Hi there everyone. I didn't see a thread started yet, so I thought I would start one.
I am applying for the 2015 Accelerated BSN cohort (Portland campus) and am very nervous about the whole process with Nursing CAS and having transcripts sent to them.
I am also curious if anyone out there has an idea of what they are looking for and who will get interviews? It makes me nervous that there is no essay, so I assume that interviews will be based on grades alone. I have an undergraduate degree in Art History with a 3.64 GPA and a prereq GPA of 3.76 from PCC. Does anyone know if I even stand a chance? I have taken all of the prerequisites except for Micro, which I plan on taking in the winter.
It sounds like the interviews and no essays is a new thing? Does anyone know? Here's to hoping I at least get an interview!
Accepted! I've decided to go with Lindfield. Throughout this process, I've been so frustrated with the bureaucracy and impersonal interactions I've come up against with OHSU. From their highly secretive and elusive admissions process to their policies that make it difficult for low income students, such as the mandatory health insurance coverage that they require, even if you have a lower cost alternative--see the many news reports on this that has many students very upset since it's been put in place, and the fact that they do not participate in a great program for low income students for a matched savings account. See: Partner Schools | Matched College Savings Plan for a list of schools that participate--notice that OHSU is not on there, while UP and Lindfield are. If you are not familiar with this program, it's amazing. It's a savings account for college expenses that will match every dollar you put in with five dollars to go toward tuition. For all these reasons, and more (personal accounts of negative experiences of students in the OHSU system, and positive reviews of the more intimate and caring environment of Lindfield), I am choosing the latter. For those of you on the waitlist--here's another spot! And good luck!
I've seen a few people mention Linfield provides more financial support. For those of you who are familiar with this what exactly are you referring to? I'm considering my options for applying to schools next year and I'm trying to take into consideration the financial piece and Linfield seems significantly more expensive.
I think the insurance required at OHSU can be waived for an alternative insurance you may have. And don't all healthcare programs require extensive insurance because of clinicals?
I had the opposite experience with Linfield. I thought the whole process of applying was impersonal. I tried to get in touch with students in the program, tour the school, find out more information from admissions and just could not connect with anyone. I got into both programs, but think I'm going with OHSU. It's just strange we had such different experiences. Linfield does offer big transfer scholarships though, so that will be hard to turn down (although the tuition is a lot there).
Either way, both great nursing schools and exciting futures ahead of us!
Just an update on switching cohort dates: I went to the office today and learned that someone asked to switch the opposite direction from me so I will be able to start in Fall after all. (a huge relief for me). If anyone else is considering changing cohorts, I encourage you to contact the office right away and put your request in. If they can make a matched pair to switch, they seem agreeable. I'd say do it before the April 8 acceptance deadline, and in person or calling may be better than email. I'm not even sure if they read their emails.
I don't know why they told FunkySkunk that you'd have to give up your seat first to get on a waitlist, that wasn't what they told me today. I do have to agree with allomorphicform who's been frustrated with the OHSU admissions process. I have found them very walled-off, and difficult to get timely or consistent answers from, but somehow eventually I've been able to get to real people and then they have been very nice and straight-up helpful. Go figure. Be persistent, and try to get thru to actual people and I hope you all can get everything you might still need from them, especially now that they may have less pressure.
Good luck everybody getting your lives ready for this!
I've had to think long and hard about my decision to choose the school that will determine the future of my career and life--Lindfield or OHSU. I was initially excited about the prospect of OHSU because its reputation--it has been ranked as one of the top 10 graduate Nursing programs (although for 2015-2016 it has dropped off the list, with the exception of the nurse-midwifery program), and everyone seems to believe it's the program in Oregon for nursing. But after some extensive research, I've made my decision against the school and thought I'd share what I've found with those of you on the fence.
