National University SD Cohort 58 - Apr 2019

Nursing Students School Programs

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Hello to everyone that is applying for Cohort 58 ABSN program at the San Diego location for National University. This is going to be my first time to apply. Getting more nervous as the October Application date approaches. I feel confident in my scores for the TEAS test and my current GPA from the core sciences required, but this essay is starting to make my stomach spin. I've met with a writing advisor at Spectrum Writing Center, so I feel prepared in what to expect to be successful in writing this proctored essay, but will it be enough?

I've spoken with one other that has applied to Cohort 58 as well. Wondering if there is anyone else out there on this same journey feeling the same way I am.

I am excited to hear from anyone attempting to apply for this Cohort!

As for the essay, I did already know about what I wanted to write both times I did it. I mean I wrote about the same ideas and experiences both times honestly. I can tell you that 100% of your success with the essay is how skillfully you can convey your message and do so under pressure.

Some tutors at the writing center argued that this part of the application process is to weed out the applicants who may not be either doing it for the right reason or those who don't have a clear understanding of what nursing entails or those who don't have as much passion for it. Some of them argued that its an assessment of critical thinking and focus (i.e. how clearly and correctly can these applicants construct this essay under the pressure of a time constraint). I think it's both and it's important to keep these two ideas in mind.

It's great that you have an idea of what you want to write about and you don't want to be generic about it.... but now I suggest you do two things:

1. practice taking these experiences you have and tailoring them to each of the prompts

2. TIME YOURSELF.

Timing yourself is critical. If you write 2-3 practice timed essays and have someone look over them, you'll be able to identify the kinds of mistakes you tend to make under pressure.

One of the most anxiety-inducing things about this part of the application, the first time around, was that as soon as we were told to start writing I heard every person's hands destroying their keyboards and I sat there so confused as to how everyone could already be typing so much.

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I apologize for the long posts! But here's more (;)):

When I say time yourself, I mean time yourself for 45 or 50 min instead of 60 min so that you are accustomed to having that time to revise. By the time you go in for the real thing, you'll be cruising at the end with revising.

Also, a huge difference between the first time and the second time I did it was how methodical my approach was. The first time felt like stream of consciousness but in a 5 paragraph structure with a lazy thesis.

The second time, I started with the thesis to organize my own thoughts, ordered my arguments from weakest to strongest, and then I went in on the body paragraphs making sure that my evidence was straightforward and impactful. After I was done with the body paragraphs I created a two-sentence intro with a hook and a two-sentence conclusion with a lasting impression.

Just so you have an idea (and maybe this would amuse someone reading this), my intro went something like " A note in my high school yearbook reads 'U da best'."

The last sentence in my conclusion was like "I could elaborate further on these qualities that may make me 'da best' but I'm only allowed two pages."

Yeah it's cheeky and I cringed up until I got my essay score, but the idea is to put your personality, individual experience, and passion into it while maintaining a logical order of your main points, supporting with substantial evidence, and writing intentionally.

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Thank you for sharing your advise it does help! I too found it stressful when I took the essay for the first time and as soon as they said "GO!" you could hear everyone type 100 mph and I looked at my prompt for 20 minutes deciding what to write. So now applying for cohort 58 I have an idea of what the pressure will be like going into it again. My TEAS score also wasn't that well so I signed up for Adkins Academy to get more practice and have a different way of learning the material and hoping it pays off!

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I take the teas on Monday. I am so nervous!

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Are you taking it at National or some where else?

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university of phoenix just to see how i do the first time

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Initially the application deadline was Oct. 19th. I also hope they changed the deadline for that same reason lol. Anyways I emailed Elizabeth a few weeks ago when the deadline was for Oct. 19th and she said that we would receive an email with our test dates by the latest today (Oct. 26). She also mentioned that our test dates will be on the week of November 12th. But since the deadline has changed again not sure how accurate the information she gave me is. I wish everyone good luck in this process!!

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we just got the email with the dates

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What test dates did everyone get? Mine on nov 15th! Also does anyone know how many applicants applied?

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My test date is for the 13th. I'd rather be early to get the essay out of the way. I'll take the TEAS for a second time, but its all about the essay for me.

I have not heard the amount that has applied yet. I assume a few will not show to their essay or TEAS test and the amount will lower after the 15th of November. I'd still like to know the full amount as well. :)

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Hi,

Good luck to all of us who are applying for a seat in Cohort 58. I got an email today about my TEAS exam and the proctored essay. it's on the 15th.

As a practice, without studying, i took the TEAS at U.of Phoenix last week. I scored an 82. Time ran out on me in the Reading section so i left about 6 questions unanswered. I figured what i needed to focus on and i believe i can easily get close to a 95 and even more. For people like me, who struggle with computerized tests, try to stay calm. Don't let your nerves get the best of you. My GPA is not very pretty, a 3.0, so i'm forced to pump all my energy into the essay. I should have listened to my parents when they told me to do well in school.

Oh well, how's everyone feeling?

i would love to get to know some stats, so i can feel a little better or worse. I'm sure i'm not the only one who's curious.

cheers!

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Hi everyone,

I'm nervous and excited as I'm sure many of you are. I have my essay and TEAS scheduled for November 13th. I previously took the TEAS test a few months ago at SDSU and scored an 84%. My GPA is a solid 3.8, according to Elizabeth I should aim to get at least a 4.5/5 on the essay. I'm planning on retaking the TEAS to hopefully score a bit higher, but I'm more focused on the essay. Good luck to everyone! We got this!

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