Drexel ACE versus Jefferson FACT

mh356, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 9, 2009

As a graduate of Drexel ACE program I am a little biased toward Drexel. In Philly, it has a good reputation among the hospitals for nursing schools. And they def prepare you for the real world. Drexel also assumes that all their grads will eventually head back to grad school for NP or CNS, so they gear you towards that from the very beginning. Even after moving out of state, Drexel good name is recognized. It was a good choice.

AugustRain · Mar 9, 2009

Drexel also has an Early Assurance program if you meet certain academic criteria in 3rd quarter of the ACE program, which allows you to go on for either your MSN/NP/DrNP in various tracks.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2009

"In Philly, it has a good reputation among the hospitals for nursing schools."

Drexel has a good reputation outside of Philly too. DH's aunt works at Mt. Sinai in NYC and my aunt works for a pharmaceutical company in research, and they both know about the program and have good things to say about it. I'm starting in September.

The nice thing about the FACT program is that you get some Master's credits done while you're working on the BSN. If I didn't get in to Drexel I was going to apply there, but got my Drexel acceptance and decided to call it a day.

Check out the Boston forum before deciding to go to school there- it sounds like there is a major nursing glut in Boston and that new grads are not having the easiest time getting jobs.

AtomicWoman · Mar 10, 2009

"And they def prepare you for the real world." FACT does, too.

The FACT program allows you to graduate with 9 MSN credits (I don't know if the ACE program does, too). It's slightly longer than the ACE program (12 months versus 11 months).

I start the FACT program May 19, so if you have questions about applying for that program, just ask! :)

lnr103 · Mar 10, 2009

Wow...You guys are a so incredibly helpful. Thank you! Its so nice to have everyone's perspective. I keep researching and going through websites, asking staff etc but I rarely get a clear cut answer so this site is so incredibly necessary. Thanks for the heads up on Boston too. I was getting that vibe when I visited Umass - Boston last October. They didn't seem to know what was going to happen tot their program while I was there.

I noticed Drexel was a bit disorganized when applying. Trying to reach different people and set up times to speak with them was nearly impossible, whereas Jefferson was much more responsive. Drexel has a great name but Jefferson is a great Medical School and realy nice place to work. I'm just curious if any of this weighs into it for you guys while actually trying to manuever through the program. At Penn I know they had particularly great things to say about students from both ACE and FACT programs which is why I chose those two as my top choices.

Thanks so much for your help!!!! again :)

:typing

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2009

I'd only been to orientations at Drexel and U Penn. I didn't go to one at Jeff but planned to apply based on the type of program they have (1 year accelerated) and other than that honestly didn't know a whole lot about them.

U Penn's orientation made me really want to go there, but during the application process I thought their requirements were awfully fussy (required a lot of detailed information about my parents' degrees and fields, many essays, etc). I'd started their app really close to the deadline too and was starting to feel rushed so decided to drop it b/c it felt like a longshot in the first place and an even longer-shot with a less polished application.

I also really liked Drexel's orientation. They mentioned a certificate program that's available during the community health unit to get disaster response certification, which really appeals to me. That's the only time I've heard about it though. I don't know how else to explain it but I liked the vibe too. I liked that they didn't expect recommendations because they realize that most people are career changers and won't have anyone who can talk about our potential in healthcare. I've had a few questions during the process leading up to applying and everyone I've been in contact with (with the exception of 1 person on the phone at financial aid) have been pleasant and helpful. The challenge of the program was also appealing and I've heard that HUP likes to hire Drexel grads (I want to do HUP's new grad residency program when I graduate). Plus, the application process was so easy- just transcripts and that was about it.

One thing to think about regarding Jeff is that they are currently on a hiring freeze (last time I checked anyway), so going to school there might be an advantage if you want to work there post graduation but it might not be a guarantee of getting a job there (I'm pessimistic about the economy though- I don't see things turning around in a year in a major way).

Getting the 9 graduate courses done is a huge benefit to the Jeff program, and if you plan to go on to an NP as quickly as possibly might be the more direct route. Also (someone correct me if I'm wrong) I believe that when you are accepted to FACT you are accepted to the MSN program as well.

AtomicWoman · Mar 11, 2009

Just a teensy correction... :) You get 9 graduate *credits* when you finish your BSN in the ACE program. That's 3 courses. And yes, you are automatically accepted to the MSN program. I think (but I'm not sure) though that you have to start your MSN within a certain time after graduation in order for your acceptance to be automatic. Check me on that, though.

AugustRain · Mar 12, 2009

Actually, with the ACE early assurance, you don't have any MSN credits when you finish your BSN. Not sure what the story is with FACT.

AtomicWoman · Mar 12, 2009

Actually, with the ACE early assurance, you don't have any MSN credits when you finish your BSN. Not sure what the story is with FACT.

I'm an idiot!! :lol_hitti I meant to say FACT (which is the program I am starting LOL), but typed ACE. Argh!! Let me see if I can edit an old message.

Thanks for correcting my correction! Back to my morning tea... which I apparently had not had yet when I wrote that! LOL

AugustRain · Mar 13, 2009

Guess we can add that to signs that you're a nursing student - you're so exhausted, you can't remember where you go to school. :) Good luck with classes!

AtomicWoman · Mar 14, 2009

Guess we can add that to signs that you're a nursing student - you're so exhausted, you can't remember where you go to school. :) Good luck with classes!

Hah, hah! One day I actually called someone and gave my husband's name instead of mine! :bugeyes: Granted, the call was ABOUT him, but it wasn't actually him calling. Argh!