Duke ABSN Spring 2015

myischmo · Jul 17, 2014

BlueGirl, I'm so sorry. Don't give up! You will find a way!

myischmo · Jul 17, 2014

Anixon, I've been waitlisted as well. :facepalm: I'm supposed to start another program in August, but I'm going to prepare in every way I can in hopes of getting into Duke. I just spent $300 this week in supplies for the other program, but I'm willing to eat that cost if need be. ::::fingerscrossed:::::

myischmo · Jul 17, 2014

Homelife,

Thanks for sharing the financial aid. I didn't see anything in mine, but I don't know if they provide them for those that are waitlisted until an offer is actually made.

Ladeebugchick · Jul 17, 2014

Mine says "not ready for release." Oh well.

myischmo · Jul 17, 2014

Ladeebugchick,

Private loans are much different than federal. For the most part they are going to be like any other private loan you would obtain unless specified otherwise. They don't have income-based or give you the ability to apply for forbearance in times of need. They expect the payment amount you agreed to due on the day you agreed upon. They should be able to give you that amount before you sign the documents. I've heard a lot of horror stories from students in the profession I worked in. That's not to say there are not some good ones out there, but definitely do your research to secure the best one. Read the fine print!

Ladeebugchick · Jul 17, 2014

That was my fear. You're going to pay 10% on the federal loans and then probably an astronomically large payment on the private loan. Idk what salaries for nurses are like in other hospitals in my area, (I live near Duke) but Duke starts new grads at $21.74 an hour. I can do the math on that! I have no debt other than fed loans from my first undergrad. No mortgage (we rent), no car payments. There is NO wayI I afford the 10% of my gross for fed loans plus a huge additional payment on under $45,000 worth of salary. I won't be able to feed my family and live with what would be left over. I know based on finances alone, I'll have to choose UNC if I get in, but the focus of their application (community service) is so different and does not play to my strengths. I've been raising young kids with zero family support and not hanging out in soup kitchens. All my volunteer time relates to my children and I wanted to leave them out of my applications because there is a perception that moms of little ones will have a hard time completing a rigorous program, so either way my UNC app will look weak despite my strong GPA and the fact that I got straight A's in my prereq classes.

myischmo · Jul 17, 2014

I wouldn't give up on it. Look into the different loans. You may be able to qualify for a low percentage rate which makes a difference in what you pay. Some loans are better than others. I usually hear horror stories come from places like Sallie Mae. Look into something like Wells Fargo. Then there are the possibilities of scholarships, HRSA, and FELS. FELS is the CFNC loan Homelife mentioned. You did miss it this year, but you can certainly apply for next fall and spring. They give $3500 a semester with a maximum of $7000 a year as long as you agree to work in the state of NC for a period of time. There are GPA requirements, but I don't think you will have an issue with that.

I understand your frustration with the UNC application. I've heard they place a great deal of emphasis on community service, which is why I never applied. I've been working, going to school, and raising a family as well. My spare time goes to my family. I think it speaks highly of someone who is able to maintain that kind of balance, but it's always hard to say how they will view it.

homelife · Jul 17, 2014

That was my fear. You're going to pay 10% on the federal loans and then probably an astronomically large payment on the private loan. Idk what salaries for nurses are like in other hospitals in my area, (I live near Duke) but Duke starts new grads at $21.74 an hour. I can do the math on that! I have no debt other than fed loans from my first undergrad. No mortgage (we rent), no car payments. There is NO wayI I afford the 10% of my gross for fed loans plus a huge additional payment on under $45,000 worth of salary. I won't be able to feed my family and live with what would be left over. I know based on finances alone, I'll have to choose UNC if I get in, but the focus of their application (community service) is so different and does not play to my strengths. I've been raising young kids with zero family support and not hanging out in soup kitchens. All my volunteer time relates to my children and I wanted to leave them out of my applications because there is a perception that moms of little ones will have a hard time completing a rigorous program, so either way my UNC app will look weak despite my strong GPA and the fact that I got straight A's in my prereq classes.

