I'm looking to trade info with people who've been accepted for the Spring 2010 Accelerated BSN class at Marymount. I got my acceptance (I applied early) on 10/1.
If you got into more than one school and have decided to go to Marymount, I'd like to hear your reasoning. I've been accepted at both Marymount and Georgetown, and need to decide soon where I'm going. I'm sending in my deposit this week to hold my place at Marymount, while I try to figure out if there's any advantage to going to Georgetown instead - when Marymount costs about $48K and Georgetown costs $70K.
In terms of federal funding, the EFC (expected family contribution) is derived by the FAFSA and then it will be provided to all the schools you list on the FAFSA. Generally, the lower the EFC, the more financial aid you will be eligible for. Since it is a 2nd degree program, any assistance would likely be in the form of federal loans since you wouldn't be eligible for pell grants. In terms of not expecting much, that all depends on your situation and if needed, additional private loans may be available to you. Marymount will willingly provide you with necessary info/help if you do want to apply for private funds in addition to the federal funds you may be eligible for.
In terms of housing, it can be expensive so your best bet is definitely to find others to share housing with. Students entering the program have been connecting on Facebook so you may want to check out the FB page. It is listed as Marymount Accelerated BSN Spring '10. In any case, best wishes on your nursing career!
Congratulations on MU Spring 2010! I just sent in my online application for Fall 2010 at MU.. kinda nervous. I still need to send my packet of stuff (transcripts, resume, cv, recommendations) in before Feb 19th. How many recommendations did you all send in? Do you have any tips on their program or others that you applied to in the NOVA area? I live in Arlington, so honestly it would be the closest etc. Did anyone apply for financial aid or student loans?
I'm soooo nervous. This site makes me feel more nervous, I think! I keep reading on how hard it is and how some people get rejected from every program they apply!! I would be so upset...
I actually just graduated from MU accelerated this past december so I figured I might be able to help you a little. When I applied (for fall 2008) I believe I sent in 2 recommendations. I didn't apply to any other programs in the area. However, I know George Mason is a good program but it is faster than MU. On that note, I'm not sure I would've liked it because 16 months was difficult enough for the amount and depth of information they throw at you.
Unfortunately second-degree accelerated students don't get any aid (as far as I know of ) from the school. All of my tuition was funded through loans unfortunately. However, I think it was well worth it considering I got a 4 year degree in a matter of 16 months.
Don't be nervous. I think I found out in April that I was accepted. I forget how many were accepted in my class. I beleive we graduated as a class of 60 and that includes those people who had failed a class and dropped a semester behind. Just get your application in as soon as you can and keep your fingers crossed. Good luck!!
Congratulations on graduating, lnt3! I am in my 1st semester in the ABSN program at MU and I definitely agree with you regarding GMU's program. I am only 3 weeks into the MU program and the timeline is challenging enough! Do you have any advice on the best way to study for Med/Surg or Patho? Any thoughts would be appreciated. In fact, any suggestions and/or words of wisdom from someone who made it through the program would definitely be appreciated ) Also, are you already working as a new graduate or studying for the NCLEX or both? Just wondering what the future may look like at the end of the program. Thanks for posting and again, congratulations:yeah:!
soon2bnurstudent congratulations on starting the program! It will definitely have you prepared for the NCLEX. I actually already took the exam about 2 weeks ago and passed! Several of my classmates have taken it as well and so far I haven't heard of anyone not passing. I was lucky enough to get the first job I interviewed for. I moved to South Carolina. Now some of my former classmates are still in the DC area and having a tougher time. Most of them have jobs, there are still a few that don't.
The program is a LOT of work and studying but it is worth it. The first semester was the toughest because you have med-surg, patho, and 231 all in the same semester. What I always did to study was reinforced what was covered in class with the info in the book. At times it seemed useless to read entire chapters in the book because there was a lot of material and not all of it was on the exams. Definitely make sure you know and understand the information on ppt slides. If you understand it rather than memorizing it it makes the test questions/case studies a lot easier.
As for words of wisdom, remember to breathe and take each day one day at a time. You are going to be bombarded with projects and tests over the next 16 months and think it's impossible to get done. But you WILL get through it. It is not worth constantly stressing yourself over and making yourself sick. Don't forget to take a lil "me" time too. You can't make school your life or you will go nuts!
Thanks for the congrats! You are going to be a nurse in 16 months!! WOO HOO!!
Hi, I am applying for admission to the Accelerated BSN program at MU for Fall 2010. From previous posts, I see that people graduate in 16 mos. When I inquired about graduation, the advisor said 4 semesters (2 years). This is without Summers included b/c she said that the schedule of classes in the Summer varies based on availability of professors to teach, etc. Just curious, all of you that graduated in 16 months, did you take Summer classes? When did you start the program and when did you graduate? How were schedules set up? Thanks.
