't decided yet if I'm going to the accepted students day since it's so last minute, but I hope I can, since it'll probably help a lot in making my decision. Congrats to everyone else accepted!

[Asherah, BSN, RN]

I found out a few days ago that I was accepted into the BSN/MSN program, so for those of you who might not have heard anything yet, don't lose hope! I haven't decided yet if I'm going to the accepted students day since it's so last minute, but I hope I can, since it'll probably help a lot in making my decision. Congrats to everyone else accepted!

Traveler,

You also were accepted to Columbia for their highly selective anesthesia specialty though, you're not entirely sure you're going to attend? Good luck making your decision!

[traveler2000]

Hi Asherah! I was fortunate enough to get accepted at a few programs, and though I'm definitely leaning towards one, I thought that I shouldn't be too hasty and make a decision without getting all the information I can. I wasn't able to visit any schools during the application process, so now's my chance to do so and talk to people. Congrats on your acceptance!

[Asherah, BSN, RN]

Are any So. Cal folks planning to attend the JHU event in Marina Del Rey this Saturday? If any Accelerated or Traditional accepted students want to get together and meet up that day (if you didn't have the chance to head out to Accepted Students Day), I may head up there. Anyone planning on it?

[peacebeef]

Hi y'all! (& congrats to everyone who got into JHU!)

If anyone's still reading this thread...

I started out looking at JHU's accelerated program for 2009 but there's no way I'm going to have all my prereq's done before the Nov. 15th deadline this year. (I was an Urban Studies major in college, with minimal sci credits, so I've got to take hella courses before the deadline!). So now I'm reconsidering possibly doing the 21-month option. I'm just curious as to whether volunteer experience played a role for anyone applying? My BA GPA isn't so hot and I'm trying to find ways to make my application stand out. (It seems from this thread that the essays stand out at JHU, so hopefully I'll write well on those!)

[Winnie04]

Hi there,

I am in the accelerated '08 class and fyi I don't believe that you need to have all pre-reqs done by the application deadline (unless that policy has changed since last year...) When I applied last year I still had not completed nutrition and growth & development. Not sure if there is a limit to the number of pre-reqs that are pending at the time of application- I am sure you could find out by calling admissions. There were always really nice and helpful when I had questions about the application process.

As far as the importance of volunteering, I had minimal volunteer experience, so I don't think it's a deal breaker.

[peacebeef]

Thanks! That's hugely helpful. I'm looking forward to talking to admissions at the Chicago info session coming up this month - it would be awesome to apply to the ABSN program early decision, since JHU is my first choice!

[Asherah, BSN, RN]

I'm just curious as to whether volunteer experience played a role for anyone applying? My BA GPA isn't so hot and I'm trying to find ways to make my application stand out. (It seems from this thread that the essays stand out at JHU, so hopefully I'll write well on those!)

I wanted to reply to this as there is a good chance that you are in the same position I was in GPA-wise when I decided to go back to school to pursue nursing. My volunteer experience and exposure to the specialty that I applied for at JHU (Acute Care), was essential for me to be able to communicate my committment to a nursing pursuit and state specific reasons why I was choosing to enter academia again. Above all, I think volunteering in a hospital setting is valuable if only for the fact that you will likely get to observe the basic foundation of the nursing role and develop a comfort level working with patients.

I believe that when an individual is not as academically competitive as they would like to be then they must go above and beyond in the other application components: volunteer/leadership experiences, personal statement (which at JHU is comprised of answering three questions), and the interview (if you are applying for the BSN/MSN, if just the BSN, then no interview required.)

JHU is very good about looking at an applicant holistically, however you really must do all that you can to offset any obstacles you may face regarding you GPA. If you have not done so already, I would email or phone the two admissions officers that are very helpful: Christopher Boyle or Denelle Alton (contact info can be found on the JHUSON website) They can provide a transcript review, do a GPA calculation and give you a rough idea of where you would stand within the applicant pool and ideas of what you can do to strengthen your application.

Good luck!

[byrd262, BSN, RN]

Hi y'all! (& congrats to everyone who got into JHU!)

If anyone's still reading this thread...

I started out looking at JHU's accelerated program for 2009 but there's no way I'm going to have all my prereq's done before the Nov. 15th deadline this year. (I was an Urban Studies major in college, with minimal sci credits, so I've got to take hella courses before the deadline!). So now I'm reconsidering possibly doing the 21-month option. I'm just curious as to whether volunteer experience played a role for anyone applying? My BA GPA isn't so hot and I'm trying to find ways to make my application stand out. (It seems from this thread that the essays stand out at JHU, so hopefully I'll write well on those!)

You DO NOT need to have all your coursework done before applying. At the time I applied, I had 2 courses left to complete. In the application you have to show your plan of completion which the school holds you to. For example, if you apply for the 14 month program (Summer 2009 start), you have 4 semesters left to complete coursework for (Summers I and II 2008, Fall 2008, and Spring 2009). If you apply for the 21 month program (Fall 2009 start) then you have 6 semesters left (Summers I and II 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009, and Summers I and II 2009)

Don't feel discouraged. The only thing that may interfere is if you haven't completed ANY the required Sciences AND have an extremely low GPA. It sounds like you have some though. They want to know that you can handle the work once you get in. You may want to consider taking a Science course this summer (which will be more challenging compared to a normal 15 week course) and do really well in it. Your grade will be available by the Nov 15th deadline.

I think someone else mentioned this, but you may want to contact the school to request a transcript review. They are the best people to get advice from as they will be making the decisions come application time.

[peacebeef]

Thanks Asherah and Byrd262! Man, I'm so glad Google found this thread for me! Just talking to real nursing students is so reassuring.

Asherah: I totally agree with you regarding having a well-rounded application, and that furthermore volunteering specifically in a hospital is just a good idea anyway to get a personal feel of the working environment for nurses anyway. I haven't heard back from my local hosp. about my volunteer application yet but I'm hoping I'll have enough time between that, prereq. coursework and part-time work this summer! I'll definitely give the JHU admissions contacts you recommend a call, too - it would be great to go over my transcripts NOW before I apply in November.

Byrd262: It's definitely helpful to know that the courses DON'T have to be all completed by the app. date! The thing that confused me on JHU's website was the phrase "before enrollment", and the fact that the other ABSN program I'm looking at won't accept early decision candidates unless they have completed ALL prereqs (and their list is longer than JHU's!). I'm already taking Anatomy/Physiology I and loving it, and looking forward to the second half this summer. It IS pretty challenging, though, even at the community college level!

Good luck with school in 2008 everyone!