Need advice and helo about pre-reqs and admissions!!!

albpreemieRN · Apr 4, 2009

Just FYI DSON has financial aid now since they are accredited.

RNtwoBE · Apr 4, 2009

Oh really? Their website looks to be updated, however it still lists the private loan as the option. I guess I just figured since they just had the ACCSCT accreditation, they didn't qualify for the federal loans.

Do you go there? What do you think of it?

albpreemieRN · Apr 4, 2009

Oh really? Their website looks to be updated, however it still lists the private loan as the option. I guess I just figured since they just had the ACCSCT accreditation, they didn't qualify for the federal loans.
Do you go there? What do you think of it?

I do go there, I'm in the Jan 09 BSN cohort. So far I have had a good experience with the school. I don't know why they don't list financial aid on the website, but it is an option now.

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Apr 4, 2009

When I talked to Kelly in admissions in the last couple months she said it was going to take a little while for them to get organized concerning the aid. I am going to be apply in July for the Jan 10 cohort, she said they should have it all figured out by then. Perhaps they are waiting to get it all figured out before they post anything on their site, they want their ducks all in a row first. But that's just my theory. :)

bfrdncr41 - how do you like DSN? How are your classes (difficulty, length, teachers)? I'm getting nervous about it and doing the 'am i smart enough to pass?' dance lately.

Benedina · Apr 4, 2009

Some things I'd think about:

1. If I had my heart set on UCHSC--I'd retake A & P, both halves. I wouldn't take any other course at the same time. If I didn't want to do that, I would consider getting a job at the University of Colorado Hospital--any job, clerical, nurse assistant, passing food trays, whatever--and then after a year of stellar work apply for their worksite BSN program.

2. You seem to have a lot going for you, in terms of your general application. Are any other public Colorado BSN programs (Beth-El Colorado Springs, UNC Greeley or CSU Pueblo) an option for you, or do you want to stick to the Denver area?

3. Most of all, I would go talk to the admissions folks at whatever schools I was interested in, transcripts in hand, and get *their* advice. All the ones I've talked to have been absolutely straightforward about what they would/would not do for me.

Good luck. I haven't taken A & P yet, and I'm nervous as all get out about it!

Dina

kasperas, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2009

I just started at UCHSC and everyone I have talked to had A's in A&P, micro and stats (the main pre-requs). Definately re-take A&P if UCHSC is a top choice. Otherwise they only look at overall GPA and essay. They get plenty of applications with top notch grades so the essay is huge.

RNtwoBE · Apr 5, 2009

Hi Dina - thanks so much! I actually got a job offer over a year ago at UCH, however I couldn't take the significant paycut. A part of me wishes I had as I was really interested in the worksite program. Unfortunately, it won't work for me to move out of the area due to owning a home and my son going to a wonderful school here. Yeah, I'm going to call UCHSC on Monday and see what they say. The problem is that I won't be able to retake A&P1 and 2 before I apply, only one class this summer. Maybe I should reconsider DSON. I could start sooner and doing some reading on this site, it seems people like it. I just don't know...

kasperas - thanks for the info! I'm still so mad at that jerk professor and can't believe I took him again! What an idiot I was, oh well. Since my overall GPA is high and if I retake AP1 this summer (and get an A of course), do you think I'll have a shot at getting in assuming I rock the essay and everything else I have going on? I forgot to mention that I'm on officer (VP) of my honor society at school, hopefully that helps. I've heard CU is heavy on community involvement and volunteering.

Thanks so much for the help!!!

albpreemieRN · Apr 5, 2009

When I talked to Kelly in admissions in the last couple months she said it was going to take a little while for them to get organized concerning the aid. I am going to be apply in July for the Jan 10 cohort, she said they should have it all figured out by then. Perhaps they are waiting to get it all figured out before they post anything on their site, they want their ducks all in a row first. But that's just my theory. :)
bfrdncr41 - how do you like DSN? How are your classes (difficulty, length, teachers)? I'm getting nervous about it and doing the 'am i smart enough to pass?' dance lately.

I have only had one quarter thus far but I have really enjoyed it. The professors really want you to succeed and there is a lot of encouragement from everyone at the school. It is difficult, but if you keep your eye on the prize you shouldn't have a problem. Good luck to you! :nurse:

RNtwoBE · Apr 5, 2009

Sand_Dollar - yeah I bet that's it! I'm going to call tomorrow and see what the scoop is. I talked to a friend of mine who's the Jan 09 cohort and she's feeling much better about it all since I last talked to her (a few weeks in). She did recommend taking Pathophysiology before I start if I can. I'm going to ask admissions about that. She said 5 or 6 girls took it before and had a much better start than the rest of them since they didn't have to take it. :) I see CCCOnline offers it and so does ACC, so hopefully we can do that and plus we'll save some money. ;-)

bfrdncr41 - thanks so much for the info, good luck to you too! :)

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Apr 5, 2009

RNtwoBE - When will you be done your pre-reqs? I will be applying for the Jan 10 cohort and will be done my last pre-req class in Dec - no time to breathe for me, lol.

RNtwoBE · Apr 5, 2009

December as well! Since I'm going to take Pathophysiology to get that out of the way, it's only offered online in the summer and I really think that's something I should be taking in person. Will you be able to take it before you start? My friend who's at DSON now HIGHLY recommended I do that! Do you know which Algebra they count, is the highest one, College Algebra or does the one before that suffice? If it's College Algebra, then I'll be taking that and Statistics in the summer. I was going to maybe start in October, but since she really recommends taking Pathophysiology I thought I'd do that and get a little bit of a break before the intesity starts. ;-) Taking one class is a break for me. LOL So we'll be starting together in January!!! :)