CSUDH Entry MEPN Program - Fall 2010 Applicants

[MiahMSN]

i've been following a few threads and i love the excitement and anticipation of those waiting for acceptance letters/phone calls to a particular program and the camaraderie that it creates. i would love to get a thread going to show support and updates for those of us who have/are applying to cal state dominguez hills mepn program for fall 2010. i submitted my portfolio and application on november 30th. i was told that i should expect an interview in january. this is the only program i'm applying to. i know some may say that isn't smart, but i've done alot of research and it is the best/only one that meets all of my needs: prereqs, location, program duration, nclex pass rate and cost. being 30 and already having an expensive master's from usc in a field that i have decided to walk away from in order to follow my heart, i know that this program is the one for me. so i'm stepping out on faith and claiming my spot in the fall 2010 cohort. in my workshop, they said that they only expect to accept 35-40 students for fall. would love for others to share their experience with applying to this program and hopefully many of us will start this journey together are csudh in the fall! good luck to everyone!

mya

[MiahMSN, MSN, RN]

No, I haven't filed fafsa yet! I plan to do it this week - although I already know my EFC will basically read "uh, you can pay for this yourself, why are you waistng our time?" . Yeah, only if they could see my previous student loan debt, credit card debt, debt from a bad mortgage, etc.

Ok, maybe I've been living in lala land (no pun intended ), but CSUDH tuition for the MEPN program is the same graduate tuition as the rest of the school, correct? I'm calculating around $2600/semester. Tell me I haven't been smoking something illegal in my sleep and that that's in fact the price? (not including books, uniforms). Not bad when you compare to some of the other programs like UCLA (or even UCSF which is RIDICULOUS)

fyi - this is where I'm getting my numbers:

GRADUATE STUDENTS

State University Fee (SUF)

$1440.00 (0 - 6.0 Units)

$2481.00 (6.1+ Units)

Other Registration Fees

Student Activity Fee

$65.00

Student Center Fee

$159.00*

Health Facilities Fee

$3.00

Health Services Fee

$75.00**

Instructionally Related Activities Fee

$5.00

Total Other Mandatory Registration Fees

$307.00

TOTAL

$1747.00 (0 - 6.0 Units)

$2788.00 ( 6.1+ Units)

*Nursing students' SCF is $43.

**Nursing students are exempt from paying this fee.

[JKR_SB]

Yeah, that's about what I am calculating, but we also have to consider summer session during our first year...and the fact that fees will probably go up 10%+ next year...but still cheaper than UC and private schools (I was looking at APU, as well -- almost $50K a year!!!).

I have a crappy paying job in a place with an extremely high cost of living, but they still expect me to come up with a large chunk...I am definitely going to need to schedule an appointment with the FA office to see what I can work out with them. They clearly think we live in Missouri or something!

Sorry about the mortgage...I can't even entertain the idea of owning where I live!

[kimandart]

Hi everyone! I'm a little late to find this post, but am happy to finally be here. I turned in my app in December and interviewed in January, so I am anxiously checking my mail everyday. I wish I had known about the rolling admissions policy earlier - I would have applied the first month. But I'm not sure they decided on rolling admissions until later in the process bc during my info session in November they were still saying March would be the likely notification month.

I have still have to take patho. I was going to take it this term, but decided to put it off to make sure I am admitted - especially since the cost is now up to $750. I applied to SBCC for the summer, so I am hoping to get into one of their classes and save myself about $650.

Good luck to everyone and I will definitely keep checking in to see how everyone is progressing.

Kim

[MiahMSN, MSN, RN]

Hi Kim,

Good luck - I hope you hear something soon! I still have to turn in my grade for physiology which I'll finish mid-march; I also have to take patho this summer. I am so confused, because during my workshop (and interview) JE stated that we can only take patho at csudh. I wonder why they give contradicting info pertaining to this class. I would gladly take it at SBCC or any other school for that matter and save my money. This is really annoying, but I'm not trying to get on anyone's bad side, so I will do like you, and wait to see if I'm in, then argue my point for this class.

Did you apply to any other programs?

[kimandart]

I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to create any bad feelings with anyone at CSUDH. :) I am dying to call and ask for a status, but I don't want to bug them. I know they are super overloaded with work as it is, especially now with their furlough days.

As for patho, a current MEPN student is the one who recommended that I take patho at SBCC like she did, so I am hoping that it will indeed be accepted. Maybe they have changed the policy bc CSU so desperately needs money. That would be lame, but I guess understandable.

