Oklahoma City University Fall 2015

Nene333 · May 28, 2015

Hey, so yes it took 4-5 weeks since the day I submitted my application. One of those weeks was during OKCU's spring break so that was an extra week where no work was being done towards my admission. I'm sure you will hear back from them soon but there is no harm in contacting them if you haven't heard from them. In regards to my science classes, they sent me a link where I input all my science courses, where I took them, how many units they were and also the grade I received, some of the courses also required a syllabi so when they send you that link I suggest including all the syllabi for those courses because they might email you back telling you to provide it so the more information you put the better.

I actually just spoke with someone in the financial aid department today and she was very friendly and helpful. She broke down the costs of everything and the loans that are available. You will receive a packet in the mail that shows all the expenses you would have to pay. It's nice because they break it down into direct and indirect costs.

Direct costs include: tuition, fees, first year fees, nursing fees, student health insurance. It comes out to be around 35,000 for the year although you can opt out of health insurance and the nursing fee depends on how many units you have its $2,470 a year if you are taking 15 units for both semesters and less if you take less units.

Indirect costs include housing, meals, books, transportation and miscellaneous and they estimate that you would need around 15,000 per year. But then again that really just depends on where you live. It's much cheaper to live off campus and cook your own meals than to live on campus with a meal plan so that will cut down some expenses.

I will have to take out a loan, the school offers a parent plus loan so cover around 50,000 but you should also compare with other outside loan companies. I don't know much about loans so my parents and I will be looking into that this weekend.

I chose OKCU mainly because it was an accelerated program. I applied to one school in California but everything else out of state because it would be cheaper and they don't have a long waitlist. The schools in California are very competitive. I have a good GPA but it isn't a 4.0 either. Also it is a lot easier to find a job out of state. There are a lot of nursing job opportunities in California but they do not want to spend the money or time training new nurses so I wanted to be in an area where I can get my BSN and not have trouble finding a job that way I can work for a year or so and then come back to California and not be limited. I have a few nurses in my family and this out of state process worked really well for them. Sorry this was so long but I hope its helpful.

2bNurseJG2008 · May 28, 2015

Thanks for all the info, it is very helpful!! Okay, when you say syllabi you mean syllabus for the course? I took my pre-requisites quite a bit ago so I'm not sure if I have the actual syllabus for each class, do they want a class description? Hmm I would think they could see the units and type of class along with the grade received through the transcripts no? Anyways, I guess I just have to wait - I've been admitted to the school so far but now I am just waiting on the Kramer School of Nursing to review my transcripts and wait for a response.

Yeah, I don't know much about loans either so I will just wait to see if I get accepted or not in the nursing program than move forward from there. I do meet all the requirements required to get admitted in the program but I am still anxious to hear back if I get in or not. Hopefully I get some good news. I'm currently awaiting if I get accepted at my current school here in Southern California but there's a good chance I might not get in because it is so competitive so I am using OKCU as a back up - I do want to go to OKCU though because it is only 16 months long which is nice.

I have the same plan as you - I want to be in an area to get my BSN and find a job and get experience so that I can eventually come back and work in California. I have a few nurses in my family as well but they all went to school a long time ago where it wasn't competitive and there were no such thing as entrance exams.

That is what is really hindering me from getting into a program here in California is the entrance exams, but I do have a good GPA, not a 4.0 but good enough. I just feel an entrance exam shouldn't determine if a person should be a nurse or not if someone is capable, which is why I looked out of state to be in a program, I don't want anything in the way of me being a nurse! I am definitely in the same boat as you. Well, hopefully if all goes well I will be attending in the fall! We should keep in touch during this process! - it would be nice to get to know my possible future classmates.

Cmcdaniel · May 28, 2015

Interesting... My daughter was given her acceptance letter to OCU and was told by her advisor that she'll automatically be in the Accelerated program as soon as they receive her transcript from her other college stating she has a BA. They admitted her into the college based on her unofficial transcripts, but needed to see the final one before she's officially in.

