mickey0391

4.0 prerequisites - they only consider the prerequisite GPA

I said "most students" Of course there are other factors: essay/experience/rec- I'm not discounting experience. All things being equal, they'd look at the other factors to determine if you get a spot.

They don't look at or care about undergrad GPA. They only consider the prerequisite GPA. Like you said, you had a 4.0. I asked admissions about this and they basically admitted as such. Most students who get in have a 3.7 prereq GPA at least.

@Rachel9- I had a 4.0, 10+ years taking care of a child with special needs (commensurate with LPN duties), and I know my A&P professor wrote me a great rec. Honestly I don't think they care as much about the experience as they do the grades. From previous years it seems they would take the top ~100 GPAs and whittle from there (using the other application components).

Thanks for the feedback! :)

Hey everyone - congrats to those who got in and good luck to those waitlisted! I wanted to get some honest feedback regarding the Welcome reception. Do you guys think it would be weird for my mom to come? We want to make a day of it, look at apartments/scope out the area, since I've never been in that part of MA. And she's been such a pillar of support for me during this whole process...

Just got the email - ACCEPTED!!!!

Yes, email

I just called the admissions office and the person I spoke to said all decisions: accepted/denied/waitlisted will go out tomorrow. Good luck everyone!

@ Rondo - I know, right? I'm brown and this icon is not working out at all hahaha. I agree with you re: GPA/stats. I imagine that will be more useful when decisions are out and for anyone who was waitlisted/denied admission who wants a better understanding of an admitted student's profile.

I went through the posts from 2015, 2016, and 2017 and it seems the first batch of accepted students received (physical) mailed notice on Feb 28 and then others received an email on March 1 with the mailed letter following shortly after. I'm so nervous - good luck to everyone!

They send out notice to waitlisted students.

One week, everyone! I am so nervous. If you get in, what would you do about housing? I know very little about the Springfield area.

Hi Shamadi - I still cannot private message (they only allow that if you most at least 15 times). Would you still recommend this program to others? Do you feel on track to be prepared for the NCLEX? How are the classes/grades structured? Thank you!

Hi Kenzie - you and I have similar backgrounds. I also worked really hard on the prereqs while working full time as part of an academic "redemption". Luckily, UMass Amhert ABSN only looks at the prereq GPA, not your BA cum. :)

Hello shamadi, I wanted to direct message you but I am not active enough to be allowed to do that. How is the program going so far? Do you believe the program is organized? I applied and am impatiently counting down until March.

Hi all, While we wait for the admissions committee, I wanted to get to know the people who applied to this program (hey we may be future colleagues :) ) Mind sharing why you decided to apply to this program and a bit about your background (undergrad major etc)..whatever you feel comfortable sharing, of course. To get things going, I'm 30 and shifting from a career in defense contracting to nursing. I was pre-med in undergrad, but life took me in a different direction. I always wanted to work in health care from an early age, as I help take care of my brother who is a child with special needs. My mom's side of the family are all health care professionals, so I've seen the kind of life the profession demands and provides. Hopefully, I gain admission and kickstart this new path.

Hello everyone, I received the application complete email last Friday. They send out updates every Tuesday and Friday. The Jan 15 deadline is strict for the application. Feb 1 is just additional time to get transcripts/recs in. If you haven't yet submitted your online app, you can't apply.

It seems like they are really cutting down on the application steps. I remember last year there were 2 recommendations and an interview. Now it's 1 rec and no interview (from what I've heard). I wonder why they've made these changes?

Hi there - follow the instructions on the actual recommendation form. My letter was sent to the cpe admissions email and they replied very quickly to acknowledge receipt. Upload your essay and resume on the online app.

I just finished Micro and A&P II as well! That was a fun semester lol. From what I have read, they only look at prereq grades (3.0 minimum in prereq GPA). Is that your understanding as well?

Apparently they changed the # of recs needed. There were always 2 required recs and now it seems there is only 1 that is required.

Hi there! I will be applying to UMass Amherst for the Aug 2018 entering class. I wanted to start a thread for any prospective applicants. Feel free to discuss anything! Hopefully we can all help each other through the next couple of months while we complete apps and await decisions. :)

Hi Everyone, Future UMass Amherst ABSN applicant here (will be applying for 2018's entering class). The website states: Applicants must have completed all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better in each course and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher by the application deadline of January 15. It was my understanding that the 3.0 is for prerequisites, correct? I ask because although I currently have a 4.0 in my prereqs (just Micro to go this Fall), I have a terrible GPA from undergrad (entered in 2005). I was a different and very irresponsible person back then, and I am worried that I will always be paying for the mistakes I made back when I was an idiot. Do you all think I should submit a letter explaining the major discrepancy between my cumulative undergrad GPA and my prereq GPA (what happened, how I improved, etc)? I took some years off to get myself together, went back to school in 2015, and have earned an A in every class taken since re-entering, including all my prereqs. Tl'dr I'm scared that Amherst will take one look at my old transcript and reject me, despite the 4.0 in prereqs.