Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

[GoodyNurse2b]

Thanks for all of your responses to all of my previous posts. As you probably assume, I'm evaluating all of my options including ADN, BSN, and Direct-Entry MSN. The direct entry programs look extremely appealing, but seeing that they are at the best of colleges, I don't know how easy they are to get in.

Does anyone know what the typical GPA, scores, acceptance rates of these programs are? Anyone have any experience applying?

I'm in MD, so I'd consider Hopkins, but Columbia, MGHI in Mass, Case Western, Vanderbilt, Pace, and Yale also look appealing.

Seeing as nursing traditionally isn't an "ivy league" profession, are the credentials required for these programs less than what a typical "ivy" student would need?

I'd love to hear experiences with any programs.........

[Jess RN]

Jupiter-

You sound like you have a great all around "profile" and are really dedicated to pursuing a career in nursing! The only thing I can think is that UCSF is a highly competitve program and that they must have had tons of really qualified candidates such as yourself. Did you apply to any other programs or is that really the only place you want to go? I debated with myself if I should apply to more schools than the two I did- but honestly, I really don't want to go anywhere but BC or MGH- and if it means waiting another year and reapplying that's what I'd rather do. Can you call UCSF and ask what you can do to strengthen your application for next year? If they won't give you any feedback, I'd sign up for the next info session they are holding and try to get some of your questions answered there instead. If you think it is likely you would score better on the GREs I'd certainly consider that. Take a few practice tests and see how you score to give you a rough idea. I have some CDs with tests on them that I'd be happy to pop in the mail to you if you like, just email me your address-

Hang in there and don't get discouraged- you will make a great Psych NP!

-Jess

[Jess RN]

Oh- and one more thing. I don't know if UCSF is like this- but BC admits based on specialty. So if there were a ton of Psych/Mental Health specialty applicants this year it would have made it even more competitive at an already really really competitive school.

Just one more thing to consider...

Jess

[Gennaver, MSN]

Jupiter,

My friend and I were both invited for interviews at UCSF and neither one of us had stellar GRE scores, so I think your 500's are fine. What stood out about most of the finalists was their volunteer work and commitment to community service.

I would suggest volunteering and getting really focussed and knowledgable about the specialty you're interested in. I think that will help you so much more than suffering through the GREs again.

Good Luck!

Hello Jupiter,

I am reading through this thread and wondering why all these applicants with such stellar numbers are agonizing. Now I see why.

I wonder though if not only volunteering but also work experience may be a good factor. I do mean only work in hospital but, any work that deals with clients in a personal way, (customer service, social work or even tutoring.)

As a candidate with only average numbers, (again, gre 560v and 530q and a 3.15 final 60ch gpa-minus my final 18) I was hoping the entire application material would be weighed. Have all my pre-reqs complete with a higher gpa than my overall. I was a pre-nursing major but changed my major into a BA in sociology with minors in psychology and spanish and my associates is in biology.

I have been working as a nurse assistant since 1989 and worked for a couple of years as an ambulance driver in 1986 then also worked as a phelbotomist/lab tech/medical assistant since 1999. I really hope that this will affect my application as becoming a nurse was the main reason I went back to school as an adult. I turn 39 this May.

I changed my choice of specialty from women's health to adult health. While I really want to focus on becoming a nurse colposcopist I also realize that when I worked in hospitals, (4 in the Chicagoland area) that many of my patients were also men and I do not want to diminish the patient population that I would be able to care for.

Anyhow, I do want to wish all of us candidates the best of luck and hope that we will eventually have a thread titled, "current direct entry students!"

Gennaver

p.s. fingers crossed in Chicago!!

[Jess RN]

Hi again Gen!

Yeah- I do think very qualified candidates stressing about getting in to school is justified, if fruitless :chuckle

At most programs, there are far more "qualified" candidates than there are seats in the program. I think that was probably a good move changing your specialty to Adult, if only because that the poulation is larger, there should be more seats reserved for that specialty, and you should have a much easier time finding a job after graduation. I struggled with changing my specialty mostly because I fear investing in my edcation only to face unemployment after graduation. But I really only think I would be happy working in women's health - it's what I have the most passion for- and I was hoping that would come through in my essays.

I think your work experience is great! That will really show schools you know what you will be getting into as a nurse and show your commitment to working with people in the allied health field- because you've been doing it for over 15 years! :) I forget if you already mentioned it- but what schools are you applying to?

Anyhow, I do want to wish all of us candidates the best of luck and hope that we will eventually have a thread titled, "current direct entry students!"

I second that!!!

-Jess

[Gennaver, MSN]

Hi again Gen!

Yeah- I do think very qualified candidates stressing about getting in to school is justified, if fruitless :chuckle

:) I forget if you already mentioned it- but what schools are you applying to?

-Jess

Hello Jess,

I am having a moment of my own worry Okay, back to the question, I am applying to University of Illinois at Chicago. My back up plan is to attend a junior college to take my final six classes towards my ADN. Although, only just today I found that Loyola University hospital has a 13 month accelterate BSN program so, yikes, maybe I should try for that as a back-up too?

My thinking is that the ADN at a junior college is going to be much more affordable but, if I do not get accepted into the UIC program I ought to have the summer to see about the Accelerated BSN at Loyola and if non of that pans out then its Prarie State College in Chicago Heights for the ADN. They were my first post high school education experience! That is where I went for my emergency medical tech-ambulance training in 1986 (yikes, 19 years ago!!) Now just where did that time go??

