I haven't seen a post for Fall 2021 yet so here it is!
My choices are:
1. UofT
2. McMaster
3. Nipissing SPP
I started my OUAC application in November and now trying to work on the supplemental packages. My CASPer Test is on January 12, 2021.
I need to take Anatomy and Physio course(s) however, I'm having a hard time figuring out what would satisfy the requirements from all three universities. My options so far are:
1. Take CBLG 101 in Winter and CBLG 111 in Spring at Ryerson. However final grade will be in June; hoping that's fine. This satisfies all 3 unis
2. Take SCS 2159 in Winter from UofT which is enough for UofT and McMaster but not for Nipissing. I have to take an Anatomy course just for Nip.
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from back home, been working as an RECE in Toronto the last 8 years, have a Diploma in Nonprofit Management at Ryerson. My cGPA is 3.55 which I'm worried about. Lots of extra curricular activities from university and volunteering here in Toronto. I still have to compute the GPA for the last two years.
I requested WES to send my transcripts to Nip and McMaster and asked my old uni to send to UofT.
It's been an expensive application so far; really hoping I get in! Looking forward to chatting with you all and sharing our experiences.
I also just got rejected from Mac. Is anyone else super shocked at how competitive these programs are?
I feel really lucky that I somehow managed to get into Trent. Wasn't even going to apply because it's 28 months long.. But now I'm super grateful that I did! I feel for everyone without acceptances yet. It's really tough hang in there! There's still time left and there's always next year. I believe in all of you!
I considered this for McMaster at the beginning of my application when I was still unsure about taking another statistics course (the one I took during undergrad wasn't accepted). Ultimately I decided that it's just not favorable time-wise and financially for me. Another 4-year degree is A LOT of money and I'm not sure how much OSAP would help me out, plus the 4-year completion time would leave me at the very least 2 years behind where I anticipated being when taking an accelerated program. After already completing a degree in 5 years, I'm not super keen on spending another 4 years for a nursing degree when I could potentially do it in 2. However, keep in mind that I got lucky and have an acceptance to Humber this year, so I'm not exactly in the same circumstances so my opinion might not align with what you're thinking of doing.
If it's your only option and you don't think you'll be able to work or volunteer during a gap year, then it's something to consider. Otherwise, I would look into strengthening your ECs or upgrading a few courses and reapplying to the accelerated programs next year over enrolling in a 4-year program now. If you got into an accelerated program next year, you'd still finish ahead of schedule with a 4-year program. It all depends on your time/financial situation and how competitive you think you can make yourself next application cycle.
I hope this helps. Best of luck!
Thanks for giving some input. I definitely agree with the time frame and financial aspect. I guess what's really confusing me that I'd spend money on doing more courses to apply again next year plus the application process but maybe not get in, you know? It's a gamble for sure. Whereas, in the 4 year program, I could easily work part time and help pay tuition. I guess it's a waiting game for me, I still have 3 unis pending and I have pretty good ECs. It's by sub-GPA that has me stressed, my last year was great so praying for UofT like the rest of us. Again, thank you!
Anyone apply to a 4 yr program as backup? I did and got in, just wanted to know if anyone was in the same boat as me. I am still pending for Trent, UofT and Western and was rejected from Mac last night. Heart is at second entry programs but waiting another year to boost my experience and average prolongs my time to be a nurse, I am feeling very confused.
I got some advice on this from my co-workers who are nurses. What it chalked down to is a few things.
What are your habits? Are you someone who needs more time to get accustomed to a program to start doing well? Are you someone who wants to do a MN or become an NP? If so your grades matter a lot more and having some buffer years with doing a 4 year degree might be the best option. Also, for a lot of us here having the prerequisites to apply to a 2nd entry program gives us a ton of transfer credits! Making it really practical to work part-time. Also, after each year of nursing new job opportunities come along with more $$ for example being able to work as a clinical extern or PSW part time.
However, if you are someone with an excellent GPA, outstanding ECs and have formed a great work ethic and know you will do well in a compressed program then why waste your time doing 4 years.
