Info Needed re UNC ABSN Program

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I'm doing pre requistites right now to get into the ABSN program at UNC to start Jan 2011. If anyone has gone through the program or applied and gotten feedback, I would like to know the following:

What was your GPA and pre req grades?

What kind of essay did you write? Did you include personal info or more career goals?

Did you have volunteering on your application? If so, how many years did you volunteer?

Did you make a contact at the school before applying so to give you a better "in", to make you stand out more?

Thank you for any info/insight!

:)

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Specializes in Neuro.

I know a lot of ABSNers even though I'm a 24 month student at UNC. The ones I know had about 3.5 on pre-reqs. Essays should be heartfelt, honest, and sincere.

Volunteerism is very important to UNC SON but so are real life experiences...so if you don't have a lot of volunteerism explain that in the third and optional essay (if they still have that option).

Good luck!

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Thanks Mavericky!

Are you enjoying the 24 month program? Did you apply for both? I have wondered if they let you do that or if you must apply for either/or.

Thanks again for the information. :)

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Specializes in Neurology.

You can only apply for one program at a time. I applied to the ABSN program for January. I have a 3.8 cum GPA and 3.9 in prereqs. I wrote about why I wanted to be a nurse for my first essay, an experience I had as a doula, and for my third essay I went into detail about my volunteer experience. I don't know what they are looking for so I may or may not get in... I have been accepted to Duke's program already. I think experience (whatever it is) beyond undergrad helps...

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thanks for the info momofthree boys! congrats on your acceptance to duke! :yeah: i hope to be like you and apply to both and get into both hopefully! i hear such wonderful things about duke, if i get in to both programs it would be hard to decide. but the money factor is there. do you know which one you will go with if you get accepted to both? what are your reasons? thanks!!

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Specializes in Neurology.

It is a really hard choice between the two (if I will be so lucky). This is my thinking so far:

Duke is expensive but there a few things going for it:

1)They offer 49K in reimbursement over 3 years (no contract and you can move around the Duke system)

2) You are getting 15 hours of graduate classes out of the way (I think UNC is like 68 new undergrad hours and Duke is 43 Undergrad/15 graduate) so if your plan is to go to graduate school it is a good bet.

3) Program is designed exclusively for second degree students.

4) Maybe easier with family than UNC ABSN? At my interview day a few women were pregnant and many had young children. I will need support with fellow students because I have a young family. (The UNC admissions staff said to consider the 24 month program if you have a family at their open house, but I do know people who have successfully done the UNC ABSN program with young kids)

5) Admissions office and faculty I met were amazing and quick to recognize who you were (you also have the benefit of the interview)

6) Duke has 100% placement for jobs -they promised to hire all their new grads at Duke this year (unless you were ridiculous about which dept/shift you wanted) even if they didnt have open positions so they take care of their own. When I went to the UNC open house the admissions officers said a few students had to leave the Triangle to find jobs which I am NOT willing to do, but they did say most grads found a job within a few months so it isn't a HUGE deal

7) They have a few more clinical hours than UNC does

8) It at least seems like it is easier to get into this school because they give all qualified applicants a chance to interview and give the faculty a chance to get to know the applicants- I think if you can convince them you want to go to Duke you have a good shot of getting in

UNC:

1) Much cheaper!

2) ranked higher! GREAT reputation

3) All three of my siblings went there (lol)

4) Shorter program (14 months vs. 16 months)

5) Chapel Hill, NC rocks

6) I am sure there are more, but I honestly know way more about the Duke program.... hopefully someone will now chime in with all the reasons UNC is a great nursing school

Right now I am leaning toward Duke but I haven't really considered UNC at this point because I won't hear back until Nov. 15th. I am just so darn excited about Duke it is nauseating to those around me :)

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Thank you for taking the time to give such a well thought out detailed response momofthreeboys! You are increasing my interest in Duke bigtime! I am going to their informational session on Oct 27th. My big questions though you have already answered which were tuition reimbursement amounts and job placement. Nice! It is a big turn off that UNC discourages people with families to apply. It sounds like the Duke program might be a better fit for me all around. And I guess the two extra months don't make a huge difference to me either. Also, wow about the graduate credits!! I'm nauseating myself right along with you! :chuckle

Best wishes waiting until the final word in Nov, either way, you will be happy at Duke it sounds like.

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