Duke ABSN Spring 2015

homelife · Jul 12, 2014

Not to get too ahead of myself but... isn't this the first year that Duke's sending out acceptance letters months before UNC's? Usually their acceptance letter period overlapped. Meaning you'd have two schools' offers to consider. Has anyone heard of someone accepting Duke's offer and then, months later if they get accepted from UNC, changing their mind and revoking their acceptance to attend? I'm sure many have done so because of family issues, the moving expenses involved, etc. Is this an option? Everything is telling me to go with Duke, and Duke Days will probably cement this, but I would so love to have multiple options (if I got into UNC as well!).

vbee · Jul 12, 2014

I just emailed Nora, as well. I am on the waitlist from the Fall 2014 and my portal has not changed. Nor have I received an email or invitation. If I hear anything, I will post. I think we might be on a second round list--at least I'm hoping we are! :)

vbee · Jul 12, 2014

I'm pretty sure this is a multi step process--as in we might be on a second round admit list--then waitlist later if there aren't many people that turn down the first round offers.

Ladeebugchick · Jul 12, 2014

I don't know. I will be submitting my application to UNC this week, but their website says 12 weeks from the 8/10 deadline and don't call unless you don't hear by 11/1. That's a LONG time from now! My financial aid won't cover tuition at Duke and private loans aren't an option for me, so if I'm accepted at UNC, it's highly likely I will HAVE to go there. I honestly have no

idea what to do at this point except see what further financing options there are in the next few weeks. I wish the decision making processes of the two schools coincided better. Looks like last year, Duke applicants were notified in August which is still 2-3 months prior to

UNC.

homelife · Jul 12, 2014

I don't know. I will be submitting my application to UNC this week, but their website says 12 weeks from the 8/10 deadline and don't call unless you don't hear by 11/1. That's a LONG time from now! My financial aid won't cover tuition at Duke and private loans aren't an option for me, so if I'm accepted at UNC, it's highly likely I will HAVE to go there. I honestly have no
idea what to do at this point except see what further financing options there are in the next few weeks. I wish the decision making processes of the two schools coincided better. Looks like last year, Duke applicants were notified in August which is still 2-3 months prior to
UNC.

Realistically, we'll have to say accept or decline our offer way before we hear back from UNC. So, if you say YES and we're set on Duke and only Duke, obviously you don't need to apply to UNC. But what if - and this has happened to some applicants - we've gotten into Duke's program, we turn that down, with high hopes to get into UNC and we don't? The only thing that makes sense would be to accept Duke's offer, apply to UNC if you want to give yourself that option, and then if you get into UNC go from there. I am sure Duke gets MANY who commit to the program and then just drop off to pursue another program, or have a change of heart. Thats why they have a waitlist and 2nd round. I feel bad talking about all this when, for some of you, Duke is your first choice and you're still waiting to hear back! I am very proud of myself and ecstatic that I was accepted (surprise even), however, like I said, I like options and I was an undergrad Carolina girl...

Also, JW, why are private loans not an option for you? If Duke is where my heart is, I will search all couch cushions everywhere to grapple enough money together to make it happen, even if it means going into debt! Now would be a good time to open the payment discussion. How do you all plan to pay for Duke if you accept? Any tips?

Roney1009 · Jul 12, 2014

I guess I am waiting to see how much federal loan and school loan I can get and then apply for private loan. I have to account on loan to pay for my tuition. Even I live in Chapel Hill, UNC will be less paid tuition. However, they give me a long list asking me to refresh all those courses I took 10 years ago. But duke does not. I work for Duke five years and I am proud to be a duke.

disneyrunner · Jul 13, 2014

Hey y'all! I got the email this morning and I got in!!! I wasn't expecting it, I thought for sure we wouldn't hear until next week. Duke is definitely my first choice but I will probably still apply to UNC. I don't know how easy it will be to back out of Duke once committed but the price difference is substantial so I'd like to have options. I'm pretty sure I'll find a way to make Duke work though. Congrats to everyone who got in and I'll keep my fingers crossed for all of those still waiting to hear!

