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.........
Thanks, Gen, for trying to come up with some rhyme and/or reason for this. Unfortunately, the ADN programs around here are almost as difficult to get into, although I will be applying as a backup plan this fall for next year to two of them. Hundreds of applicants, only 50 or so spaces. People on waiting lists for years.
The bright side of an ADN program is that if I end up going to it, most of the clinical MSN programs accept RN's with Bachelors in different degree, and I'd have the RN experience already. And there'd be less time in school, and less money to pay and perhaps if I'm working, some tuition reimbursement. That's why an ADN program is one part of my Plan B, along with applying to a couple of ABSN programs and a whole slew of direct entry MSN progams next yr if MGH doesn't pan out this yr (or Vanderbilt, which looks like it hasn't).
Hi CAG12345,
It's always good to have a Plan B - BSN, ADN, etc. Unfortunately, the ADN programs are also very competitive. For several of the ADN programs here, all you need is 3.0 for the pre-reqs; then they put everyone's name into a hat and draw 25 names via lottery. (The last time they had 117 people in the hat! That includes some people who didn't get in the first time; they got 2 lottery chances this time. Even 2nd time, some of they didn't get in.) It seems crazy that there is such a nursing shortage, but there aren't enough slots to train future nurses like us! :-(
It's always good to have a Plan B - BSN, ADN, etc. Unfortunately, the ADN programs are also very competitive. For several of the ADN programs here, all you need is 3.0 for the pre-reqs; then they put everyone's name into a hat and draw 25 names via lottery. (The last time they had 117 people in the hat! That includes some people who didn't get in the first time; they got 2 lottery chances this time. Even 2nd time, some of they didn't get in.) It seems crazy that there is such a nursing shortage, but there aren't enough slots to train future nurses like us! :-(
Smile123
That is the point of the first paragraph of my response to Gen's post exactly! It shouldn't be this hard for any of us, although I understand what Gen is saying, and I have heard it before, having to do with the shortage of faculty, and at least in CA, also the shortage of funding for the community college system. Ironically, this lack of any guarantee I would get in at the junior college level combined with my definite interest in being an NP to start my looking into direct entry programs.
OK, I just popped home to check the mail. There was a letter from UCSF! But it was a No, so it looks like I start working on other plans for the next year and apply again in the fall. *shrug*
I reckon I'll start this evening off with a :beercuphe
Hi Chris. I'm sorry to hear the disappointing news.
I applied to UCSF last year and didn't even get an interview. This year I'm in. So don't give up hope, the second time can be a charm :)
Take care and enjoy San Francisco if you come here. It's awesome!!
Congratulations to you! Just wondering what you did differently this time that helped you get in.
Thanks!! I'm very excited and relieved :)
There were 4 major changes/additions to my application the second time around:
1. I changed choice of specialties. Last year I applied for nurse-midwifery (most popular!). This year I changed my focus within the childbearing population to Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist.
2. I did another year of volunteer work at a different hospital. I got as involved as I could there.
3. The supervisor at my volunteer position wrote me a kick-butt letter of rec (which totaled 5 in my file. whew!)
4. I wrote a new essay that detailed all the new changes over the last year and how I'm even more prepared to matriculate this year.
Hope this helps! What programs are you intersted in? What specialties are you applying to?
To everyone waiting, I hope this week is a little less stressful:rolleyes:
Thanks!! I'm very excited and relieved :)
There were 4 major changes/additions to my application the second time around:
1. I changed choice of specialties. Last year I applied for nurse-midwifery (most popular!). This year I changed my focus within the childbearing population to Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist.
2. I did another year of volunteer work at a different hospital. I got as involved as I could there.
3. The supervisor at my volunteer position wrote me a kick-butt letter of rec (which totaled 5 in my file. whew!)
4. I wrote a new essay that detailed all the new changes over the last year and how I'm even more prepared to matriculate this year.
Hope this helps! What programs are you intersted in? What specialties are you applying to?
There were 4 major changes/additions to my application the second time around:
1. I changed choice of specialties. Last year I applied for nurse-midwifery (most popular!). This year I changed my focus within the childbearing population to Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist.
2. I did another year of volunteer work at a different hospital. I got as involved as I could there.
3. The supervisor at my volunteer position wrote me a kick-butt letter of rec (which totaled 5 in my file. whew!)
4. I wrote a new essay that detailed all the new changes over the last year and how I'm even more prepared to matriculate this year.
Hope this helps! What programs are you intersted in? What specialties are you applying to?
-emily
Thanks Emily for sharing! I think the focus area is particularly important; the more popular ones like mid-wiferery, FNP and ANP are the hardest to get into. For the 5 recommendations, did you only add 1 new one or did you resubmit 5 new ones? Congratulations again!
Thanks Emily for sharing! I think the focus area is particularly important; the more popular ones like mid-wiferery, FNP and ANP are the hardest to get into. For the 5 recommendations, did you only add 1 new one or did you resubmit 5 new ones? Congratulations again!
Smile123
Did UCSF allow an unlimited # of recs? I only ask because MGH stated in the application specifically to only include 3 recs- no more thn three would be read. So, I just kind of assumed that was the deal at BC too and only submitted three (which is what they requested) there too.
Thanks Emily for sharing! I think the focus area is particularly important; the more popular ones like mid-wiferery, FNP and ANP are the hardest to get into. For the 5 recommendations, did you only add 1 new one or did you resubmit 5 new ones? Congratulations again!
Smile123
You know speaking of specialties- it was very interesting when we broke into specialty groups at the MGH infosession, more than half of the people in the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner group expressed an interest in midwifery- which MGH doesn't offer. I thought it was really strange that all these people showed up for a program that wouldn't train them for labor and delivery- which is what they said they want to do. So, they would do all the work for a WHNP and then have to go through another midwifery program on top of that once they finish. That just doesn't make sense to me- and if it had been one or two people I would have thought they were uninformed of the scope of practice of WHNPs (no L&D) but it was like 6 people in a group of 12. Weird...
I doubt you did yourself any harm by following the instructions. I would imagine if you submitted more, they would have ignored them.
Did UCSF allow an unlimited # of recs? I only ask because MGH stated in the application specifically to only include 3 recs- no more thn three would be read. So, I just kind of assumed that was the deal at BC too and only submitted three (which is what they requested) there too.
They supposedly made their decisions last Friday, right FutureNurseJess, according to the e-mail they sent you? Isn't today the first day they mightsend out the letters ?
smile123
630 Posts
Hi CAG12345,
It's always good to have a Plan B - BSN, ADN, etc. Unfortunately, the ADN programs are also very competitive. For several of the ADN programs here, all you need is 3.0 for the pre-reqs; then they put everyone's name into a hat and draw 25 names via lottery. (The last time they had 117 people in the hat! That includes some people who didn't get in the first time; they got 2 lottery chances this time. Even 2nd time, some of they didn't get in.) It seems crazy that there is such a nursing shortage, but there aren't enough slots to train future nurses like us! :-(
Smile123