Drexel University-ACE Program Fall '09

cali1234 · Dec 11, 2009

I was wondering what type of background major you have?

cali1234 · Dec 11, 2009

People in this program, any comments and how it is so far?

new1nursebabyea · Dec 11, 2009

Hi Cali,

From my experience, I would say the "drop out" rate was about 10% in my section of about 80 people. But I would say the 30% mark is about right overall. If you flunk a class, you probably have to wait about 6 months to re-join the next cycle of ACErs from where you left off. So, in effect, many of those people returned to complete the program at a later date.

I made it through all of my classes with a decent GPA but "flunked" the final HESI. I had to spend another 10 weeks learning how to take this stupid test so my 11 month program became a 13 month + program. I would have worried less about the GPA in my last quarter and more about passing the HESI. These things, of course, are clear in hind sight.

I know that the administration has changed time wasters to help with your success. I believe you no longer have to go to clinical the night before to prep and they have axed a lot of the nursing care plan stuff. They've upped the pass rate to 77 in classes.

If you clear your plate, committ, and organize your time well, you will do fine. Seek assistance from the learning center for strategy. I wish I had. In retrospect, I worked way too hard and inefficiently.

Good luck!!!!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2009

Hi Cali,
From my experience, I would say the "drop out" rate was about 10% in my section of about 80 people. But I would say the 30% mark is about right overall. If you flunk a class, you probably have to wait about 6 months to re-join the next cycle of ACErs from where you left off. So, in effect, many of those people returned to complete the program at a later date.
I made it through all of my classes with a decent GPA but "flunked" the final HESI. I had to spend another 10 weeks learning how to take this stupid test so my 11 month program became a 13 month + program. I would have worried less about the GPA in my last quarter and more about passing the HESI. These things, of course, are clear in hind sight.
I know that the administration has changed time wasters to help with your success. I believe you no longer have to go to clinical the night before to prep and they have axed a lot of the nursing care plan stuff. They've upped the pass rate to 77 in classes.
If you clear your plate, committ, and organize your time well, you will do fine. Seek assistance from the learning center for strategy. I wish I had. In retrospect, I worked way too hard and inefficiently.
Good luck!!!!

That's good to know about prioritizing the HESI over GPA in the last quarter- I just took our first HESI (the itty bitty 5% one on principles) and it was a lot harder than I thought it'd be. I'd found the testing for the class to be not so bad so was really thrown by the difficulty of it. We don't have the grades yet, but I'm glad it was only 5% of this grade. Did you find the HESIs to be harder than the class tests in general or is that me?

new1nursebabyea · Dec 12, 2009

HESIs are harder because you may not be familiar with the format/how they are asking the question. Every time I did practice questions from the DVDs/website for the HESI (women's, mental, and community health), I scored in the 90s. If I had practiced on the 1st principles with the reviews and rationales book, I probably would have done a lot better. Often, I hardly had time to study for finals let alone practice for the HESI. Also, there is a very specific testing strategies and ways to answer questions that mirror the NCLEX. It would be wise to ask Jeff in the learning center about these. Knowing these could save you some grief down the road.

Good luck!!

Shadley · Mar 23, 2010

A question for all of those who were accepted to the ACE program Spring 2010 or before... do you know anything about a wait list for admissions? Are people typically accepted off of it or is it a dead end?

A few people for Fall 2010 on this blog have been put on wait lists and we're trying to figure out if its based on when we applied (i.e. there aren't any spots yet) or academic achievement. Any input would be appreciated!

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2010

A question for all of those who were accepted to the ACE program Spring 2010 or before... do you know anything about a wait list for admissions? Are people typically accepted off of it or is it a dead end?
A few people for Fall 2010 on this blog have been put on wait lists and we're trying to figure out if its based on when we applied (i.e. there aren't any spots yet) or academic achievement. Any input would be appreciated!

I don't know anything about a wait list, but I do know that for our class, too many people accepted admissions. The school offered several people $10K towards tuition to delay to the next cohort but I think everyone said no, so they might be more cautious now about giving out seats to make sure they don't over-enroll.

KyMPH · Apr 18, 2010

To those of you who stuck with the program - is it 'doable'?

new1nursebabyea · Apr 19, 2010

yes, i did it. I am now working at a great place!

Drexel2k10 · Sep 8, 2010

How bad is the program really and do you have any guidance or intel on how to study for the class or what to really focus on? I start the ACE program this month and Im shaking in my boots from what Ive heard from other students and just reading the blogs.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2010

How bad is the program really and do you have any guidance or intel on how to study for the class or what to really focus on? I start the ACE program this month and Im shaking in my boots from what Ive heard from other students and just reading the blogs.

Study from the class notes and powerpoints. I hardly ever read the actual textbook. The exception for me was Mental Health, and the occasional chart. I liked the HESI NCLEX book to use along with the classes. Some of my classmates hated it, but I liked the format and found that the HESI Hints sections often corresponded directly to test material. Don't look too far ahead; focus on what you have to do in the immediate future. During first quarter, go to the NCLEX-style question reviews offered by the learning center: cracking the NCLEX style early on is essential to effectively managing your study time. Get a better stethoscope than what they give you.

Drexel2k10 · Sep 8, 2010

Study from the class notes and powerpoints. I hardly ever read the actual textbook. The exception for me was Mental Health, and the occasional chart. I liked the HESI NCLEX book to use along with the classes. Some of my classmates hated it, but I liked the format and found that the HESI Hints sections often corresponded directly to test material. Don't look too far ahead; focus on what you have to do in the immediate future. During first quarter, go to the NCLEX-style question reviews offered by the learning center: cracking the NCLEX style early on is essential to effectively managing your study time. Get a better stethoscope than what they give you.

Wow what a quick response! Thanks for the heads up and I'll be sure to make the HESI NCLEX book my new bff! BTW I want a pink stethoscope anyway. I figured theirs sucked otherwise they wouldnt be giving it away!