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.........
BIG FAT LOANS!! The first year is *only* $25K not $35. Ahhh, it's all so relative.
Not for me. I'm an out-of-state student coming down from Seattle. I get the $12,000 extra tab! Part of me thinks that even if I do get in this year, I'll spend a year establishing residency down there and try again. Hmph.
Max6well- where have you applied and what's your specialty?
-Jess
I only applied to MGH- Geriatrics. Maybe I limited my options but of all the Boston schools I felt this was the one for me. I guess I'll know soon if they feel the same way!!
I only applied to MGH- Geriatrics. Maybe I limited my options but of all the Boston schools I felt this was the one for me. I guess I'll know soon if they feel the same way!!
Wow- that's cool! Very brave too! I know how you feel though- if you have a strong feeling that you are prompted to apply to a certain school, I think you should follow that prompting. I'm just a big chicken- so when I started freaking out about not getting in to either BC or MGH I put togther a last minute application to one more school to increase my odds!
I feel like this wait is like the wait to go into labor as I approached my due dates. Wondering if the next day is going to be the big one! Both my daughters were way overdue- so I'm accustomed to waiting!
Just came back from one tough Anatomy exam. I think I did well on it
Seahorse, when I read your post about UCSF, I thought "wow! 1st Alternate!" But I know it's disappointing, especially b/c I think we all tend to guess that everyone will want to go to UCSF and accept their offers, but I think what everyone has said in the subsequent posts about finances, distance, other possible first choices is all true. You could really be going and I agree the letter you're writing is a great idea.
I called Vanderbilt today (before my exam, not the smartest move, but I thought it might get me to stop obsessing about the mail and focus on my test), and the person who answered in admissions offered to look at my file, did so, and said that they're still reviewing my application, but have accepted all the direct entry (non RN) students they have room for, so if they decide they would accept me, I would be on a waitlist.
I'm kicking myself for not applying sooner, b/c they have that rolling admissions policy, and state they recommend applying before December 1st. But I didn't know about their program until the end of December, so I couldn't have done much to change things. And with working 50 hrs week, a 2.5 hr commute each day and 12 hrs of classroom time w/Anatomy and Nutrition and having to go to open lab on Sats for Anatomy for dissections and such, I didn't have time to pull together my essays and recommendations and transcirpts before mid Jan.
I called MGH, too, before reading your post, FutureNurseJess, and just asked generally where things are. They said they're still making decisions and letters will go out first or second wk of March. So Jess, I think your information is much more specific and, I hope, accurate (the part about making final decisions on Friday and mailing out letters week of 3/7).
At this point, I'm starting to think about Plan B, because it's hard to imagine getting into MGH, given the application to acceptance ratio. While my GPA is high (3.98) and I have three graduate degrees, my GRE scores are not that incredible compared to what I've seen here (V690, Q530 (gag!), A-5.5). I think my life experience working in the mental health field x17 yrs is a real plus, but I don't have any real physical health care experience. Who knows what they thought of my essays? They're well-written, I know that, but they could think I'm a kook depending on who's reading them. The recs were 2 of them I think excellent, and one of them just average (the academic one w/a professor I just took Micro with who had so many students all he really knows about me is that I got an A, so he doesn't have much to say and isn't the flowery type, but they require an academic rec and he was the person who was around).
Jess, you've been an inspiration in terms of having a good attitude about plan B, talking about the financial advantages and the concerns about your children and how getting your prereqs done could be good, and applying to another program. You have a great attitude.
Ray, I haven't said hello yet. You do sound like a great candidate, especially with your fabulous Medical Assistant experience which does, as someone earlier said, sounds more like a residency :stone . I hope you get the news you're waiting for in the next couple of days, as I hope for everyone who's waiting.
I called Vanderbilt today... -snip-... have accepted all the direct entry (non RN) students they have room for, so if they decide they would accept me, I would be on a waitlist.
I'm kicking myself for not applying sooner, b/c they have that rolling admissions policy, and state they recommend applying before December 1st.
I called MGH, too, before reading your post, FutureNurseJess, and just asked generally where things are. They said they're still making decisions and letters will go out first or second wk of March.
