MDC Accelerated Nursing Winter '10

U.S.A. Florida

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Alright .... it's about time somebody started this thread! Who has turned in their applications for the Accelerated program for the January semester?? I submitted mine a few weeks ago, but seeing as how competitive it was for the Fall term, I'm definitely keeping my options open! I would like to hear from others who applied - and best of luck to all!!

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Specializes in NICU.

Hey SeminoleJenn,

I found it! I didn't realize I could search for threads by state. Anyways, this is my story...In December of 2008 I graduated from FIU with a BA in the Humanities. I didn't really have a plan. I thought of getting a Masters in Art History and going into museum work or something related, but I wasn't convinced I wanted to make it my life's work, if you will. This February I started taking nursing prerequisites ( though I admit when I started I had no idea what I was doing or what I'd gotten myself into, & I'm still not sure). Miami Dade is my only chance to begin nursing school in January because they accepted my bachelors and then only counted my science and math courses taken at MDC. I wanted to also try for Barry, UM, and FAU's ABSN but I honestly didn't have a chance. I never imagined that I would work in healthcare, but I always wanted to work in a profession where I could help people in some capacity. My dad is a GI doctor, so I've been around healthcare, but I don't think I've seen "the ugly side" yet. This semester I'm taking Statistics, Chemistry w/ lab, & Sociology, so that I can get my BSN in the future. What other options are you considering while you wait for Miami Dade? Have you heard from any graduates about what to expect from the program?:typing

Best of luck!

MDCupcake:)

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Hey MDCupcake!

I graduated FSU in '06 with a BS in Business & worked for a few years in outside sales. Once I hit the big 2-5, I had a huge change of heart in life, and wanted to do something more substantial than knocking on doors for a living, so I literally up and quit my job on a Friday and started class at MDC on Monday. I have a ton of pre-reqs to take, since basically nothing transferred over from my undergrad degree.

If I were to get into MDC Accel. I would definitely consider it since it's so inexpensive, but it's not really my first choice to get an ASN. I worked hard to get my 1st degree, and want to pursue my Master's immediately, so it'd kill me to take a few steps down the ladder for an Associates degree to have climb all the way back up, if that makes sense. I'd much rather get into a BSN program ... plus I figure, it'll take me 1 year to get the ASN (with MDC) or 1 year with an Accelerated BSN, so why not go that route? I took 16 credit hours over the summer, and am taking 19 hours now, plus the nonsense 90-hour Healthcare Career Core class BCC requires (I want to cover all my bases). I'm taking tons of classes that I had avoided in undergrad (Intro to Psych, Sociology, Micro +lab, Religion, Ethics, Philosophy, Human Growth & Dev, etc).

I have 2 friends that are in the program now, and they said it's VERY time-consuming and overwhelming at times, but doable. Its not recommended for people who have children, family commitments, etc. but since I have none of those, I can dive right into an intense program.

I wonder how many applicants they got this time around for the program?? Anyway, glad to hear from you and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!!

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I also applied for spring 2010. Last cycle was crazy!! There were so many applicants. The school had us waiting at the edge of our seats. The cut off last cycle was 3.8. Hopefully it's lower this time.

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I know! It's crazy how competitive it is ... that's why I'm taking classes that will, unfortunately, be unnecessary, but I'd rather cover my bases than put all of my eggs in one basket & pray to get in. What was your GPA when you applied? (if you don't mind me asking!) I had a 3.6 (from the way MDC computes it, with the 15.0 credit hours of science) for my application for January. When & if I apply for Fall, I should have a 4.0 because I fully intend to get a 4.0 in my classes this fall :) Anyways, hopefully that's enough to get in ...!

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Specializes in NICU.

