pretzelpug

I think I found out about UCLA during the final four tournament... maybe around April? When did UCLA say they were sending out notices? I remember watching the nursing threads from people who'd received their letters waiting and waiting. Yeah, the money was a huge concern, that made UCLA seemed appealing. Dr. Hunter always says no one has mentioned having trouble paying off school debt. I was able to get enough loans for sure. I didn't request the full amount, just enough for tuition. Some people find that it's possible to work (my roommate works two days a week on her off-days) but I think a majority of people just study. The first semester is way easier to handle with working, in my opinion. This semester is a LOT more time-consuming. Complaints? The only thing I thought was a negative was how it seemed unorganized re: communication between lab/clinical/class instructors. However, I've heard many worse horror stories about organization in other nursing schools, so I don't think that USD is too shabby. You'll find that the professors here are very approachable and accommodating. One thing about UCLA is that it's a huge research institution - some students in the MECN program at UCLA mentioned how this was a negative re: finding that the professors were occupied with their research rather than being a resource for you. My nursing mentor once told me - at UCLA you may find yourself one little fish in a big bowl, struggling to get some air. It may be so cutthroat where you are working your butt off for that A and missing the bigger picture of nursing. at USD you get the help you need, as a new baby nurse. In addition - clinicals don't begin until your third (?) quarter at UCLA, which means around March/April. USD's clinicals start the first week you begin class in the Fall. You get to apply your fundamentals in nursing right away, rather than get inundated with didactic work with theory after theory, paper after paper. To me, that is much more valuable. But then again, I'm a little biased, but who isn't Let me know if you have other questions, specific or non-specific.

Hi musictonurse, I felt the same way when I applied back in 2007. I was accepted to USD right after interviews (am currently a first-year MEPN), but was waitlisted for UCLA. I was #12 on the waitlist and as of the month before the USD program started (or so), I called the SON at UCLA and they said they didn't even go into the waitlist - everyone who was accepted, took the offer. Not even #1 on the waitlist got an open spot. I had the same feelings about USD - everyone was so warm, welcoming, and supportive. UCLA didn't give me a chance on viewing their simulation lab, which I thought was a little messed up. Your stats look great though - high pre-reqs, great overall GPA. I think the biggest thing is going to be GPA and personal statement. About UCSF, I applied there as well, but got a rejection letter on Christmas Day. =/ It's ok though - I hear some frustration from those students re: not being able to change out of the specialty they choose on their application and not having had the experience of bedside nursing before continuing for the NP. I hear it is pretty intense, and USD's program is intense as it is! The USD MEPN program prepares really great and competent nurses and leaders. All of the graduates of the MEPN program, who have been our instructors (lab or clinical) are fantastic. Good luck :)

update: we just rec'd an e-mail from kelly keniston: health assessment class is tue/wed/thurs. we're assigned labs (either lab 1 or 2) that are held 8-11:30 am and 2:45-7:15pm. the class begins 8/5 (tues) and ends 8/21 (thurs). final exam is 8/22, time tbd. prerequisites: as you finish your prerequistes, please send your official transcripts to cathleen mumper at the school of nursing. financial aid: please direct all financial aid questions to the office of financial aid. they can be reached by phone at (619) 260-4514 or (800) 248-4873 or by email: hyperlink "mailto:[email protected]"[email protected]. when you call, ask to speak with the counselor of the day. housing: information for on and off-campus housing can be found at hyperlink "http://www.sandiego.edu/residentiallife"www.sandiego.edu/residentiallife. class schedule: we ask that you keep your fall schedule open. your schedule for clinicals is dependent on our partnering hospitals and may not be confirmed until the end of summer. i will be sure to email all of you as soon as clinical placements have been verified. registration: we will be registering your for fall classes. academic calendar: the undergraduate academic calendar is available at hyperlink "http://www.sandiego.edu/academiccalendar/calendar_alt/0809.php"http://www.s andiego.edu/academiccalendar/calendar_alt/0809.php although your schedule will somewhat differ from this, you may use it as a guide for planning for school vacations and other activities. remember that you will have a full schedule of classes over the summer. parking: we will request that you be eligible for a part-time parking pass for each semester, given your schedule. you will not be able to buy a parking pass until the fall. i will be in contact with parking services over the summer to find out when passes will be available. if you have any other questions on parking, please contact parking services directly. health requirements: you will be receiving a letter in the mail with a list of your health requirements and neccessary forms. the deadline for completing all of the requirements is july 18th. you may want to schedule your physicals now to ensure that you get an appointment before the deadline. with your letter, you will also receive a form from the health center on campus. this form will have to be filled out in addition to our forms in order for you to be seen at the health center. students often use the health center to renew their annual required physical exam and tb test.please remember to send us copies of your health documents and keep all originals in a file for future use. you may be asked to provide this information for volunteer experiences or externships throughout the year. uniforms and accessories: * our uniform is a scrub set (top and bottom) in the "ceil blue" color. there are many online stores from which to order. your uniform must be clean each shift you work, should fit well (not too tight or too loose) and be in good shape. you should have at least two uniforms. * the pant syle may either be the regular scrub pants or the cargo-style (more pockets the better) * the top should be the traditional scurb top or the ones with pockets. if you wear a sweater, it must be white or you can get the "ciel blue" snap top with long sleeves. many hospitals are cold and the ladies have often worn something to keep them warm. * shoes must be plain white sneakers or nursing shoes. no open-toes, no strapless clogs. * the only accessories you need are a good stethoscope with a bell and diaphragm, a pen-light, and a magnifying glass (you never know what you have to try and see when examing patients). a representative from welch allyn will be on campus during your health assessement class to sell stethoscopes with a group discount. * pdas are not required, but many students find them useful. should you decide to get one, it should have wireless capabilities, email access, and downloading abilities. handbook: we will update the handbook during the summer, but it is going to be similar to the information from this year, so if you are interested in finding out more about your classes, you can check it out at hyperlink "http://www.sandiego.edu/academics/nursing/pdf/mepn_handbook.pdf"http://www. sandiego.edu/academics/nursing/pdf/mepn_handbook.pdf

