Episkey

Hi! I was just like you all, waiting months because they kept extending the deadline. But they do eventually call! My interview was in person and I was with 3 other people (one of which is also in the program). And yes, my application status would change, albeit slowly. But I have friends in my cohort that ended up having to do interviews via zoom; I’m assuming that’s what you’ll be doing. Keep in mind, the faculty are usually doing double if not triple duty at times. Many of the people running the program/interviews are also teaching us, and also still working in the field. Be patient! I think that’s my best advice regarding Downstate in general. Their communication isn’t the best so you have to be adaptable or else you’ll drive yourselves crazy. We aren’t getting as many in-person clinicals, which of course should hopefully change for the next cohort. But if not, you’ll probably have a mix of hospital clinicals, sim lab at school and vsim on the computer. I’ve made some amazing friends here and while this semester has been tough, workload-wise, it’s still been manageable (and I have a toddler). Sorry this was a long answer. Feel free to ask any other questions you may have!

They don't. I'm currently in the Downstate ABSN program and I emailed so many people asking about this but they just told me the handbook was no longer applicable (eyeroll). However, I took patho at BMCC the semester before I started Downstate and it was helpful to have the foundations of the class. I actually found BMCC's class went way more in depth than at Downstate so it wouldn't be a *total* waste. Good luck to everyone waiting to hear back!

@Amy Vasquez Classes start on the 27th. There are so many things they ask of students to do before registering so yeah it’s very late to be put on the alt list, but you never know! Everything is online this semester though, so people may drop out last minute realizing it’s too much.

@vanessacmichell I first got into another nursing school and they said hospitals need a drug test within 30 days of starting clinical so that is probably why they haven’t asked for a drug test yet. We’ll probably have to get one closer to the start date.

It should be from a 718 number. They left a voicemail and I called back to schedule it. The only email they sent was the confirmation of date, time and place of the interview.

Did anyone opt in to get the castle branch badge for $12? I didn’t realize we’d need another background check while in school... wondering if I should try to get it or if it’s a waste?

Congrats on getting one step closer! I got an acceptance email a week after my interview.

During my interview they said there was one hybrid class. I think it’s mostly online but they do have to go in once or twice a month. So on most Tuesdays, their day would end at 4pm, and some it would would end at 7pm. Honestly I’d prefer the option of having a hybrid/online course as being in a classroom all day could be exhausting.

From the looks of it, they probably interview 8-16 people per week. When I interviewed last week, I think they said they filled about 1/4 to 1/2 of the spots already, but I could be misremembering.

Does anyone know if there are bike racks/parking at SUNY Downstate?

@RCCC when you go to order your uniform, a link will show up to order your name badge from LoneStar.

Back in early Dec, they sent me an email to say my application was forwarded to the program to review. I believe there was a little line above the status checklist that said “Under Program Review” but of course now I can’t find it; I think they got rid of it for some reason.

@michelle.singh60 Thanks for your advice and taking the time out to answer questions. I am having a hard time deciding what to do if I get accepted as I have a child under 2, and am worried about being able to handle everything. Can you tell me what your clinical hours were/are like? The interviewer told me it was Thurs-Sunday, but are those full days, every day?

@beanurse222 I wouldn’t worry about the “screening in process” status. It took a week for the checklist to be updated. Then it was about 2 months for my status to change from “Review by Office of Admissions” to “Under Program Review”, and then another month to get called in for an interview. My application still says “Screening in Process”; I think it’s just a general status of active applications. What I want to know is... has anyone who has been in for an interview, then gotten notified they were rejected?

@Bachelor Thanks! and yep, still says "screening in process"