Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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.........

Specializes in Postpartum.
Originally Posted by PdxDreamer

I've applied to MGHI, Simmons, Northeastern U and UMass/Worcester. I'd prefer MGH or Simmons - how are you guys deciding which one to go to if you get in to both??

I really have no idea how I will choose. In the happy event that I get into BC MGH and Regis I think the three variables that mean the most to me are the total price of the program, the flexibilty in terms of stopping after the RN part for a bit to work, and how the clinical program is structured. So I'll really have to think it over. But really, I'll be pretty elated if I just get into one of my schools!

-Jess

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Hey seahorse! I applied to SFSU as well and since you have received your waitlist notice already I assume that means I did not get in. I am sure they sent the acceptance letters first and then the denial letters afterwards. But I still have not received mine! I know it sounds crazy but I wish they would just send it to me already so I can scratch the school off my list! lol

Anyway I am checking this site everyday. I hope all of you get into the schools of your dreams! :)

Hi Dream2nurse,

I wouldn't be so sure that you didn't get in. Maybe you should call and ask them? You may have an acceptance letter that was lost in the mail . . .

:rolleyes:

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Hey seahorse! I applied to SFSU as well and since you have received your waitlist notice already I assume that means I did not get in. I am sure they sent the acceptance letters first and then the denial letters afterwards. But I still have not received mine! I know it sounds crazy but I wish they would just send it to me already so I can scratch the school off my list! lol

Anyway I am checking this site everyday. I hope all of you get into the schools of your dreams! :)

Hi Dream2nurse,

I agree with seahorse. Some schools sent out the rejection notices first and then the acceptances; it's usually easier to send out thin envelopes vs. larger packets. I also applied to SFSU and haven't heard anything. They usually send something out in March, not in Feb. So don't give up! You will get in someplace! Call them if you want some answers! Good luck!

Smile123 :)

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Thanks for the encouragement Smile123 and Seahorse!

So Smile123, you got into John Hopkins, right? And that was your first choice and where you intend to go? So if you get into SFSU and don't go, then that would be one spot open for the waiting list! If I get into SFSU I may not end up going, so that would be another spot! :)

So Seahorse, if for some crazy reason you don't get into UCSF then you may have a good shot at SFSU. Did they tell you what number you are on the list?

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Thanks for the encouragement Smile123 and Seahorse!

So Smile123, you got into John Hopkins, right? And that was your first choice and where you intend to go? So if you get into SFSU and don't go, then that would be one spot open for the waiting list! If I get into SFSU I may not end up going, so that would be another spot! :)

So Seahorse, if for some crazy reason you don't get into UCSF then you may have a good shot at SFSU. Did they tell you what number you are on the list?

Hi dream2nurse,

The next month will be really interesting. You'll see lots of people making choices for schools. People who have been waiting to hear from UCSF had to put down deposits for other schools. If they get into UCSF, they will cancel their spot at the other schools. Then the other schools will notify the next people on the waiting list. And so on... It's the domino effect. So I imagine you'll see a lot of activity for UCSF, SFSU, USF, and all the rest of the programs in March. (UCSF sends out acceptances March 1st.)

I have heard of people getting acceptances in April because they were on the waiting list at other places and suddenly there were spots open! So to all of you guys who want to go into nursing - don't give up on your dreams! You just never know! Watch your mailbox!

And to answer your question, yes, I have some deposits on other places that will give up once I hear from other schools. :D

Smile123 :)

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Specializes in Postpartum.

So Seahorse, if for some crazy reason you don't get into UCSF then you may have a good shot at SFSU. Did they tell you what number you are on the list?

My schools have been remarkably tight lipped about numbers. I'd be interested to see if other schools givehard numbers on how many will be accepted vs number of seats vs number of waitlists. BC wouldnt answer the question at all- they just said it depends. So one can assume with 32 seats in their program they will accept more than 32- but how many more? 45- 50? More, less? And they wouldn't even answer if there will be a waitlist this year, much less how it will be managed. It's so frustrating! I'm getting so antsy! I have an interview tomorrow at Regis College- it is nice to feel like I am doing something other than hanging around my mailbox~! :p

Oh- another question- how many of you are planning on going straight through with your programs and how many will take a break between the RN and master's portions to work as an RN? Initially I thought I would go straight through- but now I'm thinking I will take at least a year or two off to work.

