(DISMAL) GRE Score Question and Boston College

[luckylady5]

I foolishly took the GRE tonight with absolutely no preparation, not because I was confident that I would do well, but because I truly haven't had the time, so rather than cancel my test, I thought I'd take it to see what it was like and how I'd do. I did ok in the Verbal section - 560, but terribly in the Quantitative section - 360! I expected that the math section would be hard for me - I haven't been in a math class since 1989, but it was so completely foreign to me! I literally guessed 95% of the questions (and guessed incorrectly, apparently!)

I have a good GPA (about 3.7) and letters of recommendation. Does anyone know if I have ANY chance of getting into the Boston College Direct Entry Program? Very doubtful, I think...

[kp002]

NP to be,

Congrats on the fellowship! I know that price of a program is having a big impact on my decision as well, so having that first year paid for is a big influence. I am also unsure of BC only being two years since, like you said, most other similar programs are 3 years; although, it seems the programs are similar in regard to education and clinical experience, so I am hoping that BC is shorter mainly because it is more intense/compact than the others.

After months of trying to make a decision on a school, I think I have finally narrowed it down to BC and Yale. So no more west coast for me! I had thoroughly considered Johns Hopkins and Columbia, but unfortunately just couldn't cope with the amount of debt I would be in upon graduation since both schools are undergrad for the first year.

I went to UCLA for my undergraduate degree and LOVED it! So I sure you will have a wonderful time there. Thanks again for the response and good luck!

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

Congrats on the fellowship, NP to be!!

kp, the program at BC is pretty intense. You don't have the summer off between first and second years, and you're doing clinical and didactic courses at the same time. That being said, I never felt that I couldn't do it. I just had to make school my priority and forgo other things. I'm so glad I did the two year program. It was tough, but it was great to back in the workforce a year sooner than I might have been.

[kp002]

Hi BCgradnurse!

That is exactly my way of thinking, so it is nice to hear it verified by someone who has experienced it firsthand! It is actually really great to hear your opinion on things since you have been through the program, so I appreciate your input!

Overall, how satisfied were you with the program (i.e. administration, professors, fellow students, etc.)? Was it nice to be immersed in the BC campus and student population? Or did it not really matter much with all the time that was spent at clinicals? I would love to chat with you via PM but unfortunately have yet to post enough messages to make that possible.

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

Overall I was satisfied with the program. I really didn't have a lot of opportunity to enjoy the campus because after the first semester, I wasn't there that much, and I didn't live nearby. I'm also an older student and wanted to spend what little free time I had with my children and husband. BC has a very active Graduate Nurses Association and they sponsored a lot of fun events along with community service projects. I made a lot of good friends-it's very non-competitive and everyone tries to help each other. The vast majority of my professors were great. I had a couple of mediocre ones, but that's going to happen anywhere. Overall, it was a very positive experience for me.

[kp002]

Thanks for your response, BCgradnurse! I noticed that you mentioned that you didn't live near campus. I will most likely be moving to the Medford/Somerville area with a friend of mine. Knowing the program and how divided the time is between classes on campus and clinicals, do you think that the commute would be too difficult? I probably won't have a car for the first year so it will all be through public transportation. Not knowing the Boston area too well myself, I just wanted to make sure that moving to the Medford area as a BC Masters entry student isn't too outrageous of an idea. Since you commuted yourself while in the program, I would love to get your input!

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

I think it's doable. Just be sure to check out the bus and subway routes before you decide on a place. you'll have to be at the hospitals pretty early in the AM for clinicals, so you want to make the commute as easy as possible.

[kp002]

Thanks! It is a bit comforting to know that I could do it. Do you by any chance remember what the schedule is like for the first year, i.e. how many days per week are spent in classes on campus and how many are in the city with clinicals? I am thinking maybe 3 full days a week on campus at most, but I could be way off.

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

For the first year you'll be on campus three days a week, and have clinicals either one day a week (first semester) and 1 or 2 days per week (half of 2nd semester is 2 days) during the second semester. Second year you'll only be on campus for 1 long and 1 half day per week, and you'll be at clinicals for the rest of the week. I somehow managed to always have one day off during the week (except for half of 2nd semester 1st year), cause I tried to do 10 hour days at my clinicals. When will you be moving to Boston?

[kp002]

I am looking to move to Boston probably mid to late August. My roommate and I are still in the process of trying to find a place.

Thanks again for all your help! It really is so nice and comforting to hear things from someone who has experienced the program before and who knows Boston and Boston College. Clinicals are mostly in the city for the first year, correct?

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

Yes, clinicals will be in the city for the most part. Some of the psych and pedi clinicals were in the burbs, but you have a say in where you go, particularly if you're depending on public transportation. Good luck finding a place to live!!