Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

Diana - Funny you should ask ... I spoke w/ the Dean of Nursing at Simmons just this afternoon. I had a seperate question and we got to talking ... she said they had lower than a 30% acceptance rate (180 apps for 50 accepted). I think MGH has a lower acceptance rate - closer to 15-20% for past years (if I remember correctly from the info session). I think MGH and BC have closer to around 250-300 applicants.

-Jen

At BC's infosession they said last year they had 311 applicants for 32 seats.

-Jess

Locally, their reputation is really good. But it's not a nationally known program like BC or MGH you know? They have double the clinical hours in the RN portion which I really like. Where you get an RN and a certificate at BC and MGH you actually get a second bachelors at Regis. It also seems that the clinical portion is run really well- the two tracks are days or nights/weekends. They make sure that your clinicals are on the same schedule as classes. So your aren't stuck with classes in the am and then an evening clinical- which would be almost un-doable for me with two little kids and childcare to coordinate. I think since they have been doing it for 10 years they have the kinks worked out.

It had a nice feeling too- small school- very intimate setting. The people were friendly. I'd be really happy to go there- I think it would be great.

-Jess

I really like the idea of getting a BSN as well as an MSN ... that's a nice perk! It sounds like it is a flexible envirnment too ... maybe a great fit!! I think that your 'gut' reaction after visiting a school is really important. I had that type of reaction when I visited Simmons (something I did not get at BC for some reason)!

At BC's infosession they said last year they had 311 applicants for 32 seats.

-Jess

Wow ... that's a 10% acceptance rate !! These programs are soooo competitive.

I think that your 'gut' reaction after visiting a school is really important. I had that type of reaction when I visited Simmons (something I did not get at BC for some reason)!

Oh my gosh- I'm so glad to read this. I too didn't get that good gut reaction from BC!! And I've really struggled with it- because it's such a great school. But when talking to my husband after my Regis interview- I was like- I would have to strongly consider Regis if I got into both schools. He was like- what? why? It's hard to articulate- it's just a gut feeling I get... weird!~

-Jess

Wow ... that's a 10% acceptance rate !! These programs are soooo competitive.

I know it. The ratios are a little misleading though, because these schools all probably admit more than they have seats for, you know? So if BC had 311 for 32 seats they may have accepted 45-50 which would be a 14-16% acceptance rate.

-Jess

Oh my gosh- I'm so glad to read this. I too didn't get that good gut reaction from BC!! And I've really struggled with it- because it's such a great school. But when talking to my husband after my Regis interview- I was like- I would have to strongly consider Regis if I got into both schools. He was like- what? why? It's hard to articulate- it's just a gut feeling I get... weird!~

-Jess

I'm so glad to hear you say that too !!!! I feel the same way btw Simmons and BC. I know BC has a more reputable program that is nationally recognized (top 20 in the country according to US News & World Report) but I did not feel it was a 'welcoming' environment. I actually thought alot of the faculty/administrators I met there were rather snobbish ...

I picked where I went to undergrad based on my 'gut' and it worked out well ... here's hoping it works again = )

-Jen

I know it. The ratios are a little misleading though, because these schools all probably admit more than they have seats for, you know? So if BC had 311 for 32 seats they may have accepted 45-50 which would be a 14-16% acceptance rate.

-Jess

Good point ... the dean at Simmons did say 50 were admitted but that will probably not be the class size.

I'm so glad to hear you say that too !!!! I feel the same way btw Simmons and BC. I know BC has a more reputable program that is nationally recognized (top 20 in the country according to US News & World Report) but I did not feel it was a 'welcoming' environment. I actually thought alot of the faculty/administrators I met there were rather snobbish ...

Totally!! I also got the sense that they may be so preoccupied with their own research and publications that they would not have time/interest to be really accessible to students. I think that is the trouble with a top ranked school. There is more pressure on the faculty to "publish or perish" and that can make things hard on the students.

I also got the sense that BC wasn't very "customer friendly". Since they are so hard to get into it's like they are doing you a favor by accepting you. A current student there said they were terrible about letting students know schedules for clinical rotations. That would drive me crazy- because that is all about administrative organization, you know? If they have thier ducks in a row with the agencies they have clincials with there shouldn't be a problem. The dean at the infosession said "don't plan a vacation or a wedding for the first year of the program" I got what she was saying but I didn't love the tone or implication that they "owned" their students. You know?

-Jess

Totally!! I also got the sense that they may be so preoccupied with their own research and publications that they would not have time/interest to be really accessible to students. I think that is the trouble with a top ranked school. There is more pressure on the faculty to "publish or perish" and that can make things hard on the students.

I also got the sense that BC wasn't very "customer friendly". Since they are so hard to get into it's like they are doing you a favor by accepting you. A current student there said they were terrible about letting students know schedules for clinical rotations. That would drive me crazy- because that is all about administrative organization, you know? If they have thier ducks in a row with the agencies they have clincials with there shouldn't be a problem. The dean at the infosession said "don't plan a vacation or a wedding for the first year of the program" I got what she was saying but I didn't love the tone or implication that they "owned" their students. You know?

-Jess

Agreed! I wonder if we were at the same info session because I got the same 'lecture' from her. We all understand that it's demanding and will require much hard work and sacrifice ... but let's keep this in perspective, we would be paying customers entitled to some organization and service!

That's my rant for the day = )

Agreed! I wonder if we were at the same info session because I got the same 'lecture' from her. We all understand that it's demanding and will require much hard work and sacrifice ... but let's keep this in perspective, we would be paying customers entitled to some organization and service!

That's my rant for the day = )

LOL! I love it!

I went to an infosession at BC in fall of '03 and then again last month. I heard that "don't plan a wedding" quote at both of them- so they must think that's a really clever line...

-Jess

I heard that "don't plan a wedding" quote at both of them- so they must think that's a really clever line...

Haha ... I got a chuckle out that :chuckle

IMHO Jess is probably right on about getting the sense a "nationally ranked" school "may be so preoccupied with their own research and publications that they would not have time/interest to be really accessible to students". Nursing school is tough and I want quality for my money dammit! :rotfl:

Have you talked to the alumni and current students of Regis and BC? I had a similar dilemma: a smaller locally respected school versus the larger university down the road whose nursing program is nationally ranked. While both groups were positive, I noted the alums of one spoke very warmly and specifically about the quality of the program, access to faculty, good clinicals. Whereas the alums of the other were rather "snobbish" and mentioned more general/vague reasons they like their program (well the school ranks so it's gotta be good), it kinda amazed me since I personally know many Ivy league grads with less "snobbery". Both are no doubt good, but it made me think long and hard about which environment I would like to be in......

Besides, I've never heard anybody in nursing (LPN, ADN, RN, NP) say where you got your degree is all that important in terms of jobs LOL :chuckle