Direct Entry Programs- How hard to get in?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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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.........

I'm still anxiously awaiting my acceptance, but enjoying this thread.

I think working makes me a better mommy. I can go out, do the adult thing all day, then I am excited to see my daughter when I pick her up. I have plenty of patience and I have been looking forward to playing with her.

If I stayed home all day I think I would be a grouch with no patience. I also think I would sit around in my pajamas all day:)

Anyone who can get into three programs sounds like the kind of person who needs the stimulation and adult interaction outside the home, but will have lots left over for the kids after school. Also, kids can pick up on your emotional state- a mommy who is fulfilling her dream by going to school sounds a lot better than a mommy who gave up her dream to take care of the kids.

Just my .02.

Specializes in Postpartum.
I'm still anxiously awaiting my acceptance, but enjoying this thread.

I think working makes me a better mommy. I can go out, do the adult thing all day, then I am excited to see my daughter when I pick her up. I have plenty of patience and I have been looking forward to playing with her.

If I stayed home all day I think I would be a grouch with no patience. I also think I would sit around in my pajamas all day:)

Anyone who can get into three programs sounds like the kind of person who needs the stimulation and adult interaction outside the home, but will have lots left over for the kids after school. Also, kids can pick up on your emotional state- a mommy who is fulfilling her dream by going to school sounds a lot better than a mommy who gave up her dream to take care of the kids.

Just my .02.

CEG- Thanks so much for this reassurance and encouragement! I do try to make it into real clothes each day- but man, some days it is hard!! :chuckle Staying at home with young kids is hard work. Much harder than any of my previous jobs and in ways I'm not particularly skilled at. I love my kids- but right now I'm giving them quantity time not quality time. I do think I will be a happier mom when I'm using my brain and working toward a worthy goal. I just have to have faith that my kids will be ok and that I will find the right childcare provider. Also, this will mean my husband will really have to step up in terms of responsibility as well and I think that will be a good thing.

Thanks everyone for your support! This is an awesome thread/site!

Jess

It's hard to wait here in Portland from MGH! I checked the mail today.. nothing! I'm hoping it will be sooner than later!! :eek:

I am so right there with you, PdxDreamer. I jumped on this website when I got home this evening after encountering my empty mailbox to check whether my fellow westcoaster had heard from MGH.

I got an e-mail from them today (which I guess everyone got) stating that the letters have all gone out and we should contact them if we haven't gotten them by 3/18/05.

Tomorrow or Saturday, I'm figuring. Jess said hers was postmarked Tuesday, if I remember correctly. You live in Portland, so that's a real city, if you're central and not just referring to yourself as in the Portland metro area and in the boonies.

I actually AM in the boonies, about 1 hr from the central post office for my county, and my mail often is a bit delayed (I'm about 2.5 hours north of San Francisco in Sonoma County).

Work is insane right now, for administrative reasons, and all I can think of right now is can I get through another day of it before I get to see whether that MGH letter is in the mail tomorrow?! :uhoh21:

Specializes in Postpartum.

not waiting for the mail like a lunatic! :rotfl:

My hubby and I did a detailed pro/con and cost speradsheet last night to compare the three programs. If you factor in the cost of childcare, BC is by far the bargain of the three. Weird, because the cost per credit is the highest. But, the compressed schedule saves 30K over the total cost of MGH and about 11k over Regis.

So, that may pretty much makes my decision for me. I'm still going to think it over for a while- but it's already sooo much money- that I think since the cheapest school for me is also a pretty darn good one- that may be the way to go.

-Jess

not waiting for the mail like a lunatic! :rotfl:

My hubby and I did a detailed pro/con and cost speradsheet last night to compare the three programs. If you factor in the cost of childcare, BC is by far the bargain of the three. Weird, because the cost per credit is the highest. But, the compressed schedule saves 30K over the total cost of MGH and about 11k over Regis.

So, that may pretty much makes my decision for me. I'm still going to think it over for a while- but it's already sooo much money- that I think since the cheapest school for me is also a pretty darn good one- that may be the way to go.

-Jess

I'm glad you and your husband did a pro/con list. If I understand you correctly:

cheapest overall: BC

next: Regis ($11K more)

next: MGH ($30K more)

Reputationwise, which is the better quality school? Is it BC? or MGH?

Smile123

Specializes in Postpartum.
I'm glad you and your husband did a pro/con list. If I understand you correctly:

cheapest overall: BC

next: Regis ($11K more)

next: MGH ($30K more)

Reputationwise, which is the better quality school? Is it BC? or MGH?

Smile123

Yup- those are the numbers. BC is ranked higher, I think it is in the top 25 on the US News listing, but really I think BC and MGH are comparable. Anyone else have opinions on thier relative reputations?

-Jess

Specializes in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Occ Health.

Hi guys, I'll check the mail on my lunch hour and see if MGH came today!! And yes, I live right in Portland so it shouldn't take forever.

And with the childcare, don't feel bad! Not only was I a "daycare kid" from 0-12 yrs, but I work at KinderCare Corporate office also! We have parents who don't even work bring their kids in because they want to go to the gym, get their nails done or have lunch with their friends. If they're allowed to do it guilt-free, you definitely are!! :rolleyes:

Specializes in Postpartum.
Hi guys, I'll check the mail on my lunch hour and see if MGH came today!! And yes, I live right in Portland so it shouldn't take forever.

And with the childcare, don't feel bad! Not only was I a "daycare kid" from 0-12 yrs, but I work at KinderCare Corporate office also! We have parents who don't even work bring their kids in because they want to go to the gym, get their nails done or have lunch with their friends. If they're allowed to do it guilt-free, you definitely are!! :rolleyes:

Good luck Diana! I'll have my fingers crossed for you!

-Jess

Specializes in Postpartum.
Yup- those are the numbers. BC is ranked higher, I think it is in the top 25 on the US News listing, but really I think BC and MGH are comparable. Anyone else have opinions on thier relative reputations?

-Jess

Just checked US News- BC is ranked 19th and MGH is ranked 99th. Regis actually made it onto the national rankings- coming in at 251.

I basically think that these rankings are a popularity contest- but there you have it. It probably does indicate how well known the programs are.

-Jess

Just checked US News- BC is ranked 19th and MGH is ranked 99th. Regis actually made it onto the national rankings- coming in at 251.

I basically think that these rankings are a popularity contest- but there you have it. It probably does indicate how well known the programs are.

-Jess

When I went to an interview/orientation meeting at U. of San Diego (last November), several of the MEPN applicants said they were applying to UCSF, U. of San Diego, U of Washington, Columbia, Hopkins, U. Penn and BC. (They also were looking at Western University (Pomona) and Azusa (S. California).

BC was appealing because it had a shorter time to get the RN and NP degrees (it was only 2 years vs. 3 years) so in the long run it was the most cost efficient! It also had a national reputation (as you pointed out it was 19th in the US News rankings). This is a biased sample since I was only talking to people who had applied to U. of San Diego, but gives you another data point.

Jeanne

Specializes in Geriatrics, Orthopedics, Occ Health.

I got in to MGH today for gerontology!!!!!!

:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:

Relief, sweet relief!! I am totally excited!!!! Thanks for keeping me from getting down after being rejected at Simmons. :p

Specializes in Postpartum.
I got in to MGH today for gerontology!!!!!!

:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:

Relief, sweet relief!! I am totally excited!!!! Thanks for keeping me from getting down after being rejected at Simmons. :p

:lol2: :balloons: :) :yelclap:

Yay Diana!!! I told you so!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

-Jess

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