Anyone hear from SUNY Downstate for Summer '09 yet?

nika1980 · Jan 16, 2009

They definitely seem like a school that you need to literally call them after each time you submit something. They were claiming they didn't get my NET scores back in September. I had to call ERI and they called SUNY Downstate, and then like two days later my scores showed up on my online checklist that they have.
I e-mailed them for the 2nd time and three days later they got back to me with basically the same response. "We are currently reviewing applications and you will be notified as soon as a decision is made". Please.

Very very frustrating. They seem annoyed when people email them that's why they respond so coldly. I don't know what else to say about SUNY. But, thank God we are each other's support!!!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 18, 2009

Why do people think this is a good program again? So far I'm not very impressed.

Tanguera, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 18, 2009

OK, I wasn't very impressed with it at first, but when I heard that ony 50 applicants get in out of a pool of almost 500, I believe that the students who get chosen are the ones that are the hard-workers who will be good colleagues to learn with. I don't know much about the faculty and the teaching styles or the administration of this program, but in the end I know that I personally am looking for a program where the other students will be challenging to work with and also intellectually interested in the work; not just in working as an RN for the money. I get the impression that a good number of the graduates go on for further study whether it be for an MSN or an MPH. It is those types of acheivers that I am hoping to work with. It seems like many ppl on this forum have had bad experiences with the administration but I haven't experienced much of that as an applicant just yet... hopefully I won't have to, but I'll def let you know if something really horrendous happens.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2009

Actually the reason it gets so many applicants is that it's one of the few public Accelerated BSN programs in NYC. Not everyone wants to go thousands of dollars into debt for their BSN. The fact that the school can take its pick means, unfortunately, that it can afford to be lazy and slapdash when it comes to handling applications. As far as the selection process, I'm not convinced that the most deserving applicants necessarily get accepted.

From the school's mission statement:

Many factors, such as race, ethnic or cultural background, academic achievement, geographic location, diversity of experiences, leadership roles, and socioeconomic background, are taken into consideration in the admissions process. A diverse health care work force will be better equipped to provide culturally competent care to an increasingly diverse population.

So, basically, you can be an excellent, well-qualified, hard-working student, but if you don't score high enough on the diversity profile don't get your hopes up too high.

Tanguera, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2009

Oh wow interesting, I didn't even see that part of the mission statement. Maybe I should tell them I'm a dual-citizen!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2009

Oh wow interesting, I didn't even see that part of the mission statement. Maybe I should tell them I'm a dual-citizen!

Why should that be something you need to stress, if your primary interest is to go to school with high achievers?

Tanguera, BSN, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2009

well every little bit counts! JK. I actually already put in my application and don't think it's all that important to go ahead and send them copies of both passports. I do think my grades, volunteerwork, personal statement, and recommendations are strong enough to represent me as a candidate, and if that's not good enough for that school, then I don't see what the dual-citizenship would do for me at that point. I just remember in HS we applied to colleges and it was apparent that some students who exhibited their affinity with other cultures had a leg up. I didn't take advantage of it then and I know at this point it's not really going to matter.

Either way, yeah, i don't know too much about the program but I did go to one of their open houses so to me it seems like it would be a good place to learn since it is a small group of students. I am intending on getting the MSN after that so I'm thinking it would be a good way to get the BSN w/o going into huge debt.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2009

My reasons for being interested in the program are: publicly funded, Accelerated BSN, and in a very convenient location for me (less than 2 miles from home). I worked my %@%^$ off for 3 years to meet all the requirements, have a 4.0 academic record plus volunteer experience. There is nothing I possibly could have done to make myself into a stronger candidate, so if I don't get accepted I guess I'm just not the type they're looking for.

Riles241 · Jan 19, 2009

This Friday I have to register for a chemistry class needed for the other school I was accepted to for the fall. I had assumed I would've heard back from SUNY now. Do you think I should just call them by like Wednesday and say "Listen, i received a letter back in October saying all my materials were in and with the admission committee, i need to make a decision here and I haven't heard anything. What am I supposed to do??"

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 19, 2009

I guess you could do that. But it won't necessarily make them give you a decision any faster.

caffreak · Feb 1, 2009

Diversity is EXTREMELY important to Downstate according to people I know who are in various programs there.

Well I only got a 63% on math when I retook the NET so I guess I'm probably disqualified for admission:( its too bad because my verbal and science scores are great.

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 2, 2009

What does "diversity" mean?

If you're white they won't accept you?

Downstate STILL has not entered my NET scores or CLEP scores into the system even though I made sure they were in before deadline, so my application is officially incomplete. :banghead:

Maybe I'll be denied on that basis.... But at this point, I DON'T CARE!!!