JeffC

I got the scholarship last year... If anyone needs someone to "proof" their essays and would feel comfortable with it, let me know.

Definitely save monthly payments toward taxes! Luckily, my first year in out of a 3 year program, FAFSA picked up the majority of tuition....otherwise my tax bill would have been larger. FAFSA only pays taxes on your behalf for the monthly stipend, but not for the tuition....and that is only for Federal taxes, no state taxes are taken out at all.

I think those were the same exact ones from last year! Good luck, guys!

Sorry, not a letter.... but in one of the essays (extremely tired from an all night study session). I can't remember what our three essays were about when I applied, but in one of them (I think it was something about "How would you sacrifice to ensure you do well in the program") I mentioned that I used to be a bit of a screw up, but have since improved my GPA my doing blah blah blah.

In your letter to the scholarship, I would definitely point out that your grades have improved since you have been back and point out why (not as responsible before, etc.)....my grades improved substantially 12 years after the first time I tried going to college and made sure to point out that (in my case) I was too interested in going out to party!

I think (check to be sure!) that last year you were ineligible if you already had a bachelors degree... but again, check to be sure! Good luck to everyone!

I think the only thing that "bad credit" refers to is any defaulted federal school loans, or anything else federal related to education that you may have had to pay back for some reason. I had 100k or so in bankruptcy due to having had cancer and my health insurance rescinding coverage....they never batted an eyelash at it and still gave me the scholarship.

The BSN program was definitely my first choice, but the school I am going to was not. Whatever you choose, make sure you choose the right school! I got into my first choice, but didn't think I would be able to afford the move (6 hours away), so decided to stay local. I hate it here. I feel like I am at a third rate university with a nursing program no one has heard about. Most of my classmates are ecstatic to be there... I walk in grumpy and mopey daily. Good luck with whatever you do!

Good luck, bless!

I believe March 1st....

I'm not sure if they do or not, to be honest, but it would make a degree of sense if they do. I think, more than anything, they just want to see that you are committed to serving the underserved... Any volunteer experience demonstrating that is going to look better than not having any at all.

You're welcome. Good luck!

I don't remember when the applications become open, but you can sign up for an email reminder here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USHHSHRSA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USHHSHRSA_22 They definitely take ADN students. Be sure to get your non-academic and academic reference letters (one of each) started now!

Hi everyone: I got the scholarship this past August...Let me know about any questions you have. GPA: 3.9, 2.5 years of HIV education and prevention volunteer work, etc. I definitely think they look at GPA...if they didn't, they wouldn't ask. They also, of course, look at one academic and one non-academic reference letter, and three essay questions. If you don't have volunteer work serving the underserved, get some ASAP. Groups I would consider would be any group that is historically underserved: gay and lesbian, African American, Latino, etc. as you will, once you are done with school, be serving in underserved communities where there is a nursing shortage to fulfill your scholarship obligations. When you write your essay, be sure to mention your commitment to serving the underserved, play up all of your accomplishments in school, extra-curricular activities, etc. You should also ask anyone who writes your reference letters to do the same. Good luck, everyone! Again, if you have questions, let me know.

Oaktown: Not sure where the clinical locations are located for Sac State, actually. THAT is something to consider! I totally agree with you about the course issue at CSUCI. If I do choose to go there, then it would mean an easy repeat since I have already had them once before. But why pay thousands of dollars to retake them? Ewwww. I think I am going to try and schedule a meeting before the 9th with one of the people at CSUCI's program and have a nice, long chat with them and ask why I should go THERE instead of Sac.

Oaktown: I live in Ventura County, but fell in love with Sac State when I toured the campus and city. The other school I applied to was CSUCI, which is located in Ventura County. I have to weigh the pros and cons of going to each school. CSUCI is a 3 year program; many of the courses I have already had (pharm, patho, nutrition, etc) I might have to retake at CSUCI since that particular program won't allow you to transfer in with them vs. Sac State which is a short and sweet 2 years. Also, since CSUCI is the new kid on the block as far as local nursing programs go, they had to fight for clinical spots with the ADN programs... which meant stretching it out and could mean a drive upwards of an hour. Staying local is cheaper for rent, but do I really want to spend an extra year where the economic climate might mean tuition/fees going up God knows how much and potential $5 a gallon gas? Arghhhh!!!!

Got in! WooHoo! Now I just have to decide if I want to go there, or the other program I was accepted into. Hmmm!

I haven't heard, actually. I was told that you can go in to see how many points you have and see where you were on the list. If you live close enough, it might be a good idea to see.

I will keep my fingers crossed, Claudia!

Just got my acceptance into the program. HELL yah!

I hope so... If you know your points, it isn't hard to figure based on historical point cut-offs, etc. But, I would much rather have the piece of paper in hand! I went to an informational meeting about 2 or 3 weeks ago and ---- (the program director) said that it looked like the point cut-off was going to be 35 this year.

I have 80 points for them: 4.0 nursing GPA, 86.9 TEAS, CNA hours, 6 of the supplemental/extra points, etc. Good luck, guys!

Yikes... I'm glad I decided to take that Spanish 3 course last semester! That bumped me from 35 points to 41. I had a feeling it was going to become more competitive given the economy and everyone returning to school, but daaaaaaaaaaang!

It's definitely competitive... If you haven't been to an informational meeting, check one out. If you have Microsoft Powerpoint you can view exactly what they talk about/show you during a meeting by clicking on the appropriate link on this page: http://nursing.csuci.edu/nursing_info_session.htm When I went to the meeting they stated that the "historical" point cut-off score was 29, but was upped to 33 last year... but Alison, you are right... it definitely depends on the applicant pool!

Has anyone else applied? What do you feel your prospects are of getting in? Did you take any foreign languages to plump up your supplemental criteria score?