Duke ABSN

SFChef · Mar 4, 2009

I think your stats look good and you definitely have a chance, especially if you can get some science pre-reqs done and rock them! Your GRE scores are good and your volunteer experience also sounds good. Duke really looks at the whole person, so in the interview process you get a chance to talk about yourself and what strengths you can bring to the table.

If you have questions, you should call Melissa Ziberna in the admissions department. She is the admissions rep for the ABSN program and she is super helpful. Actually, you should probably call her just to open a dialogue between you and the school.

How long until you plan on applying? How many science pre-reqs will you have completed?

ckgdurham · Mar 4, 2009

Hey thanks for the response! I actually just started talking with ****, she has been super helpful. I'm going to go check out the school next week and speak with her in person.

I am applying by July to begin in January 2010. I'll be taking A&PI from June-October, A&PII from October-December, and Microbiology starts in August. Those are the only prereqs that I need. With this schedule I ought to be ready in January.

SFChef · Mar 4, 2009

Right on!! I wish you the best of luck...

I will be starting the program in August, so you can always PM me if you want information about the program once I get started. Hope to see you in January!

ckgdurham · Mar 4, 2009

Thanks and congrats on starting! I hope I will be seeing you in a year!

prinkipissa · Jun 19, 2009

Hi SFChef! I'm new to allnurses.com and i wanted to know more about Duke's ABSN program. I'm getting really anxious because my undergrad grades are not stellar (about 3.6 for a BS in Business Administration) and I'm just about to take the GRE which I had about a week with the flu to prepare for (powerprep results: Verbal 510, Quantitative 670) Based on the stats of your class, do you think I have a chance?

thank you so much! :)

mommyonamission · Jun 19, 2009

Hey thanks for the response! I actually just started talking with ****, she has been super helpful. I'm going to go check out the school next week and speak with her in person.
I am applying by July to begin in January 2010. I'll be taking A&PI from June-October, A&PII from October-December, and Microbiology starts in August. Those are the only prereqs that I need. With this schedule I ought to be ready in January.

Hi - where are you taking your courses? I'm assuming not at Durham Tech since the time frame doesn't fit. Just curious about where you'll be able to start Micro in Aug and start A&PII in Oct. Thanks!

SFChef · Jun 19, 2009

Hi Prinkipissa,

I think, based on your stats, you have a really good chance. My GRE scores were lower than yours (and I know several other people, too). My cumulative undergrad GPA was much lower (because of mistakes made 20 years ago). I only had a week to prepare for the GRE and I was sick on the day I took it. My GRE score was just above 1000--but I got an interview and no one ever mentioned it to me during the interview/application process.

Here is what is important to know about Duke--they really care about bringing the right people into the program, so the interview and personal essay are key. I think they care about what your abilities are now, and if you have problems (lower GPA, etc) that are in the past, that's fine, but you should be able to articulate how you learned from them. Duke has something they call "Duke Days" where you visit the campus, meet people, have tours, and have your admissions interview. They prefer that you attend. I live in California and could not attend, so it's not mandatory--but I know of a lot of people in my class who did fly out (and again, others who did not). My interview was very informal, with one person. We just chatted for about 30 minutes. She asked me questions about myself and things I had written in my essay.

I have been nothing but impressed with Duke from the moment I started speaking with them. They were great to me before I applied, and easy to work with through the application process. Since being accepted, they have continued to be organized, helpful and on top of things. I have friends in nursing school in other programs, and none of them has had such great experiences. I feel very fortunate to have been accepted into such a great program. Unfortunately, it looks like I might have to defer my start until January (family illness), so we just might be classmates.

Good luck with the GRE's! You'll get through them fine. Just get your application in and wait for an interview--then the fun starts.

ICU11 · Jun 19, 2009

I am almost ready to turn mine in for the Spring start date- I am working on my personal statement! When do they notify you if you get an interview? I have a 3.82 GPA undergrad, 630 Verbal, 590 Quant. Prereqs are good so far- Micro will be done at the end of July and Sociology won't be done until the end of December though. I hope we all get in.

SFChef- Hope to see you too. Sorry to hear about the family illness.

SFChef · Jun 19, 2009

When I applied, they notified people of interviews pretty quickly after the application deadline had passed. However, I'm pretty sure they will wait to have your official GRE scores (so if you take it right before the deadline, they probably won't schedule an interview until they official scores--at least that's how they did it when I applied).

I don't know what the dates for Duke Days are, but you could call someone and ask--those are the interview dates.

prinkipissa · Jun 20, 2009

Thank you so much! Your message definitely made me feel better. I was already disheartened. I've been trying desperately to pull my GRE performance up but with only 3 days left, I don't know what else to do.

I'm really praying that I get in the program. It's just perfect for me... the curriculum, graduate units, time, and now that my husband is assigned to fort bragg, the proximity of it. If I get in the program, it means im only an hour or two away from him when he comes back from deployment. (Instead of the 3 hour time difference and 4 hour flights in between us most of our marriage, since I live in California too :) )

I'm so sorry about the family illness... My prayers are with you :) Again, thank you so much and i hope to have the pleasure of meeting you! :)

By the way, the Duke Days are on July 10th, 17th and 24th :)

ICU11 · Jun 20, 2009

Prinkipissa- I really hope it works out for you! I mostly grew up in Ft. Bragg because my dad was in the military. I think nursing is a good fit for a military spouse too. I hope we both make it to Duke Days!