Drexel ace fall 2008

badgerstudent · Jun 16, 2008

Butting in--Drexel students, how much money in Stafford loans were you able to get?

Qtp2t RN · Jun 16, 2008

Hi Anthroperson & Badgerstudent!

I just finished up my 3rd quarter of the ACE program & have this week off before going back to start the 4th, & final quarter. In terms of federal loans, I was able to get the max amount allowed: Federal Stafford Subsidized loan - $5,500 & Unsubsidized Stafford - $5,000.

I also live out in the burbs...in Bucks County. I am single with no children, however, there are many parents in the program who have done well thus far. I take the train to campus and drive to clinicals...even those accessible by train because we typically have to be their too early to get there by train. Our first quarter clinical did not require us to go to the hospital the night before to get patient info., which was nice because I was placed at HUP, which is a 45min drive from home. Collecting patient info. includes obtaining demographic data, admission info, diagnosis, medications, & lab values, which takes about an hour or maybe a little more depending on the hospital & the organization of the chart. 2nd quarter required us to get patient info. the night before for our Adult I clinical. I was placed at Nazareth Hospital (30min from home), Abington Memorial (35min from home), & Belmont Behavioral Health (50min from home) for 2nd quarter clinicals. 3rd quarter again required us to get patient info. the night before for our Adult II clinical. I was placed at Delaware County Memorial Hospital (1hr from home), St. Chrstopher's Hospital for Children (40min from home), and various Camden, NJ sites (45min from home) for 3rd quarter clinicals. I'm currently awaiting my site assignments for 4th quarter clinicals.

I have friends in the program who have been assigned to sites 60miles from their homes, so driving all over God's creation for clinical is a definite possibility...and Drexel will not allow site changes even if there is another student willing to trade sites with you...they don't care if you can't find childcare because they scheduled you for a Saturday clinical, or if gas prices are causing a financial hardship. We receive multiple emails prior to & at the beginning of each quarter addressing these issues. Maybe Drexel will reconsider for your incoming class considering the direness of the situation, but I wouldn't count on it. So far they've been unwavering when it comes to clinical assignments...if you don't like the site they choose, either deal with it for the 11 week quarter or withdrawal from the program.

I hope this doesn't scare you. I feel that this has been about the worst part of the program for me. Other issues that my class has faced seem to be very common among programs of this nature. As I said previously, there are many students going into 4th quarter along with me who have a spouse & children. They have a lot of support at home & have managed to do very well in the program.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

~Cathy

anthroperson · Jun 17, 2008

Hi Cathy,

You confirm what I already suspected--and thank you for all of the detail. I am scared but I am going to do it anyway. It is only 11 months of my life--right? I am going to take the train to class too (I am in Bucks County).

Best of luck with your last quarter! Let us know where you have to go for clinical when you get the assignment!

Take Care,

Rachel

JdNNurse2B · Jun 17, 2008

I too am in the program now as well. With Cathy.

I went into it as a newlywed and the beginning of 2nd quarter adopted a dog. Its definitely hard to juggle, personally for me. School takes up so much time whether it is taking the train in, studying, papers, reading, studying, driving to get patient information the night before, studying, care plans, studying etc. You may chuckle at how much I put studying in, but if you want to even try to be able to feel caught up, its a matter of consistently staying on top of readings and information.

There are times where I would spend time with the family and feel guilty because I wasn't studying and then when I WAS studying I felt bad because I couldn't spend time with my family. My husband's family didn't always get it. They didn't understand why I couldn't go to some family gatherings because I had school work to do or a test to study for.

Make sure explain to your husband and family that the program will take up a lot of your time and that it will pretty much have to come first most of the time, but the 11 months goes by sooooo fast! I am in awe that I am entering fourth quarter. My head is still spinning from third quarter.

Another piece of advice that I can offer is if you find yourself really clicking with one of your profs, stay connected. You will find there are a couple profs (or clinical instructors) who really get you and understand the great deal of work, pressure and stress you are under. They are a great resource for job hunting, test taking techniques, and just to talk.

Stay focused and don't get caught up in the "hype" that your peers might bring about. Don't get involved with other people's drama.

