Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

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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.........

I had a great visit at Simmons today and have conclusively decided that is where I am going to go :roll :roll

My first day will be May 23rd

Congratulations upon making your decision! I know it was a hard decision to make. :balloons:

Smile123

Yay! Congrats Jen- you will love it there! Wow- I didn't know it started so early!! Is that when the science summer starts?

-Jess

THanks guys !!

Yes, science classes start 5/23 and the actual program starts on 7/5 w/ Nursing processes and skills. Can't wait !!

Jess - have you sent your $$$ to BC ??

Specializes in Postpartum.
THanks guys !!

Yes, science classes start 5/23 and the actual program starts on 7/5 w/ Nursing processes and skills. Can't wait !!

Jess - have you sent your $$$ to BC ??

I haven't yet- but probably will this week. I don't know what I'm holding off on- but I just havent been able to bring myself to send in my turndown/acceptance letters. Cold feet I guess? :chuckle

-Jess

I haven't yet- but probably will this week. I don't know what I'm holding off on- but I just havent been able to bring myself to send in my turndown/acceptance letters. Cold feet I guess? :chuckle

-Jess

You could certainly contact MGH and Regis just to ask if they had any more financial aid for you... (I think they already told you no.) I think you already are set on BC - it's just coming to grips with "I'm really going to go to BC!" jitters and telling the rest of them "No thanks!" psychologically a big deal in your mind. I had to do the same thing. I forfeited my deposits and sent in my turndown letters. Don't worry, once you turn in your deposit for BC, you'll feel so much better! :chuckle

Smile123

Specializes in Postpartum.
You could certainly contact MGH and Regis just to ask if they had any more financial aid for you... (I think they already told you no.) I think you already are set on BC - it's just coming to grips with "I'm really going to go to BC!" jitters and telling the rest of them "No thanks!" psychologically a big deal in your mind. I had to do the same thing. I forfeited my deposits and sent in my turndown letters. Don't worry, once you turn in your deposit for BC, you'll feel so much better! :chuckle

Smile123

That's a good idea to call them- but really because of the length of the programs it would have to be a huge financial aid grant to make it worthwhile when considering the extra cost of childcare for one extra year. No, I think you're right- it's just anxiety abotu making the big decision. BC is the right school. I just have to get my head around the fact that I'm going there. :chuckle

-Jess

Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.

Hello there.

Gosh, this feels like so long. :) I've gone through my spring break and had my mid-terms and this gep wait is still lingering in the back of my thoughts.

I am starting to wonder if maybe UIC underestimated how long it would take them to make their first round decisions, (for the interviews) and if the April 1st date is still going to be too soon.

I don't mind waiting a little longer IF I happen to be called in for first round. :) Of course.

Meanwhile, waiting until April 1st.

CEG, I did a google search on "UIC CON GEP letter of acceptance" and ended up looking at the first groups orientation information. So, I wonder if we are going to receive an initial email or regular mail.

Still wishing us the very best, and every one else too!!

Gen

Specializes in Postpartum.
Hello there.

Gosh, this feels like so long. :) I've gone through my spring break and had my mid-terms and this gep wait is still lingering in the back of my thoughts.

I am starting to wonder if maybe UIC underestimated how long it would take them to make their first round decisions, (for the interviews) and if the April 1st date is still going to be too soon.

I don't mind waiting a little longer IF I happen to be called in for first round. :) Of course.

Meanwhile, waiting until April 1st.

CEG, I did a google search on "UIC CON GEP letter of acceptance" and ended up looking at the first groups orientation information. So, I wonder if we are going to receive an initial email or regular mail.

Still wishing us the very best, and every one else too!!

Gen

Gen-

Thinking of you and hoping that you don't have too long to wait!! It must be so hard to have seen the flurry of acceptances, waitlists, etc on the list 3 weeks ago while being in somewhat of a holding pattern yourself! :p

I sent in my acceptance letter to BC yesterday! Yipes! It's a done deal! Now I just have to figure out how to pay for it!

