Direct entry programs

Good luck to you in your application phase!!! I am towards the end of applying myself as I am waiting for schools to inform me of their decisions. I can honestly say that programs are looking at candidates holistically. I did not have the best undergrad GPA or GRE score for that matter but really put a lot of heart and soul into my personal statement. I would say the best piece of advice I can give is to volunteer in as many places or environments as possible, preferably health related volunteer work. Make sure this is what you want to be doing and by observing the nursing profession, your personal statement will be that much stronger because you understand and recognize the role of a nurse. Recommendations are also a huge importance as these programs will only have your application and possibly an interview to go off of. I have some of my recommenders their "recommendation packets" 6 months in advance so they could fine tune what they wanted to say and think about how they could describe my character in the best way possible. I provided my resume, personal statement, and copies of what some of the schools were looking for in their recommendation letter.

Best of luck to you!

I just wanted to say "good luck"! I am in the same position as you, and will be applying to many of these schools, too!

Good luck to you! I recently got in to a direct-entry master's program in TN, and agree with dedicatedone, some schools look at you in a really holistic manner. This, however, is not always the case. You probably already have, but check and see if there are threads about each school you are applying to and see what people have to say about the application process.

Also, make sure that if you are working, you will be able to be flexible with your schedule. It looks like the schools you have applied to are fairly spread out, and if you want to visit the schools or have to go for interviews, orientations, etc., you will need to take days off. I have had some trouble with this at my full time job and it my coworkers took my taking time off so poorly I wished I was still bartending so I wouldn't have to miss any work/it wouldn't be a big deal.

Again, good luck!

I got in to both Regis and Umass. You really need to just sell yourself and show them why you would be a great candidate to represent their school.