Ohio SRNA Programs

Does anyone have any experience or information about Akron or Cinci? I'm trying to narrow it down between these two schools and their RN to MSN (CRNA) programs. There seem to be slight differences in prereqs, and Cinci requires a year of on the job experience, but other than that they seem quite similar.

Is anyone willing to share their thoughts on these two schools?

Akron is a front loaded program they like for you to have most of core curriculum classes done before you start. This was something I was unaware before I interviewed. The curriculum at Cinncinati I am unaware of. I do know cinncinati is very focused on Gre scores to get a interview.:angryfire

WARNING- I am biased. I know nothing about Cinnci.

Akron is a very good program. It was by far my first choice. They are the most pro-student program I have come across. The program recognizes that you have a family and other responsibilities, and does as much as possible to ease your transition. You are made to feel a sense of accomplishment just by being there. I know of some other programs who take a boot camp attitude where you are supposed to abondon your life for 3 years. Akron is a very family centered atmosphere. They also boast one of the top pass rates on national boards. You can get the exact numbers from UA, but over the past 9 years they have had nearly a 100% pass rate, with a couple of 98%'s sprinkled in.

Yes it is a 27 month front loaded program. You are encouraged to have at least some of your core courses done by interview time, but it is not required. It is an MSN program so you will take nursing research, theory, etc some see this a plus or minus. I believe that Akron is not focused on any one area of candidacy. As long as you meet the requirements, you will be considered. They seem to look for the most complete applicants. Someone with a 3.3 with alot of experience who is well rounded may very well beat out a 4.0 with little else to show.

Give Mr. Barton a call, he is very proud of his program and can give you the whole schpeal

Mr. Barton needs to learn how to return phone calls!

Does anyone have any experience or information about Akron or Cinci? I'm trying to narrow it down between these two schools and their RN to MSN (CRNA) programs. There seem to be slight differences in prereqs, and Cinci requires a year of on the job experience, but other than that they seem quite similar.

Is anyone willing to share their thoughts on these two schools?

I was very impressed with Cincinnati. The students I spoke with had good things to say about the program. I have also worked with a few who graduated from there and they are all very good CRNAs. The requirements for both colleges are fairly close you can custom work your plan to be able to interview at either college. I personally felt that cinci. returned my calls and stayed in contact much better than Akron. I must have called the director 100 times and never heard a single call back from him. I also have a hard time taking classes for a program that I may not even get in to. And to top it off Akron's interview was needlessly intense. I truely do not know how they can get to know their candidates in such a brief time.

Shawn

Mr. Barton needs to learn how to return phone calls!

LOL!

I can't disagree with that one. He can be tough to get in contact with.

As for not getting to know their candidates, I must disagree. During my PREinterview I think he asked me every possible thing about myself and my family. I spent roughly 2 and a half hours talking to Mr. Barton, and this was not an official interview. He takes an honest vested interest in the candidates. If you are not a good candidate, you will not be mislead. But yes, to get my sit down chat with him, I think it took about 3 straight weeks of daily calls to get him on the horn. Guess he's a busy guy.