Hunter College Accelerated Program

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Feb 4, 2010

I know that the program is brand new. However as a CUNY @ Lehman student I do know one thing about the nursing program. This program will be the cheapest in the state and they base acceptance on the highest GPA and NLN scores. So basically depending on how you rank is how you get in.

It will be very competitive. I plan on applying next Fall. It would be real nice to get in but at the same time I would be applying to other schools. I advise you to do the same.

Hunter does have an excellent reputation so entrance will be stiff. however, getting in would be worth it.

You should visit the website. It might answer many of your questions.

ruaalien2 · Feb 6, 2010

I had no clue that they started an aBSN program. Thanks!

KHNurse2B · Feb 8, 2010

I am assuming it's going to be extremely competitive. I was told they were only accepting 40 students for this year's class.

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 13, 2010

Cannot see how Hunter's generic pathway to a BSN degree would be better for someone with a four year degree.

Hunter/Bellevue does not accept transfer applicants to apply directly for admisson to the generic BSN program, but they must spend (IIRC), about one year as martriculated Hunter College student before applying. The second degree BS to BSN program has no such requirements.

However will say that if one is lacking any of science or other required courses for admission to the A-BSN, it might make sense to take those courses at Hunter, however given the large number of pre-nursing and other health profession related students taking those same classes, it *might* be faster to take those someplace else and then apply.

melloyello13 · Feb 20, 2010

I know that Hunter College's Nursing programs are in general hard to get into, and even more so now. They have been flocked with applicants due to the nursing craze and economic crisis etc. I know Hunter fairly well. I've been working at Hunter and have been a student there since 2004. I am also an RN who received my AAS in Nursing from Laguardia Community College. I am sure the program is very competitive to get into. I was accepted into the RN Pathway program and chose not to attend. I just want to warn you - if you do apply, that Hunter College administration is horrible, and so is their nursing department. They don't seem to really care about their students. I am speaking from personal experience, and from what I have heard from other students/friends. They are misleading, their advising is not accurate and you might not be able to get into your classes (cause Hunter has more students than it can physically handle). The benefit is that the education is cheap and Hunter College has a good reputation as a nursing school. Honestly, for me, the hassle, pain, and lack of consideration was enough to convince me to attend a private university for my BSN. I don't want to discourage you, just warn you.

xiaowujie429 · Mar 11, 2010

melloyello13, holly ****! you are absolutely right! i am in pain to dealling with the situation! you are right! if i have more chance , i would choose anther school! they just never answer you questions! and they change their requiement like every semester!!! you need 12 credit ... and then next semester it become 12.5?

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2010

I have a friend who is an NP and is currently working on a post-master's certificate @ Hunter - nothing but bad things to say about the administration and the program.

dbaker · Sep 3, 2010

I am the first graduate of the Hunter College Accelerated BSN program. It was a very competitive program to get into and when I started, they only took 20 students. It is a rough 15 month program and does move quick, you really have to stay on top of the game. I just graduated on Sept 1st from the program and being the first class, there were many bumps in the road towards graduation. Even though Hunter is cheap, it was very frustrating to still have to complete liberal arts credits to satisfy the CUNY system when I already had a BS from another University. You also cannot apply to the program without already being a Hunter student. They require you be full time I believe at least the semester before. The accelerated program is also set up different where if you fail one course, lab, clinical or any segment, you are automatically out of the program. They do not give second chances where they do in the generic 2 year program. I'm glad to have finished so early and for such a cheap price, but you have to be willing to work hard and constantly stay on top of your grades.

I hope this helps. I'm here for any other questions as well. I'm just studying for my NCLEX now. :)

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2010

I know that Hunter College's Nursing programs are in general hard to get into, and even more so now. They have been flocked with applicants due to the nursing craze and economic crisis etc. I know Hunter fairly well. I've been working at Hunter and have been a student there since 2004. I am also an RN who received my AAS in Nursing from Laguardia Community College. I am sure the program is very competitive to get into. I was accepted into the RN Pathway program and chose not to attend. I just want to warn you - if you do apply, that Hunter College administration is horrible, and so is their nursing department. They don't seem to really care about their students. I am speaking from personal experience, and from what I have heard from other students/friends. They are misleading, their advising is not accurate and you might not be able to get into your classes (cause Hunter has more students than it can physically handle). The benefit is that the education is cheap and Hunter College has a good reputation as a nursing school. Honestly, for me, the hassle, pain, and lack of consideration was enough to convince me to attend a private university for my BSN. I don't want to discourage you, just warn you.

I graduated from Hunter in 2006 with a BA in English- and I completely agree with this statement. I had fantastic professors in the English department, and was able (with much difficulty) to take a really great class at the CUNY Grad Center, and would say that I got an excellent education there, but the administration was AWFUL. If you do decide to go, be METICULOUS about collecting documentation for everything you are told, every discussion you have with the administration, advisors, financial aid.

Here's just *one* of the things that happened to me: my last semester I received a check in the mail I wasn't expecting from them. I contacted them to ask about it and was told it was part of my financial aid package. I asked if they were sure, and they said yes. So I used the money for living expenses. At the end of the semester, they told me they'd made a mistake and needed all of that money back before I could receive my transcripts or a copy of my diploma. When I told them that I'd used the money after confirming with them that it was ok to spend, they told me it wasn't their problem and that it was my fault for not realizing it was a mistake.

I've also found them to be customer service unfriendly to me as an alumni too- they changed their login system to get transcripts and grades after I graduated, and I was told I needed to go to the alumni office in person to get a new password to be able to use the system. I no longer live in NYC and told them this and the response was basically "oh well."

The accelerated program is also set up different where if you fail one course, lab, clinical or any segment, you are automatically out of the program. They do not give second chances where they do in the generic 2 year program.

Yikes! Even my program allows you to retake a class. Did many people fail out of the program?

dbaker · Sep 4, 2010

The program decided this rule in our final semester and now applies to all incoming accelerated students. I don't feel it is fair as the generic students are indeed able to repeat the course once. We had 20 students I believe accepted and 17 began last June. By the end of the 15 months, one dropped out and one failed. Because of this new rule, I see many more failing. I feel the program has a lot of issues to work out since it is brand new. If someone has incredible patience and doesn't mind last minute alterations, then this program might work for you.

I think after a few years this program may run smooth enough as some of the other accelerated programs.

goofina · Nov 16, 2010

I am the first graduate of the Hunter College Accelerated BSN program. It was a very competitive program to get into and when I started, they only took 20 students. It is a rough 15 month program and does move quick, you really have to stay on top of the game. I just graduated on Sept 1st from the program and being the first class, there were many bumps in the road towards graduation. Even though Hunter is cheap, it was very frustrating to still have to complete liberal arts credits to satisfy the CUNY system when I already had a BS from another University. You also cannot apply to the program without already being a Hunter student. They require you be full time I believe at least the semester before. The accelerated program is also set up different where if you fail one course, lab, clinical or any segment, you are automatically out of the program. They do not give second chances where they do in the generic 2 year program. I'm glad to have finished so early and for such a cheap price, but you have to be willing to work hard and constantly stay on top of your grades.
I hope this helps. I'm here for any other questions as well. I'm just studying for my NCLEX now. :)

Hello dbaker,

I just got accepted as a general transfer student to Hunter for this spring. I am going to apply to their accelerated BSN but I am Will I have to be enrolled as a full-time student while applying to their nursing program or can I just be part-time? I don't know what classes I will take because it seems like a waste to take classes I don't even need. I doubt they would let me take any nursing related courses that I would be taking in the accelerated program if I got in. Do you remember when you heard back on a decision into the nursing program?

I appreciate your time