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I applied to the Duke SON ABSN program for the Fall of 2014. Anyone else out there who is applying for the same cohort? I saw that last year, the applicants got their interview/Duke Days letters at the end of January... hopefully we'll hear back soon! Good luck to everyone!
@BlueGirl17, all I can say is that two years ago I was discouraged about nursing because it wasn't working out for me. But if nursing is something that you want to do, keep applying. Don't give up. Sometimes, our dreams do not come true when we want them to and that does not mean they are never going to come true. Maybe take this time to work, volunteer, regroup, and start applying for schools. I would say that is Duke is the college for you; apply for the Spring semester.
@bluegiel - duke looks at everything. Experience, grades, essay, and letters of rec. Essays are really important for them to get to know you, maybe strengrhen essay? And were some of your recs from nurses? That would stand out too. I'm not sure what they might not have seen but definitely don't give up. I applied to 7 schools since I was rejected by schools in my state last year. Maybe sspeak to someone on admissions about things to do that might make you stronger! There are plenty ways to become a nurse, so keep at it !
@hopefulBE- My recommendations were from two 2 doctors I was taught under when I studied as a Medical Assistant as well as the career placement advisor. I also did my externship in one of the best of the hospitals in the country -Saint Barnabas Medical Center. I didn't graduate from college with high GPA like 4.0 but I had a 4.0 GPA when I completed my studies to be an MA . Even the nurses I worked along side during my externship recommended me to pursue a career in nursing.
@bluegirl. alot of nursing committees look at why you want to be a nurse. The essay questiosn were geared at why you would bea good "nurse". having doctors recommendation was good. but from personal experience from info sessions and talking with nurses and accepted students you want to show you will be a good nurse. Having nurses (which is the position you are applying for) do your recommendation would be good and speak better, as opposed to having just doctors, which is a different position. I had average grades and GRE wasn't low, but I also had experience with "nurses", shadowing, volunteering, working with. It's important to highlight nursing when you talk about your experience as a MA, it might look like you want to be a doctor. Of course thats just my personal opinion, it would be good to ask a committee member!
Congrats to everyone who got in. I am still on the waiting list. Can anyone give me some encouragement during this nerve wracking time.Does Duke look at the whole person? I have experience working in the health industry. Granted I graduated from college 14 years, I didn't realized that I wanted to be a nurse until 3 years ago.
Hi BlueDevilNC, I am happy to be on the waiting list however they would not give a number where I am ranked. I really want a chance to go into this program. Do you know anyone who was on the waiting list and was eventually accepted?
I don't think they rank the wait list until they send out the second round admits. We had several people in my cohort who were pulled from the wait list. Many people in the end decided to attend a cheaper program. If you are still on the wait list at that point talk with admissions about what could strengthen your application.
As HopefulBE pointed out Duke looks at applicants holistically. Just from what I have noticed they seem to focus a lot on leadership and what makes you "unique". We have many people in our cohort who have zero healthcare experience but they were leaders in some capacity either in their previous career or with an organization they were involved with. You certainly don't need a 4.0. The average GPA for the last several cohorts has been ~3.5
BlueGirl17
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Congrats to everyone who got in. I am still on the waiting list. Can anyone give me some encouragement during this nerve wracking time.
Does Duke look at the whole person? I have experience working in the health industry. Granted I graduated from college 14 years, I didn't realized that I wanted to be a nurse until 3 years ago.