OU applicants-???

kharpe · Dec 28, 2004

hey okie2,

i am also applying to the second degree program. i was wondering how the application seminar went. was there any helpful advice about he application process. if so, do you mine sharing :rolleyes:

kristina

hey everyone!
just wanted to ask how many people out there are applying to ou? and is anyone attending the application seminar next week? it's suppossed to be extremely helpful in preparing a great app!
i'll be there- even though i'm not applying until 06. i'm working on pre-reqs right now and hope to get in the 2nd degree bsn program. i want to get my hands on as much info as i can. i hear it's pretty competitive out there.
good luck to all!
go sooners! beat texas!

okie2 · Dec 28, 2004

Kristina Just a warning- the seminar did not leave me very encouraged! Sorry ahead of time for the rant. I came away very disappointed. There really was not one inspirational moment for me. If you are applying there....start early and apply Online. It is the preferred method. You have to start really early because everything goes thru OUHCS admissions office--nothing goes directly to the Nursing School. If you are missing one piece of info or leave a line blank, your app won't go on to nursing at all/ they will never even consider you! Be very careful and diligent. Good Luck!!

About the seminar. The woman from OUHCS admissions was brutely honest about the chances of getting in just to the HCS...slim without excellent GPA (well above 3.0). She said our first motivation was to earn a degree from OU....and we should apply to multiple health programs. they place people where they have space. If you can go to Lawton or Tulsa, you have a better chance of acceptance.

The Nursing staff was not much more encouraging. Last year they had over 600 applicants and accepted 120. For 05 it may be from 112 to 130 & the Accelerated program may have 20-50 places depending on funding. They have a "points" system that they keep very secret-but we learned that OU students get priority, and certain classes gain you more points. We also found out that they will no longer accept the combo A&P classes, only separate Anatomy and Phys. I had been told to take the combo only a few months before!! After the first 8 weeks the program becomes "Online intensive". I didn't like that. Also, the tuition went up from what was advertised on the website ($9,000)..to about $14,000 now. Someone asked about the NCLEX pass rates being low (lower than all ADN programs) the woman said it was because the student body was young and didn't believe it when they were told to get and and work in the "real world" to pass the nclex....she actually said that I promise!! the students weren't prepared for the exam because they hadn't been out in the real world!! then what do they learn?

I have decided to take my previous BS in bio and go to OKCCC for the RN. I'm currently working on pre-reqs and support courses there. Some of them are not required before applying but having them all done will help my chances of admission. My youngest is in preschool and I want to stay part-time right now. I will apply for 06 when he goes to 1st grade. The RN prog. is alot more hands-on practical experience, and costs a fraction of OU. I can always go on to an MSN for advanced practice since I have a BS. It's the best choice for me. I hope you get a chance to visit OU and maybe go to the next seminar.....your situation may be different and it may be the best choice for you. I'm sure you're weighing all your options. ...I wish you the best! :)

Jana

OKNurse2005 · Dec 29, 2004

Hi. I am an accelerated BSN student @ OU-CON currently, and I don't know much about the points system at all (sorry) I originally applied for the now defunct Direct MSN program from non-nursing BS/BA holders, so I kind of just had to roll the dice with what I had and hoped for the best. I got in, so how bad can it be :-) I am sure, that as with everything, the higher the GPA, science GPA, blah, blah, blah. . . the better. I never really asked about the points, and didn't really worry about it, but a points system is usually how admittance to most professional level programs are done, and it is usually kind of secretive.

Your best bet might be to make an appointment with one of the advisors and have a one-on-one; it might be more informative than a large seminar session.

okie2 · Dec 30, 2004

Hi. I am an accelerated BSN student @ OU-CON currently, and I don't know much about the points system at all (sorry) I originally applied for the now defunct Direct MSN program from non-nursing BS/BA holders, so I kind of just had to roll the dice with what I had and hoped for the best. I got in, so how bad can it be :-) I am sure, that as with everything, the higher the GPA, science GPA, blah, blah, blah. . . the better. I never really asked about the points, and didn't really worry about it, but a points system is usually how admittance to most professional level programs are done, and it is usually kind of secretive.
Your best bet might be to make an appointment with one of the advisors and have a one-on-one; it might be more informative than a large seminar session.

