FALL 2020 Johns Hopkins MSN: Entry into Nursing

C1979 · Mar 21, 2020

I took all of them in one semester and got good grades. I just have to keep trying. I figure if I keep knocking on the door, they are bound to open it at some point.

FuturePNP18 · Mar 21, 2020

1 minute ago, C1979 said:
I took all of them in one semester and got good grades. I just have to keep trying. I figure if I keep knocking on the door, they are bound to open it at some point.

One door will always open! Have you tried writing a brief response indicating if something happened during your undergrad or the progress you have made since graduating? I know NursingCAS allowed us to upload optional documents (this was how I was able to explain my medical condition) so maybe in the future, you can use that to explain your situation or at least have a response ready for future applications!

guest1126576 · Mar 21, 2020

15 minutes ago, C1979 said:
I took all of them in one semester and got good grades. I just have to keep trying. I figure if I keep knocking on the door, they are bound to open it at some point.

Dam. yeah I’d definitely ask them if they suggest anything that you can improve. and apply early for the next cycle as well. start attending their open house and make an impression with some of their staffs, especially ppl from admissions. I pretty much did all this LOL I wouldn’t be surprised if I was the first one to submit an application.

C1979 · Mar 21, 2020

Yes. I added a one paragraph addendum to the last page of my resume. I will try adding it as a separate optional document next time; plus I will apply early decision and see if that does anything. I was a little heartbroken when I got the rejection.

Ony A · Mar 22, 2020

Yes! Definitely apply for early decision next time. They have more room for applicants. I don't think I had the best undergrad grades either and no masters degree but I applied really early and got in. Somethings u might want to consider are: essays and resume. Do u have any work experience in d health field?? That might serve as an advantage......who knows

C1979 · Mar 22, 2020

Yes I have 3 semesters worth of volunteer work at the hospital and a local community health center. I’m gonna try early decision next time and see what happens.

botmann · Mar 22, 2020

I suspect it is not your undergraduate grades that are hindering you. Yes, doing an application addendum to explain to the lower grades. I assume you had one or two bad semesters/quarters. The suggestion I give, which I did, explained how, but more importantly, what I learned for it; such as time management.

I did the application addendum as a whole separate document. I had several things I wanted to added--bad semester/quarters, human dissection, autopsy viewing, and professional letter recommendation issue. Explaining had an explanation for why and had something learned from it.

I had no volunteer health experience. About six months of part-time CNA experience; I used my clinical hours too. I would only take one or two classes at a time, but I worked anywhere from 40 to 80 hours a week; average around 45 hours. Take on I work grave/nocturnal shifts.

Given it is a holistic approach, they're looking at you as a whole. The grades are mainly used as an indicator can you handle the work. I personally believe essays are very important for them to get to know you to see if you fit what they're looking for in a candidate. Do your values align with theirs. Granted it's not easy to do a "WOW!" factor in a few paragraphs for something that may have taken years develop or discover.

I would also recommend going to one the information sessions. If you're not in the Baltimore area, JHU SON does do them around the country. I went to one about an hour from house and spoke with one the admission director's about my situation. She actually remembered me about three months later when I visited for Accepted Students Day in January.

C1979 · Mar 22, 2020

Who knows what it is. Maybe it’s a lot of people applying and it’s like who do you pick first kind of thing. A lot of people are smart. I spoke with one of the admissions people also about my situation over the phone. She still encouraged me to apply and just wait it out. But I’m gonna try the early decision thing and see if that makes a difference. Just gotta keep tying until I get it.

botmann · Mar 23, 2020

I would say the admissions committee knows.

I personally think the early decision pool may help. The one thing I can tell you, at least from my experience at the Accepted Students Day, the SON is very much into inclusion--culture, race, gender, and so forth. It may be useful information with your essays.

Yes, the school has a lot more applicants than spots; about six to seven hundred for about one hundred twenty. This is better than a lot of schools where it is approximately five hundred applicants for fifty spots. The applicant number tends to similar across all schools, but the available spots are not. Try to find schools with higher class pools; better odds to get an offer. This assumes you can go anywhere that may accept you. The one spot I gave up, there were almost a thousand applicants for sixty spots; this was a BSN program.

Nonetheless, with persistence and tweaks, you'll find your find way into a program.

am12345 · Mar 23, 2020

Hi All,

Anyone else still waiting? I haven't received anything yet...

Thanks!

HappyCoffee, MSN, CNA, RN · Mar 23, 2020

Just got the email that I am waitlisted.

C1979 · Mar 23, 2020

I definitely will try the early decision and see if that makes a difference.