Info on DePaul University?

Cardiology EP NP · Mar 3, 2004

I actually just applied to DePaul's masters entry program. I heard they have quite a few applications in so I'm not holding my breath for Fall entry of this year. Nursing has become so competitive these days. For College of DuPage, they receieved over a 1000 applications for their nursing program for this fall. I have excellent stats and I was only put on a waiting list.

And I have heard of Loyola and Rush's accelerated program. Again these are also extremely competitive. I know Rush requires an interview.

Best wishes to you.

gotksgirl · Mar 3, 2004

Thank you Helper for the info. Do you know how many spots DePaul has each term? I am also thinking of moving into the Elgin community college district. I wonder how hard it is to get in there. They offer entry in fall and spring and have a child care program. I had a baby in August, and most places don't have child care for under 2 years old. COD's application is crazy! You almost have to apply a year ahead, and now you have to be a CNA first!

I applied to NIU for this fall back in September, but I don't think I want to commute all the way out there. It also takes 2.5 years to get the BSN! I wish it was 2 years or less. At least they have a child care program. I might not even get in, though.

DePaul appears to have the easiest application process of the three (Loyola, Rush and DePaul). I am a suburban girl, though, and I am not sure if I could handle the commute or being in the city so much. Good luck to you, Helper, with your application! I hope you get in!

Cardiology EP NP · Mar 3, 2004

From what the nursing department told me, they have 36 spots for the MSN entry program. I know of a lady who has already been accepted but she hasn't committed to the program just yet. Yea, the application process wasn't too bad for DePaul, but I would bet my bottom dollar that I will most likely be put on some wait list and not get in for this fall.

I was actually put on a waitlist for COD for this fall. But, I am not holding my breath that I will be accepted. I was thinking of trying for Triton's program. But I am out of district. So we'll see. Good luck to you as well.

Jolie, BSN · Mar 5, 2004

gotksgirl,

I graduated from NIU eons ago, so my information is probably not the most current. But as I recall, the majority of our clinical sites were in the western suburbs, not far from you. It may be necessary to commute to DeKalb for theory classes, but you ought to be able to do most, if not all, of your clinicals in your area. Does Northern offer any nursing classes in Naperville, or is that strictly a College of Business campus?

gotksgirl · Mar 5, 2004

Jolie,

Yes, NIU has a lot of clinicals in the western suburbs - some even only a few miles away from here. Only the RN-BSN completion coures are offered off campus (Hoffman mostly I think) as far as I know. My main issue is the child care. I only want my daughter in day care while I am in school. The NIU child care is only open at 7:15am and clinicals start at 7am at least in the 2nd year if I remember correctly. Maybe then I will put her in a local day care or preschool or have her grandparents (or other family) watch her those days.

I am still waiting to see if I got in. We shall see. Two and a half years is a long time to get a BSN when I already have a Bachelors. That is why DePaul for 2 years to get an MSN is so appealing to me.

Did you like NIU? Do you work in the Chicago area?

Jolie, BSN · Mar 7, 2004

Jolie,
Yes, NIU has a lot of clinicals in the western suburbs - some even only a few miles away from here. Only the RN-BSN completion coures are offered off campus (Hoffman mostly I think) as far as I know. My main issue is the child care. I only want my daughter in day care while I am in school. The NIU child care is only open at 7:15am and clinicals start at 7am at least in the 2nd year if I remember correctly. Maybe then I will put her in a local day care or preschool or have her grandparents (or other family) watch her those days.
I am still waiting to see if I got in. We shall see. Two and a half years is a long time to get a BSN when I already have a Bachelors. That is why DePaul for 2 years to get an MSN is so appealing to me.
Did you like NIU? Do you work in the Chicago area?

