Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

[GoodyNurse2b]

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.........

[pancake]

1. MGH 2. Regis 3. BC.

-Jess

Just curious, I don't know these schools, what does MGH and BC stand for? Where is Regis?

Thanks

[Jess RN]

Just curious, I don't know these schools, what does MGH and BC stand for? Where is Regis?

Thanks

They are all Boston area schools. BC is Boston College- their graduate nursing program is ranked in the top 20 nationally. MGH is Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions- they are in the top 100 nationally. Regis is Regis College in Weston, MA- a small regionally ranked college with a good local reputation. They are also ranked- but much lower- in the mid 200s I think. They are much better known regionally, as opposed to nationally.

-Jess

[smile123]

They are all Boston area schools. BC is Boston College- their graduate nursing program is ranked in the top 20 nationally. MGH is Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions- they are in the top 100 nationally. Regis is Regis College in Weston, MA- a small regionally ranked college with a good local reputation. They are also ranked- but much lower- in the mid 200s I think. They are much better known regionally, as opposed to nationally.

-Jess

One of the reasons BC (Boston College Connell School of Nursing) is so in demand is that it's only a 2 year program to get your RN and NP instead of 3.

http://www.bc.edu/schools/son/graduate/masters/masters-entry/

But they do require Org Chem or Life Science (with a lab), so some students do not want to do this!

Evidence of the Following Courses (within 5 years - waivers considered):

Anatomy & Physiology I and II w/Lab

If taught separately, then, one semester of Anatomy and one semester of Physiology

Life Science or Organic Chemistry w/Lab

GENERAL CHEMISTRY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Microbiology w/Lab

Two (2) Social Sciences (Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Economics, Political Science)

One from each discipline or two from the same discipline will be accepted

Introductory or higher level Statistics course

It's $836/credit x 70 credits = $58520 for tuition for the 2 year program, which is attractive to people who want both degrees in a short period of time. You can also work part time for the 2nd year after you pass your NCLEX. It's worth checking out.

Smile123

[CAG12345]

And it was *hugely* attended. I'm talking probably 175 people, easilly 125 there for entry level nursing. The vibe was very nice- the faculty were present and very engaging and helpfull. When someone asked when letters were going to be mailed for this year's decisions, the answers ranged from in the next week and a half to three weeks. The chair of the admissions committee wasn't in the room- so no one could definitively say. They did say that the decisions have been made and now it is just putting together the offer letters, etc. They really seem to care about the students and I got none of the weird/snobby/unapproachable vibe I got at BC. After the first year, the program has quite a bit of flexibility in terms of going part time/summer or taking some classes online which is nice. I also learned that the way they score applicants is on 6 areas- all of which are given a point score and are all weighted equally: GRE, GPA, undergraduate experience, essay (content and writing), life expereince and reccomendations. It seems like a really fair process. I hope it works out in my favor! :rotfl:

If I had to rank the three schools I've applied to in terms of where I'd like to go at this point it would be 1. MGH 2. Regis 3. BC. Never thought it would be so- because on paper I would have thought for sure BC would be my top pic- but I just wonder more and more if it would be the right program for me. We'll see!

-Jess

Jess,

So glad to hear about the infosession at MGH and all you learned there. It's nice to know they sounded approachable and like they have a fair admissions process, and dum-de-dum-dum-dum (that was my version of a drum roll!) they've made their decisions...

I hope they mail those letters out next week. That was their original estimate to me on the phone back in January. Then we'll know sooner rather than later. It does sound fair to consider all those different factors equally rather than ranking just one over the others (GPA, GRE, letters of rec, life experience, etc). I'm also glad to hear about the flexibility after the first year, which allows for people to individualize according to interest, financial issues, and views about how much RN experience it is best to have before trying to make a go at it as an NP or CNS.

I've got my fingers crossed for us both and anyone else on our thread who's waiting for MGH to let us know if they've selected us.

[Jess RN]

Jess,

So glad to hear about the infosession at MGH and all you learned there. It's nice to know they sounded approachable and like they have a fair admissions process, and dum-de-dum-dum-dum (that was my version of a drum roll!) they've made their decisions...

I hope they mail those letters out next week. That was their original estimate to me on the phone back in January. Then we'll know sooner rather than later. It does sound fair to consider all those different factors equally rather than ranking just one over the others (GPA, GRE, letters of rec, life experience, etc). I'm also glad to hear about the flexibility after the first year, which allows for people to individualize according to interest, financial issues, and views about how much RN experience it is best to have before trying to make a go at it as an NP or CNS.

I've got my fingers crossed for us both and anyone else on our thread who's waiting for MGH to let us know if they've selected us.

I just emailed the admissions department to see if I can get any more info about when they will be mailing letters out. I'll report back what they say when I hear from them.

