Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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.........

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. :)

-Jess

Hi Jess,

That's good to know. Who knows why people get into certain programs and not into others? That's why each school has slightly different criteria. I myself got accepted at Hopkins but was turned down at a local regional school. I'm just glad I'm starting the program in June! Yeah! Congrats again to all of you who got into a program!

Smile123

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Occ Health.

Jen,

I'm glad to hear someone else mention UMass Worcester! I haven't heard from them either, and I was starting to wonder if they ever received my application. It doesn't matter at this point anyway, but I'm still curious :chuckle

Since I went to UMass Amherst, I thought it would be fun to continue the UMass tradition. However, Worcester's not really my idea of a fun city, so I'm glad I'll be in Boston instead.

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Jen,

I'm glad to hear someone else mention UMass Worcester! I haven't heard from them either, and I was starting to wonder if they ever received my application. It doesn't matter at this point anyway, but I'm still curious :chuckle

Since I went to UMass Amherst, I thought it would be fun to continue the UMass tradition. However, Worcester's not really my idea of a fun city, so I'm glad I'll be in Boston instead.

I'll second that !! I am not interested in being in Worcester for three years. I initially applied to UMASS as more of a 'back-up' (if there is such a thing in the world of direct-entry) and because of $$$. But I have 100% made up my mind on Simmons so aside from curiousity at this point, their response is irrelevant.

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Specializes in Maternity, quality.
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!

First post on this thread, though I've been following along and want to congratulate everyone on their successes... It's nice to see all talk about Boston-area schools, these are some great insights.

I actually just met w/ someone at UNH yesterday regarding their program... it might appeal to people who are unsure of specialty since it is an MSN in clinical nurse leadership (the AACN website has some info on this role). It's a two and a half year program, but it's scheduled so that people can start working as nurses after the first year, which sounds great to me since I'm single and have a mortgage and car payments and the idea of living off loans for three years is quite scary. I'll probably be applying this summer for January.

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:o hi all first time posting here.. i am awaiting word back on schools in the ny area...judging by all the GRE scores posted here I am very concerned about my chances of being accepted to a direct entry program-at all. I graduated with a BA in English literature and did FAR better on the verbal /analytical writing section than the "math" section, which would factor heavily in the decision I would suppose.

I, too am nervous about living off of loans for years, but find solace in the fact that most/some hospitals will offer tuition reimbursement for undergrad. Does anyone know if this is still the trend?

Good luck those of us who are still waiting for our letters with baited breath! :uhoh21:

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First post on this thread, though I've been following along and want to congratulate everyone on their successes... It's nice to see all talk about Boston-area schools, these are some great insights.

I actually just met w/ someone at UNH yesterday regarding their program... it might appeal to people who are unsure of specialty since it is an MSN in clinical nurse leadership (the AACN website has some info on this role). It's a two and a half year program, but it's scheduled so that people can start working as nurses after the first year, which sounds great to me since I'm single and have a mortgage and car payments and the idea of living off loans for three years is quite scary. I'll probably be applying this summer for January.

I'm in the UNH program (Just started in January) and am really enjoying it. Let me know if you have any questions!

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Specializes in Postpartum.
:o hi all first time posting here.. i am awaiting word back on schools in the ny area...judging by all the GRE scores posted here I am very concerned about my chances of being accepted to a direct entry program-at all. I graduated with a BA in English literature and did FAR better on the verbal /analytical writing section than the "math" section, which would factor heavily in the decision I would suppose.

I, too am nervous about living off of loans for years, but find solace in the fact that most/some hospitals will offer tuition reimbursement for undergrad. Does anyone know if this is still the trend?

Good luck those of us who are still waiting for our letters with baited breath! :uhoh21:

My math GRE scores weren't great. 42nd percentile I think. I think for grad school where you will do lots of reading and writing- verbal scores are pretty important. How did you do on the writing piece? GREs are just one aspect of your application too- hang in there- you will probably be pleasantly surprized.

-Jess

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Occ Health.

Oh, don't worry about the GRE's! That is only one factor in the whole equation. I actually did better in math than the other areas, and I pretty much bombed the writing part :rotfl: I thought that my writing skills were really good, so I didn't bother practicing - bad idea.

