Need interview help!!! Northeastern Direct Entry

Katie5315 · Feb 17, 2009

Ah, thanks so much and definitely keep me updated!! I'll let you know as well. Good luck!!

CalGalRD · Feb 18, 2009

Hi All. I'm a newbie to this site, but I'm glad I was told about it! I have been accepted to Columbia and just got a letter today in the mail saying I was accepted to Northeastern. I'm not sure which one to choose. .Any insight? Katie I know you said Northeastern is your first choice ..can I ask why? I'm on the west coast so either will be a big move for me and both seem to be Expensive. Looked like Northeastern may even cost a bit more since it takes an extra semester for the RN. I did live in Boston for my dietetic internship program and I know it's a good place. Would love to hear people's thoughts. Thanks!!

Jennifer0512 · Feb 18, 2009

Hey CalGal,

Congratulations on your acceptances first of all! That's very exciting! Did you have an interview with Northeastern (maybe a phone interview since you're all the way out on the West Coast)?

I LOVE Northeastern (it is also one of my first choices... I haven't decided between Northeastern or MGH yet, but I guess I have to find out if I got in first!). Not only is it a great school with a great reputation and it's in Boston, but the co-op experience makes it stand out from other schools. You'll get more experience than you would at other schools and therefore are more likely to be hired faster as a new grad.

And the extra semester as an RN will actually DECREASE your cost as opposed to increase it. From what I understand from other people I know who have gone to co-op schools (undergrad at Northeastern, RIT, etc.) you don't pay anything that semester unless you're living on campus or using stuff like the gym (which still is only like $60 instead of thousands) and YOU GET PAID as an RN! How cool is that? You're making money!

I hope this helped! Let me know what you decide =)

CalGalRD · Feb 19, 2009

Hey Jennifer,

Yes I had a phone interview. It was on Feb 7th .so maybe that's why I heard already?I thought Northeastern cost more than Columbia because it takes 16 months vs 12 months for the RN so you're actually paying for an extra semester. I do like the idea of the co-op though if I went to Columbia I would probably work during the Master's portion too. Boston is great a city though and has an amazing medical community. I actually did my dietetic internship there through Simmons(I'm a dietitian at the moment) so I have lived there before and I know Northeastern is right next to some of major teaching hospitals. I know Columbia is ranked in the top 10 programs for FNP and PNP programs. .I don't know if that makes a difference in job hunting. .thoughts?

Thanks for the tips. Good luck Jennifer and everyone else!

applying2nursing-de · Feb 19, 2009

:madface:

I applied to Northeastern, MGHIHP, and Simmons. I realize Simmons and MGHIHP should not have gotten back to me..but I am super stressed. It is affecting my relationship with my boyfriend, my sleep, work performance, and is to the point of distracting me in almost every situation.

I just want to know! If I were more confident, I'm sure this would not be happening right now! I am taking Chemistry and have a A- average. Hopefully soon to be A. I was thinking maybe I should have the Professor send in a mid-term progress report? Will this help my application? Is it too late? Aghhh someone please advise!! I only had a 2.64 GPA in undergrad-I know it's embarrassing. I was a business major, and psych minor and did pretty well in the psych courses. I went through a lot and school was not my first priority unfortunately! However, I realized I needed to do something about my feeling down and letting it affect my life-so I worked really hard after college and found my passion in helping others. I have worked as a Research Asst at a psychiatric hospital, as a Healthcare Rep for a respiratory homecare co where I also set patients up on medical equipment and did regular home check-ups, and now work for a doctor at a diabetes center. I also volunteered for the hospital next door. I'm hoping my passion to help others and strong work ethic will get me into nursing school?? I know I can handle the work, and have a 3.28 GPA from classes I took at a community college while completing undergrad that don't count towards my GPA, and a 4.0 from the Nutrition prereq I took last semester...And now the A- in Chemistry...but still more prereqs to go. Do I have a chance or am I just stressed bc I should be and should not be surprised to receive rejection letters in the mail soon????? I really can't keep working in this Admin support role. I want to be a NP and know I can do it!!! Can someone please HELP before I go insane!!

bitzi1 · Feb 19, 2009

I know how you feel. I just got accepted to UMass Worcester, but Simmons is my first choice. I only get 15days to reply to UMass before I lose my position, but I won't hear from Simmons until April. I'm really worried that I'll make the wrong decision and accept UMass simply because I'm nervous about missing the opportunity.