I know it's not a decision maker- but the facilities and location of MGH are really lovely. The conference room we were in had overlooked Boston Harbor and had a beautiful skyline of the city. Nice perks! :)

The more I think about it- the more I want to remember to be a resource for info for applicants in future years- this is assuming, of course I'm accepted! This forum has been so great and supportive. We should all remember to share info with nurse wannabes while we are in school and after we are in practice! It's just so much nicer to go through the process with some guidance and support!

-Jess

[starem21]

Hi future nurses!

I've been reading this thread for the last few weeks, but haven't written yet. I figured sharing some happy news would be a great way to start....

i just received an acceptance letter to UCSF!! :rotfl: It's the only school I applied to so my whole career was weighing on this. What a relief!

To those of you who are also waiting to hear from UCSF...the acceptance envelope is SUPER thin, so don't freak out prematurely like I did!!

I wish you all the best of luck!

[Jess RN]

Hi future nurses!

I've been reading this thread for the last few weeks, but haven't written yet. I figured sharing some happy news would be a great way to start....

i just received an acceptance letter to UCSF!! :rotfl: It's the only school I applied to so my whole career was weighing on this. What a relief!

To those of you who are also waiting to hear from UCSF...the acceptance envelope is SUPER thin, so don't freak out prematurely like I did!!

I wish you all the best of luck!

Good for you!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed for all other UCSF applicants!! Nice tip on the thin envelope! LOL Those stinkers- causing so many unneccesary freak outs!!

-Jess

[Jess RN]

Starem21- if you don't mind- would share with the thread some of your application profile? Volunteer work, undergrad info, GREs? If you'd rather not I totally understand- but I'm sure I for one and others on the list would love to get a better idea of what makes a successful candidate to these really competitive schools.

Thanks!

Jess

[pancake]

Hi future nurses!

I've been reading this thread for the last few weeks, but haven't written yet. I figured sharing some happy news would be a great way to start....

i just received an acceptance letter to UCSF!! :rotfl: It's the only school I applied to so my whole career was weighing on this. What a relief!

To those of you who are also waiting to hear from UCSF...the acceptance envelope is SUPER thin, so don't freak out prematurely like I did!!

I wish you all the best of luck!

Congratulations Starem!!!!!

My stomach just did a flip-flop and I ran down to check my mail, but I didn't get anything from UCSF yet. I'm really freaking our now.

Where do you live? And what speciality did you apply to?

And again, congrats!!!! You must be so happy.

:balloons:

[starem21]

Congratulations Starem!!!!!

My stomach just did a flip-flop and I ran down to check my mail, but I didn't get anything from UCSF yet. I'm really freaking our now.

Where do you live? And what speciality did you apply to?

And again, congrats!!!! You must be so happy.

:balloons:

Thank you SO much, I hope you're there with me in June!

Don't panic yet, the mail can definitely take an extra day. Bummer that it's Saturday and you have to wait until Monday though.

I live in San Francisco, so I get mail the very next day. I'm sure they mailed ALL notifications on Friday. I'm going to be a Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist. Did you meet anyone in my specialty on the interview day? I didn't. I interviewed on Jan 21st, you? What speciality did you apply for?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

-Emily

[starem21]

Starem21- if you don't mind- would share with the thread some of your application profile? Volunteer work, undergrad info, GREs? If you'd rather not I totally understand- but I'm sure I for one and others on the list would love to get a better idea of what makes a successful candidate to these really competitive schools.

Thanks!

Jess

Hi Jess,

I'm happy to share. I graduated in 2001 from Penn in Philadelphia with just under a 3.4 GPA. I took the GREs back when the analytical section was still there. I got a 650 Verbal, 710 Math, 750 Analytical.

Since graduation I've been working in business at a Security company. I manage a number of accounts where we provide Security Officers, and have a pretty large team of employees reporting to me. I think the management experience was definitely a plus, especially going into advanced practice nursing.

Last year I volunteered at UCSF in the Birth Center and Well Baby nursery. This year I volunteer at another hospital in a perinatal department. The supervisor is amazing and she has helped me get pretty involved. I've been participating with the hospital's breastfeeding committee which has been a great learning experience. It determines BF policy and recommendations for the hospital.

I did apply to UCSF last year and didn't even get an interview. They highly recommended applying again. So don't lose hope, the second time can be a charm.

My other recommendation would be to reexamine your choice of specialties. Keep in mind that midwifery and NP specialties are the most cut throat.

Best of luck!

Emily

[olijam]

Hi everyone, I live in SF and received my letter from UCSF today also. I'm alternate #1 for the Acute Care NP specialty. So I'll continue to wait patiently. Does anyone know of any experiences of being an alternate. My envelope was thin also. Good luck to everyone!