Hopefully your recommendations are good and your essays are insightful. From my experience, and from reading the boards, I've learned that there's no rhyme or reason to the selections made by many of these schools. Maybe they're picking from hats or throwing darts?! :chuckle

Good luck! Just when I was at my lowest, I got in. So hold your head up!

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Thanks all for the kind words of encouragement! I did well on the writing piece--I think 96 %-tile, which amazed me but I bombed the math part terribly!

I am a bit worried that I have not heard anything from any of the schools I applied to. From reading former posts, it seems like a bunch of people found out last week. I am trying NOT to get discouraged but Im thinking that it cannot be a good sign that I have not heard a word--any ideas/feedback would be greatly appreciated. Should I contact each school and find out when they are mailing decisions?

Also, for those of you who are making a career switch, what prompted you to chose your NP/MS concentration? I have a few interests, but I am not sure if should be highly specialized or more 'marketable". I have enjoyed reading the posts and advice in this particular forum; very enlightening. Thank you!!

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Thanks all for the kind words of encouragement! I did well on the writing piece--I think 96 %-tile, which amazed me but I bombed the math part terribly!

I am a bit worried that I have not heard anything from any of the schools I applied to. From reading former posts, it seems like a bunch of people found out last week. I am trying NOT to get discouraged but Im thinking that it cannot be a good sign that I have not heard a word--any ideas/feedback would be greatly appreciated. Should I contact each school and find out when they are mailing decisions?

Also, for those of you who are making a career switch, what prompted you to chose your NP/MS concentration? I have a few interests, but I am not sure if should be highly specialized or more 'marketable". I have enjoyed reading the posts and advice in this particular forum; very enlightening. Thank you!!

It really depends on what school you applied to as to when you will hear back. I have heard from all my schools except for one; they won't send anything out until mid-April! So if your school has a website that talks about the application process (deadlines, etc) that would be good to check. If you want, tell us the schools you applied to and we can chime in whether we heard already.

In terms of the career switch, what areas are you considering for your specialty? Hopefully you have some volunteer or paid health care experience to pick an area you are interested in. You can also talk to other NP/MS's, read Nursing mag articles, etc. The area you choose should be something you are interested in, not just one that's more "marketable". Otherwise, you could be very frustrated if you go into a field you don't really want to be in! Plus, trends can change. What was "marketable" one year may be overloaded 3 years from now! Hope that helps.

Smile123

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Thanks all for the kind words of encouragement! I did well on the writing piece--I think 96 %-tile, which amazed me but I bombed the math part terribly!

I am a bit worried that I have not heard anything from any of the schools I applied to. From reading former posts, it seems like a bunch of people found out last week. I am trying NOT to get discouraged but Im thinking that it cannot be a good sign that I have not heard a word--any ideas/feedback would be greatly appreciated. Should I contact each school and find out when they are mailing decisions?

Also, for those of you who are making a career switch, what prompted you to chose your NP/MS concentration? I have a few interests, but I am not sure if should be highly specialized or more 'marketable". I have enjoyed reading the posts and advice in this particular forum; very enlightening. Thank you!!

Hi Hillflower -

Hang in there! I know it's so easy to second guess and over analyze everything during the long, anxious wait. But you'll only drive yourself crazy. It's out of your hands now. Try to just take it as it comes (i know, easier said than done) :rotfl:

What schools did you apply to?

Deciding on a track is tough w/out healthcare experience. I tried to find a happy medium between 'specializing' but remaining 'marketable.' I think what you mean by marketable is having a broad enough focus in order to serve many populations and thus be qualified for more jobs ... correct me if I'm wrong?!?!?! I am hopeing to do a dual adult/women's health track. I think that my primary interest is in women's health but I also want to have the broader knowledge base to treat adults of all genders, etc.

Just my two cents :p

Good luck and hang in there !!

-Jen

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Specializes in NICU.
Deciding on a track is tough w/out healthcare experience. I tried to find a happy medium between 'specializing' but remaining 'marketable.' I think what you mean by marketable is having a broad enough focus in order to serve many populations and thus be qualified for more jobs ... correct me if I'm wrong?!?!?! -Jen

I agree with this on a certain level, but at the same time if you have a passion you should go with it. I researched specialties pretty carefully before I decided on neonatalogy. It was just really the only thing that interested me. It's about the most narrow, least marketable specialty there is, but it's what I want to do, so there you have it.

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