Health Assessment Class - I think they said 3 days a week for two weeks I think...? I emailed Cathleen Mumper about when we're getting all that info, so I'll keep you guys posted! Does anyone know if the financial aid offer INCLUDES the summer semester?

I just spoke with Shelli and she said that to be honest, I wasn't going to make it up the waitlist. She said that no one (up to date, within the past 10 mins) ABSOLUTELY NO ONE has declined the UCLA offer which is very rare! She said they DO have until September 1st when classes start, for ppl to rescind their offers but not down to my position (#16). Not my sad, sad low spot on the list.

Anyone looking for a roommate for USD? I have found a wonderful 2 br/1 ba right there in Mission Valley/USD near the entrance for $1450/mo with a move in special of $1200... panoramic views and 2 parking spaces, washer and dryer included in unit!! oh and pets are OK! hardwood floors, new appliances and newly renovated! rent includes water! I haven't signed yet and want to visit in a few weeks, but I def need a roommate!

Hey Jazzy29, I'm not traveling across country but I am originally from Virginia! I moved out to Indiana for college and went to LA for my master's at ucla... now I'm going south for SD so I know how crazy it is moving-wise! I am sooo tired of packing up my stuff and leaving and unpacking and packing again! Have you started to look for housing yet?

No problem. And now that you bring it up - shadowing an NP is a really good idea, just to have some clinical exposure at least... plus, I spoke with one of the nurses I worked with at my last job and she became my "mentor" who gave me some useful insight into nursing. So I would speak with as many nurses as you can to ask them what their take on nursing is, too. :)

Hey maj0079, I don't think I found anywhere with really straightforward information about the applicants, aside from what they already list in their information packet (did you request one?). They have minimum GPA and GRE requirements (I think it's a 3.0 for GPA and GREs may be about 500 in each section verbal and quantitative but I could be wrong). I didn't use a writing coach, I just made so many drafts and revised them, had other people look at them, revised again, etc. It's hard to fit everything about your life into 500 words, but I don't think you have to go into incredible detail - just make it clear why you landed at this point, why you're good for it, and why USD. Make a personal connection w/your statement. Pointers: Go in and talk to the faculty. I met up with Cathleen Mumper before I applied, along with 3 or so other people related to USD. They were very welcoming and enthusiastic about meeting me. When they hear your name frequently or remember your face and know that you put effort in, it helps I'm sure. Always e-mail Cathleen with questions that you have - she is VERY responsive and very helpful. Also, make sure to sign up for the info session they'll have later this year. I went to the info session even though I'd visited USD twice to meet with people, just so they knew I was making an above-most effort to get into the program. When you meet with them, make sure you know what to say about why you've decided nursing is the career path you want, but remember to be concise. Also, before meeting with any of them, make sure you are informed about what a CNL degree is (somewhat) and have an idea of what nursing is and what their role is in the health care delivery system. Hope this helps!

Hey Hermosa, Yeah, they gave us til April 1st, since the original notification day was March 1st so I guess we got the 8 day advantage of knowing ahead of time. :) I'm guessing this is when they compile the list of waitlisters they can tell got bumped up to acceptance. But, on our email from Dr. Hunter it said we have until April 1st. If you have a question about it, I'd call Kelly Keniston w/any questions, like if you're on the waitlist, what your position is, how long until notifications, etc. etc. for whatever concerns you have. :)

I agree - the sooner you get a foothold in the nursing industry, the better likelihood of you feeling the greater effects of the worsening shortage salary-wise, job-opportunity-wise, etc. Plus, tuition rates only increase every year, so getting it done as soon as you can is preferable I think. MSMC has a great nursing program - practically all the nurses who work at UCLA are from the Mount and my roommate who is studying to be an NP at UCLA's SON is also from the Mount. 30k per year is not that bad if that's how much it is. A correction: the amt i listed earlier was what they said at the MECN info session. The amount for my current program is (w/living expenses that financial aid bestows to me) is $45k/year = $15k per QUARTER. So consider MSMC if you still can. Their program is very supportive and I think their NCLEX pass rates are pretty decent. http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/passrates.shtml

Masaemasae, that is a lot cheaper than UCLA, by the way. UCLA (for my program that I am in right now for my MPH) is $32,500 per year plus $2,500 for the Summer part of the program, totaling near $70,000. Just as a warning, I think all professional programs are somewhat costly.

wow how is it that they didn't tell you in that form back in December with the checklist of things they're missing?????? That is MESSED UP.

They told us by april 1st to give our notification of acceptance. :) Hopefully they've responded quicker so they notify asap to those who are on the waitlist. good luck bumping up!!

Yes I'm sure that you have a great application, they just went with something else, maybe it was some prior health care experience? I'm not sure. I am working to get a master's right now too, so that might have helped. :) Good luck!