Duke ABSN Fall 2011

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Hi all!

I know its early and the application isn't due until December 1st, but I was wondering if there was anyone else out there applying to the Duke ABSN program to start in August of 2011! I've already read through some of the previous semesters' threads and it seems like a great outlet for discussion/ questions/ nerves!

Let me know :)

Oaktown - Three of my favorite people in the world all went to Evergreen State! Two (out of 39) of the peace corps volunteers in my group went there, and my boss when I was an RA in college (who weirdly was also a peace corps volunteer back in his day, and is now one of my references for Duke). It must turn out some awesome alumni. :)

And hlr9433 - I am going crazy alongside you. :) The city sounds awesome, and if I get called for an interview I am definitely going to make it out there and do it in person.

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Specializes in LDRP.

Hello everyone!

I've been stalking this thread (and other threads from years past) for like 2 months now and allnurses has been really glitchy about getting me my activation code!

Anyway, I'm really glad to see other people going through the application process. Now the hard part: waiting!

So just out of curiosity, are there any young folk applying to this program? I'm 20 and will be newly matriculated come this spring.

Cheers!

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Hey everyone :) Just wanted to come through and respond to some of the comments left since my last visit.

First, I applied for admission to the Fall '11 class, but I am willing to reapply for admission in Spring '12 if I'm not accepted this time.

I was born and raised in NC, and know a lot about Durham since that's my father's hometown. I'm 24 (25 in April) and graduated from Fayetteville State University (NC) with a major in Psychology. I was pre-nursing as well. FSU (NC) was just launching their generic BSN degree when I started, but by the time I was to apply to the upper division they were having problems and suspended admissions for generics. It was disappointing, but now I have something even better to look forward to--Duke!

I have friends and former classmates who already have master's degrees (at 24), and are starting/finishing professional programs in law and medicine, and I've at times felt like a failure in comparison of them. However, I eventually came to the realization that everyone's journey is unique and that we have to keep trucking along despite the special roadblocks and challenges that may affect us but not others. Now I never measure my success by what my friends are doing; although they seem to be progressing at a faster rate, who's to say that I won't live 20 or 30 years longer than they do? Ahhh, the mysteries of life! Don't beat yourself up for not pursuing nursing years ago. Things are as they should be and every step in your journey will allow you to appreciate your destination that much more!

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Evaamber - Evergreen is a pretty neat school and attracts a good group of people. Though I don't think I have run into as many outside of Olympia as you have!

aspire2inspire - I think you are right to not measure success against others. I know I have learned lots in all that I have done and I still think everything happens for a reason.

I'm looking forward to learning more about Durham, but now that my application is in, I almost don't want to at least until I'm at the next step! Is it only the 4th??

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Hi everyone,

I also have been an allnurses lurker for awhile, and figured it was about time to post myself to everyone. I also applied for Fall 2011 (woohoo) at Duke and it's tied with VCU for my first choice school. I'd be happy to go to either, however the price tag does make one... a bit nervous. However, I've been lucky that through my undergrad and graduate degree, I haven't had to owe any student loans. First time for everything right?

I've been waiting with bated breath to hear from them, cause I want to know, I'm not very patient, and this waiting game is driving me insane. I come from a Recreation management background (seriously) and have worked in Aquatics since graduating from my M.S. in 2008. However, have been a volunteer EMT (2000 hours or so a year) since August 2008 and love it. Love healthcare. Love helping others. Ideally I'd like to be an ER nurse and then go into flight nursing, however owuld also like to work in oncology as well (perhaps pediatrics).

Love to hear back from you all, and I cannot wait to hear something!

Oh, I also applied to VCU, University of Southern Maine and Medical University of South Carolina.

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Specializes in critical care.
I have friends and former classmates who already have master's degrees (at 24), and are starting/finishing professional programs in law and medicine, and I've at times felt like a failure in comparison of them.

I'm the same age as you and boy, do I know this feeling! It doesn't help that I still don't have my bachelor's degree... I have 2 courses to go that I've been putting off for a few years. Applying to nursing schools was the impetus to finally get my butt in gear and finish my undergrad degree! I'll be graduating with a B.S. in psychology from the University of Georgia.

Duke's program sounds amazing; of course its my first choice school. But on the inside, I wonder if part of the reason I want to go to Duke so badly is to prove that I am just as good as my friends in med school, law school and prestigous grad programs. It sounds silly, I know, but don't want to find myself drowning in student loans because I was too snobbish to go to my local community college.

I need your reassurance, everyone... tell me it will be worth it! lol

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Just found out today that the committee is meeting on December 13th to go over who is being selected for an interview. Just FYI :)

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Thanks for the info noelmercy. Do you happen to know what qualifications they are looking for to move us to interviews? P.s. im interested in ER nursing too.

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Beats me :) Would love to know though! I just got info that the committee is meeting on the 13th to decide who moves forward. And if you DO move forward, you'll find next week, or shortly there after the 13th if you're getting an interview. If you got an interview, it's going to be on January 21st, 28th or February 4th. And final decisions are made by mid to late February.

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thanks for the news! now im even more anxious. i just graduated in may w my bachelors in business management from virginia tech tech, so dont worry angiela, im only 22 and a youngin too.

and ktliz, its DEFINITELY worth it to get your bsn over an associates. not only do most hospitals now prefer to hire bsn nurses but if you ever want to go into a specialty/ get a masters degree you will need a bsn. the cost may be a little greater now, but your earning potential can be much greater.

that being said i am definitely beginning to worry about student loans. i was lucky enough to get my undergrad paid for. has anyone begun to look into what loans are out there?

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Welcome NoleMercy and ktliz!

And thanks for the info NoleMercy! I've been curious as to when the interview dates would be. Oh now this all feels more real and nerve wracking!

ktliz - I agree with murph1009. I have hear a lot about how an ADN just isn't looked at in the same way as a BSN even if you were to go on and get a MSN. I am also not certain if having an ADN is looked at in the same way as having an ADN and a non nursing bachelors. It just doesn't seem worth the risk to me, but it is definitely a fair amount of debt!

As for loans, I read on the Spring 2011 or Fall 2010 threads that some people had some good luck with the Med cap loans. And then there are the usual government ones. But I also heard that some of the younger people without as much credit history had a harder time getting approved. It could be worth talking to a bank now to see if that would be an issue if you don't have much of a credit history.

evaamber - I have heard before that if you have a 3.4 in your undergrad then you automatically move forward. I believe there was also a GRE threshold if you didn't have a 3.4, but had a certain GRE score. (Maybe 1100 - I don't remember though.) This is one of the few times where graduating from Evergreen frustrates me as I don't have an undergrad GPA!

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I had heard there was a numbers rubric as well. When I called admissions a couple of months ago they mentioned it. I don't know if it's the same every year or if it depends on the applicant pool though (and I was too much of a wuss to ask). Thanks everyone for sharing your info.

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