Applying to Direct-Entry MSN Boston Programs for 2015

snoozyd, NP · Oct 26, 2014

I applied to MGH for the psych concentration. I studied psych undergrad. I worked on psych research projects as a student. After graduation, I worked at McLean on the psychotic disorders inpatient unit for a year. Then I switched it up and have been working at Brigham and Women's in preventive medicine/cardiac research. I realized I hate full-time research and a few nurses I worked with told me to check out NP programs. Actually, pretty much every nurse I've worked with told me MGH is an amazing program. My own NP went to Yale and told me to pick MGH if I'm faced with the choice...I'd probably go against her advice if I do get into Yale, but that's only because I'd like some psych research connections.

I'm not sure what my undergrad GPA was. It wasn't terrible but I definitely don't feel it's representative of my true ability. There were some messy circumstances for a bit, which negatively affected my grades. I submitted a supplementary essay to explain this. As for GREs, I scored 160 on verbal, 156 on quant and a 5.0 on the writing section. My old nursing director supplied a letter, but I'm waiting on my old advisor and current principal investigator to get their letters in.

BlackSkimmer · Dec 31, 2014

I think all the deadlines have passed and now we just wait and play the what if game.... What program is your first choice and why?

Aspiringnurse0421 · Jan 4, 2015

Hi!

I have applied to Simmons and Northeastern. I am applying to Regis as well. Northeastern is my first choice but, they only have 24 spots for Direct Entry BSN/MS. That is very scary. I am freaking out because these three schools are the only ones I am interested in and I have not applied anywhere else.

I am 23, I graduated in may 2014 from Sacred Heart University with a Bachelors in Business. I want to use my business degree later on and even combine it with nursing. I did study abroad in Rome. I volunteer at a local hospital in the NICU and Ambulatory since March 2014. I have been working as a caregiver for about over 5 years! I have strong personal letters and strong 3 recommendation letters as well. I started doing my prereqs and I have finished most, I need AP 2 and Chem 2. I am also taking the GRE in two weeks. My prereq gpa is not that strong because in two classes I received a C.. I will take at least one of them over to get a better grade this summer. In august my sister in law gave birth and she has been going thru postpartum depression. This really threw me off course because I had to be a full time mom and take care of the baby, while going to my classes and also working. I was worried 24/7 about the baby because I could not leave him home alone with his mother. Thankfully she is FINALLY getting better and I could now focus on school. The baby is 5 months and healthy :) I have been dealing with health issues my self which made everything harder. I have no idea how I managed to take those classes and go through all of this. I am praying that I do not get rejected!!!!! I really really want to get into Northeastern, Its really expensive but, they have the Neonatology program that I want to do. I was told by them to also take into consideration their direct entry hybrid program, which sounds convenient and also scary!

Did anyone apply to a hybrid nursing program?

Good luck to all!!!

Hoping the letters get sent out soon!

zoiKers · Jan 4, 2015

I hope your sister in law, the baby and you are getting better! Yeah, I think the hybrid program is partly online classes right? I didn't apply to it but I don't think I would like online learning as I like I like learning in class instead.

Aspiringnurse0421 · Jan 4, 2015

Thank you! I applied to the full time in class learning, but If I do not get accepted to that then I was told I can still do the hybrid option. Not sure if that's what I want to do lol

snoozyd, NP · Jan 4, 2015

I only applied to MGHIHP since I knew I would only have their pre reqs done in time. But, I do know a bit about Northeastern's program. Obviously the in person program is best. The hybrid one is probably great if you know you can do online science coursework. And if you know you've got healthcare connections that could employ you, then the hybrid program label shouldn't work against you.

That said, a friend of mine who went Northeastern undergrad and her parents work there looked into the program and was turned off by it. It seems like a program heavily focused on cashing in on Northeastern's nursing reputation but not so focused on quality coursework. And their admissions info people were VERY aggressive but not very helpful (asking her to commit to doing an application, and asking her to get other people to apply - super weird). Of course, admissions reps are not true representatives of the program but they made a very bad impression. But as i wait to hear back from schools I'm definitely feeling like I will go anywhere that lets me in.

Aspiringnurse0421 · Jan 5, 2015

Wow, thank you for the input. That really helps and yes I agree with you it seems a bit weird. I believe since their in class program is so small they are trying to make money by having this Hybrid portion and trying to have students sign up for it. I do not have a problem with online courses but, I love the one-on-one in class learning since I graduated from a small private college I am familiar with that type of learning and it is beneficial. I really want to get into NEU because they programs are exactly what I am looking for and they do not need the GRE or so many Chem classes like other programs...

I missed a few school's deadlines and that may haunt me lol

I only took a Concepts of Chemistry course and many schools want Gen Chem 1 & 2 which I do not have, but, they have accepted my chem as Gen Chem 1 and all I need is Chem 2. I cannot get into Chem 2 without Chem 1. So this is the issue right now.... I am trying to solve.

Did anyone use Portage Learning courses for their Prereq's? They offer a Chemistry, I am just not sure if that counts for both Chem's....waiting for a call back from them.

If I get into the NEU DE in class program I would not need to take those chem's nor my GRE..

snoozyd, NP · Jan 6, 2015

For Portage, I think the chemistry just has to be a certain number of credits for a school to accept it as Chem 1 and Chem 2.

bostons · Jan 15, 2015

Did anyone get an email stating, "Congratulations! Your application has been processed and is now ready to be reviewed for the Fall 2015 admissions cycle"? I got the email this morning but my "complete for review" update is dated 11/11/14 from a bit after I submitted the application.

snoozyd, NP · Jan 15, 2015

Did anyone get an email stating, "Congratulations! Your application has been processed and is now ready to be reviewed for the Fall 2015 admissions cycle"? I got the email this morning but my "complete for review" update is dated 11/11/14 from a bit after I submitted the application.

Yup! I was jazzed to see it but, I also got everything to them back in November. I guess that's their way of saying they've gotten around to reviewing apps now?

zoiKers · Jan 15, 2015

Yes!!! I got that too! I guess there's no interview for MGH institute?

BlackSkimmer · Jan 15, 2015

Yep, got it. Glad to know they got all the transcripts.