I've never heard of the program not going through the summer. Some people inidivdually elect to not take class during the summer but as far as I know the program has always been 16 months. I started in Fall 2008 and had class that fall, spring, summer, and fall 2009. I graduated this past December.
You may want to call the main office of health professions or one of the deans or coordinators of the program. They will be able to clear this up for you more than likely but I highly doubt you would not have classes through the summer.
I will be attending MU in this fall. How was your experience there? I live in Laurel and plan on commuting via Metro. Does this work for other students? Any advice you can give on MU would be greatly appreciated.
I'm sooo happy to here the program is 16 months! You've already made my day!
Overall I feel I got a really good nursing education in the program. I have yet to hear of someone from our class that failed the NCLEX so they definitely prepare you for that. There were some communication issues as some faculty members were new to the program. But from what I hear in comparison to other programs in other area schools it could've been a LOT worse. It seems like a lot to take at first when you start the program because it is a lot of material condensed into a small time period but you just have to take things day by day and remember it is possible.
I actually commuted from Baltimore so your commute is feasible for sure, especially since you'll be using the metro. There is a metro stop just down the road from campus and the university provides a free shuttle regularly from the metro stop to main campus.
I'm glad I could help you!! You are definitely doing the right thing in choosing an accelerated program. It may be overwhelming but it definitely pays off. I've been working as an RN for about a month now and I feel like I got a good base of knowledge to start my job. Of course you don't really start learning until you get into the hospital and start working but it certainly helps to have a solid base to go from.
If I can help you with anything else please just let me know! :)
WOW! you really drove all the way from Baltimore everyday? I can't imagine that traffic in the morning! It is really relieving to hear you say such good things about MU.
What would be the best way to prepare for classes (books, supplies, uniforms ect.)? Or should I just wait until orientation?
Also, I'm curious about clinicals? Where you able to choose a location near your residence? Did you have any problems finding employment after?
Haha yeah the drive and traffic sucked but my sister lived in Baltimore so I was able to get by with free rent so it was worth it. As far as books and what not go I would wait. They will let you know what you need. You can actually preorder from the bookstore in the summer I think but they'll contact you and let you know about that. Same goes for the uniforms. They'll let you know when to order...which by the way I hate to break it to ya but they are god awful looking. Haha at least you only have to wear them once a week.
For clinicals I think for the first semester you got to choose your site according to how quickly you sent in your acceptance deposit. So if you haven't already...send it in!! As for the other semesters, everyone's name is put into a lottery system and the order in which you pick is chosen randomly so everyone gets a fair chance and there will be a particular day and time that everyone comes in and signs up for the clinical according to the lottery number order. Unfortunately most of my clinicals weren't near the Baltimore area. One was at WHC in DC, 2 in Fairfax, 1 in Springfield, and 1 at Holy Cross. Honestly though it wasn't all that bad to have to travel there because you have to be there pretty early in the morning and leave before traffic in the afternoon.
I actually relocated to South Carolina after graduation this past December. I got an interview shortly after moving here and was offered the job a week later. It's in a med-surg/ICU dept. Not my number one area of interest but I've learned A TON and I'm very happy to have a job as I hear jobs in this area are hard to come by for new grads because there are many nursing schools here.
I do have some friends that I graduated with that stayed in the DC area and as far as I know they all have jobs now. It's not like it was 5 years ago where nurses had jobs lined up before they graduated but there are jobs available. You just might have to pass your boards before hospitals show interest in you. One thing that I think you have going for you already is that you'll be graduating in December as opposed to May like most traditional nursing students. This way there'll be less new grads applying at the same time as you in comparison to applying in May/June. Also, the state board of nursing won't be as bombarded with applications for licensure as they would be in May either so yours will get processed faster. Being a December grad myself it seemed like it was an advantage.
You are quite welcome! I wish I had had someone to ask questions to prior to starting the program so I definitely know how you feel. If there's anything else I can help you with just let me know!
) Also, are you already working as a new graduate or studying for the NCLEX or both? Just wondering what the future may look like at the end of the program. Thanks for posting and again, congratulations:yeah:!
soon2bnurstudent, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP
39 Posts
In terms of federal funding, the EFC (expected family contribution) is derived by the FAFSA and then it will be provided to all the schools you list on the FAFSA. Generally, the lower the EFC, the more financial aid you will be eligible for. Since it is a 2nd degree program, any assistance would likely be in the form of federal loans since you wouldn't be eligible for pell grants. In terms of not expecting much, that all depends on your situation and if needed, additional private loans may be available to you. Marymount will willingly provide you with necessary info/help if you do want to apply for private funds in addition to the federal funds you may be eligible for.
In terms of housing, it can be expensive so your best bet is definitely to find others to share housing with. Students entering the program have been connecting on Facebook so you may want to check out the FB page. It is listed as Marymount Accelerated BSN Spring '10. In any case, best wishes on your nursing career!