Anyone hear from SUNY Downstate for Summer '09 yet?

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I applied in September and haven't heard, it's pretty frustrating as they said I would hear by January.

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

So do you know some of the names of the books we'll be using? I'd prefer to shop around online and see if I can get them for a cheaper price.

Did you buy any of your supplies? What color is the nursing uniform? I wonder if we have to buy the whole thing through the school or if we can buy wherever we want as long as it matches.

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I went to visit Downstate today since I wanted to have another look. I am having such a tough time making a decision between Columbia and Downstate... and I still have other schools that I haven't heard back from yet.

But I went just to get a "feel" of the school and so I went and did a small tour of the residence halls and student center where the gym and social lounges are. I was able to talk to a 4th year med student who was able to shed light on the neighborhood and student life in general, but perhaps the nursing students just were in classes or clinicals or something.

I did go to the Admissions office and told them I am an admitted student and want to know more about the program since I feel like I know very little about the program, facilities, faculty, etc. which isn't enough information for me to make an educated decision. Yes, it's cheaper than the other programs, but I want to make sure that it is academically challenging. I was just turned off by admissions because they weren't very helpful in trying to arrange something where I could speak with more people about the program. In other schools they at least have an open house or accepted students visiting day, but without that, you can't really know what the school is all about. That, and they acted as if I was crazy that I didn't already make my decision to go there.

Also, I remember in the info session I went to, they said that some of the courses are online courses. At the time, I didn't ask specifically which ones, but they did mention that some of them are online. That kind of thing isn't something I would prefer so if having an actual teacher in the classroom means paying ten thousand more in another school, that might make a difference.

As far as books go, I went to the bookstore as well, and asked about books. They said that the would have the titles around maybe middle of next month. I saw a lot of white coats, but they could have been uniforms also. still, I think the best policy is to wait until they say anything because you don't want to buy something and get stuck not being able to return it if it is not the specific thing they require.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

For me Downstate was an easy decision. It's right in my neighborhood and the tuition is affordable. It has a solid reputation and grads should not have a hard time finding jobs. I don't know if Columbia offers a better education or not, but with that pricetag and over an hour subway ride each way, it wouldnt' be worth it for me. The schedule is already so packed that I wouldn't want to add commuting time on top of that. But your considerations are probably different, especially if you're living in Manhattan.

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I was going to go to the Bookstore today to pick up some of the supplies and drop off my medical info. Does anyone know where I am suppose to drop off the medical forms? Did anyone buy their supplies and uniform yet?

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I was going to go to the book store today. Did anyone buy the uniform and supplies yet? Where do I drop off the physical forms?

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I started a thread in the Student Nurse forum so we can continue the conversation for whoever was accepted.

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I got my acceptance letter today! I am so excited. I am waiting to hear from one more school before I make my official decision. Downstate would involve a move whereas the other school I am waiting on would not.

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Hi All, so I have been debating amongst four different schools in the last week (and am still waiting for more decision letters) but I can't around for too long since Downstate needs my decision in one week.

I visited last week just to get a sense of the school and neighborhood. I stopped by Admissions to see if I could schedule an appointment to speak with someone (admissions, faculty, current student... anyone really!) about the program since I feel that I know very little about it. All of the other schools that I applied to at least have some sort of open house for accepted students and their information sessions for prospective students enabled us to have a tour, meet some faculty and students, etc.

Out of all of the schools I applied to, this school is the one that I know least about. I know that there are about 40 people in the class, the clinicals are mostly based in Brooklyn, the tuition is about $12,500 and the residence hall is across the street.

Other than those things listed above, I know nothing else about the program. Do any of you know anyone who went to the program or have you gotten more of a response from the school? I already got the sense that Downstate's administration was a bit backwards and slow with things, but they're not being helpful with this decision process at all. I am goign to see if I can call up the nursing program directly, (not go through admissions) but this ordeal only enforces my notions that the school as a whole isn't very organized or friendly. It is very important to me to go to a school where I will feel that the staff and faculty are supportive, and I'm not feeling that from Downstate at this point.

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tanguera,

i think you should definitely call their nursing department a.s.a.p. downstate is a pretty large school, so the admissions dept is probably swamped with all the med students, grad students, nursing, oas, pts, pas and everyone else coming in.

i remember they held a whole day open house for accelerated nursing, i think they might give one more.

from what i’ve heard it’s pretty hard to get in. first, because of the small class size and second because of low tuition. i posted in another thread that as per my calculations two semesters at nyu costs the same as the whole program in downstate.

imho nyu is a little bit overrated, but then again it is entirely up to you and your unique situation.

try calling nursing dept. and keep us posted!

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HEy Tanguera, I don't know if you were at the Columbia thing on Friday, but from the many sppeches and what current students have said, it is extremely friendly and supportive despite its large size.

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Thanks yeah I went to Columbia and another school on Friday and visited another school on Saturday in Boston. It's been a busy weekend! But I think I have a better idea of all schools now. Thanks!

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I talked to my doctor about SUNY vs. NYU and he said it makes absolutely no difference. And FYI he was an NYU grad. He said go to SUNY because it is a great program and has a great reputation for half the price. Honestly, I got a bit caught up in the snobbery of wanting to go to NYU but I chose Downstate because it makes so much more sense! I assume the same goes for Columbia vs. Downstate. I had a similar experience with a lack of response concerning questions at both NYU and Downstate but I have heard that both programs were absolutely swamped with admissions due to the economy and stability of healthcare fields.

I'm so excited to start! Did anyone find out about the uniform color?

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