Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

Kim123 · Mar 26, 2005

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. Plus the tuition can't be beat when comparing with MGH, Simmons, BC...
-Jess

I applied as Dual Adult/Psych-Mental Health specialty at MGH and Mental Health at Regis. Truth be told, I am not 100% sure about going into this specialty, but I have a Bachelors in Psych from B.C. and have worked as a Mental Health Counselor for the past 2 and a half years, so I felt it was my best chance to get in. I am positive about going into nursing though, just have a few areas of interest right now.

But now I am getting nervous that MGH (my top choice school) may not have had as many slots for the Mental Health track, which would decrease my chances of getting off of the wait list. But at the same time, I remember checking off 3 or 4 additional specialty preferences on the application for MGH, so maybe they will pull me off of the wait list if a spot in another specialty that I chose opens up?

aaaahhhh, help me, I am analyzing this to death!!!! :rotfl:

I just need to relax and know that I have done everything I can at this point, and it's up to fate whether a spot opens up in my specialty.

And thanks, Jess, for your advice on Regis and MGH. I agree that Regis is appealing for their strong clinical emphasis and a lot less expensive.

During my interview with Regis back in Dec., I was told that I was a "good candidate" for their program, except they needed to see a midterm report of the hard science prerequisites, as I didn't do so hot in my basic science courses at B.C. I am getting solid A's in Micro and A&P 1 at Mass Bay, and had the professors email midterm reports to Regis and MGH last week.

So basically, I am hoping that Regis will make their decision soon after the see that I can do well in science courses. But you never know.

As for MGH, I spoke to them last week and they said that they would start to pull people off the wait list next week. So here comes another round of franticly racing to the mailbox, or trying to stop myself from obsessively calling these poor admission offices looking for any clues to my status :imbar

Kim123 · Mar 26, 2005

Jess-

Do you mind letting me know what your undergrad major was and your GRE, GPA stats? And why you picked Women's Health and Family as specialties?

I just want to get an idea of the kind of backgrounds and experience applicants to this direct entry program. Also, maybe I can get some tips rom you because you've had great success so far in getting into the top schools for this program in Mass!

-Kim

NP-to-be · Mar 26, 2005

Jess-
Do you mind letting me know what your undergrad major was and your GRE, GPA stats? And why you picked Women's Health and Family as specialties?
I just want to get an idea of the kind of backgrounds and experience applicants to this direct entry program. Also, maybe I can get some tips rom you because you've had great success so far in getting into the top schools for this program in Mass!
-Kim

Hi Kim - It's always nice to hear from another direct-entry hopeful! Sorry to hear you have been disappointed but here's hoping to getting in off the wait list

As Jess mentioned, I did get into MGH, BC and Simmons. I just mailed my decline letter to MGH ... so hopefully that's another spot to open up !! Also, I went to Simmons for a visit last week and I met two other women who had also been accepted at MGH and were leaning towards declining to attend Simmons. I'm not sure of specailties or how the process works in detail, but hopefully it means room for you !!

Anyhow, to give you an idea of my background as well ... I have a business undergrad from Fairfield Univ in CT. I have been out of school for 3 yrs and working in finance. My undergrad GPA was a 3.4, A's in prereqs since, hospital volunteer for about the last 9-months. As for specialty I am still undecided btw women's health, adult adult and family (I was accept. at MGH into women's health). I think it is hard to get a real feel for direct-entry applicants backgrounds because they vary significantly. Your psych experience sounds like it will be a huge asset to you though !! I agree w/ Jess that you should write letters to all programs. Explain how enthusiastic you are about the program and anything that has changed since your original application that you can emphasize (like your grades which sound great)!

Something that a faculty memeber at Simmons mentioned to me last week really stuck w/ me: she said that the direct-entry program is very unique because of the excitement it exudes. There is a newness and eagerness that is refreshing. I think they look for students who are bursting w/ excitement to be a nurse ... conveying that in writing, I know, is the hard part but definitely worth a try !!