Yes, Lindfield is more expensive, but you do get what you pay for. Lindfield's Portland campus is dedicated exclusively to nursing. The faculty and staff are there to support your education and career development in becoming a nurse. OHSU is a major research institution, and as such, it's possible to encounter faulty who are primarily researchers and have a secondary responsibility to teach as a requirement of their employment. The sole purpose of the academic professor is not to create a positive learning environment; they are primarily hired for their ability to win grant money, not for their teaching record. Because Lindfield is a teaching college, they choose professors who have a demonstrated passion for teaching. Class sizes are small, the professors want their students to succeed, are approachable and available, the staff works with students to help in all aspects of educational and professional development. A private college is worlds away from a public research institution like OHSU in terms of the intimacy of the learning environment. I know this, coming from an R1 institution and having done graduate research. I see the lack of dedication the professors have in their teaching assignments. I also have the unique perspective of having taught at a private college--I've seen the differences in teaching styles and learning outcomes that comes from both environments, and it's plainly obvious which one is superior. You get what you pay for at a private college--dedicated teachers, supportive staff, small class sizes, and an intimate and close-knit cohort.
I have a close friend who graduated from Lindfield last year and now has a wonderful job at the VA. She was also accepted at OHSU and was faced with the same decision I had to face, and we had a long talk about it. The only thing that was holding me back was the tuition, but it is true that Lindfield is more helpful with financial aid. There are more opportunities for scholarships (I applied for one a few months ago and it looks like I'm going to get it!!), while OHSU would not allow me to put in my application for their scholarships until I was formally accepted, and the next application cycle for their scholarships isn't until next spring--right when the program is ending! I talked to someone in the Admissions office about this oversight, and they said "oh, well, I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do. You can't apply until you are accepted." So with the scholarships and the savings matching program ($5 for every $1 I put in) the price tag will be about the same as OHSU. It's a no-brainer. Lindfield for me! :)
Another consideration: this might not bother you, but as a strict vegan and animal rights advocate, it's extremely important to me and a deal breaker; I found out that OHSU has a primate research center and they are not committed to the three Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) to limit the use of animals in research. Here is a recent article highlighting animal abuse claims at the center:
Sorry for the long post against OHSU on a forum dedicated to the program. I know there are good things about it, but I thought I would share my perspective for those of you trying to make a decision. It was tough for me, but after a lot of thought and research, I am sure I am making the right choice for me. The important thing is to choose a school that's right for you. Maybe a big academic and research environment is what will work for you.
In any case, I wish you all luck! And congratulations to those of you who got accepted--that's a major accomplishment!!
I really appreciate your insights about the schools as well as the primate research lab. Assuming I'm not accepted to OHSU off the waitlist, your discussion will definitely color my decision for next year. I'm new to the area and had no idea Linfield provides extra financial aid, otherwise I would have applied there as well. I'm trying to move towards a more vegan lifestyle, and that in combination with the financial piece will definitely inform my decision on nursing schools next year. Thanks so much for your candid input!
For anyone attending Linfields ABSN program starting this summer I have created a facebook group. The title is "Linfield Portland ABSN 2015-2016 Cohort".
I've had to think long and hard about my decision to choose the school that will determine the future of my career and life--Lindfield or OHSU. I was initially excited about the prospect of OHSU because its reputation--it has been ranked as one of the top 10 graduate Nursing programs (although for 2015-2016 it has dropped off the list, with the exception of the nurse-midwifery program), and everyone seems to believe it's the program in Oregon for nursing. But after some extensive research, I've made my decision against the school and thought I'd share what I've found with those of you on the fence.
Yes, Lindfield is more expensive, but you do get what you pay for. Lindfield's Portland campus is dedicated exclusively to nursing. The faculty and staff are there to support your education and career development in becoming a nurse. OHSU is a major research institution, and as such, it's possible to encounter faulty who are primarily researchers and have a secondary responsibility to teach as a requirement of their employment. The sole purpose of the academic professor is not to create a positive learning environment; they are primarily hired for their ability to win grant money, not for their teaching record. Because Lindfield is a teaching college, they choose professors who have a demonstrated passion for teaching. Class sizes are small, the professors want their students to succeed, are approachable and available, the staff works with students to help in all aspects of educational and professional development. A private college is worlds away from a public research institution like OHSU in terms of the intimacy of the learning environment. I know this, coming from an R1 institution and having done graduate research. I see the lack of dedication the professors have in their teaching assignments. I also have the unique perspective of having taught at a private college--I've seen the differences in teaching styles and learning outcomes that comes from both environments, and it's plainly obvious which one is superior. You get what you pay for at a private college--dedicated teachers, supportive staff, small class sizes, and an intimate and close-knit cohort.
