Need interview help!!! Northeastern Direct Entry

Nurses New Nurse

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has anyone interviewed at northeastern for the direct-entry program? i have an interview this saturday and i don't know what to expect- any advice?

i got into regis and should hear from umass in a few weeks. i also applied to simmons. my biggest concern (besides getting in) are the student loans i'll have to face when i graduate. if anyone has been through one of these programs, is there anything you can tell me about the strength of the programs in comparison to their cost!?

thanks!:paw:

doesn't the program start in september?

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It does start in September, but if you're on the waitlist, they reserve the right to let you know about final acceptance or rejection as soon as 2 days before classes start. They wait to see if there are any last minute drop-outs/rejections.

I heard finally from all my schools: flat out rejected from BC and Northeastern, waitlisted at MGHIHP, and accepted to Simmons college and UMass Worcester. I decided that I'm going to UMass since it's the cheapest of the two and more well respected. I'm pretty excited that I at least am going somewhere.

I know that these schools are doing interviews and acceptances in rounds, so if you haven't heard yet, that doesn't necessarily mean "No". Keep your head up :>)

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UMass Worcester is more respected than Simmons? Tell me more..Does SImmons have a bad rep? Haven't heard anything bad about it but nobody gives much feedback on it at all! Thank you for your advice. Congrats and Good Luck!! :-) WAHOOOOO

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Simmons doesn't have a "bad rep", but the avg GPA of an accepted applicant is 3.0 (compared to 3.5-3.7 for the big name programs) and they don't require GREs (a major factor in big schools decisions). I think it might be "easier" to get into Simmons in comparison to other Boston schools, but I don't think that its a bad program by any means. I think it looks like a great program. I think that its an expensive program, and people would rather go to BC, NEU, or MGH ("name brand") if they're gonna pay 100k for school in Boston.

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That is what I thought too. No GRE requirement? It sounds too good to be true..Ughh now I don't even know if I should go there if I'm accepted. Should I just wait till next yr and try to get off the wait list at MGH/apply to other schools?

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The only thing I can say is that I dont think NP school should be a 'last minute' decision. I've been working on my application since last year, and had sent out several applications in October. I think getting experience working in a hospital (internship, volunteering, shadowing) is VERY important and necessary in order to understand your role as an NP.

If you know NP is what you want to do and want to stay in Boston, I would go to Simmons. It doesn't really matter where you go as long as you're doing what you love. But, if you dont feel you're ready...you should definitely take a year off, get some experience, and re-apply. NP school is not a decision you should make on a whim

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I agree it should not be a last minute and I must clarify from my earlier post. I applied to some of these schools last minute. However, it has also taken me a long time to make the decision that this is what I want, and is the correct path for me! I have worked in healthcare since 04 and was going to apply for nursing school. However, after careful thought, talking to nurses and NPs, shadowing an NP, and volunteering at a hospital, I decided this is the right path for me. I decided that in November though. I then quickly took the GRE and did OK and applied. I had met with MGHIHP and attended the info session for the accelerated BSN and NP program! I then researched their program more and more and am ready to start. I now realize I am acting a little cooky as I finally decided in Nov to apply this yr instead of next and now I am upset that I am wait listed. Anyways, thank you for your advice. I truly wish you the best of luck in the program. You deserve it!!! I also do think Simmons is a great program for those who want a MPH as well. They offer a dual degree with the Harvard School of Public Health. Yes, Harvard University!! They are right next door. :-)

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I've heard the trend is going against requiring those types of standardized tests because they don't really reflect a person's ability to do well in school at the graduate level or in a career. A lack of GRE requirement I don't think makes the program less than any other program. It's just one criteria for entry a program can choose to use.

If you want to be an NP and like Simmons go for it and feel good about your acceptance there. Simmons is a good school and opportunity. That's awesome!

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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!!!

Hi Noonie428,

Thank you for your post, it is very helpful! I was wondering if you can provide some advice/information for interviews for Direct-Entry at Northeastern. I just got a call tonight and I have an interview in two days!! I'm excited but of course really nervous! Do you have any advice on how to prepare? Are all 300 applicants interviewed? That's quite a bit!

Any help is appreciated!!

Thank You!

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Specializes in Acute/Critical Care.

Hi bitzi1!

I have an interview with Umass next week and I was just wondering how long did you have to wait until you got your acceptance letter?

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