Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

maliat · Dec 29, 2004

If I could be nosy too, I would like to hear about everyone's experiences too. My mother is being oh so encouraging about my grades, ie I used to be a B/B+ student.:uhoh21: Got me into graduate school, but plan to do better in my prerequisites for nursing school. No I don't take her seriously, because everyone else is confident that I will do well. M.

anc33 · Dec 29, 2004

Thanks for all of your responses to all of my previous posts. As you probably assume, I'm evaluating all of my options including ADN, BSN, and Direct-Entry MSN. The direct entry programs look extremely appealing, but seeing that they are at the best of colleges, I don't know how easy they are to get in.
Does anyone know what the typical GPA, scores, acceptance rates of these programs are? Anyone have any experience applying?
I'm in MD, so I'd consider Hopkins, but Columbia, MGHI in Mass, Case Western, Vanderbilt, Pace, and Yale also look appealing.
Seeing as nursing traditionally isn't an "ivy league" profession, are the credentials required for these programs less than what a typical "ivy" student would need?
I'd love to hear experiences with any programs.........

Direct entry programs are not that difficult to get into. Much easier than trying to get into, say, Columbia as a freshman. Reason being, life experience and diversity are greatly valued in these programs. I would venture to say that it may even be easier to get into one of the aforementioned schools over many ADN programs as there are no waiting lists or point systems. You do need a solid academic record. The vast majority of my classmates came from very well respected schools and had A/B averages. I think our acceptance rate was something like 20%, but there were other programs at the school which had higher rates. PM me if you want more info.

Jess RN · Jan 2, 2005

I'd be interested in this as well. I just put in applications to MGH and BC for their direct entry programs. I got my BA in lit in '96 with a 3.5 gpa. I'm 30 now -a former HR manager- current stay at home mom. I've done statistics, both A&P I and II and Devel Psych and just took the GREs. I should find out if I'm getting interviews by Feb and whether I'm in by March.

I have no idea if my profile is what they are looking for- but I figured I had nothing to lose. If I don't get in I'll just have to re-evaluate and look at BS programs, I guess.

maliat · Jan 3, 2005

I'd be interested in this as well. I just put in applications to MGH and BC for their direct entry programs. I got my BA in lit in '96 with a 3.5 gpa. I'm 30 now -a former HR manager- current stay at home mom. I've done statistics, both A&P I and II and Devel Psych and just took the GREs. I should find out if I'm getting interviews by Feb and whether I'm in by March.
I have no idea if my profile is what they are looking for- but I figured I had nothing to lose. If I don't get in I'll just have to re-evaluate and look at BS programs, I guess.

Do you know what specialty you're interested in? That's my problem. Haven't made up my mind, so I'm just looking for BSN programs.

Jess RN · Jan 3, 2005

I'm going for Women's health- tha's definitely always been my main interest in nursing. I am somewhat interested in neonatal nursing too- but I figure I'll learn more about it in school and then switch if I want to. For both of my programs you have to declare a specialization when you apply, but you can switch before you start the advanced practice classes if you want to.

ChrisA · Jan 3, 2005

I've just been notified that I'm a finalist for UCSF's direct entry program in San Francisco. I picked Critical Care/Trauma as my focus. I've got a Bachelor's in History, a 13something GRE, 4.0's in my pre-reqs (Biology and A&Px2), several years of experience as a software engineer, and a year's volunteer experience at a hospital. I don't know anything about the numbers or why I'm a finalist. I'm supposed to go down for interviews in two weeks, so I'll let you know.

Hopegirl · Jan 4, 2005

I've just been notified that I'm a finalist for UCSF's direct entry program in San Francisco. I picked Critical Care/Trauma as my focus. I've got a Bachelor's in History, a 13something GRE, 4.0's in my pre-reqs (Biology and A&Px2), several years of experience as a software engineer, and a year's volunteer experience at a hospital. I don't know anything about the numbers or why I'm a finalist. I'm supposed to go down for interviews in two weeks, so I'll let you know.

Congratulations ChrisA, that is an extremely difficult program to get into! Good luck and let us know how it turns out! :)

ChrisA · Jan 4, 2005

Thanks Hopegirl. I'm nervous, of course, about how I'd pay for it, but I'll worry about that after I find out if I'm accepted or not.

And by the way, I was down in San Diego last week for my honeymoon! It's a great city.

Jess RN · Jan 4, 2005

ChrisA- that is great that you are a finalist at UCSF! It is a great program from what I hear. My uncle is a hand surgeon at UCSF and loves it. You look like you have excellent credentials- I'm sure that's why you go an interview. :) Good luck!

Hopegirl · Jan 5, 2005

Thanks Hopegirl. I'm nervous, of course, about how I'd pay for it, but I'll worry about that after I find out if I'm accepted or not.
And by the way, I was down in San Diego last week for my honeymoon! It's a great city.

Thanks, I'd have to agree! Let us know as soon as you do!

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 7, 2005

I was just accepted into Ohio State's direct entry program for the fall. :)

Just my personal stats for getting in, undergrad degree was in spanish/international studies, gpa 3.32, GRE 600 verbal, 610 math, 5 writing. I've been a SAHM for the past 5 years and so it was hard to find academic references, so I had to reach for those a lot

I'd like to think my entrance essay had a large impact on my acceptance as well, so I would say to spend a lot of time on that. My school also requires a specialization coming in, you are accepted as part of that track, and they heavily discourage switching. If you aren't sure, I would recommend shadowing NPs in the specialties that you are interested in and see where you feel "at home". For me, there was really no other choice besides neonatology. This is where I want to go in my life and why I chose to become a nurse.

Good luck to everyone still waiting!