Best of luck to you ... and keep us posted on your progress :)

-Jen

p.s. It's so good to see everyone is still around. Gen, CEG ... hang in there !!!!! We're routing for you :yeah:

Jess RN · Mar 26, 2005

Jess-
Do you mind letting me know what your undergrad major was and your GRE, GPA stats? And why you picked Women's Health and Family as specialties?
I just want to get an idea of the kind of backgrounds and experience applicants to this direct entry program. Also, maybe I can get some tips rom you because you've had great success so far in getting into the top schools for this program in Mass!
-Kim

Hi Kim-

No problem- I went to Providence College undergrad- and graduated waaaay back in '96. I was an English major/3.5 GPA. I worked as a recruiter and HR Manager in my 20s and then left after my first daughter was born 2.5 years ago to be a SAHM. I decided I wanted to be nurse and started on pre reqs one class a semester a year and a half ago. I had finshed A&P I and II, Stats and Developmental Psych when I applied to schools. My GREs were v:710 q:580 aw:6. I volunteered for a year at Somerville Hospital on their Cardiac Care Initiative (a quality improvement project and strategic alliance with MGH for the care of SH cardiac patients). I was *extremely* insecure about my chances of getting in because I felt who would want to accept a 30 yr old SAHM, you know?

I think Jen was right on target when she talks about the level of enthusiasm of the direct entry students. I think schools are looking for driven, mature students who have the capacity to learn new skills very quickly and the charisma/enthusiasm/commitment to be leaders in nursing. Since many of these programs don't interview- your essay is the only place to demonstrate that (a) you know what an NP actually does (you'd be surprised), (b) you have the gumption and brains to make it through a fast paced graduate program and © you are passionate and excited about nursing.

I also think it really helps if you have some interesting volunteer work as well. Many (most?) applicants will have either work or volunteer experience in allied health- you want your specific experience to stand out. I think it was in this thread where an accepted applicant (I think it was to UCSF or Columbia) was going for Neonatal NP track and had volunteer experience on the breastfeeding board of a hospital that helped to create policy for their breastfeeding programs. That's more interesting to an admissions committee than passing ice water to patients on a med/surg floor- you know?

If I were you- and you are really not totally committed to the mental health track- I would write a letter to MGH indicating the next track you would like to be considered for. Try to be as specific as possible about populations you want to work with and why. My sense from a friend of mine who was also wait listed at MGH but got into Regis for psych/mental health- is that one of the harder specialties to get into. He was waitlisted last year too- and was #2 on the waitlist for Psych/MH and didn't get in. I don't think Regis admits based on specialty- so I would just write a similar letter to Regis saying how enthusiastic you are about their program, the extra clinicals, etc etc.

Good luck and hang in there- I think you have a good chance of getting off the waitlist at one or both schools!

-Jess

Jess RN · Mar 27, 2005

snip... I am getting solid A's in Micro and A&P 1 at Mass Bay, and had the professors email midterm reports to Regis and MGH last week.

Kim- Are you taking A&P with Dr Gonnerman at Mass Bay? I took both A&P 1 and 2 there with him. I'm taking Micro there this summer. Who is teaching your section?

-Jess

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 27, 2005

Hi Kim-
No problem- I went to Providence College undergrad- and graduated waaaay back in '96.
-Jess

Hi Jess,

Hey! I had a roomate who went to Providence and graduated (probably around) 1991. She came to Chicago and I think is still here.

Anyhow, we both used to run cross country in h.s., (her in college also and later, when I went back at 31, I was all regional on the xc team.) So, she suggested we run the Boston Marathon. We ran it in 1992, it was a heck of an experience and I decided to run the Chicago marathon also that fall of '92. I would still like to run the Boston again but, next time not as a bandit, (I think there were about 5,000 of us bandits at the back of the line who were not registered, Boston was really great to us though!!)

Just prattly today.