Ladeebugchick · Jul 13, 2014

I've been thinking about it and I don't feel I should bank on an acceptance at UNC. Honestly, Duke is my first choice. But just under $5000 vs over $18,000 is nothing to sneeze at, especially if you're like me and will have to go into debt. For that reason, I will likely have to "settle" for UNC if I get in there. I'm raising a family and I have to be practical and not just follow my heart. At the very same time, I intend to exhaust every possible option to pay tuition at Duke. And in terms of private loans, my credit is less than perfect making obtaining them without a cosigner next to impossible. I don't have anyone who I could or would be willing to ask to cosign. A fifth year bachelors student can get $12,500 for the year which would be half that for the semester. My family contribution is $0 so I should get the $4000 tuition credit. This leaved me almost $8000 short per semester and my calculations don't even include books and supplies. That said, before I convince myself it's undoable, I need to explore every possible option. I will likely accept my spot at Duke while I try to work out the rest. Worst case scenario, I'd lose the $500 deposit if I am accepted at UNC and decide to go there instead. However my guess is that there is a refund policy at Duke that would allow us to get all or most of that back should we end up not attending Duke. If not, $500 is nothing compared to the thousands more that Duke costs as compared to a state school. Right now I just want to revel in the fact that I got accepted. I worked really hard in the hopes that this day would come, so I'll think about the rest at Duke Days and after.

jmb1218 · Jul 13, 2014

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site, but I got into the program! I just found out this morning, and I'm very excited. Congrats to everyone else as well!! I am also leaning towards the 28th, hope to meet some of you guys then !

njt1220 · Jul 13, 2014

Hi, I am currently thinking about applying by the December 1st deadline for Fall 2015 and I have several questions that many of you could probably answer for me and I'd greatly appreciate it!

I do not have any healthcare in my background. I graduated from university summa cum laude and joined Americorp Teach for America in 2012, and since have just been working a job in a law firm (I thought for a short period I should try to use my bachelors in Poli Sci and then realized that nursing was what I really wanted to do) Since I don't have any healthcare in my background, do I even have a chance of getting in? I think I saw someone posted that there were people in the cohorts who didn't have any medical background.

Also, does anyone know what community college classes are accepted for the prerequisites? There are three biology anatomy and physiology classes offered and I was going to start taking some this semester but am not sure which I should take... they have basic ant and physiology, ant and physiology 1 and ant and physiology 2..?

Finally, does anyone know if they still aware tuition reimbursement for grads of the DUSON if you are employed at Duke after you graduate?

I'd be super appreciative of any info/advice you can give!

Ladeebugchick · Jul 14, 2014

My first degree was in business, I have never worked in healthcare. They got rid of tuition reimbursement for the Bachelor's program. You need Bio 168 and 169 at a NC community college. I took mine at Vance-Granville CC and there was nothing "basic" about it at all. Most of the class didn't pass. We started with over 40 and 8 of us finished. Of the 8 that passed, 3 passed with a D. I don't know what it's like at other colleges, but my course and professor were VERY tough!

kep308 · Jul 14, 2014

Hi! I just found out I was accepted, too! However, I thought they interviewed you at Duke Days as a final step in the process but I guess not. And, BTW, I took BIO169 A&P II at Vance-Granville, too, and it was not easy by any stretch. And, for Ladeebugchick I have a master's in music so I'm from a very non-medical background, as well. I am a CNA though and worked in a nursing home for a year and a half and at UNC hospital for awhile. I did that because my original goal was to be a PA and you need patient contact hours. I don't regret it though, glad I'm going in eyes wide open. So anyway, I really want to go to Duke and hoping their pledge to find you the money is correct because I'm almost maxed out on the student loans. I was going to start at NCCU this August and wasn't really counting on getting in here at Duke. Haven't applied to UNC and wondering if I should. Anyway, glad to find this forum! Congratulations to all!