Duke ABSN Spring 2011

[SandyH]

Hi there-

My name is Sandy and I am applying to the Duke ABSN for Spring 2011, just wondering if there is anyone else out there applying? Only 2 months till the deadline and I am trying to get my personal statement finished, as well as spiffy up my resume!

I think I am anxious already! This may be a long ride!

Anyway....a little about me...

I have a BS in Environmental Management with a 3.73 GPA, didn't take the GRE, still working on the prerequisites but so far have a 4.0 in those classes.

I spent 10 years in the Navy, working as an aviation electronics technician and supervisor. Also did hazardous material control and other environmental stuff for my command. I also taught CPR for 5 or so years, as well as blood drive coordination. I was able to travel to a lot of neat places, and some that weren't! All-in-all it was a great experience for me. After leaving the military in late 2007, I worked for a semi-conductor company in RTP, doing research and development (not my favorite job). So, I decided to go to school for massage therapy, and I'm now a licensed therapist. So, that makes me something like 34 years young.

So, here I am....wanting to pursue a dream that I have had for long time! Thankfully I have the world's greatest husband! He is my rock and has encouraged me to take this leap! So let's do this!

I'm waiting for you! Hopefully someone will be here soon to go crazy in anticipation with me! :)

[NMWayah]

i have lived in Baltimore MD for 13 years and i just graduated college. I am really excited about going to this amazing school. As far as financial aid goes.. they finally replied and told me that we should have our aid packages by Sept 24th if not sooner.

Has any one found the list of available housing or how are other people planning to search for apartments?

[teapot289]

Hi Mass,

I am also taking intro to soc and developmental psych in the fall, but I am taking them online so that it doesn't interfere with moving if I do that before January.

Cat,

I'm on the fb page! My fb name is listed as Melanie Nicole

NM,

I will be looking for housing also and after reading the comments from people who live in the area I'm hoping to find something by the campus in Durham. I want to cut driving time down to a minimum and would rather have quick access to lots of study spots.

[Cat2012]

I live in Durham. For people who are looking at places to move into, I can recommend Woodstone apartments at Croasdaile Farms. It's only 2.5 miles from the Nursing school, but is far enough away that it's a safe neighborhood (most of the apartments close to Duke campus aren't the safest). Its also located right in the middle of a bunch of really expensive homes and a golf club. It also has a really nice trail to run along, and its close 85 + 15501 if you need to travel for clinical. Many Duke gradstudents live there.

[glassprn]

I worry about finding a good place since I'm living in Vermont now and I don't have any local contact over there...

But thanks Cat 2012 for great info. =)

[*elmo*]

Cat 2012 - Woodstone looks nice! Good option... A question for you: is it be possible to live in Durham without a car? I live in a city right now and do not drive anywhere. I take the bus/subway everywhere I go because it is so accessible.

Glassprn - On my interview day, a bunch of the students said they lived in Cary because it is such a nice neighbourhood. Not that I know much about the area... I've only been to NC once!

[Cat2012]

Elmo - well, I would say no not really. You will need a car. Duke is a great campus and there are some really nice apartments just on the edge of campus, but a lot of the neighborhoods around there are shady! But I guess it really depends on what you are used to. There are a few restaurants close to the campus (most are new) but supermarkets are quite a distance, you could bike, or take the bus, but the bus system is not the nest either. My biggest concern would be clinicals. Not everyone can do them at Duke, and they also encourage you to do different places (though they may work with you, if they know you have no other means of transportation) some places may be 10-20 miles away. You may be able to car pool with a bunch of people if you all live close. It will save on parking and gas.

Cary is expensive, and to be honest, I wouldn't want to travel that far in the morning as the traffic is terrible!!

[rebecca41]

Hi all - just found this thread. I'm accepted for 2011 as well and look forward to meeting you all! I'm headed to the fb group shortly to sign up....

I need to take micro as my last pre req and have signed up for a nutrition class online on a pass/fail basis so I don't have to keep super close tabs on it (don't want it affecting my gpa). Took dev psych online last semester. I am very intrigued at the posting bat taking the micro class online. I would love to do that since I'm currently scheduled to be in an all day class on Saturdays. But I'm slightly concerned given the physicality of micro - sandy did you actually take the class and was it difficult to do online? Any other opinions?

See everyone soon!

[Yogi Mel]

glassprn-

I lived in Vermont for 13 years. I actually just visited in April :-) Enjoy the fall I miss so much!

[SandyH]

But I'm slightly concerned given the physicality of micro - sandy did you actually take the class and was it difficult to do online? Any other opinions?

cwalton-

yes I did take the micro class online and I didn't have any problems at all. The instructor was great and was there to help anytime needed! It was pricey since you have to buy a lab kit and a microscope in addition to the tuition and book. You also have to have a place to set up an incubation box to grow your microbes and really have to prepare ahead of time for the labs. Over all it was a good experience for me. The main reason I decided on the online version was because it is soooo difficult to get into those classes around where I live and I didn't want to risk not having the prerequisites I needed to start Duke in January.

[LittleQ]

Hello everybody!! I will be joining you all in January!! Soo excited!! I've joined the facebook group (my name is Susannah), but figured I would post on here as well! Congratulations to you all and looking forward to meeting everybody.

I see that most people are from out of state, kudos to you all for picking up and moving for this! That would be difficult for me. I have lived in NC all my life, and in the Raleigh area for nearly 5 years (Raleigh/Cary-ish as of now). Anybody else in the area already?

Sandy I see you were inquiring about carpool.. where in the area do you live?

[glassprn]

Yogi - Wow, where did you live in Vermont? I'm living in UVM graduate housing near Burlington downtown. =) I like Vermont but it's winter is too brutal....

Maybe because I lived in California before moving to Vermont..haha

LittleQ- Congrats! =)

[Yogi Mel]

I started off in Shelburne and then moved to Richmond/Jonesville, which is about 30 minutes from Burlington. I would love to move back some day, but not for the winters!!