Hopkins vs. UMD

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Can anyone here give some insight on the differences between the two programs? If you had to decide between the two schools which would you choose...granted JHU is twice as expensive! Is it worth it? And how much can they really help you financially? Are there any major differences between the two schools in terms of education, personal attention, outside opportunities, clinicals, job search??? I would greatly appreciate any input!

Hi Tanya,

I haven't lived in NO for 20 years, but I do go back and visit. I lived in the French Quarter, my mother is an artist and worked on Jackson Square. To be honest, the place has changed so much that I find it a little depressing, especially the Quarter. Much more dangerous now. Also, a lot of the charming, historic places, like the Old Absinthe Bar, have been changed into generic tourist traps. The last few times I went back was in August, and the heat really got to me. So, no I don't really miss it...but I do gain weight whenever I return, the food is excellent!!

I went to USL (ULL) for only one semester. My boyfriend at the time was attending Tulane, so you know where I was like every weekend. But I did spend some time a the Red Dog Saloon. I was a theater major, so I worked on both plays that semester. I did so poorly, though, that my parents made me come back to NO. I had to wait out a semester on academic probation, and then went to UNO for 3 semesters. Started out well, but quickly sucumbed to the alure of the night life and Tulane frat parties. Ended up dropping out and working at the Chart House (no longer there, used to be on the corner of St. Ann and Chartres) Came to my senses and joined the Coast Guard. That turned out to be a great decision.

I think the thing that has saved me academically is that I went to a very good high school, Ben Franklin, and so had a good foundation to build on when I returned to school 5 years ago.

Anyway, if you have any other questions dont' hesitate to ask.

Gwen

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Shoot. I had a nice looong reply typed out, and somehow got deleted.

Anyways, I LOVED reading your post. Glad to know you're where you want to be!

I can't imagine the Quarter in its glory--my late aunt used to tell me so many stories about when she lived in an apartment in the middle of it all...I think I've been to the Quarter a total of 5 times in my life, including field trips...Now that there's a Cafe du Monde in Metairie, why bother?:chuckle

Hmm, trying to figure what the Red Dog Saloom might be now? Was it on the Strip? I'm thinking it's now either the Bulldog or Loose Caboose. I haven't been to the Strip in more than 5 years, but the Loose Caboose was my favorite place.

Does your mother still do her artwork on the Square?

I do have one last question. I've been wanting to volunteer forever, just need to cut down on workload so that I can balance it between that and school. What type of volunteering is best? I know a lot of hospitals offer front desk, gift shop..is that okay, or do I need to see about volunteering in the ER or wherever else they'll have me? (did you hear at Lafayette General, they had to shut the maternity ward down to the general public because an infant was stolen?:uhoh21: ).

Besides hospital volunteering, I'd like to check out volunteering with the Humane Society, United Way (Senior Citizen Bingo and Reading to Children) and perhaps Hospice and Girl Scouts. Do you think these are acceptable?

Thanks again for everything. I'm so glad I decided to post! Can't believe I've found another Ragin Cajun!! (did you hear they changed the mascot from a bulldog to a chili pepper?!)

Take care,

Tanya

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Hi Peachy720,

I start the Accelerated BSN/RN class this June. I'm going back for accepted students day on April 1st. See my answers in bold below:

Smile123

Hi everyone!

Wow, this has been a fountain of info for me!

CONGRATS to all of those starting the accelerated or traditional

program!! :balloons:

I just had a couple questions if no one would mind answering them:

1. What GPA's did you guys have going in? GRE scores?

I had a 3.3 undergrad from awhile back, but I had 4.0's in my pre-reqs (I took them in the last 1.5 years). GRE: Verbal: 600/800, Quant: 760/800 and Essay: 5/6. I think Hopkins does look at GPA's; they also appreciate older students with life experience.

2. For those who are already in or have completed the accelerated program, can you please give me some insight into how difficult it is/was? Did you find you could achieve above a 3.0 without a nervous breakdown (:coollook: )

Everyone needs to maintain a 3.0 GPA when they are in the program. I think Hopkins' attitude is: once you get in, they will do everything they can to help you succeed in school. However, that does not mean you can slack off! Hopkins prides themselves on one of the highest NCLEX pass rates (96%); they really want you to be skilled and knowledgeable when you graduate! http://www.mbon.org/main.php?v=norm&p=0&c=education/nclex_rn_stats_fy04.html

3. This might be a VERY stupid question, because I know they accept out-of-state applicants, but does it matter what state you come from? Are they south-friendly?(I'm from Louisiana)

They take people from all over. If you look at their website, they are really big about Peace Corp volunteers. They also take people from all around the world. It has a very diverse class. I'm from California.

4. Does anyone know if they look at only your overall GPA or your pre-reqs and last 60 hours as well? I started off working full-time and not caring about school. Since I've been back (2 years), I've received straight A's, but it's still only pulled me up to a 3.4.

They do look at your pre-reqs since those classes are an indicator for your success in a rigorous program such as Hopkins. They also look at trends. Are you moving upward or falling in your grades?

Some advice:

1. Put a thought into your essay and be able to clearly state why you want to go into nursing and what you hope to achieve. I would also emphasize why you want to go to Hopkins in particular. If you were a "slacker" early on, did you get your act together later on? If you took time off from school, what did you do instead and how has that affected your goals? Address any concerns in your essay.

2. Do spend time doing volunteer work in the health field. It's not required, but it can only enhance your knowledge about health care and give you an idea whether you would enjoy being around sick people all the time. :nurse:

I volunteered at health care facilities including a hospital emergency dept, so I could speak about my experiences with patients. I put those health care experiences into my essay.

