yukitiki

Absolutely! I am having second thoughts every other day now. I didn't want to put out negativities but I thought it's better to put it out on the table now than regret it. Every school has negatives, but if you are paying $2000/yr for CC or even $10000/yr for CSU, you would work it out somehow. We are talking $50000/yr here! You wouldn't pay extra $48000 and be content with the same service anywhere else. I have felt that some CCs are more organized and they do handle the same or possibly more number of applications. You'd think they can afford more people to sort out the administration without sending unnecessary letters to remind us of FAFSA "AFTER" its due date. The post of a current student about clinical instructor not showing up is quite disturbing. They do seem to be only interested in collecting money and not following through. Plus the job market... SMU alone is producing 350ABSN, 100(?)reg.BSN, 100-150MSN graduates per year. Each CC in the Bay Area(and there are many) graduates 100-120ASN per year, plus CSUs, UCs, USF... Is that enough nurses or what?

You got offered a new grad position? Congratulations!! Two and a half months is not bad at all from what I have been hearing lately. Is the position in Bay Area or you had to relocate?

MBA2RN, I am really sorry to hear this. Are many of your classmates experiencing the same? I've heard this over and over. Does this still hold any truth? At the info session, the director at Oakland campus was saying that she will "take care of her babies(Oakland campus students)" finding a job. I don't know how much her "taking care" helps but I wish the same was done for other campuses as well. Appreciate your input and I hope you find a better luck soon. Hang in there!

I wonder how true this is for more recent graduates? I understand this was the situation up until a couple of years ago. Any recent graduate?

Thanks everyone and congrats back to you! Mochi57, I'm still waiting to hear from a couple of other schools but what's the chance? So most likely yes, I will go to SMU. We have about 3 weeks to decide, right? late_bloomer, I didn't see you either. I was on the left side of the room. I'm sure yours is on its way...let us know! Izzy16, my last 90 qtr GPA was like 3.4~3.5. My previous degree GPA was pretty bad. My prereq GPA is 3.8~3.9. NET 93. I think good essay and ref. letters would also help. NursesRock08, Yeah, classmate. I wonder if all 48 of us will go into clinicals all together or are we going to be divided into small groups? 'cause 48 seems like a big group to be moving around together....

Hi! Got an acceptance letter to San Mateo today.

Hi everyone, I also received the acceptance letter to San Mateo today. Honestly I'd much rather got picked at De Anza lottery this morning...but 16/270 is way too slim.

Yep! I am perfectly prepared for the graveyard. No, I'm just such a night owl...I feel so much awake at night, weird huh?

Wow! You are already studying for NCLEX? That's actually a good idea.:urck: But doesn't it require what you would learn in NS?

latebloomer, You're right, SMC is doing really well in this economy:chuckle It would be nice to be in a cohort with someone you know but it would be also nice to start in Jan. because I don't know what to do for the next six months. latebloomer&Rianna, Thanks for the info. That's encouraging. Not holding my breath, but still nice to dream... :plsebeg:

Yes, I will be done with all pre-req's this week! I didn't apply until late (beg. Oct) because I thought pre-req completion was required before you apply. But I found out that it is not the case and that they were still accepting application for Spring around Sept.(Supposedly the deadline is 7/1) Then, I had to register for the earliest NET and wait for the result. I should have just turned in the rest of application then...maybe it made a difference, maybe not. I really hope I can start in January but don't think that'll happen. Happy Holidays to you, too!

Hi everyone, I just went to the info meeting at Oakland campus today. I know I should've gone to one a long time ago but missed the ones earlier this year. So, anyhow, not much info that I didn't know before. Just found out that I am waitlisted for Spring but not much hope there since I'm at the bottom of the list. Lizzie said that last summer, everyone on the list got in and still 4 more seats left for San Mateo campus. Not this time around... The good news is I'm in for the summer:D! ...I think. And they are still doing the Kaiser scholarships, just a few per cohort. Regarding the job market, they said, "there are jobs out there, you just have to be patient and not picky. Most likely med/surg at night or weekend shifts for the first job." But they also said, they know some graduates that are still looking for jobs. I don't know for how long. So, there aren't much news from the info meeting. But I'll share this. ABSN 2007 Summer Data for 3 campuses(Oak, Sac, SM) Applicants 250 Accepted 175 Deposited 119 GPA(last 60) 3.383 GPA(Science) 3.398 Average NET 78.11(Reading) 91.64(Math) 85.1(Composite) I think we have all the reasons to be optimistic!

