Direct-entry MSN programs

ok, just recieved an email reply from hopkins re: phd confusion. seems it was just an error - they just need my last transcript, even though it will not show a degree granted. phew!!!

That's good! So now you can use your Hopkins acceptance as leverage for your other schools!

Smile123

ok, just recieved an email reply from hopkins re: phd confusion. seems it was just an error - they just need my last transcript, even though it will not show a degree granted. phew!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, janony! I am sure it will all work out now. It's exciting to see that you have arrived (even if it's just getting started...) esp when I started following your posts going through some of the same emotions you were.

I have a question for you all -- does it matter what school you receive your MSN, as long as they are accredited?

I also may start a MSN-Entry program in Fall 2006. This is no JH but I got an acceptance letter last week from Western U as one of the direct-admits (bypassing interview.) I wonder if I should defer (lay down $500 deposit of course) and apply to other schools for Fall 2007? Last year, I was not ready to apply to UCSF, U of SF, U of SD. Some eval pts I went through:

* the prestige and the establishment of the program. Western U's MSN program is only two yrs old, without a graduated class, though their FNP program that's been around for 10 yrs, I think.

* environment and feel of the school. I just attended the student acceptance day and got a very good feel from the current students. Everyone had great things to say about the program, even through its growing pains.

* my specialty. hmm, I feel terrible because I really don't know. *sigh* I thought I could decide along the way but it seems like every decision I make requires some foresight on what specialty I will work in later. Anyway, I am tending toward a specialization in critical care/trauma. But that's just based on my personality, talking to some RNs and what I've observed volunteering at the ICU at the local hospital. I'd like to get involved in informatics later (might as well make use of my comp sci BA degree somehow). I think I will go into leadership positions; I can work the politics but I do not like to and want to avoid it. All the RNs I've talked to, including one director of Critical Care, said that it does not matter where you receive your degree (accredited school, of course) since there is such a shortage for MSN prepared nurses. What do you guys think?

I had my heart set on UCSF (even though I am not sure if I can get in, I'd like to try.) Even if not UCSF, I woud like to have at least one of the ranked school. It's not so much the ego thing but I am more concerned about my experience at the school, the repect I may receive from a reputable school. Let's face it, I am certain that I got bonus pt though out my career as a software consultant just for the fact that I graduated from Berkeley. I wonder if the nursing world is the same way?

Anyway, but I wonder if all that is worth one more year of waiting? Last month, I used to think what's one more year in the grand scheme of things... I want to have a good experience going through nursing program. But since I am being told that school does not matter, now I am leaning toward "getting my hands dirty as soon as possible"...

What do you all think?

Hello all!

I am new to this thread and wanted to say hello! I am (like many others) in quite the predicament regarding schools. I have been accepted to Vanderbilt and Columbia, still waiting to hear from Yale. I feel like Columbia has been very distant, and I have a hard time getting information out of them. Does anyone have advice....especially elizabells, if I could put you on the spot. What do you like about the program, what don't you like, etc.

Thanks in advance!

One thing I am waiting to see about Columbia is financial aid and how it compares to Yale...

I really loved Yale, but their financial aid left much to be desired...if Columbia can offer something much better, I might really have a decision to make!

The choice is unbelievably hard...

Columbia has good finaid - decent size scholarship and they figure out the loan amount for you - you just go online and sign up for it. The guy in charge of finaid is a bit of an idiot, but you can get what you need if you keep after him.

Right now is probably...not the time to ask me about overall satisfaction. If you're not planning on the Neonatal track, I'm sure it's fine.

You know what, I wouldn't come here if I were you. There, I said it. If you got into Yale or something, I'd go there. Although I've heard it's not really any better anywhere else. Bruinlaura hasn't been online in a while, but if she pops in maybe she can give you another perspective, one that isn't embittered by a program advisor who doesn't want to be running her program. Sigh. Not too long until the NCLEX and I can get a job and get the hell out of here.

thanks for your insight elizabells.

I certainly hope things go much better for you as you finish up.