They will do an interview for direct entry masters candidates, but not for BSN only candidates. So make your essay count.

3. Get recommendations from people (professors are good) who know your work well and can say more than, "she got an A in the class, but I don't know who she is." What would make you stand out compared to others in the class?

4. Find the right program fit for you. Read about the different nursing programs and attend some open houses so you can get a feel for the schools. Some schools go out to other colleges and universities to recruit for their program. Hopkins came out to California and recruits around the country. See their website for more info. http://www.son.jhmi.edu/

How close are you to completing your classes?

When will you be applying?

What areas of nursing are you considering?

What schools have you looked at?

Is this really what you want to do?

It's a major career move, so be sure it feels right for you!

Thanks for EVERYTHING and ANY info you can give me guys. I would LOVE to attend JHU, and would do whatever it took to make it; I just hope I haven't screwed myself by preferring work over school in the beginning.Take care,

Tanya

If you want to go badly enough, it will happen. Best of luck to you!

Smile123

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Hi Tanya,

I sent you an email, let me know if you didn't receive it.

Gwen

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Hi everyone! Tomorrow is the big day! I can't wait to meet all of you then!

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Hey guys!

Just got on because I was thinking of y'all and your big day tomorrow!!! I'll be thinking of you guys and can't wait to hear how everything goes!!

Smile123, thank you so so so much for your wealth of info!! Congrats on the GREAT stats!! Hehehe, I promise not to slack off, just worried that because it's so much compressed into such a short period of time..

I'm pretty sure JHU is right for me--just hope I'm right for them. I'm on the high end of a 3.4 right now. Need to take the A&P's and Nutrition and Life-Span, as well as the GRE's; so, I guess I'm looking at 2007, if I'm lucky. I'd like to pursue a CRNA, so am looking at a few years of ICU. I'd actually like to try Trauma out for a bit early on as well. JHU is definitely my first choice. I'll also try Maryland, Duke, UNC-CH, BU, UCSF...oh, but how I'd love JHU.

okay, enough rambling, I'm going to focus on finding some professors to get to know (tough at ULL because you're just a number) and some great volunteering [how'd you get a job volunteering with the ER? Did you have to do gift shop duty first to get a foot in?].

Once again, you guys have a GREAT day tomorrow--enjoy every second of it!!

Gwen, you'll have a novel waiting for you when you get back! :clown:

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Hey guys!

Just got on because I was thinking of y'all and your big day tomorrow!!! I'll be thinking of you guys and can't wait to hear how everything goes!!

Smile123, thank you so so so much for your wealth of info!! Congrats on the GREAT stats!! Hehehe, I promise not to slack off, just worried that because it's so much compressed into such a short period of time..

I'm pretty sure JHU is right for me--just hope I'm right for them. I'm on the high end of a 3.4 right now. Need to take the A&P's and Nutrition and Life-Span, as well as the GRE's; so, I guess I'm looking at 2007, if I'm lucky. I'd like to pursue a CRNA, so am looking at a few years of ICU. I'd actually like to try Trauma out for a bit early on as well. JHU is definitely my first choice. I'll also try Maryland, Duke, UNC-CH, BU, UCSF...oh, but how I'd love JHU.

okay, enough rambling, I'm going to focus on finding some professors to get to know (tough at ULL because you're just a number) and some great volunteering [how'd you get a job volunteering with the ER? Did you have to do gift shop duty first to get a foot in?].

Once again, you guys have a GREAT day tomorrow--enjoy every second of it!!

Gwen, you'll have a novel waiting for you when you get back! :clown:

Hi Peachy,

You're welcome! Glad to help! BTW, I volunteered at the ED right away, first as an outside Greeter and asked to be trained to work on the inside as a Patient Relations Rep (PRR). Now I'm the PRR dept chair and have 44 people who "report" to me for this volunteer role. So I would just contact your local hospital volunteer groups and see how you can get involved! It can only add to your application!

I'm looking forward to meeting all the JHU nursing students tomorrow! It will be great to meet everyone!

Smile123

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Hi Smile!!

Thanks again for the info--wow, sounds like a great volunteer position!! So you're interested in ER/Trauma?

Anyways, good luck again, and if you're doing housing hunting as well, good luck with that!

Oh! One last question..Is the GRE required for the Accelerated? I only saw it with the Direct Entry BSN to Masters Program. Or should I take it anyways to strengthen (hopefully *gulp*) my application?

That's it. I promise. I bow down to you. Hope tomorrow's everything it seems to be..and more! :bow: :bow:

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Hi Smile!!

Oh! One last question..Is the GRE required for the Accelerated? I only saw it with the Direct Entry BSN to Masters Program. Or should I take it anyways to strengthen (hopefully *gulp*) my application?

That's it. I promise. I bow down to you. Hope tomorrow's everything it seems to be..and more! :bow: :bow:

The GRE is only for Direct Entry to the masters. If you are doing the Accelerated BSN/RN or traditional BSN/RN, you do not have to take the GRE. However, if you take the GRE, it lasts 5 years for most applications.

See ya!

Smile123

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Thanks again, Smile!

Soooooo??? How'ditgoHow'ditgoHow'ditgo??? **bouncing up and down**

Hehe, I'm worse than a little kid! :p

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It was reeeeally nice! Everyone was so nice and friendly from the staff to the professors to the dean to the current students and even prospective students so i am sooooooooo excited as well!!!

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Yay!!!

So glad for you, Tamm!! Did you find a place?

So what did you guys do all day? Tours, speeches, and the like?

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