rowan630

Hi, I am also leaning towards accepting at Yale, but waiting to hear about a scholarship at Emory. Sorry, I live in NYC and can't offer any advice about the x-country move. Good luck with that! Question for everyone re: financial aid at Yale. Did any of you get Perkins loans? I was surprised to see there weren't any on my award worksheet. I thought Yale had given out Perkins in the past. Also, I am planning on making the remainder of the "total cost" out of loan money. Do you think it's best to apply for GradPLUS for living expenses/tuition money? I know the private loans have variable interest rates, so I am trying to stay away from them. Thanks, in advance, for your help!

Shallowhorn--the answer is YES! I also knew the numbers when I was applying, but they seemed so large that they just floated out into the ether. Now that I am writing up a budget for my first year, I feel the impact of those big numbers! I am applying to NHSC, but like you said, funding seems to be allocated to only a few. (I think they say 1/11 applicants receive funding, but some of that funding goes to students who were already accepted and want to add a 3rd year.) Maybe there will be some new loan repayment programs in the coming years w/ the new healthcare bill. Here's to hoping!!

Thanks Oooladoula and Biddy for this good information. I live in NYC and don't have a car, so I will have to get on that! I am pretty sure now that I am New Haven-bound :) I am starting to feel good about the decision. Oooladoula, I am going to try and pm you with my email b/c I would like to try and meet up at the Columbia revisit and chat. (Not sure how to pick you out from the crowd, as I only know your screen-name!) Not quite sure how to send a pm, but hopefully you will get it!

Man, I thought we would have heard earlier. But, I just checked my notes and I had written down "March 15th" as the approximate date we would hear from UCSF. Also, does anyone know how their financial aid application works? I read on the website to send financial info to UCSF AFTER you were accepted, so haven't sent anything yet. Maybe I screwed that up.

I have written in my notes that we will hear from G-town around the last week of Feb as to whether or not we are invited to interview. I am not sure if this is accurate though, as I can't remember where I heard/read it! GOOD LUCK everyone!

I am certified thru DONA and will offer my 2 cents. Originally, I took the DONA course b/c it was the cheapest in my city. I am glad I did. DONA provided me with comprehensive training. Although the certification packet is long and requires a lot of work, I think the DONA "name" is very well-respected. I know that the doula collective I work with requires all of the seasoned doulas to be certified through DONA. That said, I am any of these organization will provide you with excellent skills to go serve women and their families--after all, so much of doula work is compassion, love, and a sense of humor....those personality traits can't be taught in a course :)

Hi, I did a lot of my science prereqs for nursing school online. I actually took both A&P I and A&P II thru ccconline. They are not easy and require a lot of discipline, but one thing that really helped was to hand copy lecture notes into my own notebook. After I read the assigned chapters, I would hand copy the lectures notes and really drill the material into my head. Also, I remember using the skeleton the sent for visualization while memorizing bones. Another tip is to start the labs EARLY in the week. they are long and hard and best to finish before the weekend. Hope this helps a bit! Don't worry, you will get through it!

i also took micro through ccconline and thought it was great. they send you at-home lab materials (i.e. bacteria to culture on petri dishes) instead of having you going through a virtual/online lab. ccconline.org. i have been accepted into nursing schools already, so obviously, the credits transferred :)

FYI, re: private loans: that is great advice about not taking them out unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. but let's face it, sometimes our living expenses like rent and car payments just aren't covered by federal loans. I have applied for private loans through Wells Fargo and the whole process was pretty easy. If you have a low credit score, you can apply with a cosigner to lower your interest rate. Chase used to offer private loans, but I don't think they do anymore. (as of the 2009-2010 school year)

Ranger Liz, I applied to UCSF, Yale, Columbia, Georgetown, Penn & Emory for midwifery and each school has stressed how important your whole package is, not just your scores/GPAs. I know that some schools place emphasis on a certain field/subject--Emory, for instance on serving needy populations, UCSF-spanish language skills, Georgetown--international focus, etc. So, if you are applying to a specific program, find out what are the strengths of the program and build up your skill-sets accordingly. To everyone waiting on the UCSF decision--GOOD LUCK!!!

Wow, I am so bummed. I sent my app in early this fall and rec'd an early response from Emory (I think mid Dec) but didn't realize there was an accelerated BSN/MSN program. I applied to the BSN/MSN Segue program and accepted as a fall-start. I think they may have posted the info after I downloaded my application materials. Ahh well.

Biddy, Thanks for your insight! I am definitely leaning towards Yale (midwifery) and like everyone else, scared about the finances of it all. I think we should receive our financial aid packages soon, but like you said, i am not expecting anything grand. Do most YSN students pay for rent and living expenses with private loans? Do you think Yale's estimate of how much you need for the school year is accurate? Also, is it necessary to have a car? Sorry for the million questions, just trying to get a clear picture of it all! You are right, everything will be settled soon enough :) Lucy

Hi all, congrats on your acceptances! I just found this thread. I am also accepted for the FNM specialty, but my letter states that I will start in the Fall. So confused? Is everyone else starting in the summer for the BSN/MSN Segue program? My head is spinning trying to figure out where to go. I have heard such wonderful things about Emory, but I was accepted to Yale & Columbia and waiting to hear from UCSF. I think financial aid will help me make a decision. I do really love that Emory is committed to serving underserved populations and the FNM track, sooo, we'll see. I have not rec'd any emails about open houses, but just rec'd an email about my Emory email. Was the open house info sent there? Sorry I missed it. I really want to go visit the school.

I'm in for midwifery! Congrats to all who were accepted/wait-listed and best of luck to everyone who is still waiting to hear! Does anyone know if there will be a another visit day?

Oooladoula, Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. Every bit of information helps! I hope to meet you at the Columbia revisit and we can chat more. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!!