I graduated in 1986, and at that time, the curriculum was very heavy in adult med/surg, and quite skimpy in anything else. I understand that the program has been re-vamped since then, but I would check to be sure that you will have adequate opportunity to study specialty areas. Our clinical time was extremely limited, due to the lack of easy access to sites, so compare that with other programs as well. Overall, I felt that the quality of my education was very good. Most of my instructors were highly skilled, and very approachable. When I graduated, I found a job without any difficulty, in the area of my choice (NICU), and felt well prepared for orientation. Boards were no big deal; our class had a high pass rate, and no one I knew took a board-review class or did anything special to prepare. NIU traditionally has an excellent pass rate.

On the other hand, I understand your reluctance to spend 2-1/2 years on another Bachelor's Degree, especially if a Master's can be attained in the same time frame. If I were in your shoes, I would probably pursue the Master's, especially if there is any chance that you may want to teach in the future. Good luck!

gotksgirl · Mar 11, 2004

Helper,

I got some info from DePaul regarding the Masters Entry program that I would like to pass along to you and anyone else interested. I emailed the nursing school and here is the response:

We accept approximately 30 students for the fall quarter, winter admissions is

slightly smaller. We received around 80 applications for this coming fall,

also, we receive less for Winter admission. This may give you an idea of the

sort of ratios you are looking at. They'd like to see a strong performance in

prereq's, a GPA of 3.0/4.0, and GRE scores totalling 1000 in the first two

categories and a 4.0 on the third. Approximate tuition for the entire program,

estimating books and fees as well comes to around 32-35,000 dollars. There is some tuition assistance from the department you can apply for, also, check out http://www.discovernursing.com for further scholarships, etc.

I hope this helps! Sounds like you have a pretty good change of getting accepted. Sounds like it is much easier than COD or Harper and they are just Associates degree programs!! I may apply for next January. I need to take the GRE and take a few more prereqs. Good Luck!

Cardiology EP NP · Mar 12, 2004

gotksgirl,

Thanks for the info on DePaul. Yea, I like the idea of getting a masters too and depauls program sounds neat. I don't know how competitive it is to get in. I meet all of the admissions requirements. I am finishing up A&P right now and will take micro next quarter. After that I"m done with all my prereqs.

I am just worried that my GPA isn't high enough (3.45) and my GRE scores may be less than those applying. I am over 1000 on VR and Math and my writing was a 5.0. And they only take 30 students which isn't very many. I wasn't aware that you can start in the winter quarter. That's great.

Well, we'll see what happens. I should know if I get in sometime in the next few weeks. I hope you get in too!

Best wishes.

braun5925 · Apr 12, 2004

Hello - I just got admitted to the generic MSN program at Depaul starting this fall 2004. Orientation is in a few weeks. I can write more when I find out some details.

You should apply, don't let all the talk of competition scare you from it!! You'll be fine if you've got the numbers.

Cardiology EP NP · Apr 13, 2004

Those people at DePaul have been frustrating me to no end. I just called them today asking them the status of my application and apparently my application is outstanding, whatever that means. The girl was supposed to call me back and never did.

So tell me, did you have all your prereqs done before you applied? What were your stats like if you don't mind me asking? I am in the process of taking microbiology so that may have been a set back for me.

If orientation starts in a few weeks then there's no way they will accept me for the fall. I am not impressed with their application procedures.

If they ever accept me, I may not even go there just because I feel they have been very unprofessional with me thus far.

Thanks for your input.

braun5925 · Apr 13, 2004

Hi Helper! I totally understand your frustration. I had a very smooth application process, but I can see where you may get frustrated. I am currently taking Organic Chemistry, so I was accepted contigent upon completing that course. Just so you know, you do not need to take micro for this program. As far as those other pre-req's (i.e. financial managament, abnormal psy, medical soc.) I handed in syllabi from an on-line unversity to get approval. If they do get approved from the DePaul admissions. I'll send you the info.

As far as my stats, no worries in asking! I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degee in Communication and Environmental Science with a 2.9 GPA. I have a 4.0 GPA in my pre-reqs (i.e. general chem, a & p and hopefully will too in orgo : ) ). My GRE score was a 450 Verbal 580 Math and a 5.0 on the writing section.

I hope this information helps. Please respond with any more questions! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help in ways of Depaul.