:)

Gennaver

[Jupiter]

Quote: "Anyhow, I do want to wish all of us candidates the best of luck and hope that we will eventually have a thread titled, "current direct entry students!"

I third that!!

By the way - it seems like a LOT of colleges are now adding direct-entry and/or excellerated BSN programs...I fould a lot through this site and also just looking at different universites' sites.

Gennaver, I think you are wise to have a back-up plan - although I hear that many RN programs are also turning away hundreds of qualified applicants due to lack of space/teachers/etc.) - I guess you just never know! I am going to talk to UC about my application, and if I find out anything helpful, I will definitely share it w/ this board. Good luck to you - if I were you, I'd just go ahead and apply everywhere!

And Jess - thanks again - that is so nice of you to offer the GRE practice tests! I just sent you a private message. You are going to make such an awesome women's health nurse:) :)

[Gennaver, MSN]

Hi there and good grief!

Now I understand why all the agonizing and anticipation. I am so glad I was unaware of the intense competition before taking the gre, (that stress would have made it even worse.)

My school (UIC) only got their approval for this program recently and this January's cohort only had three weeks to get their papers together before starting, (from apply to go), there are 28 students in the first round.

Applications for next January have to be in by March 1st. They have only 40 available slots and probably 300 students trying for them.

Ohmygosh. I am glad I have a back-up plan but, really want to pursue the NP direct rather than ADN then to BSN then MSN, (as I will complete my BA this semester).

Wow, super-competitive. The GREs average is going to push higher and higher but, for now at least, my lowly scores may qualify, (maybe). The minimum average of 1000 is tentative at best.

Okay, fingers crossed and anxious waiting now.

Gennaver

[Jess RN]

Hi Gennaver!

That's crazy about your program!! Yes some of these Direct Entry programs are crazy competitive! BC's acceptance rate last year was in the teens- just to put it in perspective , my husband went to Princeton- and their acceptance rate was around 10%- so basically even if your Driect Entry program isn't "ivy league" it is just as hard to get into as an ivy league school! Jeepers. I have been poring over catalogues from local 4 yr and community colleges in my area trying to figure out a back up plan.

Really, I am spending waaaaay too much time stressing over this. For me, if I don't get in this year I may have to just look at it as a sign- because really, I don't think there is much I can do to improve my chances for next year that I haven't already done- you know? If I don't get in I think I will need to just look at other programs- maybe the get my RN first and then go the RN to MSN route.

Good luck finishing up your apps. The best advice I would give you is to really spend a lot of time on your essays- you have a month so do many revisions, have friends take a read through for you- and make sure they tell the best story about you that they can- it is your chance to really shine!

Best of luck and everyone- be sure to report back when you hear from schools!

Jess

[Gennaver, MSN]

Hi Gennaver!

That's crazy about your program!! ...

Good luck finishing up your apps. The best advice I would give you is to really spend a lot of time on your essays- you have a month so do many revisions, have friends take a read through for you- and make sure they tell the best story about you that they can- it is your chance to really shine!

Best of luck and everyone- be sure to report back when you hear from schools!

Jess

Thank you for the advice Jess,

I have never calculated my gpa so much before! My final 60 hours should be good even though currently my final 60 hours is only around 3.15, (I have 18 credit hours this semester and should graduate magna cum laude (final 50 hours being over 3.7). Also, I just completed filling out my pre-requisite course form and have all of them done with a 3.8 gpa for them, (with A&P within the last five years).

Oy!

I am even willing to choose one of UIC's regional sites for the MS part as that should widen the applicant pool. I have a feeling that my significant other would be willing to go halfway. Only thing is, the regional sites do not have the Adult Nurse Practitioner...

I am glad that this thread is here! Yes, the competition is stressful and the expectations for ourselves is so high! I think we can do it!!

Gennaver

[Kensington]

. . . . .

[Gennaver, MSN]

I wish I had cared more in my undergraduate and had the grades that I could have so easily obtained. Stupid, stupid, stupid. And now that I want to get into a Direct Entry Program, my chances are so slim. I'm just hoping that I can get really high GRE scores and by the grace of God, can find a way. Any suggestions???

Hello Kensington,

From what I understand the GRE is indeed to show some sort of comparison to gpa, (so you most likely will get a good gre and that will neutralize the old gpa). Also, your entire package, (letters of recommendation, work and volunteer experience) will be weighed together.

Any coursework since college such as your pre-reqs, may also make a difference but, college gpa is apparently the 'official' gpa but, don't berate yourself, (letters of explanation help too, especially considered with good gre scores.)

I say, give it a try! Make a back up plan too, not that I want to ever tell someone to settle, (but a back up can't help).

Where are you looking?

Gennaver

[Jess RN]

Gennaver- Your GPA is great. Congrats on magna cum laude! I think it will definitely make a good impression that you finished so strongly!

Kensington- Don't worry about what you can't change- as my husband loves to say :) Have you done any of your prereqs yet? They are a great opportunity to show that you are a serious academically strong student *now* and help soften your undergrad GPA. Also volunteering, GRE scores and your essays have equal weight- I can't imagine your app would be tossed just on the basis of GPA alone.

-Jess