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.

If I'm reading these right, I believe the following links indicate the "no-loan" packages apply to ABSN students as well: http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/news/Pages/PennNursingreceives.aspx http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/about/Documents/UPfront_fall_09.FINAL.pdf (search "no loan" or on page 17 of 68) The "no-loan" packages may not be quite as much as you need. According to the second link, "...two-thirds of students who applied for aid received grants of $30,000 or more." That still may leave a large burden on many students (considering the sticker price is close to $100K) so they may still need to seek other aid.

I know a couple people who have been granted phone interviews so keep an eye on your inboxes. I wonder if all are getting phone interviews....

Glad this could be of some use. I've not heard back from Penn either. Looking back on my correspondence from Penn I found this: November to January – BSN Interviews for the BSN Second Degree applicants Applicants will be contacted between November 5, 2012 and January 23, 2013 to schedule an interview, if invited. December 15, 2012: Financial aid application deadline Early February 2013: Admissions Decisions will be available online Admission Committee meets mid-January And last Friday and today the MSN/PhD applicants should have had interviews so we may be contacted soon.

Admissions at Jeff claim a 100% job placement rate after five months for their more recent cohort. Not sure if they're spinning that somehow but that's what they are saying. For anyone else looking at Villanova, they also claim near 100% placement. They would be at 100 if not for some individuals who they claim are picky in their job choices.

To help those of us considering any or all of these 4 schools I thought I'd start a thread where we can put down why we like or dislike one over another. I have yet to visit Penn or Drexel so those sections are a little sporifice. Please feel free to add or correct any information I list here. I've pulled it from websites, admissions officers, and discussion boards. Penn Ranked #1 (4.6/5, US News & World Report) Affliliated with the Penn Hospital System (13 Nat'l ranked specialites, 3 high performing, US News) Considered research-oriented 18-month program NCLEX pass % = 95% Use of SIM dolls Use of electronic health records Mentoring w/in faculty Clinicals 8-16 hrs/wk Rough Price: $99,000 (though probably less via "no-loan" aid packages) Villanova Ranked # 64 (3.5/5, US News) Affiliations with numerous hospitals in the region; no main affiliation Community service/volunteer service oriented 14-month program Near 100% job placement rate NCLEX pass % = 90% High student retention rate Use of SIM dolls Option of taking grad school courses w/in program Cliniclas 12-16 hrs/wk Class tied with clinical (i.e., Psyc lectures during psyc clinicals) 24-hr study lounge in library Religion not a huge influence despite being Catholic university Possible time for externships during breaks Rough Price: $38,000 Jefferson Ranked # 127 (3.2/5, US News) Affiliated w/ Jefferson Hospital system (11 Nat'l ranked specialties, 2 high-performing) Also has affiliation with many other hospitals in region Interprofessional program (doctors, nurses, PT, other health professionals learn to work together) 12-month program NCLEX pass % = 95% High student retention Integrating iPad 2 into clinicals (though may not be used much according to former students) SIM dolls (access to them 24 hrs w/ advanced notice) Free supplies for practice Several grad school courses w/in program Possible to go straight to MSN after BSN Stress paperless (eBooks) 5G network; high tech Library open 24 hrs Probably no time for externships 100% job placement w/in 5 months Rough Price: $45,000 ($41K base +library, IT fees, other) Drexel Ranked #127 (3.2/5, US News) Affiliated with Hahnemann system (not nationally ranked, high-performing in 9 specialties) 11-month program NCLEX pass % = 98% (reportedly artificially inflated w/ req of passing practice test to graduate) Emphasis on wide use of technology w/in program Moderate retention; appears to accepts large number of students and weeds out a number of students Rough Price: $42,000

1. Will Drexel ACE accept credits from University of Phoenix? In general, I believe Drexel will accept online credits from online universities. You can look if they are accredited at this site: Search Institutional Accreditation System University of Phoenix is accredited. However, I would also add it's very expensive. Nowadays many community colleges have much cheaper online options so check your local colleges' websites if they offer online courses. 2. Will they accept a Contemporary Performance course in Theater as a public speaking/communication elective? Not sure about that. Was it a Communications subject? If so, it may apply. It's possible to apply and finish courses after acceptance I believe so you could always try that route. I think a Computer Science course also can fulfill that elective. 3. How do I reach someone at Drexel to confirm all this? Is there a process where prospective applicants can confirm what is transferrable and what isn't? I tried the same thing but got a reply that they will not confirm until an application is in. You might want to ask other universities that do give free prerequisites checks. Chances are if the courses are good elsewhere, they'll be good for Drexel. 4. From the courses above, would PSY280 or PSY375 satisfy the developmental psychology requirement? My guess would be that PSY280 would satisfy it. They other course is an upper-level course that looks more sociological in nature. In other words, how outside forces are influencing human development.

Hi everyone, I've also been accepted to the Spring 2013 ACE program. Congrats to the others who have gotten in and best of luck to those on hold or waiting on getting a spot. Anyone visited yet or have thoughts on the program?