-Jess

Hi Gen,

I saw a new post on this thread by you and I freaked out. Nothing yet, huh? Grrrr.....

I saw their orientation stuff on the website when I was obsessively checking it last week. Very exciting. I think there is an actual letter also. Somewhere I read that your admissions letter would give you info on registration.

Welll, best of luck and stay calm. Only a week to go... hopefully :)

Hi All-

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted to some great schools!!!

I've been reading this thread while waiting to hear back from direct entry programs in MA for Fall, which has really helped with the anticipation anxiety! I applied to MGH, Simmons, and Regis and got rejected from Simmons and waitlisted at MGH and Regis.

I was pretty crushed when the first school I heard back from was a rejection from Simmons, but feel hopeful about MGH and Regis. I spoke to someone from MGH this week and they said that they will start pulling people from the wait list next week. She looked over my case and said it's "possible" that I will be pulled, which could mean anything!!! :uhoh21:

Also, just curious...what have you guys heard about the direct entry program at Regis? And also, what have you think about wait lists and the chances of getting pulled?

Thanks!

Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
Hi Gen,

I saw a new post on this thread by you and I freaked out. Nothing yet, huh? Grrrr.....

I saw their orientation stuff on the website when I was obsessively checking it last week. Very exciting. I think there is an actual letter also. Somewhere I read that your admissions letter would give you info on registration.

Welll, best of luck and stay calm. Only a week to go... hopefully :)

Ohmygosh CEG!

Didn't mean to freak you out!! I know what you mean though, just seeing a post from CEG made me wonder too.

Although, I honestly wonder if their April first cutoff for the first rounds may have been too soon. They may need more time considering that they received many more applications than they had anticipated.

Still, I hope we know good news in a week!

Kim 123,

Congratulations on finding out that your waitlist standing is being reconsidered!! Hope it turns out real well. :)

Gen

Specializes in Postpartum.
Hi All-

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted to some great schools!!!

I've been reading this thread while waiting to hear back from direct entry programs in MA for Fall, which has really helped with the anticipation anxiety! I applied to MGH, Simmons, and Regis and got rejected from Simmons and waitlisted at MGH and Regis.

I was pretty crushed when the first school I heard back from was a rejection from Simmons, but feel hopeful about MGH and Regis. I spoke to someone from MGH this week and they said that they will start pulling people from the wait list next week. She looked over my case and said it's "possible" that I will be pulled, which could mean anything!!! :uhoh21:

Also, just curious...what have you guys heard about the direct entry program at Regis? And also, what have you think about wait lists and the chances of getting pulled?

Thanks!

Hi Kim- I applied to MGH, Regis and BC and just sent my acceptance into BC (gulp!) What specialty did you apply for? I know MGH pulls from the waitlist based on specialty. Regis I'm not so sure. I would write letters to both places if you haven't already telling them how enthusiastic you are about their program, blah blah- can't hurt, might help. I just sent my turn down letters to MGH and Regis yesterday- so that maybe opens a spot at each school- I hope that helps you! :) I was women's health specialty at MGH and family at Regis.

Good luck!

Jess

PS- NP to BE (Jen) from this thread also got into MGH for the Women's Health speicalty - and i'm pretty sure she is going to Simmons- so that's another spot!

Specializes in Postpartum.

Also, just curious...what have you guys heard about the direct entry program at Regis? And also, what have you think about wait lists and the chances of getting pulled?

Thanks!

I loved Regis' program and am kind of bummed I'm not going there. I think the pre- RN piece is excellent- with more than double the clinical hours than similar direct entry programs in this area. I got a really good feeling when I interviewed there and I think it is a great school. The drawback is that it is a little long (in terms of credit hours/calendar years) which made it financially not viable for me (because my total cost includes childcare for two kids and an extra year makes a BIG difference). But if I were single or married with no kids I would have had a much harder time choosing another program over Regis. Plus the tuition can't be beat when comparing with MGH, Simmons, BC...

-Jess

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