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.........

[Jess RN]

It is $18,500/yr, which at MGH will cover the majority of tuition.

I have A&P I & II, Chem II and Nurtrition (only if I choose MGH). Jess, that's a great idea to take nutrition online early ... I am going to look into that. I am nervous to take A&P online though ... i guess being pass/fail will take a little of the stress off though!

Now I am really starting to stress about making this decision. Right now, I have NO idea whether I will choose Simmons or MGH. I have been weighing the pros and cons for each all morning and I am just going around in circles I have been so focused on getting accepted that I never considered what I'd do w/ more than one option !!

An honest question for all of you ... do you think that MGH has a better reputation (regionally and nationaly)? I know that it is ranked higher but really what does that mean? Any feedback would be much appreciated !!

I think both schools are great but MGH may be a little better known nationally? Simmons has a great reputation locally though- so if you will be staying in the Boston area it should be fine. If money/reputation weren't issues what school would you be leaning towards? Which one did you get a better feeling at when you visited?

-Jess

[NP-to-be]

I think both schools are great but MGH may be a little better known nationally? Simmons has a great reputation locally though- so if you will be staying in the Boston area it should be fine. If money/reputation weren't issues what school would you be leaning towards? Which one did you get a better feeling at when you visited?

-Jess

Initially, I got a better feeling at Simmons ... but I was also very impressed w/ MGH. They were my top two choices, and I thought I'd be happy at either. The cost is almost the same, give or take $6,000 over the 3 years. The Simmons program runs through both summers while MGH has summers off. It would be great to be able to work during summers. BUT, Simmons requires a 9 month paid RN internship after the second fall semster, so it may all even out. Does MGH require an RN internship or is it just assumed that you will work as an RN during the second summer term?

Sorry to be thinking out loud !!

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Good job everybody!!!

I've been in NY at a Columbia infosession. It sounds like all the luck I got sucked out of me (snowed in at JFK!) transferred to you all. It makes it worth it. :chuckle

For any future Columbia prospies reading this thread: at the infosession, the dean said that their DScN program had 800 applicants for 20 spots, and the numbers for the Direct entry program were similar, which works out to around 6000 apps for 150 spots. Wow! Also, the neonatology track ends up being FIVE years instead of three, because of the new federal regulations. Basically, one has to work full time for 2 years in a level III NICU prior to beginning advanced studies. So we do the one-year pre-licensure phase, work for two years while taking the core sciences, THEN 1-1/2 to two years of advanced clinicals. :stone

[smile123]

I just have a&p II to finish which I am taking now. I have a lab practical tonight which i willl be lucky if i get a 60 :).

If you decide to go to MGH you could do the summer session there. Do you have any left?

I am avoiding thinking about the finances, but i didnt think the instute gave much anyway.

I am sending my check soon.

I want to point out that you can also get alternative loans through banks. At Johns Hopkins (where I'm going in June), they said they already have some banks in the area that love nursing students (they know we will make good money when we graduate so we are a great credit risk!) so you can get alternative loans to make up for the rest. You can ask the financial office at MGH about that and see what banks they have a relationship with. So don't think that the money is not out there. It is!

Smile123

[Gennaver, MSN]

Good job everybody!!!

For any future Columbia prospies reading this thread: at the infosession, the dean said that their DScN program had 800 applicants for 20 spots, and the numbers for the Direct entry program were similar, which works out to around 6000 apps for 150 spots.

:stone

Yeowch!

Good grief. I guess you can tell that the nursing shortage is not due to lack of enthused future nurses!

gen

[NP-to-be]

Jess -

I just spoke to someone in admissions at BC who said letters went out on Monday. If they were actually mailed on monday I am shocked mine has not arrived since I live so close to BC. But maybe today is the day ...

-Jen

[Jess RN]

And I just got an acceptance letter from Boston College!!!!!

I'm in shock. I can't believe that now I get to choose between my three schools!!!!!

-Jess

[max6well]

Oh I should go check my mail- oh never mind- I didnt apply to BC

Congratulations!!

And I just got an acceptance letter from Boston College!!!!!

I'm in shock. I can't believe that now I get to choose between my three schools!!!!!

-Jess

[smile123]

And I just got an acceptance letter from Boston College!!!!!

I'm in shock. I can't believe that now I get to choose between my three schools!!!!!

-Jess

Congratulations!!! Wow! :balloons: :balloons:

You are in a great position to choose! Congrats! Where are you leaning? Did any of them give you financial support? Jess, you are a superstar!!

Smile123

[bruinlaura]

And I just got an acceptance letter from Boston College!!!!!

I'm in shock. I can't believe that now I get to choose between my three schools!!!!!

-Jess

Wow! Congratulations to jess and everyone else getting acceptances. It is quite an accomplishment and everyone should be really proud of themselves. I just got a few more acceptances too (i have to say this process has been much better for my self esteem than i expected it to be) but I'm still sticking with columbia (if I'd have known the stats elizabells just posted I might not have been brave enough to apply:chuckle ).

I'm not at all surprised that this thread is full of acceptances. the reason most of us came to this site was to learn more about nursing and be well informed of our choices. that we have researched so well was probably conveyed to the admissions committee in our applications.

Again congratulations!

[NP-to-be]

And I just got an acceptance letter from Boston College!!!!!

I'm in shock. I can't believe that now I get to choose between my three schools!!!!!

-Jess

Wow Jess !! Congrats, that's great news. Even if you decide against BC, it's a great accomplishment. All of your hard work has paid off ... what a week!!

:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:

[ChrisA]

Wow! You guys are just firing on all cylinders! Congrats to all of you!

I just talked to the husband of our new Bishop, and I'm going to be applying for a year-long Certificate in Theological Studies at an Episcopalian Seminary in Berkeley, CA. Heck, I need to do something until I can apply again to nursing school.