At this point, I'm starting to think about Plan B, because it's hard to imagine getting into MGH, given the application to acceptance ratio. While my GPA is high (3.98) and I have three graduate degrees, my GRE scores are not that incredible compared to what I've seen here (V690, Q530 (gag!), A-5.5).
CAG,
You sound like a great candidate! Applying late to Vanderbilt was something out of your control since you didn't know about it. You still have MGH as a possibility :) 3.98, three graduate degrees, experience in mental health, and what's wrong with your GREs? They look good to me. I can't even mention my math score in public. :imbar I really think you have a great chance to get in
Just got home. No mail from UCSF today. /me kicks the Post Office in the shins.
Anyway, how on earth am I going to pay for $35,000 tuition if I get in?
Hi ChrisA,
I have family up in Seattle; when I mail a letter to them from the SF Bay area, it takes 4 days. So you'll probably hear by Tuesday or Wed.
Yes, the other posters were right; you can pay for your tuition with student loans. I don't think there's limit on how much you can take out. I know students that have taken out $60K in loans the first year (to pay for tuition, books, room and board). There are subsidized and unsubsidized educational loans which are much cheaper than if you took out a signature loan yourself. Plus, you don't have to pay back the interest until after you are out of school. I would definitely fill out a FAFSA (financial aid form) and then you can see how much you can qualify for. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
If you qualify, there are scholarships and grants which you don't have to pay back. http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/ There are various loans for grads too: you can get $18,500/year for a Stafford loan, $6000/year for a Perkins loan (usually you have to fill out a FAFSA form). Then there are private loans through banks (also called alternative loans) where you don't have to fill out a financial aid form.
Why don't you wait for your acceptance letter (think positive!) to show up in the mail? Then you can talk to the UCSF people and their financial aid office can help you. The hard part is getting accepted into a direct entry program. After that, institutions are willing to help finance your education for the nursing field. Wishing you the best!
snip...I'm kicking myself for not applying sooner, b/c they have that rolling admissions policy, and state they recommend applying before December 1st. But I didn't know about their program until the end of December, so I couldn't have done much to change things. And with working 50 hrs week, a 2.5 hr commute each day and 12 hrs of classroom time w/Anatomy and Nutrition and having to go to open lab on Sats for Anatomy for dissections and such, I didn't have time to pull together my essays and recommendations and transcirpts before mid Jan.
snip... While my GPA is high (3.98) and I have three graduate degrees, my GRE scores are not that incredible compared to what I've seen here (V690, Q530 (gag!), A-5.5). I think my life experience working in the mental health field x17 yrs is a real plus, but I don't have any real physical health care experience. Who knows what they thought of my essays? They're well-written, I know that, but they could think I'm a kook depending on who's reading them. The recs were 2 of them I think excellent, and one of them just average (the academic one w/a professor I just took Micro with who had so many students all he really knows about me is that I got an A, so he doesn't have much to say and isn't the flowery type, but they require an academic rec and he was the person who was around).
CAG Don't lose hope yet! You sound like and excellent candidate! No, you don't have direct healthcare experience- but you are in a "helping profession" and have tons of experience working with people in what I assume is a theraputic role. Your grades are awesome!!! And three graduate degrees.?!? See, I think they are looking for two things in the essays- that you can write on a graduate level and handle graduate school (clearly- you can) and that you know what the role of an NP is and you know what you are getting into (I assume- you do). Your GRes are in the 1200s- that is just fine! Especially considered in context with all of the other parts of our appliaction. You have tons of life experience and I for one would be shocked if you didn't get into MGH.
That said- I am always a big fan of the plan B as you all know!! I think Vanderbilt didn't work out for a reason- and who knows what that reason is- and kind of - who cares, you know? If you have a nagging feeling you are meant to be there then you should defintiely re-apply. But I suspect that MGH would be a great fit for you and that's where you'll end up. I forget- are you going for the psych/mental health track? I have a friedn applying to that track who was waitlisted last year (#2 on the waitlist- and he didn't get in- ouch!) and his stats were really different and some would say not as impressive as yours (recent college grad- 3.2 gpa- pre-med, 1290 GRE, 2 yrs of research exp, A s in the post-bac pre reqs). So, I guess what I'm saying is really, totally- don't lose hope!!!
Jess RN
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Actually, I emailed them and they said thet final decisions would be made this Friday and we should be notified the week of the 7th.
-Jess