sinbadx81

Some of the programs can evaluate your transcript if you send them to admissions. I believe Villanova and Jefferson will do that. Penn didn't prior to sending my application, but you can try. You definitely have a chance at all three, but it will come down to your competition that year. Visiting the programs helps your chances as does having all the prerequisites complete by the end of the year. Your healthcare and international experience will help. Your GPA is competitive but probably falls in the middle of the pack for the accelerated programs, but it's all about the whole package. Good luck!

There's a FB page here with some discussion going on already: facebook.com/groups/136473419853406/ OR search "Jefferson FACT Class of 2013-2014"

"I hate the ones with maternal issues."

Looks like orientation is on May 13th. Can't wait for an official schedule.

Maybe you should try shadowing a nurse or working as a CNA (certified nurse assistant) before jumping into another degree. That way you can be a little more certain before making the move. Working as a CNA would be low pay, but the experience could help land you a job after you get a degree should you still think it is the career for you. Shadowing a nurse for a shift would help give you a better idea of the day-to-day tasks and you could talk with nurses who've been in it for a while.

I've created a Facebook group. Please join! facebook.com/groups/136473419853406/ OR search "Jefferson FACT Class of 2013-2014"

Hi everyone, I'll also be starting FACT this spring. Anyone know if a Facebook page has been started? Looking forward to meeting you all. Will you guys be going to the reception and dinner events? I know I will be.

I went with Jeff because I can commute by train into the city. I kind of liked Villanova's service-oriented mindset and it seemed like a solid program, but Villanova simply required more driving time for me. It was a tough choice though. I don't seem to hear many negatives about Villanova so I may have went that way if it were more accessible for me.

I also had a few bad correspondence experiences with one individual at Villanova. It didn't play a role in my decision (people like that will be in any institution). Jeff and Villanova came up about equal for me so I went with the one that was a more convenient commute. I wouldn't necessarily place much stock in rankings either. Although someplace like UPenn is probably a great school, I think a large part of the rankings comes from their research emphasis (as in Hopkins and others at the top) along with peer reviews. None of that necessarily speaks of the quality of the program. I think that is especially true for school in the middle of the pack. A few tenths of a point in ratings isn't going to translate to any great difference in program quality.

Thanks for the info hopefulnurse. Good to know about the Perkins Loan - I hadn't heard about it and the fact that it's forgivable. Good luck on getting in to all your schools and with your decision.

The job placement rates there are from the interviews I had with each school (Drexel has no interview and I hadn't interviewed with Penn yet). It was also mentioned at Jeff that although there is time for externships they dissuade you from it. The breaks aren't long enough to do a traditional externship, are they? I'm sure there is some kind of spin from some of the interview-based facts but it's technically "official" information. The interviewer at Penn also mentioned it wasn't easy even for a few of their graduates (she didn't quote any numbers though) so I would imagine the same is true of the others.The Villanova interviewer seemed to blame lack of job placement due to individuals unwilling or unable to relocate, which seems plausible in at least some of the cases. I know from a relative that in rural areas like Lancaster there are some new grad openings even for ADNs. For Penn they say most students are able to get at least $30K in aid. The price might be a deal breaker though if I am lucky enough to get accepted. The difference is enough for a new car. What was your impression of the job market iridium? Where you applying mostly in the area or was it difficult pretty much everywhere you tried?

3.6 in my first BA. 4.0 in sciences and all prereqs. 3.3 should probably be competitive. I think if you feel your other grades aren't up to snuff, you can prove yourself elsewhere - hospital volunteering, part-time work in a healthcare setting, leadership or participation in extra-curriculars, etc. They're looking at the whole package so make sure you're selling them something.

Whit, what in particular led you to choose Villanova?

I found this in the Sept. 12, 2012 chat transcript which hints at need-based aid though not "no-loan" per se. filomena(FilomenaAdmissions): Anthony, the tuition for the BSN portion is approx 95K, please note financial aid is available and it is based on need. Anyone have the other chat transcript for this year by any chance?

Yes, that's true. The info is dated so I guess that would be a good question for the interview just to make sure.