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 for all of your feedback. I was told that at Yale you have to choose a speciality upon applying and that there is no flexibility within the program once you have chosen your path. Does anyone know if that is true? If so, how did people choose which program was right for them upon applying? That seems like such a big decision. I also heard that at other programs you can sometimes cross specialize or take additional classes outside of your speciality--does anyone know of these programs in particular? Does UPenn offer that?
Boston seems like a great place to start your career. Good luck to all those going to MGH, BC, and NEU. I bet you will have several different hospitals to work in and a wide variety of patients to care for which is really great.
UNH (University of New Hampshire) just started a Direct Entry program last year. I don't think I saw this program mentioned yet in this thread, so I thought I'd let you all know about it!
LOL I thought the same thing! But I think the reference was to University of Portland which is a Catholic school...
-Jess
Yes. I knew Diana would know what I meant since she's from here, but I didn't think about the fact that the rest of you wouldn't know what the heck I was talking about!
I've enjoyed reading this thread. I considered the direct entry route and then changed my mind, but it's been neat reading about all of your applications and (mostly) acceptances.
Thanks for all of your feedback. I was told that at Yale you have to choose a speciality upon applying and that there is no flexibility within the program once you have chosen your path. Does anyone know if that is true? If so, how did people choose which program was right for them upon applying? That seems like such a big decision. I also heard that at other programs you can sometimes cross specialize or take additional classes outside of your speciality--does anyone know of these programs in particular? Does UPenn offer that?
-j
Hi Jane415,
Many schools make you choose your specialty before you start the program. UCSF, the U. of Washington, UPenna, Columbia and Yale are ones that come to mind. They make it very difficult to switch after you are accepted, so you need to put a lot of thought into it. They do this so they can plan accordingly for clinical spaces in the master portion of the program.
At UPenna, there are two choices:
1) The BSN Second Degree program - if you are interested in just getting your BS degree but are not sure of or interested in the Master's specialty program at the time.
2) The BSN/MSN program - if you know what Master's in Nursing specialty you would like to pursue. Then you are required to take the GRE; scores can be no more than 5 years old.
If you have questions, contact Filomena Circelli, the Assoc Director of Enrollment Mgr for the Accelerated Programs. 1-866-867-6877 or via email at: [email protected]
Note: For pre-reqs, you have to take General/Organic Chem with lab, Organic/Biochem with Molecular Genetics with lab, Microbiology with lab, Human development (across the Lifespan), Human Nutrition, Human Anatomy & Physiology (I and II) with labs, Intro to Statistics and Health Care Ethics (you can take the Ethics class once you get in). Most people shy away from this program if they don't want to take so much chemistry! (I would advise taking 2 chem survey courses that combine the topics, instead of the hard core chem classes that take a 2 semesters just for Organic alone.)
My friend went for option #2 and stated she was focused on Gerontology (she's in her first year there and enjoys it). Hope that helps!
Many schools make you choose your specialty before you start the program. UCSF, the U. of Washington, UPenna, Columbia and Yale are ones that come to mind. They make it very difficult to switch after you are accepted, so you need to put a lot of thought into it. They do this so they can plan accordingly for clinical spaces in the master portion of the program.
Just a note, they told us at the Columbia orientation that changing your focus is generally not a problem. The only ones you can't switch INTO are CNM and CRNA. I think they just make you write a new personal statement about the specialty like the one you had to do to get in. They make you do it before spring term of the pre-licensure phase, because the only thing you do spring term is "integration", meaning a one-on-one preceptorship with a nurse in your specialty field.
Just a note, they told us at the Columbia orientation that changing your focus is generally not a problem. The only ones you can't switch INTO are CNM and CRNA. I think they just make you write a new personal statement about the specialty like the one you had to do to get in. They make you do it before spring term of the pre-licensure phase, because the only thing you do spring term is "integration", meaning a one-on-one preceptorship with a nurse in your specialty field.
BC is the same way. You can make a switch but have to go through a process and get it approved. I think they require you to declare a specialty upon application to test how much you know and how serious you are as well as to be able to do preliminary planning for clincials/faculty availability.
Hey All you Bostonians -- you all seemed to apply to the same programs -- Simons, BC, MGH, Regis. Is there a reason none of you applied to Northeastern? Just curious. I am looking at NEU for grad school.
Hey All you Bostonians -- you all seemed to apply to the same programs -- Simons, BC, MGH, Regis. Is there a reason none of you applied to Northeastern? Just curious. I am looking at NEU for grad school.
I felt that NEU's program was too new and too long. I have to factor in childcare for my two girls as well as tuition- so the shorter the better, for me.
Specializes in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Occ Health.
