MUSC ABSN Questions-Spring 2016

[susannahlee]

I know this is very, very early to be posting this, but I wanted to reach out to the community for some advice before I apply in August. I'll give my stats and then I have some questions. I hope someone can help!

I have a 3.5 cumulative gpa and a BS in Public Health from College of Charleston (graduating May 2015.) I have over 200 hours of volunteer experience, 125+ of which are in hospice where I worked very closely with patients. This summer, I am retaking Anatomy to improve my grade as well as taking Microbiology at Trident Tech. My science GPA isn't great, but I have some really good recommendations (I think!) I don't have any hospital or nurse shadowing experience, but I am going to try to squeeze some shadowing in this summer.

It was suggested to me that I take an additional science course to serve as my elective since my grades aren't great in the ones that I've taken, so I plan on taking Chemistry in the spring. I am also doing a 6 week CNA program in the late summer. I will be applying for residency soon and should be eligible to apply as an in-state student.

So here are my questions, if anyone can help, and please be brutally honest!:

1. Based on my stats, do you think it is feasible that I will get in to the program? Or should I plan on working as a CNA for a year and apply for Fall 2016?

2. Is getting your application in earlier of any importance? I would like to apply after I have finished my CNA course, so it would be cutting it closer to the deadline (late August), but I don't know if it's more important to get the app in early.

3. I want Chemistry to be counted as my science elective instead of Biology because I got a B and C in those courses. But I won't be taking Chemistry until after I apply, will they still take that into consideration?

4. Any suggestions for me to improve my stats? Any suggestions about how to go about nurse shadowing? Is there any faculty at MUSC I can reach out to for help? (I have emailed Mardi Long but she never responded.)

Thank you so much!! I'm a little lost and pretty anxious if you can't tell :)

[susannahlee]

Wow November 6th...that's so soon. I'm just relieved that we'll know our answer by then. I live in Charleston and have for about 3 years (graduated from CofC) and I'm staying put til I get accepted at MUSC haha. Since I'm close to campus, I'll be sure to post on here as soon as I get a letter!

[ccurrie88]

Lindsey - Oh wow, PA is so far away! and November 6th... AHH that's so close! that's less than 3 weeks!

Susannah - where do you live at? I have been looking a few places but don't want to get my hopes up too much!

[pawleyspups]

Hey everyone! Has anyone tried calling to see if they've made their decisions?

@lindseyy24 where did you see that orientation is November 6th? I can't seem to find it on the website. I hope we find out soon!

[Lindsey D, BSN]

@pawleyspups I'm getting close to calling! I'm just too anxious. But actually I can't even tell you how I found it haha I've been really digging deep to find out information, and somehow was led to this page Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Compliance

it makes me nervous only cause I hope this wasn't already sent out to the people that got in and I didn't get one cause I'm not accepted ya know! but keep us updated if anyone does call and finds anything out!

[susannahlee]

@ccurrie88 I live between Meeting and East Bay St. kind of near Trident Palmer campus. Let me know if you have any questions about living downtown, I'd be happy to help!

The page that was linked when we submitted our applications (the one that says the status of our transcripts/reference letters) said we should expect to hear 8 weeks after the application deadline. I really hope it's sooner, and I know last year someone heard as early as this week, but there is still the possibility that it'll be the full 8 weeks

[ccurrie88]

I'm honestly too nervous to call and see if they have decided yet. I know we should hear within the next week or so but if anyone does call to find out, good luck to you! I think I'm going to try to wait until this time next week and if I haven't heard anything then Ill call and see.

[maralister]

Hi @ccurrie88. I've called a few times and have reached Ms. Long's voicemail each time. She says that it's best to email her ([email protected]) but I can't seem to draft an email that doesn't make me feel like I'm being super annoying. I can only imagine how bombarded they must be by applicants. I'm hoping we find out something soon!

[ccurrie88]

Hi @maralister! I bet she is at lunch right at the moment but will probably be back around 2.. I know when I called to speak to Katie Poole, she didn't answer from like 12-2. But is that the person we are allowed to call if we want to find out if we got in?

[ccurrie88]

@maralister, i forgot forgot to add in the last message, what are your stats? And are you in state or out of state?

[maralister]

@ccurrie88, I read on a previous year's MUSC ABSN forum that people were finding out their application status by calling the number that led me to her voicemail. They didn't use her name, but I learned it when I heard her voicemail greeting. On their website it says she's the person to call if we want our transcripts evaluated prior to applying. Is it standard protocol to call and ask? I would have never thought it to be until I read it on last year's forum.

I'm guessing stats include GPA, volunteer hours, clinical experience? (I'm only a few days into this forum so please excuse my faux pas.) I have a 3.3 overall GPA and 3.6 science prereq GPA. I served in the Peace Corps as a health volunteer for two years, which means that I don't have a technical number for that experience. It felt like close to a million hours, but I didn't write that on my application. :) I've been volunteering at my local free medical clinic as well but not as much as I'd like. I've also been working as a CNA for almost two years. Hopefully my clinical hours will counteract my lower cumulative GPA.

[ccurrie88]

@maralister I believe it is more than acceptable to call and ask if you got in or not. I just don't know if I have the courage too at this point haha but your stats look awesome... There's no doubt you'll get in. If you do call, you'll have to make sure you post and let us all know! I'm just hoping we find out very soon... I'm getting extremely nervous!

[maralister]

Thanks, @ccurrie88. Everything I read makes every program seem so competitive that I'm not getting my hopes up for anything. BUT hopefully we'll be meeting in January, laughing off our worries. Best of luck to you. Keep me posted as well.