tamosaur

I had no paid experience but I did do an internship where I got to work very closely with patients so I think that helped my application a lot. Other than that, my grades for my previous degree weren't that great but my grades for the prereqs were all As. Good luck! I'm curious to know more about what types of interest rates people are getting too. I haven't applied for any loans yet and won't be until next term/semester.

I made copies of my CPR card. They want that at orientation, if I remember correctly. They told us to bring it to orientation in one of their reminder emails.

Katie, don't stress about that!! Whether we need it or not, it's still valuable/useful information. You'd definitely have a one up on everyone with that certification so don't worry =). From what I have noticed, the staff are very repetitive with what they need from us and they send multiple reminder emails so don't feel like you'll miss or forget something.

I just got an email and am now #13 on the Oakland waitlist. I was #29 so there was definitely some movement on the waitlist. I have no plans to change cohorts but just wanted to let everyone know. The email also stated that there are a few spots left in April and June cohort that are on a first come first serve basis.

I have no idea about the bloodborne pathogens at all!!! Is that a requirement before the start of the program?

APRIL COHORT: Join the fb group please =) ABSN April 2013 Cohort

I would have gone to the open house for the April cohort today but they informed me of it too last minute and I already had plans and was out of state =(. I don't like their lack of organization. I knew about the mandatory orientations but I'm bummed that they had to add in an open house last minute so I feel like I missed out.

I tried to create a group for the SF/San Mateo cohort but I need to add friends! Can someone who's also in that cohort pm me your FB so I can add you and get our group started =)

I was expecting the financial aid package to be more useful that it actually was to me =\.. Maybe it's just me though.

Wannabnurse81, do not lose hope!! Look how quickly things are moving and there is still time for the Oakland cohort AND the SM-June cohort!!! There was so much movement on the waitlist for SM-April cohort and Oakland cohort so there is definitely a good chance that many people from the waitlist will be accepted. I was surprised at how many people are declining their acceptances but as we have seen, it happens and it'll work out for you.

CONGRATS GUYS!!!!! I KNEW IT :w00t:

My guess regarding EFC is money that you have saved up to pay for the program or money your family is giving you for use towards the program. I'm not 100% sure though. I guess they want to know that so they can give you a better estimate of the amount of money you would need in loans.

WOW aluflow!!!! You sure remembered a lot! Thank you so much for reporting back to us. I think if I had to be the one to report back, you guys would not be getting much info lol. Too bad that it's too late for us to save money during our childhood to prepare for this program lol. You guys should definitely start preparing by doing the BLS, getting your physical exams and immunization data in order, and looking at different financing options. I really wish I had more time to get everything done but it's doable. I just hope that I have time before the program starts to relax. Even though we probably won't be in the same cohort, I'm still so happy for us all! I don't know if all the programs have the same curriculum at the same time but since mine will be ahead, maybe I could offer any insight or anything that could help you be prepared for what to expect. I've registered for classes and it looks like I'll be taking 2 classes and one lab from 4/23 to 5/23. They're Intro to nursing & the healthcare, health assessment, and health assessment lab. After that it'll be health assessment II & lab, and Managing care of Adults 1 clinical from 5/14 to 7/1. Then it's healthy aging, and managing care of adults 2 clinical from 7/9 to 8/12 . I wonder if all the campuses will start with those same classes? I didn't know we'd be doing clinicals so soon!

I have no idea because they're late with my financial aid packet.. but when I spoke to someone on the phone, she mentioned that I'm getting about 6k for each payment that needs to be made.. and there will be 3 payments so I'm assuming 18k. I don't know the exact amount, sorry. I was really hoping for more though.

After registering for my first set of classes, it looks like the first payment will be roughly around $21.1k

Thanks guys!! I do not take your comments in the wrong way at all, wannabenurse81!! I completely understand your frustration because I'd feel the same way if I were you. I'm glad I got in but it was completely unexpected that I would get offered a spot at all because of my waitlist position. I really wanted us all to be in the same cohort.. we've suffered up until this point together, why not continue suffering through the program and succeed together? Put your name on April cohort!! I assume they're having trouble filling spots because it's such short notice now and the whole confusion with the change in campuses is probably throwing people off.

It doesn't make sense but we did go over some theories why I was offered a position in the April cohort and the people lower on the waitlist weren't. I probably had absolutely no chance of getting accepted into the Oakland cohort at #29. They probably offered the April cohort to the Oakland waitlisters from the highest number down because they had little to no chances of getting into the Oakland cohort.

YAY!!! Same here, I've been waiting for anything regarding financials but haven't gotten anything. I will be calling them tomorrow. Everyone has been really difficult to get a hold of but I understand it's a really busy time for them right now. I hope you get approved for private loans!! Which ones are you considering? I've researched Sallie Mae and Wells Fargo so far so I think I'm going with one of those.

I've accepted the April cohort already so I'm off the Oakland waitlist but they're still treating me as if I'm on it still. The SF/April cohort is going to be taught at the SF learning center when the program starts but will move to the San Mateo learning center when the building construction over there is finished. The lady I spoke to estimated that April/SF cohort will be moving to San Mateo in July but she cannot tell me for sure because nothing is finalized yet.

oakland waitlisters - did you guys get an e-mail saying that you need to state your interests in the April and June cohorts in San Mateo? I just received that e-mail because I am still on the Oakland waitlist. It looks like there's still room in the April and June cohorts so I suggest you e-mail them immediately to let them know that you're willing to go to any campus. If you did not get the e-mail, let me know your e-mail via PM and I will forward it to you. I hope you get into the same cohort as me!!!

I also agree that the e-mail was unnecessary. Also, if you're going to be quoting the members here to a faculty of SMU, maybe it would be wise to first ask permission from the member to make sure that they're okay with being put on blast.

That's horrible!!!!!!!!!!!! It's definitely very last minute because there is SO much to do once you are accepted. Renewing CPR, getting physical exam, securing funds for the program, planning housing, etc. I hope you guys hear back from the counselor soon!!

Thanks, pnlu007!!! I just sent in my deposit and letter of intent so they have not given me anything at all yet =(. I'm hoping I receive everything soon so I could start seeing how I should pay for the program and all the other madness that needs to be done. It sucks that the San Mateo - June people are waiting so long!!! I wonder if everyone in the office is taking their sweet time or if they're actually working really hard to get things in order for everybody.

I'd take the elmsn over the absn for sure!!!

After considering the costs of tuition and living, I can see why many people would decide not to pursue this program after being accepted. Although I knew about the costs when I applied, it's a huge reality check to be calculating the interests that will accrue if a private loan is needed. I don't know about you guys but I do not have 70k+ lying around (tuition + cost of living). How are you guys planning to pay for tuition and cost of living? Loans? If so, do the interest rates from private loans scare you? The interest doesn't start accumulating after you graduate, it starts right when you take out the loan.. so for the one year that we will be in the program, interest will have already been accumulated when we graduate =/ .. I'm stressing like crazy over this and hearing your plans would definitely help me with deciding what I should do.