If you were applying for the MSN with non nursing degree, are you already an RN? LPNs and RNs can get into the BSN accelerated by just applying---it's non-competitive. they encouraged those people without high GPAs to get the LPN or RN before coming there for the BSN.

How do you like the program? Is it really "online" intensive? MAybe the seminar was a weeding out thing-who knows.

Best of Luck!

kharpe · Dec 30, 2004

Jana,

This will be my second time applying to OUHCS. The only difference this year is that I will have a non-nursing degree in May. I can't believe they only accept 20-50 people.:uhoh21: I will definately apply to more than one program. I'm glad I didn't go to the seminar, but I figure what can be more discouraging than a denial letter! (ANOTHER ONE). I'll just keep my head up and you do the same. Good luck. Thanks for the reply :)

Kristina

Kristina Just a warning- the seminar did not leave me very encouraged! Sorry ahead of time for the rant. I came away very disappointed. There really was not one inspirational moment for me. If you are applying there....start early and apply Online. It is the preferred method. You have to start really early because everything goes thru OUHCS admissions office--nothing goes directly to the Nursing School. If you are missing one piece of info or leave a line blank, your app won't go on to nursing at all/ they will never even consider you! Be very careful and diligent. Good Luck!!
About the seminar. The woman from OUHCS admissions was brutely honest about the chances of getting in just to the HCS...slim without excellent GPA (well above 3.0). She said our first motivation was to earn a degree from OU....and we should apply to multiple health programs. they place people where they have space. If you can go to Lawton or Tulsa, you have a better chance of acceptance.
The Nursing staff was not much more encouraging. Last year they had over 600 applicants and accepted 120. For 05 it may be from 112 to 130 & the Accelerated program may have 20-50 places depending on funding. They have a "points" system that they keep very secret-but we learned that OU students get priority, and certain classes gain you more points. We also found out that they will no longer accept the combo A&P classes, only separate Anatomy and Phys. I had been told to take the combo only a few months before!! After the first 8 weeks the program becomes "Online intensive". I didn't like that. Also, the tuition went up from what was advertised on the website ($9,000)..to about $14,000 now. Someone asked about the NCLEX pass rates being low (lower than all ADN programs) the woman said it was because the student body was young and didn't believe it when they were told to get and and work in the "real world" to pass the nclex....she actually said that I promise!! the students weren't prepared for the exam because they hadn't been out in the real world!! then what do they learn?
I have decided to take my previous BS in bio and go to OKCCC for the RN. I'm currently working on pre-reqs and support courses there. Some of them are not required before applying but having them all done will help my chances of admission. My youngest is in preschool and I want to stay part-time right now. I will apply for 06 when he goes to 1st grade. The RN prog. is alot more hands-on practical experience, and costs a fraction of OU. I can always go on to an MSN for advanced practice since I have a BS. It's the best choice for me. I hope you get a chance to visit OU and maybe go to the next seminar.....your situation may be different and it may be the best choice for you. I'm sure you're weighing all your options. ...I wish you the best! :)
Jana

okie2 · Dec 30, 2004

Kristina- don't be discouraged about the "letter". Keep in mind the number of applicants last year! AND I'm sure the new degree will help alot. they do recommend applying for both programs. Sorry I was so negative. I came away from the seminar disappointed, but I guess I didn't have any idea how the real world worked. Like I said previously, the seminar may have been a kind of weeding out ceremony. If my situation was different, I might be up for the fight. But I want to get into nursing-bottom line. I am 36, married, two young kiddos, and need to find the best fit for me and my family.

