How Competitive are the Accelerated BSN Programs

cereus · Jun 21, 2008

You're not being a pain at all! I'm glad to help.

I actually was unable to find the program I'm starting under that link, which I think is for Master's degrees only.

Here's a link within the undergraduate nursing school's programs for the BSN program I'm starting.

http://www.simmons.edu/academics/undergraduate/nursing/programs/second-degree.html

And here're more info from the Dix Scholars program (older students, which this program falls under)

http://www.simmons.edu/admission/dix/

http://www.simmons.edu/admission/docs/DixNursingOptions.pdf

You can also request an admissions packet from Simmons. Hope this helps!

Megan

alvandy · Jun 27, 2008

cereus - do you mind me asking what undergrad gpa you had and what experience (if any)? i'm getting sort of discouraged by a lot of the posts that basically say you have to have perfect grades both in undergrad and pre-reqs. I have confidence I will get good grades in my pre-reqs, but there is nothing I can do about my undergrad gpa of a 2.9. My biggest fear is that I would quit my job, take the pre-reqs full time because I have so many to take, and then not get into a program. I would have sacrificed everything and ended up with nothing. What does it take to get into these programs and why are they so extremely competitive? I thought there was a shortage of nurses!

cereus · Jul 3, 2008

hello-

i was already attending simmons when i applied to the program, so i was an internal transfer into the program. my first bachelor's is a bfa in photography from an art school, and we did not have grades there so i did not have a gpa for that school. i did have one from previous and current classes at simmons, and it was a 3.92. but i also had transcripts from previous colleges as well, and i think my gpa from another college was a 2.86. my grades in the pre-requisites that were examined for my application were all as (biology, inorganic chemistry, anatomy 1 and 2), and my grades for the other prerequisites (but were completed after i received my acceptance letter) ranged from b to a-. i had also just started volunteering in the or at a local hospital.

the admissions process is undoubtedly complicated, and just because someone has super high grades that may not have been the sole reason that the admissions committee ultimately chose them. they're looking at the applicant as a whole and who will be the best fit for the nursing program. the only ones who ultimately know what went on during the selections process are the people doing the selecting! i believe that simmons is so competitive because it is a highly regarded school and there are limited spots, so competition naturally ensues.

remember, there's more than one solution to every problem. i read once in a book that was giving advice about how to apply to medical school that you could include a letter explaining any circumstances that would help to explain your lower gpa. you also still have control over many important factors, like your future gpa in the pre requisites and your admissions essay (write, print, edit, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite). these are areas you can still shine in.

i would place particular emphasis on why you want to come to simmons and why you believe you are a good fit for the program. i talked about what made me want to become a nurse, the plan i made to complete the prerequisites in order to do this, and my personal motivations for my nursing career. your journey through and commitment to the pre-requisites, combined with some volunteer experience and an honest, well-written essay will surely construct a more accurate, present picture of you as a candidate, and it's my opinion that those positives will surely outweigh any negatives that your lower gpa might bring to the table.

if you really want to go into nursing and know it is your dream career, keep that at the front of your mind and don't let comments saying you must have perfect grades and lots of experience deter you. i've found that acting on your fears isn't a healthy or good motivator, though it is good to consider the amount of work the prerequisites and especially nursing school is going to be. there are many scholarships available to nursing students.

best of luck in your journey to nursing school. feel free to contact me with any more questions.

megan

alvandy · Jul 6, 2008

Thank you for your thorough response. It is helpful to hear some encouraging words as this process is certainly overwhelming :)

cereus · Jul 18, 2008

No problem. Let me know if you have any more questions. Welcome to an awesome profession!

KDrummond · Dec 16, 2009

Hi,

I know this post is a year and a half old, but I have a couple of questions. I just applied to both Simmons (Dix Scholars BSN 2-year track) and Regis (Non-BS to MSN). I am interested in knowing what the ratio of applicants to accepted candidates is? I heard there were somewhere around 40 spots. Can anyone confirm this? I was told by the admissions department I should hear back in January. I am very nervous. I think I have a strong application, but you never know what they are looking for. I had a 3.24 undergrad GPA, all A's in my pre-req's, what I think of as a good essay and I work at a hospital in Admitting. I have also worked at an acute care Psychiatric hospital as a mental health associate. Does anyone think I am a strong candidate? Simmons is my first choice. Any help/suggestions/info would be much appreciated! Thank you!

Akercat · Dec 16, 2009

Sounds like you are a strong applicant. I did my undergrad at Simmons and they were easy to get into but I'm not sure about how many they are accepting for the nursing program. The school I got into accepted around 50-60 and next year is 70 students. Where did you do your undergrad?

If they said you will hear back in Jan then you will. I understand the anxiety you are feeling of not knowing so I can sympathize. Trust me, once you are accepted anxiety will be a way of life :) Good luck

careerchanger22 · Dec 16, 2009

I know how you feel about "not knowing". I am applying to Simmons to the Direct Entry MSN program. I have an BS in Architectural Engineering from Wentworth and graduated with a 3.2. I have no prereqs but taking Stats in the Spring at Simmons. I have a strong resume from working in my previous industry and a strong essay for admissions. I also started shadowing an Allergist, a general FNP and volunteering at MGH. I want to show Simmons Im serious about the career change. But I am just so nervous about not getting in there. I wont know until March!!!!

KDrummond · Dec 17, 2009

Akercat,

Thank you for your reassuring information. I feel I am a string candidate as did the Regis Graduate Admissions Director for the Direct-Entry MSN program. I applied there as well, so I believe I should know by the end of January from both schools.

I went to Bridgewater State College and have a BS in Psych. I also started my Masters in Education in Special Education there and earned A's in all 3 of the classes I took. I am hoping they don't look at this and think I can't make up my mind, but instead see that I have the desire to help others. My essay was strong as well, I believe. Although I am not involved in patient care, I am around everything from flu symptoms to traumas every night I work. Working in the ER at a Trauma 1 certified hospital is what made me realize nursing was the career for me. It is an intriguing and exciting environment. I guess we'll see! Thank you for the good luck wishes, I will keep you posted as to what the schools' decisions were.

Are you a nurse now or in a program to become one? What was your undergrad major/GPA (if you don't mind me asking) and where do you go now??

Thanks again:)

Kerri

KDrummond · Mar 7, 2010

Akercat,

I know the last post was in December, but I just wanted to let you know I was accepted to Simmons 18-month accelerated BSN program beginning this July! I am very excited and can't wait! Good luck to you:)

Akercat · Mar 8, 2010

That's excellent! Congrats and best of luck!!!