You do bring up an interesting point. :uhoh3: As much as one may love Duke and all the ABSN program has to entail, it really comes down to what works for you in terms of cost, start date, challenging curriculum, lifestyle, etc. You have a family to support and people besides yourself to consider in this decision. I, on the other hand, am twenty-five, have no kids, and am not tied down by a significant other, and only have a small chunk of debt from my first Bachelor's degree. I can justify accruing federal loan debt because of those reasons. I'll deal with it when I have to. I have heard of people who forego acceptances into schools like Duke because of the financial aspect directly related to their lifestyle. Some of those people apply years and years later, after they've saved money enough to strongly consider it. Others find cheaper program alternatives, like UNC or Wake Tech.

UNC's app, like you said, is SO different. First off, they don't have the interview phase. We now know Duke got rid of this this time around. I think UNC asks more about volunteer involvement and honors because they want to know what you've been up to since your first degree and how you got to the point of considering a future in nursing. Duke similarly did this...by allowing you to upload your resume and speak specifically to these topics in your essays, if you so chose. I really don't think your volunteer experience as it relates to a mom with PTA and beyond would make your UNC application look weak. You said you got straight A's in prereq classes (accomplishment enough!) while juggling a family, and you still have time to be actively involved with your children's activities. It shows you're busy, can balance things well, make time where it's due, and are serious enough about a future in nursing that you've prioritized your classes. That, to me anyway, seems like a compelling strength in a candidate!

I will say... Nowhere on Duke's website (did I overlook it?) does it say you must have a B- or higher in the required pre-reqs. It said this in my admissions letter. I know from experience that UNC's site specifically states you must obtain a C or better in those science pre-reqs. And as others have stated, UNC isn't as liberal in allowing time to lapse after completing a pre-req.

In the end, we all have to choose what's best for us, but don't give up on your dream or think it's a dead end! Research, research, research.

myischmo · Jul 17, 2014

I agree with Homelife. You do have to do what's best for you and your family at the end of the day. Just don't give up on it until you have done your research!

myischmo · Jul 17, 2014

Homelife,

Duke does mention pre-requisite requirements on their webpage. It's listed under "ABSN Enrollment Prerequisites." Here's a link for anyone who needs it...

Accelerated BSN Admission Requirements | ABSN Degree | Duke School of Nursing

Ladeebugchick · Jul 17, 2014

I'm not prepared to give up yet! I accepted my offer, I'm going to Duke Days, and I'm going to see what I can do. I knew affording Duke would be a long shot, but my a&p professor encouraged me so strongly to apply.....I originally planned not to due to the cost. Shs used to work there for many years and told me that once accepted, they will move heaven and earth to help you pay for it. My friend's husband is a recent grad the PA program and said the same thing. He paid with the GI bill mostly, but he told me to push and push for the financial aid office to "find" me money. I might me repeating myself here, I've been posting in a facebook group (unrelated to nursing) and can't remember what I've said where! Anyway, I am definitely stressed about the Carolina app, now more than ever. I do agree that in my own mind, the fact that I do juggle my family and managed to keep it running relatively smoothly while also taking 8 hours should be a positive, but whether or not it's viewed that way by the admissions staff is another thing. I mean, the app wants you to even account for every moment since you finished your first undergrad. I worked in insurance for many years, but I have been a stay at home mom since the end of 2009. It's hard to make that look glamorous, unfortunately most of society doesn't see a lot of value in it. However I'm not going to be a Negative Nancy about it, just do my best and hope it all falls into place for me.

Oh what I would 't give to be 25 again! :)

If I do intend to go to Duke, I also need to get my butt in gear and register at my community college for sociology. I didn't take it because UNC doesn't require it and I decided after Christmas to apply at Duke figuring I'd just deal with it of necessary and now it's necessary.

homelife · Jul 17, 2014

Question to anyone who might be able to offer some insight...

Should I FIRST look into the Federal DIRECT PLUS Loan (for Parents) before looking at Wells Fargo, Discover, etc? Though I would not burden my parents with this debt in actuality, if eligible it might be a good way to go about getting out more loan money on their behalf, at a fixed interest rate and with some similarity to the other offered federal loans. I would pay it off myself.

Ladeebugchick, you might want to get your butt in gear ASAP! Most fall classes are probably full, if not mostly at capacity, from registration months ago. I know Wake Tech offers multiple sections of that course online. I could recommend to you the professor I took it with, if you decide to go that route.