Thanks for the honesty Elizabells!

I have heard a few negative comments but you just never know...It would be so much better if Columbia did interviews or extensive information days for folks before acceptance time!

They do a visiting day in March, I think. We had ours March 7, but I haven't heard anything about this year. I was already committed to coming here when I visited - didn't get in to the other schools I had applied to. Curse you, UCSF!

I got into BC! :roll

I emailed the office and explained the situation with Hopkins and the deposit, and I got a response telling me I'd been accepted and would recieve a letter by early March. Yay! So no stress over sending $500 to a school I don't really want to attend. I still may have to decide between BC and MGH, but at least I've got one in my pocket.

I'm supposed to interview at Northeastern on Friday. I'm sooooo tempted to just cancel it. Is that really bad form?

Jess - would love to hear how you are doing! Any chance I could chat with you (email or in person, whatever) sometime and pick you brain on BC?

janony

I got into BC! :roll

I emailed the office and explained the situation with Hopkins and the deposit, and I got a response telling me I'd been accepted and would recieve a letter by early March. Yay! So no stress over sending $500 to a school I don't really want to attend. I still may have to decide between BC and MGH, but at least I've got one in my pocket.

I'm supposed to interview at Northeastern on Friday. I'm sooooo tempted to just cancel it. Is that really bad form?

Jess - would love to hear how you are doing! Any chance I could chat with you (email or in person, whatever) sometime and pick you brain on BC?

janony

Janony,

Congratulations!!!! I'm so happy for you! It's good you got in one school you really wanted. Now you can do the same for MGH and ask them about your application over there! Keep us posted!

Smile123

I got into BC! :roll

I emailed the office and explained the situation with Hopkins and the deposit, and I got a response telling me I'd been accepted and would recieve a letter by early March. Yay! So no stress over sending $500 to a school I don't really want to attend. I still may have to decide between BC and MGH, but at least I've got one in my pocket.

I'm supposed to interview at Northeastern on Friday. I'm sooooo tempted to just cancel it. Is that really bad form?

Jess - would love to hear how you are doing! Any chance I could chat with you (email or in person, whatever) sometime and pick you brain on BC?

janony

Congrats!!! That is so awesome that they were able to dispense with the formalities and just let you know that you are in! Of course I would love to chat- also I know if you email Maureen Eldredge she will give you email addresses of students from my class year who are willing to answer questions about the program. I would say it is very likely that you will get an acceptance from MGH too. I know people who got into MGH who didn't get into BC, but not the other way around.

I didn't even consider Northeastern because the program was just too new and too long. For me, with childcare costs on top of tuition- it would have been waaaay pricey. One good thing about BC too is the tuition remission. They are pretty generous and I'm convinced they grant it to people with the best GRE scores- so, (I'm making a big assumption because you are in a PhD program at Harvard- that yours are high) it's likely you will get some money from them. MGH has a very small endowment- so they will help you with loans, but from what I hear grants are extremely rare.

I'll PM you my phone number and email address- feel free to give me a call and we can chat further. Same goes to any BC applicants who may be lurking- just PM me. I remember all too well the confusion and cluelessness I felt during the process- and the schools aren't all that helpful guiding you through the decision process sometimes. I'm happy to help!

-Jess

Hi Kim00mik--

Congrats on getting into Western U. I was going to apply there, but the physiology class I took was only 3 units, and they needed 4. I get a good feeling for the place, because it's a focused technical school. I don't think it matters too much where we get our degree, unless we really learn enough somewhere. I get the feeling that it's a solid program and you'll become a competent nurse from there. I would definitely start there if I were you. You can always get through the RN portion, then take time off and apply somewhere else for the NP part, right? I wouldn't wait another year on the hope of getting into UCSF. I think you'll be excited to get going on your path, plus you got a good feeling from the place and good responses from students who are going there. You'll figure out your specialty down the road. Also, practical things are more difficult in SF--rents, parking, etc. Isn't Western U off by itself with its own campus? By the way, did you apply anywhere else?