It is a great program and you will learn a lot of information. Some of us where talking after our finals about how far we have come along. There are techniques/skills we know now, that we fretted over earlier in the program.

I didn't realize it until a couple weeks ago when I was at the gym and a girl had a seizure. Everything kicked in without me thinking about it. The adrenaline was amazing. The EMTs were impressed and thankful that I was there, (there was another person who was also very helpful I cannot take all the credit). I got a call from the gym 5 days later - the girl's mother had brought me a thank you card. What an amazing feeling!

You can do it!

badgerstudent · Jun 18, 2008

Thank you for your helpful posts! I just applied to Drexel for next year--my other option is a community college, so I'll wait to hear if I was accepted at Drexel then decide between those two choices.

I just finished my BA and I don't have any familial obligations, so that makes life a lot easier, although I would have to move cross country to do the Drexel program.

I just sent in my transcripts recently, so I guess it's time to wait a little bit and see if I hear from them! As far as I understand, they do admissions on a rolling basis...

eml2142 · Jun 26, 2008

Thank you for your helpful posts! I just applied to Drexel for next year--my other option is a community college, so I'll wait to hear if I was accepted at Drexel then decide between those two choices.
I just finished my BA and I don't have any familial obligations, so that makes life a lot easier, although I would have to move cross country to do the Drexel program.
I just sent in my transcripts recently, so I guess it's time to wait a little bit and see if I hear from them! As far as I understand, they do admissions on a rolling basis...

badgerstudent, what semester did you apply for in the drexel ace program? i applied for fall 2009. i have sent in my transcripts, but i still have some pre-reqs to do. im looking at three a semester including the summer before i enter. have you gotten all of your pre-reqs done? hopefully we will hear back soon. i got an email from them today asking if i had graduated with a degree because i didn't put it on my application (whoops!) but i figured it all out. let me know when you hear back from them. i hope to hear something soon!

badgerstudent · Jun 26, 2008

I applied for fall 2009...even if accepted I'm not sure if I will go because fo the cost (community college ADN is the other option for me). I have 2 more pre-reqs to go; computer science and ethics. I just sent in my transcripts and stuff so I'm not really anxious yet.

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Jul 6, 2008

hi badgerstudent and EM -

i also applied to the ACE program for the Fall of 2009...i am Nervous already about the application process...i submitted the application, i now have to send in the transcript..my GPA was a 2.97...not sure if that is good enough!! that what im worried about...in any event i am taking the AP 1 and Nurtrition now...i will complete (hopefully) all the required classes by next summer....please let me know if you hear anything!!

i will be attending the open house on July 23rd...are you guys also going?

eml2142 · Jul 9, 2008

yeah, i am going to the open house on the 23rd of July as well, hope to see you guys there. i applied to fall 2009 with a gpa of a 3.1 cumulative, but better then that in the last 60 hours of coursework. im nervous about whether or not ill get in, but heres to hoping!

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 24, 2008

I just got accepted into their Spring 2009 ACE Program on Monday. I'm very excited (and very nervous). I've never owned a car, so I know I'll need to buy one (and hopefully not crash in the first few weeks of driving). I think I'd prefer a motorcycle, with the same stipulations.

Has anyone recently completed it? Is there any mingling between the students (spring/fall entry)? Is the program easier than anyone expected (I'm expecting very difficult 21-23 credit semesters, and hoping I'm expecting harder than reality). Anyone going to be my classmate?

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 24, 2008

Isitpossible sent me a PM (which I accidently deleted), but I can't send PMs right now (not sure why).

Anyway, I applied for the Spring 2009 semester. I had my application in about May 8th or so. It took about 10 weeks until I got my acceptance letter. I had all but 1 or 2 pre-requisites done. I went to CCP before I got my BA. My total CCP GPA is 3.32 (was 3.29 or something when I applied). My GPA for undergraduate (Biology, at Rutgers, grad 2002) was a 2.67. I think I had an even 3.0 overall GPA upon application, but the 6 classes I had took this year for were As and 1 B, and I joineed Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society for the 2 Year Colleges).

There are fewer applicants for Spring, and fewer class spaces (I think 80 vs 120).

Is anyone going to start with me Spring 2009?