I'm still waiting to hear from Northeastern, MGHIHP, and Simmons, and I'm slowly losing my confidence. I'm really glad that I know I have a place to go, but I would love to collect my options and make an informed decision. Oh, to return to the simple days of high school when you had like 2 months to decide.

applying2nursing-de · Feb 20, 2009

Where else did you apply? Simmons told me not to expect to hear back until April If I were you, I would just jump on Umass unless you think you'll hear back from anywhere else before that.. Good luck! At least you are in somewhere. I am still going cooky over here-I just want to know I'm going to be a NP. I wish I just could say that! Ughhhh has anyone been accepted with a GPA below 3.0? Will the healthcare experience help me?? Good luck to you all! Hopefully we will all see each other in September through school or at a Boston hospital!

Noonie428 · Feb 23, 2009

I'm enrolled in Northeastern's Direct Entry nursing program and am in the process of completing my second semester. I really like the program and would be happy to help answer any questions that you may have related to program length, courses, interviews, etc. If you are interested in obtaining an interview, I would suggest sending an email to your contact and see if it is possible to arrange one (proactive people earn big points with them). Last year they received over 300 applications and I believe that only 30 were accepted (we currently have 23 women and 5 men in our class). Since their deadline is a little later than the other schools, it does take a while before they get back to everyone.

One of the best parts of the program is the experience you will gain as a NURSE. Certainly the long-term goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner, but I've learned that you have to learn to become a damn good nurse before this is possible. We are trained in the nursing model, NOT the medical model - if you want the latter, then go to medical school. ;-) Our exposure to the clinical environment begins in the 1st semester -I'm not sure this is the case in other programs. We have a pretty heavy courseload for the first 2 semesters, but things will relax a bit this summer and the fall semester. 16 months may seem like a long time, but believe me....the time really flies! I honestly couldn't imagine doing this in less time - it does take a while to learn to "think like a nurse", but eventually it is extremely satisfying when it begins to all come together.

I'm not sure about the tuition at other schools, but we are about $12K/semester. During our co-op period, we do not pay this tuition, so it ends up being more like 3 years of tuition vs. 4 years. I also got into MGH and I thought the tuition was higher there, so I don't think we are the most expensive program in the area. Once you are working as a nurse, you may also have opportunities to receive tuition reimbursement from your employer (hospital or medical organization), so the most difficult part financially is getting through the first 16 months. Most of us don't work...a few work ~8-10 hrs a week; it is practically impossible to do much more than this when you are carrying 20 credits/semester. I am hoping to get a job as a CNA this summer, as our courseload is reduced by 6 credits and we will have a little more time on our hands.

Best of luck to everyone and their future endeavors!!!

Jennifer0512 · Feb 23, 2009

Thanks so much for your info! I'm sure I'll have a bunch of questions if I find out I get in...

I think the advice about talking to the contact person is great. I did that and she was soooo nice and seemed genuninely interested that I called. Whether or not they were interested in me at first it definitely at least got me another and potentially closer look at my application materials.

I'm still waiting for my interview, but today could be the day I hear :)

applying2nursing-de · Feb 23, 2009

Noonie thanks for the words of encouragement!! I contacted the Coordinator at Northeastern but haven't heard back...ughhh!

Oh well.. Im going to keep on trucking through these prereqs..I have a 92.6 average in chemistry..guess there's always next year! Does anyone think it would help if my Chem Professor sent in a progress report letter at this point to MGH, Simmons, or Northeastern??

Do you think they have all already made decisions? Or would one more letter of rec from a Professor strengthen my app??

I want to start so badly in September! I know I can do it but my grades in undergrad do not prove that!! Will they forgive me and see how hard I've worked since??

Any other tips on what to do while I wait for the mail every day? Ha ha!

Noonie428 · Feb 23, 2009

I wish you both the best! Keeping my fingers crossed. :)

I definitely think the progress report could help...it definitely wouldn't hurt for sure if you are doing that well. How many prereqs do you have left to complete? I was never good at Chem (actually got a C+) but I had As and B+s in Bio, Micro, A&P, etc.

My undergrad cumulative GPA was 3.0 (the beginning of my college career was none too stellar...picked up the pace sophomore year), but I worked for 7 1/2 years after college, took classes and did very well, and had some good volunteer experience; they take all of this into consideration.

I would say if you don't hear from your contact within a week, give them a call again. I know they are very busy....remember, be your own advocate!

applying2nursing-de · Feb 27, 2009

Ughhhh still have not heard back from Northeastern I think I'm going to have my Professor write them a progress report...MGHIHP is my first choice. Has anyone heard from them? I asked yesterday if I should send them a progress report and the said NO because decisions were already made aghhhh!!!!! I wonder if they sent them out in the mail yesterday too..

In the meantime, I am obsessed with Chemistry for the first time in my life and did awesome on midterm :) I want to bring my A- up to an A before the progress report goes out so I might wait till a few more quizzes hopefully do that and then send it in to Simmons. This is so stressful! Every step is painful and could bring me one step closer, or one step back from getting in. I really hope this weekend is good news.