I wish you the very best luck!!!!

okie2 · Dec 30, 2004

sorry oknurse2005--if the "non-competitive" thing sounded rude. I'm really glad that you got in! I guess I get a little yucky about the whole experience. I really had no idea what I was getting into-no idea how the real world of professional schools, especially one of such reputation, worked. I would more accurately describe the feeling as "disillusioned" rather than disappointed. I went looking for inspiration and real life hit me in the face. It made me re-evaluate my situation, goals, limitations, etc. and my true chances of being accepted.

Best of luck for the coming semester---you'll be a nurse before you know it!!

OKNurse2005 · Dec 30, 2004

Well there were 50+ applicants from the program this past year, and they took 16. I don't know if that is competitive or not. They are taking up to 50 this year (according to rumor)

I am not an RN. . . the direct MSN program was one for BS/BA students with a non-nursing degree to be accelerated through bachelors work and then obtain their masters degree as a CNS or Case Management (2-3 year process). I applied for that program in December 2003. . . and received a letter IN January stating that the program had been altered and converted to an Accelerated BSN, and my application was just shuffled over to there. There are no RN's in the class. . .so I do not know if they are accepting RN's or not. It's one of those great mysteries like the point system :-)

I recall getting lots of static of the discouraging nature from the various ADN and BSN programs that I talked to around the state. Just on the phone or in person, but that seemed to be kind of an overall trend. . . not really sure what that is about. I remember feeling yucky, disillusioned, and all of the above when I went to the two orientation seminars after I was accepted into the program.. I did not go to the application seminar. It sounded so horrid I thought about quitting before I started. . . but I survived. Maybe they just want to sound big and gruff. Maybe they wanted to communicate to you that this should be something you really wanted to do. Remember, they are more used to dealing with younger traditional students than those of us non-traditional students. Though there are non-traditional students in the regular BSN program, we are all a concentrated bunch, and sometimes I am not sure if they know how to handle all of us at one time :-)

As for your other questions. . it is "kind of" online intensive, but not the online intensive that I was expecting when they told me during my interview that they were going online. Some of the lighter theory classes are completely online, and that isn't so bad. The heavy theory classes are online, but vary on their online content. Don't expect online lectures and stuff. . .unless the class has online quizzes, most of them are more like an "online" correspondence course if that makes any sense at all. But must of the "online" classes will meet, but only for like half the time (for a 4 hr class, you will meet 2 hrs, for a 3 hr class, 1.5 hrs). Its kind of a work in progress, and we got to be the guinea pigs :-)

Good luck to you in your application process. Hopefully, you will be joining us in June. :-) Its just a short time away.

OKNurse2005 · Dec 30, 2004

Oh (just thought of this, sorry)if you are looking for inspiration, you might ask the admin office to talk to the instructors that teach in the program, or other students if they would allow it. Dont' know what the rules are, but I can't hurt to ask (well hurt TOO much anyway).

okie2 · Dec 30, 2004

thanks for the info..I still have time to sort thru everything since I won't apply to any program unil next year. I have a friend who graduated from UCO nursing last may. She's working at Children's in med/surg and is enjoying it. She learned a lot after being on the floor a few months! She's my age and was one of the oldest there, but they have a small program.

I'm glad to have more insight into the online stuff. And, yes all the programs are kinda weird to you unil you get in. Like at OKCCC the nursing administration/counselors don't really deal with pre-nursing people like me.

I understand that there are a lot of applicants for every program, and very few slots. Some places have had to cut back on the # accepted.

Can I ask...do you have a family?? At first the OU 14month prog. was being pushed for 2nd career seekers/ family people who wanted to get out faster, etc. BUT at the seminar they were very negative about it and stressed how intensive it is and there isn't much time for family. I know this can be true for any prog, but it seemd worse due to the shortened time frame.

What do you think about the load versus the 2 yr??

thanks for your honesty and input.

okie2 · Dec 30, 2004

Oh- yes, I think 16 out of 50 is pretty competitive especially if all those people had already been accepted to the MSN program! I can't imagine being told NO after already getting in It's great you made it!!