Gen

Jess RN · Mar 28, 2005

Hi Jess,
Hey! I had a roomate who went to Providence and graduated (probably around) 1991. She came to Chicago and I think is still here.
Anyhow, we both used to run cross country in h.s., (her in college also and later, when I went back at 31, I was all regional on the xc team.) So, she suggested we run the Boston Marathon. We ran it in 1992, it was a heck of an experience and I decided to run the Chicago marathon also that fall of '92. I would still like to run the Boston again but, next time not as a bandit, (I think there were about 5,000 of us bandits at the back of the line who were not registered, Boston was really great to us though!!)
Just prattly today.
Gen

That's cool! I started in 92- so we would have just missed each other. Wow- you're a marathoner! That's awesome. Isn't the Boston Marathon one of the tougher ones too?

-Jess

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 29, 2005

That's cool! I started in 92- so we would have just missed each other. Wow- you're a marathoner! That's awesome. Isn't the Boston Marathon one of the tougher ones too?
-Jess

Hey!

That is neat, small world. :)

I hear that the Boston is one of the harder ones but, since it was my first, I had nothing to compare it to, (bandit-bad-must register next time). I really liked the heartbreak hill at mile seventeen. I felt it broke the monotony. My old coach was big on training Hills and I really did grow to love the beauty of hill running on cross country. :)

Sigh, went for a bike ride today after school trying to relieve some anxiety, (that is another benefit to me of exercise, tension taming.)

Back to the wait. :)

Gen

CEG · Mar 29, 2005

I think I scared my mailman today. I was watching him come down the street. I'm usually not even home so I think he was surprised to see me standing right next to the mail slot. Tomorrow I'll probably follow him around the block until he gets to my house.

Hopefully no more than 4 more days.... Aggghhhhh

Hey!
That is neat, small world. :)
I hear that the Boston is one of the harder ones but, since it was my first, I had nothing to compare it to, (bandit-bad-must register next time). I really liked the heartbreak hill at mile seventeen. I felt it broke the monotony. My old coach was big on training Hills and I really did grow to love the beauty of hill running on cross country. :)
Sigh, went for a bike ride today after school trying to relieve some anxiety, (that is another benefit to me of exercise, tension taming.)
Back to the wait. :)
Gen

Jess RN · Mar 29, 2005

I think I scared my mailman today. I was watching him come down the street. I'm usually not even home so I think he was surprised to see me standing right next to the mail slot. Tomorrow I'll probably follow him around the block until he gets to my house.
Hopefully no more than 4 more days.... Aggghhhhh

Oh you guys! I SO remember the final days of this agonizing letter wait! Fortunately, you are both local Chicago area, right? So there shouldn't be much of a mail delay once they are sent out.

Hang in there! We are all rooting for you!! :yelclap:

olijam · Mar 29, 2005

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for awhile since finding out I was #1 alternate at UCSF. Since it was the only school applied to I was a little down, but they called today and offered me a spot. Crazy! With only 6 spots for Acute Care NP I thought I was a long shot, but I'm living proof that alternates have a great chance! Good luck future nurses!.......James

Gennaver, MSN · Mar 29, 2005

Oh you guys! I SO remember the final days of this agonizing letter wait! Fortunately, you are both local Chicago area, right? So there shouldn't be much of a mail delay once they are sent out.
Hang in there! We are all rooting for you!! :yelclap:

Thank you Jess,

This is a tough wait. :rolleyes: However I think CEG is out east someplace if I remember reading it right, (Maryland?) Not too many posts back.

I am soooo hoping to get to give an email saying that mail was sent out!! I usually get the mail from my current school, (Chicago) to my suburb within a day.

OY!! I hope they do actually go out on the first of April. Somehow though I think the will send an email first to tell us if we were or weren't selected for the second rounds and an interview. Don't truly know.

Aaaaack attack :chuckle

Okay, let me get a grip.

Gen-in Chicago land...