VandyKalin

I have been accepted into the "bridge program" at Vanderbilt ( I have a BS in another field and am not an RN, but am entering an MSN program ) and I was able to take out all subsidized/unsubsidized Stafford loans at GRADUATE maximum levels, as well as Federal Graduate Plus Loans up to the amount Vanderbilt determined necessary. Like you, I was attracted to MSN programs with direct entry options because I couldn't fund a second bachelors degree. I think it really depends on the school - I know VCU classifies you as a Graduate student all three years of their program too, for financial aid purposes. Hope this helps.

I finished undergrad with a Finance degree in 2004 with a 3.1 gpa... I got all A's on my science pre-reqs though, I think thats more important than the overall GPA... GRE's - I'd say to get above the minimum for the college (usually 1000, if specified) ... I got into Emory, Ohio State, VCU and Vanderbilt's MSN programs for non-RN's, and I'm going to Vanderbilt. I didn't have a perfect undergrad GPA or GRE's, but I think my interviews/essays helped - all the schools I applied to really emphasized the essay component of the application, especially making sure you wanted to do nursing and not practice medicine. Hope this helps! Good Luck.

I'm going in the fall too! YAYYYY:lol2:

I lived in Bedford,VA my whole life until going off to college. It is a beautiful small town near the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is also Smith Mountain Lake close by, and plenty of opportunity to do things outdoors. The only downside to living in Bedford is there is not a ton to do socially if you are young - you have to drive to Lynchburg or Roanoke to go to the mall, movies, etc. But Bedford is growing, so its getting more nightlife. The weather is great. You get all four seasons with a little snow in the winter and plenty of sunshine in the summer. Bedford is also very historic - there is the DDay National Monument there and Thomas Jefferson's summer home, Poplar Forest. Its not a bad place to live, as long as you aren't young and looking for tons of excitement.