I applied to NEU and got rejected. However, even when applying I was worried about how new the school was. They are in their 2nd year of direct entry... so none of their students have graduated yet, so I don't know how they will fare out of school (probably just fine). But I would say that the staff are very helpful and I was able to sneak a quick visit in with one of the head people and she was really nice. The program sounded good and I applied, but I think I will enjoy my time at MGH. I also applied to UMass Worcester, which no one has mentioned, so that's an option too.
BTW, I was referring to U of Portland (we call it U of P here in Oregon) earlier. Sorry for the confusion.
I applied to NEU and got rejected. However, even when applying I was worried about how new the school was. They are in their 2nd year of direct entry... so none of their students have graduated yet, so I don't know how they will fare out of school (probably just fine). But I would say that the staff are very helpful and I was able to sneak a quick visit in with one of the head people and she was really nice. The program sounded good and I applied, but I think I will enjoy my time at MGH. I also applied to UMass Worcester, which no one has mentioned, so that's an option too.
BTW, I was referring to U of Portland (we call it U of P here in Oregon) earlier. Sorry for the confusion.
NEU was on my list of schools to apply to ... but not at the top. I was accepted to Simmons before the NEU deadline so I decided not to apply at all. I think the length of the program (4 yrs) was the biggest deterant for me. I prefer to go straight through (summers and all) for 3 years and be done! One big positive for me about NEU's program is the RN internship (Simmons also has this requirement).
Diana - I also applyed to UMASS Worcester ... haven't heard back from them though.
I applied to NEU and got rejected. However, even when applying I was worried about how new the school was. They are in their 2nd year of direct entry... so none of their students have graduated yet, so I don't know how they will fare out of school (probably just fine). But I would say that the staff are very helpful and I was able to sneak a quick visit in with one of the head people and she was really nice. The program sounded good and I applied, but I think I will enjoy my time at MGH. I also applied to UMass Worcester, which no one has mentioned, so that's an option too.
BTW, I was referring to U of Portland (we call it U of P here in Oregon) earlier. Sorry for the confusion.
As you have rightly noted, there is a trend toward these direct entry programs for people who already have bachelor degrees and want a career change. There are two ways to look at a "new" school or "new" program. It may be easier to get into the program because a) people may not have heard of it, so there is less competition b) the school wants to get a full class started as soon as possible, so they may "relax" their standards to take in applicants. (Of course given all the people scrambling to get into programs, they may be even more people than expected applying to their programs!)
On the flip side, a new school may have disadvantages: a) They have no track record b) they may not have the facilities or the staff to adequately train another class c) there are growing pains with any new program for the curriculum and logistics.
In the end, they are measured on their passing rate for the NCLEX. They want to prepare as many people as possible to pass the first time around. Depending on the tuition, length of the program, nursing focus you are looking for, NEU may or may not be the right fit for you.
As you have rightly noted, there is a trend toward these direct entry programs for people who already have bachelor degrees and want a career change. There are two ways to look at a "new" school or "new" program. It may be easier to get into the program because a) people may not have heard of it, so there is less competition b) the school wants to get a full class started as soon as possible, so they may "relax" their standards to take in applicants. (Of course given all the people scrambling to get into programs, they may be even more people than expected applying to their programs!)
On the flip side, a new school may have disadvantages: a) They have no track record b) they may not have the facilities or the staff to adequately train another class c) there are growing pains with any new program for the curriculum and logistics.
In the end, they are measured on their passing rate for the NCLEX. They want to prepare as many people as possible to pass the first time around. Depending on the tuition, length of the program, nursing focus you are looking for, NEU may or may not be the right fit for you.
Smile123
You know, this makes sense- but I don't think it is the case with NEU. Maybe because they already have a good rep for their non direct entry school of nursing, or maybe because their class size is so small (24 seats) but my impression is that NEU's direct entry program is extremely competitive to get into. There are a few on this list that got into MGH and got negged from NEU. So, I don't think the conventional logic about less demand/fewer applicants for the newer programs is the case for for NEU.
And you are right- it all come down to NCLEX at the end of it all. :)
jane415
6 Posts
Hi,
Thanks for all of your feedback. I was told that at Yale you have to choose a speciality upon applying and that there is no flexibility within the program once you have chosen your path. Does anyone know if that is true? If so, how did people choose which program was right for them upon applying? That seems like such a big decision. I also heard that at other programs you can sometimes cross specialize or take additional classes outside of your speciality--does anyone know of these programs in particular? Does UPenn offer that?
Boston seems like a great place to start your career. Good luck to all those going to MGH, BC, and NEU. I bet you will have several different hospitals to work in and a wide variety of patients to care for which is really great.
-j