She has a place to live in the campus apartments, and when she asked about registering for classes they said they'll automatically do it for her when her official transcript arrives. They told her she will be receiving a packet in the mail mid July with all of the info she'll need.

i hope this helped!

Nene333 · May 28, 2015

Well you will be accepted to the program as long as you meet the requirements, its guarenteed. Where is your daughter living for the campus apartments. I really wanted to live in cokesbury apts but I just don't like how it's not guarenteed that you will live there. If your daughter is living there and would like a roomate I would like to talk to her and see if we would be compatible. It would be nice to live with someone else who is in the same program and new to the area as well.

Nene333 · May 28, 2015

Oh and my classes were set up for me automotically by the nursing director and that was nice. I will be taking 12 units to start with. I've looked up the professors on rate my professor and most of them got good reviews.

Cmcdaniel · May 28, 2015

Sorry if this is a duplicate response. I posted a reply and I didn't see it.

That's great about having quality professors.

If you want to PM me I can give you my daughters number. She's in Europe right now until the first part if August, but she does have texting abilities. That's why I'm trying to keep the ball rolling for her.

When she applied for Cokesbury, she was told it's pretty full but would have her on a list. About a week later she called inquiring about it and was told she got the last room in a quad (which is what she wanted). Ideally she wanted a quad with all nursing students, but she'll take what she can get.

If Cokesbury is what you want, I would call and ask to have my name on the list in case someone backs out.

Since her not knowing the area or any people we thought best at least for the first semester to live on campus. She might choose to get an apartment off campus after the first semester if she meets some nursing students that would like to share.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

TexasRN2B93 · Jun 22, 2015

Hello! I attended OCU for my last prerequisites this past spring to get a feel for the school and area. I'm starting the accelerated program this fall. I would love to arrange a meet up before class starts. I just wanted to make a note, that we have orientation August 21. Let me know if you have any questions.

I look forward to hearing from you soon(:

Cmcdaniel · Jun 22, 2015

Thank you TexasRN2B93... My daughter doesn't get her packet until mid July, when my daughter asked about the orient ion date she was told that there wasn't one.

How do u like OCU? Will you be staying on campus or off?

My daughter is in Europe right now until the first part of August, but I'll get this message to her. Internet isn't dependable so far for her, so nothing personal if it takes her a little while to get back to you.

She'll be on campus August 17th to move into the on campus Cokesbury apartments and get acquainted with OCU and the surrounding area.

she has mentioned wanting to make contact with fellow nursing students, so she'll be excited to hear from you!

TexasRN2B93 · Jun 23, 2015

Not a problem! Kelly Rowland emailed me about a week ago saying, "Also, remember to put August 21 on your calendar as the day for the mandatory nursing orientation. I will send you an email as we get closer to this day. "

I don't really have much of an opinion on OCU yet, because I didn't really meet many people my first semester. The teachers I had for my basics were great for the most part. I had no issues other than bad weather so just be prepared for that- I wasn't! The school is very nice, but the area around it is pretty run down. Not going to lie. That's one reason I felt a lot safer living on campus.

I will be living in Cokesbury in a double. I'm so excited to hear from someone else entering the program!

ssweezie · Jul 22, 2015

I'm just about to finish my second semester at Kramer. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer.

Who are your professors for the foundations, health assessment, and pharmacology?

Cmcdaniel · Jul 29, 2015

First of all congratulations on completing your second semester!

I have a couple of small questions.

My daughter received her book list and there's several " recommended" books along with the required ones. Did you purchase the recommended ones? If so, were you glad you did?

Also anything else you would recommend getting that you thought has been very helpful to you?

Thank you so much!

ssweezie · Jul 31, 2015

Thank you!!

I've always purchased the recommended books but I haven't used them. The only exception would be the NCLEX practice question books. I think there is one for fundamentals. Those are definitely worth buying.

I would say the most helpful thing in school have been my friends. So I would say make connections and then keep up with readings and assignments :)