Hey ladies, I have sent my app packet a while ago and have not heard anything. My picks are San Mateo and then, Oakland. Don't think I'd enjoy driving to SF everyday. From what I heard, SM campus isn't too competitive unlike the CCs around here. So let's hope. Currently taking patho, pharm and history online. I am taking it so much easier, too, compared to the A&P, Microbio era:D I just need to find a job... Will keep you posted if I hear anything from them.

Thank you for all the valuable information. It really helps me get a picture of what it would be like. iluvmusak, what you said about "not learning the materials in depth...wished to have gone to CC instead" comment kind of bothers me. Do you feel like the program is not good enough for what you paid for? Another thing I read in another thread. Has anyone got a kaiser loan forgiveness program and actually worked for them for 2 years? I read that you sign up at the beginning of the program and towards the end, they come in and say "We are not doing that anymore b/c no more shortage." I don't know how they can do that. It sounds like a ripoff to me. Of course, you are not guaranteed a placement, so maybe not. But you could have gotten a better rate anywhere else...

smc and rianna,thank you sooo much for the inputs! smc, it sounds like you already have got an offer. Did you get it through the preceptorship you did? May I ask where you did the clinicals? Do you know which hospitals for San Mateo campus? Also, how realistic is it to hope to land on a job with the loan forgiveness program? Do many hospital offer it? I am trying to find a way to make the huge debt seem OK. I'm pretty sure it's doable, so many of you have done it...yet, still makes me nervous. Thank you.:heartbeat

Thanks for the response.:redpinkhe "youll wait another year in another program loosing out on a potential salary of over 50gs" If I know I can find a job soon after graduation, I'd jump in gladly. But with the job market like this, it makes me think twice. But I think I'll go for it since I'm not so young and don't have anyone depending on me. I understand the curriculum is intense. Were you able to work during the year?

Hello all, I have been bouncing back and forth on this question several times a day. As you know, there are many options here in the Bay Area for NS. SMC's 12months program is very attractive for it is short, but is it worth 50K? I'm having a hard time justifying the cost when you can get the same degree for much less elsewhere. Especially now that it is hard to find a job as a new grad, it scares me to death to think about ending up with 50K(tuition alone so prob. more) in debt and without a job. On the other hand, it takes at least one extra year if I went to another school and there is no guarantee I'd get in. Any recent new grads, any advice? Please help!

Hi! I have been reading too many posts about surplus new grad nurses in the SF Bay Area and couldn't help wonder how are the Sam Merritt graduates doing with so much debt without job prospect. UCSF, USF and other private school graduates, too, for that matter. Can you eventually find a job if you are patient or flexible? I thought you have to start paying back the debt after 6mos of graduation. What's the monthly payment and for how long if you had, say, $75K in loan? This is exactly what I am afraid of. I am finished w/prereqs and applying but now reconsidering the expensive ones like Sam Merritt. Appreciate any insights. Thanks!

Thank you! That gives me a good idea and you just made me feel a little better.:) Do you mind elaborating on "pay your dues"? Does it mean working for free? for one year? Did you go through new grads orientation? Does it pay? When did you graduate? How long did it take for you to land on a job? Gosh, too many questions, sorry... And I think I should've posted this in Student tab...

Hi all, This is my 1st post here. I recently found this website and am hooked. Lots of good info here. Anyway, I have been reading too many posts about surplus new grad nurses in the SF Bay Area and couldn't help wonder how are the Sam Merritt graduates doing with so much debt without job prospect. UCSF, USF and other private school graduates, too, for that matter. Can you eventually find a job if you are patient or flexible? I thought you have to start paying back the debt after 6mos of graduation. What's the monthly payment and for how long if you had, say, $75K in loan? This is exactly what I am afraid of. I am finished w/prereqs and applying but now reconsidering the expensive ones like Sam Merritt. Appreciate any insights. Thanks!