Drexel ACE Fall 2010

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

Published

Has anyone heard back from for the fall 2010 class? My husband attended the info session for me a few weeks ago (he works in Philly and I had to work late), and he loved the school. On their website it says you have to have 7 pre-reqs completed prior to applying, but then it says they will not review transcripts until after you are accepted. Does anyone have any info on this?

Hey- I am in Ace Fall 2010- I have a couple questions, if someone can help:

1. I am really concerned about private loans- getting them basically. Is it hard? I can get a cosigner but and I know I would never default but (and this is grim) do I need to get life insurance in case something should happen- I don't want my cosigner stuck with the loan. How is it living on loans? Do I have to eat a lot of top ramen???

2. I am moving from Portland, Oregon- never been to Philly but I am super excited- any recommendations for neighborhoods? I am planning on selling my car to help with the move so I mass transit will be a must- don't mind waiting- good oppurtunity to study.

3. What campus are the classes at? The main campus or isn't there a downtown campus?

4. I am terrified about the work load- though working and doing all these prereqs has probably prepared me a little- should I be really scared or is it manageable?

5. This is a sterotypical Portland question- do people bike in Philly? Thats how I commute here but Philly is a lot bigger.

6. Finally (sorry for so many) this is a sidenote- are there workout places near our classes? My sendentary desk job/pastries have made me a little paranoid about working out. Do you even have time for exercise?

So many questions! Any advice would be much appreciated. I am really excited for nursing and the move!

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I can't answer the first one, I took out student loans, but mostly used savings. When you budget for tuition and living expenses, don't forget books, lab fees, transportation etc etc.

Neighborhoods...the further away you get from center city, cheaper it is, but transportation may become an issue later on.

Classes are at the center city campus, 15th and Vine St. There is a free shuttle that goes between there and 's Main campus at University City, you WILL need a Dragon card to get on.

Work load is Do-able. You will learn MASSIVE prioritization. Do NCLEX questions early and often. You will learn very quickly what class you need to study for and what class you can let go. If you can get As, wonderful. But remember, "C is for continue, until the fourth quarter, where C is for complete." I'm not trying to scare you, but just be prepared. You will hear about HESI, people will freak out over it, BUT half of my class did pass on the first try, and eventually so will everyone.

People do bike in Philly, though how friendly is it depend on who you ask.

As a Drexel student, you will (if no changes since Fall of 08) have free membership to SWEAT gym, it's about two to three blocks away from the center city campus, though I'm not sure you want to after 8-9 hours of classes, but you should during first and perhaps last quarters. I do know of someone who goes there everyday at lunch break.

I hope I answered at least some of your questions. Drop me a PM, and I'll help if I can. I was in the fall 2008 class, and finished last September, and it was a wonderful feeling to complete it.

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Thanks! That was really helpful. I remind myself that this program is made to graduate people.

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Is anybody attending in the upcoming fall 2010? I have a few questions regarding scholarships and transportation since I am living in the Cherry Hill area for the year. THanks

-David

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hey i will be there for the Fall 2010 start. Maybe I will see you there :)

-David

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As I am finishing up my last classes, I am beginning to really freak out about housing. A little leary of going the Craigslist route especially since I am across the country.....

Any advice on certain Apartment buildings? I should be up there sometime in June to peruse the area

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I just graduated in March 2010, and there are plenty of people who biked to school, so no worries there. You still get a free membership to SWEAT gym which is about two blocks from the school. The workload is high but definitely doable. The main thing is the stress of passing the last HESI and then of course the NCLEX. Here's my experience to give people hope (well hopefully it gives you yope).

I took the exit HESI and got a 85.9 first try (you have to get a 87), I cried, complained, and then regrouped. I retook it a week later without really studying or anything, just having a week off from stress I guess helped and got a 99.99. The point of that is if you got through this program you have all the information to pass the HESI/NCLEX, you just have to trust yourself that it's actually there. I just took the NCLEX two days ago...left feeling like I failed and found out I passed and now I'm an RN! My point is basically that you will be going through an emotional rollercoaster for the next 11 months but there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it's totally worth it!

My biggest tips are that for the most part the people that help you most are your other classmates...get close, laugh, cry, complain etc with them because you are all going through the same thing and your outside friends and family will absolutely support you but not understand what you are going through. The administration in my experience doesn't do much for anybody so really just rely on your classmates to help each other get through.

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Tiny dancer, I am also from out of area, but not too far (Long Island, NY). I was also thinking about doing the craigslist thing, but found another couple of websites to be more helpful. I knew that I was looking for a type of apartment development that was around 30 minutes outside of Philly. So I went to one website first, apartmentguide.com, and put in Philadelphia, PA for my location and looked at places that were at least 20 miles outside of Philly. Then once I found ones that met what I was looking for, I went to apartmentratings.com and typed in the complex name. This website was very helpful because it was able to give previous tenants opinions and I used the overall percentage rating they give to guide where I was actually going to look at when I visited. Once I had a list of about 5-8 places to visit, I called each one up and made appointments to visit. I did all of that about 2 months ago and luckily found a place I loved. I hope these websites are able to help you and any fellow classmates with their apartment search!

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thanks cheesetoe! any reason for living so far away from campus?

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You are very welcome! Well, primarily price. I found that places that were just outside of philly were much more affordable for myself and my boyfriend. Also, we're not too much "city people" and wanted a place that wasn't right in the middle of everything. We got very lucky though because the apartment we found actually has a Septa train stop a minute's walk away, and from there its about a 30-40 minute train ride! Good luck with your apartment search :)

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FYI: Compliance info was sent to our emails!

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Hello to anyone that is still on the waiting list for fall 2010, is there any hope for us to attend this fall. The last I heard was that the status has not changed and seats are unavailable. I wonder why is it taking so long to know either way.

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