Nursing505

Hi @Morjayne4, I know it's been a few years since you made this post. I'm currently in the exact same position now. I just made a post to get some perspective. I was curious to see if you could share your experience on where you ended up going and if you're glad you made that decision. I'm also from the NOVA area and GMU would be closer, but I feel like VCU would provide me with a better education in nursing. I'm happy to elaborate on some of my other concerns, but wanted to first see if you're still around for some advice!

Hi Everyone, I desperately need some advice. I applied to both George Mason University (GMU) and Virginia Commonwealth University's' accelerated nursing programs. I was waitlisted for VCU and got into GMU, so I planned my life around GMU. However, VCU was my #1 choice because it's a great school and very competitive for nursing. I finally got off of VCU's waitlist, so now I'm in a weird space where I've already decided on GMU, but have always wanted to got to VCU for nursing. Some advice after reading the below would be greatly appreciated. GMU- my tuition would be 100% paid for and I'm guaranteed a hospital job for 3 years after graduation. However, that would be a 3-year commitment in which I can not leave if I got a better opportunity or wanted to go back to school full-time. GMU would only be 20-30 mins away from me. The program starts in August, so I would have 2.5 months off between now and when the program starts. GMU is only 3 semesters, which scares me because my first B.S. was not in a science field. VCU- I will rely on scholarships (that I don't have yet) and federal loans. I can work anywhere after graduating, so I'm not tied to a specific hospital for a specific length of time. VCU is 3 hrs from me, but the closest I can move would be 1 hr away, so longer commute. Program starts in May (in 3 weeks). The program is 5 semesters, so I would have time to really absorb the material. I feel like VCU would provide me with a better nursing education and everything will not be as crammed as GMU. That's my biggest thing. I want to retain the information, especially since I don't come from a science/medical background and I have never worked in the medical field before. GMU's tuition is lower and it would all be paid for. If anyone has advice on some of my main concerns like the value of the education that I would get, etc, that would be really helpful!

Wow! Congratulations! So happy for everyone who got in. Anyone still waiting to hear back with me!?

Lucky you! I got into 3 other programs, but still on VCU's waitlist. I'm glad you got in though, congratulations! I'm hoping to hear soon

Yes, I think definite get in contact with admissions and provide them with the school/ online program and the course number to be sure that they will accept it. @Reeve are you on the waitlist currently? How many prerequisites do you have left?

I'm working on my last prerequisite now- will be done early May. I sent them an updated unofficial transcript showing my fall 2022 grades once I was on the waitlist. I guess they're just going in order of the waitlist. Wish I knew where I stood.

Congratulations. I'm so happy for you! I'm still really bummed out, but currently working on back up options. I hope I get in soon! I check my email constantly

Hey girl, Thats's very generous of you, thank you! Congratulations on completing the program!

Unfortunately no... I wish I knew how many people are on the waitlist. At this point I feel like I'm last on the list

Hi! Thank you for letting us know. I'm still waiting. Did you hear from them today? Was it via email?

Thanks girl! I hope the TN program is everything you want it to be. Gotta stay positive during these times ?

Oh wow! Congrats and I hope the next program works for for you. I want to get in so bad. May I ask what the other program is that you will be doing? Also, did they notify you just via email? Thank you for the information! That's definitely helpful to know. Just wish 1) I get accepted. 2) it's not last minute so I can have enough time to plan out my move

Anyone else besides me have 0 background on the medical field and a non-science degree? I'm really upset that I didn't get in, but I'm a bit glad that I atleast got on the waitlist list

An overall 3.8 GPA is really good. Honestly I think there were just a lot of applicants that qualified. I'd rather go to VCU because the program is a bit longer, which would give me time to really absorb what im learning since I don't have a medical background, overall VCU is a really great nursing school. GMU's program is shorter so it makes me nervous. Although it's more affordable. They only have about 60 slots I believe, so a bit more competitive than VCU.

I honestly don't know my overall GPA. I went to 4 different schools. My B.S. GPA from 2020 was I believe a 3.2 or so. My prerequisites GPA was a 3.8 BUT they didn't see that GPA bc that included fall 2022 classes. I wish they waited till those grades posted bc I'm sure other applicants had classes that fall that they were hoping would count too. I applied to GMU. GMU is right by my house, but I really want to go to VCU even though I'd have to move. Those are the only two schools I applied to. I have NO medical background btw. I thought I had a solid personal statement and references though. I think those are what got me on the wait list. also, I did attend VCU for a semester years ago and my GPA that one semester was a 2.0