Anyone applying to the Duke ABSN program for Fall 2009 (c/o 2011)?

ybq2008 · Dec 18, 2008

Bump :wink2:

ybq2008 · Dec 20, 2008

Bumping again for good measure

SFChef · Dec 20, 2008

Yep, I am applying. My application is almost ready to submit, but I just want to fine-tune my personal statement. And, I haven't taken the GRE yet...ugh! I am scheduled to take it on January 31 (nothing like pushing it to the very last minute). The admissions rep told me that as long as I take it on or before January 2, I will be fine.

It sounds like a really good program so I'm starting to get excited about it.

ybq2008 · Dec 20, 2008

That's awesome. Melissa (the admissions counselor) is really nice, I've spoken with her a couple of times to clear up some questions I had about prereqs and what not.

Are you finished with your prerequisites? I personally have Micro and A&P I/II to finish up. It's going to be a busy few months, but I'm excited about the program.

Good luck with your GREs as well. I assume you meant December 31st, so that'll be coming up soon. If you're in to using the study guides for prep, I found the Princeton Review to be helpful when I took mine :)

SFChef · Dec 21, 2008

Oops, yes I meant Dec. 31 for the GRE! And I am totally using study guides--I have Princeton Review and Kaplan, and I signed up for an online class through Kaplan. I'm not too worried about the verbal, but my math skills are kind of rickety. Once I remember the formulas I think I'll be okay (I mean, really, who cares what the formula is for the area of a circle?).

I am totally done with my pre-reqs, so I feel really good about that. Now all I have to do is focus on getting accepted to a school. I had applied to Hopkins under the early decision agreement, but didn't get accepted, so now I'm scrambling to find good programs. I had looked at Duke earlier, and I know it's a good program, so now I'm starting to get excited about the possibilities. Still, I learned my lesson about only applying to one school, so I think I'm also going to apply to NYU--nothing could be funner than living in NYC!!!

ybq2008 · Dec 21, 2008

Sounds like you're really prepared for the GRE, I'm sure you'll rock it's socks off :)

As for putting all of one's eggs in one basket, I've done that with Duke, so I think that's why I'm so anxious about it. I didn't plan on applying to nursing school until my prerequisites were complete this coming August. I just recently moved to North Carolina in September and coincidentally heard about Duke's program and upcoming open house. After attending the open house and talking with some of the faculty and staff, I felt so good about the program I jumped at applying. I've been praying about it and I listening to my instincts about it all and so far so good.

Living in NYC would be fun! I've been keeping up on programs in the east and I hear they have a nice one. Hopkins, Yale, and UM-BC sound nice too. I'm from Oklahoma, so living that far north for a prolonged period of time would be a rough adjustment, lol. I don't do cold or ice very well, lol. I'm looking at Barry, VCU, or Emory as my next schools of choice if Duke isn't the fit for me this fall :)

CRNA1906 · Dec 22, 2008

Yep, I applied and was accepted on Dec 9. So I look forward to you all that will be joining me in Fall 2009. Go Blue Devils!!!!

Absolutely13 · Dec 22, 2008

I wish I was joining you. Duke is a great school of special note.

I'll be sticking with my program down here in Florida. I have nothing but the highest respect for Duke nurses.

ybq2008 · Dec 22, 2008

Congrats CRNA1906! :yeah:

I hope you don't mind me picking your brain for a sec. What was the interview/acceptance process like? Did you apply early decision?

CRNA1906 · Dec 30, 2008

Hey jdcurly,

To be honest, I planned my move (e.g., application to Duke) about a year ahead of time. So though the early decision deadline was Nov 1 or 15, my application materials were submitted by mid October. Another thing about Duke is that their admissions committee didn't trip about me not finishing A&P I before offering me an interview. And the interview, I must say was the coolest part of the process. It's rather informal (literally) where the two person "team" asks you about five questions. OH and one of the questions was NOT the usual, "Why do you want to be a nurse?" If my memory is correct, they did ask, "How will your prior experience make you a better nurse or how do you envision using your prior experiences in nursing?"

At the end of the interview, they of course ask for questions. Word of advice, ALWAYS ASK THE INTERVIEWERS QUESTIONS. They want to see that you have interest in their school and program. One question that I asked (to the surprise of the interviewers) was, "What characteristics defines a successful Duke School of Nursing student?" They were absolutely floored with that question.

Lastly, Duke let's you know rather quickly (before Christmas) if you apply via the early decision. And instead of receiving a hardcopy acceptance letter, you receive an electronic letter. Which is much quicker and faster. That's how I knew of my admission decision so soon after my interview.

FYI, if you are contacted for an interview, do go in person. You'll definitely get browny points and if given enough time, the admissions committee looks much more favorably at in-person interviews.

Now I just have to make sure that I pass A&P 2 and Microbiology in the Spring term with at least a B. Good luck

CRNA1906 · Dec 30, 2008

Absolutely13, What nursing school and program are you attending in FL?