All of that is to say, if nursing is what you want to do - what is the big difference between 4 years and 2 years ? You'll still be a nurse!
I am someone who decided I wanted to be a nurse 2 years after completing my HBSc and currently dealing with this idea of being "behind in life," I have to keep remembering that this is my goal and stop comparing myself to others! (which is hard!).
Good luck! I am sure you'll make the right decision ?
I’ve seen a lot of people here who are worried about what to do for the next year if they don’t get an acceptance. I just wanted to share a little bit of my background in case it’s helpful for anyone feeling lost or uncertain right now.
I finished by BScH in 2019, and have spent the last year or so working as a receptionist in a medical centre. I would really encourage anyone who isn’t sure of what to do for the next year to look into this to fill time before reapplying. It’s excellent exposure to the health care environment and administration staff are very needed right now. Mostly they look for some kind of health related degree or experience, and experience with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software. I volunteered before in clinics so I had a bit of experience with EMR previously, but I mostly just found videos on the internet.
I’ve used this as an opportunity to save up some money for nursing and to get experience working with EMR, interacting with patients, and learning a lot about how the medical system in Ontario works (referrals, diagnostic imaging, prescriptions etc). I really do believe this experience helped with both CASPer and strengthening my overall application. I also work directly with a team of nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors so I’ve been able to get some great insight and experience working as part of a medical team.
A lot of positions will list 1-2 years experience or a certificate in Medical Administration as a requirement but don’t let that discourage you from applying! If anyone has any questions about this, feel free to reach out! (I’m sure others have also worked in similar positions as well as I had a lot of friends who did this during their undergrad)
Wishing everyone good luck with their applications! Hope this helps!
I was so upset at my McMaster Rejection that I went onto my OUAC Account and Withdrew my application. They can't REJECT you if you never applied right? haha. Stay strong everyone! You are all worthy of success.
I was so upset at my McMaster Rejection that I went onto my OUAC Account and Withdrew my application. They can't REJECT you if you never applied right? haha. Stay strong everyone! You are all worthy of success.
LOL I was thinking about that last night ahhahahhahahahaha
I got some advice on this from my co-workers who are nurses. What it chalked down to is a few things.
What are your habits? Are you someone who needs more time to get accustomed to a program to start doing well? Are you someone who wants to do a MN or become an NP? If so your grades matter a lot more and having some buffer years with doing a 4 year degree might be the best option. Also, for a lot of us here having the prerequisites to apply to a 2nd entry program gives us a ton of transfer credits! Making it really practical to work part-time. Also, after each year of nursing new job opportunities come along with more $$ for example being able to work as a clinical extern or PSW part time.
However, if you are someone with an excellent GPA, outstanding ECs and have formed a great work ethic and know you will do well in a compressed program then why waste your time doing 4 years.
All of that is to say, if nursing is what you want to do - what is the big difference between 4 years and 2 years ? You'll still be a nurse!
I am someone who decided I wanted to be a nurse 2 years after completing my HBSc and currently dealing with this idea of being "behind in life," I have to keep remembering that this is my goal and stop comparing myself to others! (which is hard!).
Good luck! I am sure you'll make the right decision ?
My goal is to become an NP and I thought it would've been the opposite! I figure that getting your RN and getting experience to apply to a master's and the post-masters NP Program as fast as possible would've been the best thing to do. Do you have any ore insight for people who might be toying with the idea of completing a 4-year RN program? I am doubting my decision to go to Humber's 2-year program with this new information.
My goal is to become an NP and I thought it would've been the opposite! I figure that getting your RN and getting experience to apply to a master's and the post-masters NP Program as fast as possible would've been the best thing to do. Do you have any ore insight for people who might be toying with the idea of completing a 4-year RN program? I am doubting my decision to go to Humber's 2-year program with this new information.
It's more of a balancing act, yes you need the 2 years of full time clinical experience post RN to become an NP but you also need excellent marks. The way things are trending now, with increased RN demand I can see that there will probably be more NP demand in the future making those applications more difficult to gain acceptance (this is not factual, just based off my personal experience and based off of advice from practitioners I know).
