Published Jul 1, 2008
everythingbeth89
35 Posts
anyone who has ever applied to the shady grove program or who knows how competitive or how the admissions process is?? i am applying sometime next year and would like more info
gab.rielle
31 Posts
I'm not sure if you mean University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing, Shady Grove Campus...but if you do then good luck with applying- I am SO interested in UMB SON!
UMB SON is proven to be a good nursing college! Just being a senior in high school getting prepped for nursing school, I know some people who graduated there and now make great money and love their careers!
(Some of them have been nurses for 25+ years and some as little as 3 or so years.)
Also, the tuition is outstanding and the accreditation is not up in the air- like somewhere I shall not name. So good choice!
As far as competition, all nursing schools are competitive! There is a shortage of nurses nationwide, and that means there is shortage of professors and nurses with PhD's to be able to teach. Also, the programs are normally grueling, so they have to be selective somewhat (They need people to pass the Nursing Exams to stay accredited) so that people will stay with the program and not waste a seat in classes. Typically, if its meant to be- its meant to be!
Good Luck!! Have fun!! I wish that I was starting this fall!
-gab.rielle
1john4:10
29 Posts
Hey, I just finished my first year there. It is very competitve (I still haven't figured out how I got in) but don't let that intimidate you. Just focus on your science courses, as well as volunteering or getting involved some way with a health care field to show your interest. Hope you get in!
o goshh..im so worried right now i have a 3.3 but i still have several classes i need to take. do you know if its better to apply once all the classes are done or if its safe to do if your still in progress?? what do you think is the range for gpa's?? i like hearing it straight from a student but i am going to an information session this weekend.
e_pigpig
28 Posts
Hi, I just got accepted to Shady Grove for the coming fall. The admission is indeed very competitive since they are only available for every fall and there are only 50-55 spots. I remember when I was in the information section a couple years ago, they said a lot of their students actually got 4.0 for their science subjects. I had heard rumor about how they would rank the applicants' GPA and see which campus did the applicant pick. Once the spots at Shady Grove were filled, they would ask the applicants (if they got accepted) whether or not they would go to Baltimore campus. Also, the recommandation letters and your personal statement are very important in their admission process. Good luck to you! Feel free to ask more questions if you'd like to know more.
TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN
1,018 Posts
Actually, Shady Grove is now taking in students twice a year, in the Fall and Spring, so that might increase your chances a little.
TakeTwoAspirin, thank you for correcting me. I actually got accepted last year but I deferred my study to this coming fall. When I submitted my application a year ago, they didn't have the Spring option yet. It's a very good news for those who want to apply. More chances to get in. Good luck!
I know you know, but just in case, I wasn't so much correcting you as getting the news out. It's good news for students wanting to get in and a big step for our little campus. You will love it!
dmart150
9 Posts
I just finished my first year at the Shady Grove campus and it has been very challenging. I started fall 2007, and my class had about 60 students. At the end of the first sem, we lost about 5 students who either transferred to the Baltimore campus or withdrew from the nursing school. I started off at a community college, then I transferred to Shady Grove. I think that doing all my prereqs at a community college helped me get into the nursing school. It's hard work but I love it. Can't wait to graduate next year! Good luck!
janis9799
89 Posts
I just graduated from UMB- Shady Grove. You do have to have a good GPA, but doesn't have to be a 4.0, though try to have high grades especially in the sciences. Everyone who applies has great GPA's...but it isn't the only thing that they look at. The recommendation letters were important and I think I got in because of my essay. Make it unique as you can...tell a personal story of why you want to be a nurse. Also mention that you would like to go on to get your masters and teach nursing. That is what I did in my essay. You have show who you are and differentiate yourself from the pack because everyone has done well so you can't just ride in on your grades. I got two professors to write me letters of recommendation. I also had over two years as a CNA which I mentioned in my essay too. I hope you get in, it is a wonderful program and because it is the smaller campus everyone becomes close and the faculty is great.
Also, if you get admitted, if you are finishing prereqs they want you to have at least a B in that too or you will lose your spot and they are firm on it.
nrb01
3 Posts
I also graduated from the shady grove program, i think all nursing schools around the area are competitive but don't let that deter you from applying, i almost did not apply to UMDSON all because i had a C in one class, but i went ahead and did it and got in. if you feel that your GPA is not the strongest, definatley write a good essay and simply show that you are interested in nursing! good luck, keep us updated
futurenrs2010
21 Posts
Hey, I just got accepted in the Shady Grove program for Spring '09. Well I am not sure of what exactly you will need to get into the program but I know for sure that it is very competitive. For example, I have a 3.62 GPA in prerequisites, and a 3.7 Science GPA. I took the NET once and I got a composite of 78, which I like to round to an 80.lol. But anyway, I bust my butt on writing and editing my resume and essay. Plus, my professors (English and Microbiology) wrote me killer recommendations.
So my advice to you is that make sure you prerequisite GPA is secure around a 3.5. Put tremendous effort on writing an essay that reflects on your personal journey, not some generic short story. For example, if you had to work full-time and take care of yourself for all the years you were in school, make sure you include that in your essay. Be sure that the professors that write your recommendations know you well and know you as a strong student. As for the NET, if you can do basic math by hand- such as fraction, decimals, percentage and long division- then you are fine. However, for the Science Reading Comprehension, it is 33 questions, with each having a question to answer. You must complete all 33 questions in 30 mins. In that case, you better know how to read fast and catch concepts like main idea, purpose, and inference, at first glance. There is barely anytime to go back and reread a passage. Time managemet is the key in the NET. Please go to http://www.eriworld.com to buy their review book ($28) and take their practice test ($15). It is almost identical to the actual test. I had 2 maths questions on my test that were in my review book and a lot within my practice exam from ERI World. Lastly, do not underestimate the NET, it is fairly simple but the time restraint makes it 3 times more stressful than it should be.
Well, thats all I can think of at this point. I really hope I was able to help you. Good Luck.