-Jess

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Thanks for the encouragement Smile123 and Seahorse!

So Smile123, you got into John Hopkins, right? And that was your first choice and where you intend to go? So if you get into SFSU and don't go, then that would be one spot open for the waiting list! If I get into SFSU I may not end up going, so that would be another spot! :)

So Seahorse, if for some crazy reason you don't get into UCSF then you may have a good shot at SFSU. Did they tell you what number you are on the list?

Dream2nurse, you are so sweet! I just emailed the Graduate Admininstrator to see if I could find out what number I am on the wait list. I'll let you know if I find out anything.

Take Care

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Occ Health.

Hi Jess-

I spoke with a woman who had gone through the MGH program last year and she said that only a few (1-2) students stopped/took a break after the RN portion. She went directly on to do her NP portion and is now a staff RN at a local hospital. She said that she just chose to do the RN b/c it was closer to what she wanted to do (NICU if I recall) than any open NP jobs. FYI! Diana

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Specializes in Postpartum.
Hi Jess-

I spoke with a woman who had gone through the MGH program last year and she said that only a few (1-2) students stopped/took a break after the RN portion. She went directly on to do her NP portion and is now a staff RN at a local hospital. She said that she just chose to do the RN b/c it was closer to what she wanted to do (NICU if I recall) than any open NP jobs. FYI! Diana

Diana- that's so intersteing- because at BC 1/3 to 1/2 of students take time off between the two segments. I think I want the option to take time off and not be in the minority for doing it that way, you know. I may decide to go straight though- but if I don't- I don't know if I want to be the only one.

Interesting.... food for thought.

-Jess

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Specializes in NICU.

Oh- another question- how many of you are planning on going straight through with your programs and how many will take a break between the RN and master's portions to work as an RN? Initially I thought I would go straight through- but now I'm thinking I will take at least a year or two off to work.

-Jess

I'm thinking of working - not to give those tumbleweeds any credit, but some of their points about experience prior to NPing seem kinda valid, in terms of my own confidence if nothing else. I figure I'll work as a staff nurse for as long as I feel like it, both before and after I get my master's. I am a little confused right now, though, because I've been hearing rumblings about a new federal requirement for work experience prior to getting your Neonatal NP, but the school hasn't said anything, and there's nothing on their website about it. Does anyone have a link to concrete info?

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Specializes in Postpartum.
I'm thinking of working - not to give those tumbleweeds any credit, but some of their points about experience prior to NPing seem kinda valid, in terms of my own confidence if nothing else. I figure I'll work as a staff nurse for as long as I feel like it, both before and after I get my master's. I am a little confused right now, though, because I've been hearing rumblings about a new federal requirement for work experience prior to getting your Neonatal NP, but the school hasn't said anything, and there's nothing on their website about it. Does anyone have a link to concrete info?

I've heard the same thing- didn't know it was going to be a federal regulation, though. I thought it was more a requirement of individual schools/programs. I'd also heard work experience may be required for all acute care roles. I can kind of see why that would be a good standard to set.

-Jess

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
I'm thinking of working - not to give those tumbleweeds any credit, but some of their points about experience prior to NPing seem kinda valid, in terms of my own confidence if nothing else. I figure I'll work as a staff nurse for as long as I feel like it, both before and after I get my master's. I am a little confused right now, though, because I've been hearing rumblings about a new federal requirement for work experience prior to getting your Neonatal NP, but the school hasn't said anything, and there's nothing on their website about it. Does anyone have a link to concrete info?

Hi,

While I am planning on working as an RN as soon as possible I am also planning on going straight through with my NP portion. Since my program allows us to start the core NP portion that is how I want to do it.

:) straight through but still 2-3 years post RN certificate

Gennaver

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