My insight is that you know you best! If you did well in your whole undergrad with full course loads and know you'll be able to do well in a more difficult program with less breaks (depending on the type of accelerated program), then accelerated is the way to go. If you have clearly gained the habits and demonstrated the performance needed to not only stay afloat through the accelerated program but can excel - it would be the right option for you ?
If you think you are someone who needs more time to understand concepts, wants more time to consolidate knowledge or wants to work part time and gain experience while in your BScN, maybe the 4 year is better for you?
With that being said, you were admitted to a 2 year program - to admissions you are more than capable to doing well in their program! It all depends on what your timeline is, what your finances look like, and the experience you want to have!
The nurses I work with come from all different backgrounds, but the advice they give me is to set myself up for success - by this time you know the environment in which you will succeed best!
My goal is to become an NP and I thought it would've been the opposite! I figure that getting your RN and getting experience to apply to a master's and the post-masters NP Program as fast as possible would've been the best thing to do. Do you have any ore insight for people who might be toying with the idea of completing a 4-year RN program? I am doubting my decision to go to Humber's 2-year program with this new information.
Same with me, but I'm leaning towards doing the 4 yrs if no second entry program accepts me. These are the reasons why:
1) I would have two degrees = experience, which NP schools value (with a higher average in the second bc more time)
2) more time to upgrade my marks as I have an advantage of transfer credits an have already been through the uni experience
3) working as an nurse extern with more time in the Summer and during school gives me more experience to add onto my resume + earning money for tuition as I go
4) extern jobs references for jobs after graduation
5) I'll have an idea of what department I enjoy given my experience.
Looking at the pros and honestly, the more I think about it, the better I feel. Hopefully this helps you too!
Same with me, but I'm leaning towards doing the 4 yrs if no second entry program accepts me. These are the reasons why:
1) I would have two degrees = experience, which NP schools value (with a higher average in the second bc more time)
2) more time to upgrade my marks as I have an advantage of transfer credits an have already been through the uni experience
3) working as an nurse extern with more time in the Summer and during school gives me more experience to add onto my resume + earning money for tuition as I go
4) extern jobs references for jobs after graduation
5) I'll have an idea of what department I enjoy given my experience.
Looking at the pros and honestly, the more I think about it, the better I feel. Hopefully this helps you too!
See this is what I was thinking when I was considering a 4-year program. My dad is SUPER against it and wants me to just blast out the 2 years wherever I get accepted and start working, but I'm not 100% set on going to Humber and doing this. I have emailed McMaster to see if they would consider transferring my application for the accelerated program to the basic stream for September entry, if they have the seats for it. So I guess we'll see what they say.
8 minutes ago, Eka said:
It's more of a balancing act, yes you need the 2 years of full time clinical experience post RN to become an NP but you also need excellent marks. The way things are trending now, with increased RN demand I can see that there will probably be more NP demand in the future making those applications more difficult to gain acceptance (this is not factual, just based off my personal experience and based off of advice from practitioners I know).
My insight is that you know you best! If you did well in your whole undergrad with full course loads and know you'll be able to do well in a more difficult program with less breaks (depending on the type of accelerated program), then accelerated is the way to go. If you have clearly gained the habits and demonstrated the performance needed to not only stay afloat through the accelerated program but can excel - it would be the right option for you ?
If you think you are someone who needs more time to understand concepts, wants more time to consolidate knowledge or wants to work part time and gain experience while in your BScN, maybe the 4 year is better for you?
With that being said, you were admitted to a 2 year program - to admissions you are more than capable to doing well in their program! It all depends on what your timeline is, what your finances look like, and the experience you want to have!
The nurses I work with come from all different backgrounds, but the advice they give me is to set myself up for success - by this time you know the environment in which you will succeed best!
Hope this helped a bit.
Thank you so much for the detail you put in your response! I'll be putting some serious thought into this, as the rejection from McMaster's 2-year program has left me with little hope for UofT, just leaving me with my acceptance to Humber which I'm not dead set on yet.
stressedespair
66 Posts
congrats for trent? what was your GPA?