I have a close friend who graduated from Lindfield last year and now has a wonderful job at the VA. She was also accepted at OHSU and was faced with the same decision I had to face, and we had a long talk about it. The only thing that was holding me back was the tuition, but it is true that Lindfield is more helpful with financial aid. There are more opportunities for scholarships (I applied for one a few months ago and it looks like I'm going to get it!!), while OHSU would not allow me to put in my application for their scholarships until I was formally accepted, and the next application cycle for their scholarships isn't until next spring--right when the program is ending! I talked to someone in the Admissions office about this oversight, and they said "oh, well, I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do. You can't apply until you are accepted." So with the scholarships and the savings matching program ($5 for every $1 I put in) the price tag will be about the same as OHSU. It's a no-brainer. Lindfield for me! :)
Another consideration: this might not bother you, but as a strict vegan and animal rights advocate, it's extremely important to me and a deal breaker; I found out that OHSU has a primate research center and they are not committed to the three Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) to limit the use of animals in research. Here is a recent article highlighting animal abuse claims at the center:
Sorry for the long post against OHSU on a forum dedicated to the program. I know there are good things about it, but I thought I would share my perspective for those of you trying to make a decision. It was tough for me, but after a lot of thought and research, I am sure I am making the right choice for me. The important thing is to choose a school that's right for you. Maybe a big academic and research environment is what will work for you.
In any case, I wish you all luck! And congratulations to those of you who got accepted--that's a major accomplishment!!
Hi, allomorphicform. I just wanted to let you know that it is spelled Linfield, not Lindfield.
Whomever is the admin for the Fall ABSN 2015-2016 cohort facebook page, I requested to be added a few days ago. Accept me? :) Also, who else has sent in their admissions agreement/deposit and have you heard anything yet about them receiving it? I got an email directing me to my new OHSU student ID and pin number, but nothing about them directly saying they've received my deposit and agreement.
I mailed in my deposit on Tuesday along with my agreement, and have not received an email nor has the check been cashed. I emailed them to confirm that they received the deposit this morning.
For those who are the waitlist, has anyone spoken to the admissions office to confirm their process for accepting alternates? I'm curious if they've already started accepting people off the waitlist as people decline admission or whether they're waiting until after today's deadline to notify everyone at once...?
For those who are the waitlist, has anyone spoken to the admissions office to confirm their process for accepting alternates? I'm curious if they've already started accepting people off the waitlist as people decline admission or whether they're waiting until after today's deadline to notify everyone at once...?
Hey! I'm also on the alternate list and have been wanting to call OHSU admissions to see how the alternate process goes and how soon we might hear, but I know they're really busy and I don't want to be annoying! I think I might try calling next week after more people have sent in their letters to "Accept" or "Reject" their spot. Let me know if you happen to call before I do. I'll post when I get in touch with them :)
allomorphicform
6 Posts
Accepted! I've decided to go with Lindfield. Throughout this process, I've been so frustrated with the bureaucracy and impersonal interactions I've come up against with OHSU. From their highly secretive and elusive admissions process to their policies that make it difficult for low income students, such as the mandatory health insurance coverage that they require, even if you have a lower cost alternative--see the many news reports on this that has many students very upset since it's been put in place, and the fact that they do not participate in a great program for low income students for a matched savings account. See: Partner Schools | Matched College Savings Plan for a list of schools that participate--notice that OHSU is not on there, while UP and Lindfield are. If you are not familiar with this program, it's amazing. It's a savings account for college expenses that will match every dollar you put in with five dollars to go toward tuition. For all these reasons, and more (personal accounts of negative experiences of students in the OHSU system, and positive reviews of the more intimate and caring environment of Lindfield), I am choosing the latter. For those of you on the waitlist--here's another spot! And good luck!