Hey SeminoleJenn,

Ok, first I have to say that you are sooo brave to do outside sales, I would never have the guts for that kind of job. I had only graduated a month before starting the spring mini-term this year at MDC ( I signed up the day after classes started) and at the time had no intention of returning to school unless it was for a Masters program as well. I understand what your saying completely, I didn't want to go backwards after 6 straight years of slaving in undergrad for my precious BA. Sadly I had to drop my hopes of getting into an ABSN program because of my cumulative GPA and the way they calculate it. I'm with you though, if you can get into the BSN you should definitely go for it. Time wise its totally worth your while. Tell me about it, the classes you were avoiding. Micro=ahhhhh.

That's great that you have friends in the program now. If they eventually give you professor recommendations, please be so kind as to pass that along. That's one of my greatest concerns. I'm not afraid to work hard, I just don't want to do it in an oppressive environment. Good Professors are worth their weight in gold I swear.

I'm with you I have no children, dependents, or anything of the sort so I can fully commit myself to the intensity of it all. An adviser looked it up on his computer in front of me and told me that for the accelerated program there were between 300-400 applicants this time. Hope that helps (if its true). Thanks so much for responding, its good to hear from others that are having to make all the same kinds of decisions that we are right now.

Keep me posted, and good luck to you!!!

MDCupcake

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When I applied for fall 09 I had a 3.58. I jumped up a bit after taking some summer classes. I had a dream the night before that the cut off was really low. Let's hope it comes true. :-)

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MDCupcake-

Haha, I think one of the final deciding factors for me to go into nursing was the incredible epiphany I had that I would never have to run around in 4 inch heels & stupid business suits everyday! So glad to be done with sales!!!

I'm in a similar position as far as ABSN goes ... I had a not-so-good undergrad GPA (3.1-3.2ish) ... not horrible, but definitely not opening up any doors for me. I got a 4.0 this past summer in pre-reqs, but I mean, I had like 130 credit hours from undergrad, so it's not going to go far to raise it up, you know? And the ABSN programs here are SO SO SO competitive! That's why I started applying to schools out of state ... I mean, I like South Fla, and will eventually want to come back here, but I'm ready for a new adventure and a change of scenery ...

I actually found out 2 days I got accepted into an ABSN program out of state - my #1 choice, actually!!! But ...(of course there's a "but"!) reality sunk in, and I don't know how the heck I'm going to be able to afford it. I have no problem taking out the loans (I know they'll pay for themself over time), but since I figure it'll cost approx. $60k between tuition, rent, books, cost of living, etc, I'd have to take out around $40k in private loans ... and don't know how I'll be able to swing that. I only have my dad around that I could ask to be a co-signer, and although he has good credit, he has really low income due to only working part-time b/c of health problems. So my good news of acceptance quickly turned to sadness/anxiety/hopelessness and so on ... Ugggh, so frustrating! I swear, I've found the application process to be so disheartening!

That's good to know there are less applicants, hopefully the GPA requirement will go down a few points. But I truly believe it'll all work out how it's supposed to, so we shall see ...! :)

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Specializes in NICU.

SeminoleJenn,

Thats awesome that you got into your 1st choice! Its hard to say what to do about the financial situation. I guess you'll have to wait and see where else you get in and then weigh your options. Either way thankfully you know that you did get accepted somewhere, which is great! Go you, haha! I would love to leave South Florida permanently. I was born and raised here. Since I'm not financially independent moving out of state isn't an option yet.

My first few years of undergrad my grades could be described as poor at best. It took me three more years to get myself up to a 3.01 right before I graduated and I was so relieved that the 1st few years of bad grades didn't sabotage me for life in terms of getting into other programs since most require at least a 3.0, key words at least. Right now MDC has me at a 4.0 because of all the prerequisites I've taken there, and I'm so thankful to have a second chance.

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Any letters guys?

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Specializes in NICU.

Not yet :-(

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Hey Guys!!! Check your MDC email accounts!! I just got a scholarship invite for the Nursing Program. I heard a couple of months back that If you get the scholarship invite, you're basically in. I was also told that letters will go out in the middle of this month! Good luck everyone!!

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