Drexel ACE 24 Fall 2014 (new program)

LearninginNJ · Mar 4, 2015

BSN is the way to go. It's getting harder to find jobs with an ASN.

There will be a HESI after every class that has a clinical and after Pharmacology 1 and 2. The professors help you to understand rationales before you go into the HESI. There is a final HESI that you have to pass to graduate. The HESIs in other classes are counted as a percentage of the grade. They have resources to help you prepare, and there are HESI prep books and flashcards available. The questions, from what I'm told, are basically common sense. You will see multiple right answers to each question and you have to choose the one that's most right, if that makes sense. They say that if you do well on the HESI, you will do really well on he NCLEX. You will ear bad things about Drexel, especially from people who did not do well, but they are committed to you passing. The drop rate is not as high as people say it is, and then they're talking about the 11-month program. We have had one drop out so far. If you don't pay attention in class, and you don't practice and study you won't pass, just like any other academic program. If you study and practice you will make it.

dee2315 · Mar 4, 2015

Thank you again, and thanks for approving my FB request. If I think of more I'll make sure to ask. Have a great day

lis25 · May 6, 2015

Hi Everyone! I was recently accepted into Drexel's ACE 24 program for Fall 2015 and was so grateful to find the information listed out here! I'm not sure if this thread is still active but had a few more questions I was hoping someone might be able to comment on:

1. Has the parking/commute situation worked out well for most thus far? I'd be coming into the city from the western suburbs (Radnor area) so I'm trying to figure out whether driving or taking the train might be best. If anyone took the train did you feel safe walking to the station after the night classes (sorry if that's a dumb question I'm new to the area)?

2. Do the HESI exams make it difficult to maintain a strong GPA during the program? I'd like to apply to grad school eventually (assuming the BSN program goes well! :) ) so was just curious. I also thought one of the academic advisers for the program mentioned that in most classes you usually just have one test and the HESI factoring into grades/passing the class- not sure if that is the case but I imagine that would make going into those exams feel pretty intense!

3. Could I be added to the Facebook group too? It'd be great to get even more perspective on the program. I actually sent a request to join through my boyfriend's account a few weeks ago since I am one of those rare persons not on Facebook :) - his initials are J.H. if that helps since I don't think we are supposed to include names in these posts.

Thanks again for the help!!

mbrown101289 · May 6, 2015

Hey congrats on being accepted! As far as the driving situation parking ha been fine as long as u come after5pm to get the 5$ parking deal. I have also taken the train and the area is pretty populated do I never felt unsafe... Although I will say that the colder it is the less people that are out which may make some feel uncomfortable but I would consider it safe. I come from the pa sunburns as well...the hesi is worth 5% q2 and it goes up to 10% for the rest of the quarters. So it really doesn't effect your gpa too much.

LearninginNJ · May 6, 2015

Hi, Lis25. Congratulations in getting accepted. I added you to the Facebook group.

I commute, as well, though I'm coming from South Jersey. Parking is easy, and as was said if you get there it's only $5. The garage is right across the street from the school.

the HESIs are 5 percent, 10 percent, and 15 percent of your grade in some classes. There are other tests to go along with that, so getting a good GPA is not hard.

Any questions, just ask here or in facebook. Any of us are glad to offer help and advice.

lis25 · May 9, 2015

Wow thank you guys so much for responding so quickly and letting me join the facebook group!! I'm sure you're probably pretty busy with school (among many other things) so the extra effort to share info is very much appreciated! :) I had two other quick questions if anyone has a minute:

- Have you had any issues adjusting to Drexel's 10 week term schedule? I'm used to a 16-week semester format from my previous degree/prereqs so was just wondering if/how much more challenging it has been to complete classes within a more condensed time-frame. Probably not that big of a deal, but I'm just imagining the volume of material/memorization required in classes like Patho ha!

- Overall have you been happy with the resources/support provided by the school, i.e. for things like exam prep, tutoring if needed, student nursing organization opportunities, and resources for jobs/externships?

Thanks again for the help and have a great weekend!

JackieJay323 · Jun 9, 2015

Hello, I'll be beginning the 24 month program this fall. Will the schedule be every other weekend for the whole program or just the first quarter?

LearninginNJ · Jun 9, 2015

Your classes will be every Tuesday and Thursday evening. They go from 6-9 or 6-10, depending on the class. You will not have clinicals in Our N110 class was hybrid in that quarter. We had an online component and once a month we had to go into the classroom on a Saturday morning. Second quarter we had a Saturday clinical for 12 hours, but that was a 12-hour lab for the first Saturday and the second was half at the clinical site and half at the lab. We also had an 8-hour lab every other Sunday. After that, clinicals will be every other weekend throughout the program with Tuesday and Thursday classes. Nursing Informatics is mostly online during the third quarter.

coconurse14 · Feb 15, 2016

Hi all,

I really enjoyed reading your thread you guys were very informative and answered alot of my questions!!!!

The only question that still stands is how are you paying for the program?

Since its 24months are you able to complete FAFSA for each year? Do you pay per semester? How much on average are books? Who should I speak with in regards to getting all the clinical components?

Thanks in advance!!!!

Congrats to all and best of luck!!!!

LearninginNJ · Feb 24, 2016

I apologize for taking so long to get back to you. This quarter has been crazy for us. Some are using student loans, others have other means to pay. I, personally, use a combination of GI Bill and student loans. You are able to complete a FAFSA every year. Drexel bills by the quarter. The cost of books really depends on where you buy them. There are many places less expensive than the book store and you can even rent them. I'm not sure I understand your question about the clinical components. You are assigned to a clinical for each class that has a clinical component. You do not get a choice, they just put you somewhere and there is no changing where you're placed.