I applied to our community college (ECC), which has a bad waiting list problem right now, despite trying to do away with a waiting list. It is definitely not my first choice - more of a fall back, in case nothing else works out. To be honest, I can't imagine going through nursing school with some of the people in my pre-req classes. So many people actually cheated in their pre-nursing classes. Seriously. I couldn't believe it. I am thinking of applying to LB if I don't get into Dominguez. It is nice that their deadline is so late. But I haven't taken the TEAS yet and I really, really want to go to CSUDH. It is a great program and the location is ideal for me. I also love the local hospitals they tend to rotate through.

I felt really confident about my application, but as times goes on, I am starting to worry. My grades are excellent and I feel like my portfolio was strong, but I do not have any formal medical experience and I am worried about competing for spots with people who have very solid medical experience. (My undergrad is in Russian - totally useless - but I also have an MBA and started a breastfeeding-related business.) I felt like my interview went well, but the interviewer was pretty easy to talk to so I'm not sure my experience is that different from anyone else's. I only have speech in progress, so I should hear before they actually see my grade for that class.

I will let you know when I hear anything.

[MiahMSN, MSN, RN]

Don't worry yourself (I'm good for doing this). You seem like you have a pretty solid, diverse background, so I'm sure you will be fine. Yeah, I feel the same way about my portfolio, interview and grades. So we just have to keep telling ourselves that we are competitive candidates and others should be worried about us!! LOL......but I really wish they could admit more people than they plan to, but I guess budget doesn't allow them to increase the numbers.

This is the only program I applied to. I don't want to deal with more prereqs than I have to; location and cost are perfect; and no extra tests like the TEAS - and luckily my GRE writing score will waive having to take the GWA the school requires. So I'm just hoping I can get an answer pretty soon!

And honestly, I really think that may be the case with patho. I even asked if I could take the patho class via ucla extension, as they have one online that's under $500, and I was told no. So, we shall see.

[JKR_SB]

Hi Kim and Mya,

I took patho at SBCC too after being told I could take it there...then I hear they won't...then I hear they will...so I just didn't say anything, submitted my transcripts and I got my acceptance letter with no contingencies (that I know of yet). Maybe they are just trying to keep it on the DL so they can get more $$ from their class?? However, I am not sure if SBCC offers patho in the summer...you might check with them first.

I was told CSUDH wouldn't make decisions until Feb-Mar too, but I heard back in late January...so hopefully, Kim, you will hear any day now! I only received a letter from the Admissions Office, not from the school itself...so I have this huge fear that it was a mistake or something. Ugh!

Keep us posted on your status!

Jill

[JKR_SB]

Don't worry yourself (I'm good for doing this). You seem like you have a pretty solid, diverse background, so I'm sure you will be fine. Yeah, I feel the same way about my portfolio, interview and grades. So we just have to keep telling ourselves that we are competitive candidates and others should be worried about us!! LOL......but I really wish they could admit more people than they plan to, but I guess budget doesn't allow them to increase the numbers.

This is the only program I applied to. I don't want to deal with more prereqs than I have to; location and cost are perfect; and no extra tests like the TEAS - and luckily my GRE writing score will waive having to take the GWA the school requires. So I'm just hoping I can get an answer pretty soon!

And honestly, I really think that may be the case with patho. I even asked if I could take the patho class via ucla extension, as they have one online that's under $500, and I was told no. So, we shall see.

Mya, they ENROLL 40 student, they ADMIT more than that...probably double that...if that makes you feel any better. :)

[MiahMSN, MSN, RN]

Jill,

Did you get a HUGE folder envelope or a teeny weeny letter envelop??? I just want to prepare myself for when I receive something!

And if they accepted you and didn't say anything about the patho class, then don't you!! Just roll with the punches!

[MiahMSN, MSN, RN]

Mya, they ENROLL 40 student, they ADMIT more than that...probably double that...if that makes you feel any better. :)

Yes, that makes me feel better!

Jill has one of those spots, you and I only need 2, so that leaves 37 spots - it's Christmas! We should be fine!!

[MiahMSN, MSN, RN]

Yes, that makes me feel better!

Jill has one of those spots, you and I only need 2, so that leaves 37 spots - it's Christmas! We should be fine!!

And no, I'm not being sarcastic, I'm serious!

[kimandart]

Are most of you from around the South Bay? I live in North Torrance, fairly close to Dominguez.

Thanks for asking the question about envelope size - I can't wait to get the response. If it is only from admissions, then maybe it's a pretty small envelope. Would be good to know before I have a heart attack if I received a small envelope.:redpinkhe

Kim