halebale

Ugh I had a feeling it would be that long! I'm applying to Northeastern, Simmons, and UMASS Grad school of Nursing in Worcester. I was gonna apply to Regis, but I didn't want to take Ethics. =P And I figured 4 schools might just be enough to apply to! What about you?

I'm applying to the Simmons Direct Entry MSN beginning this summer! I'm actually going to the info session tonight! I've already applied to MGH, and I'm applying to Northeastern and UMASS in Worcester. Fortunately the Simmons deadline isn't until Feb 1, so I still have some time to fix up my essay. The annoying thing about Simmons is they have crazy Chem requirements it seems! I'm gonna have to apply w/ chem outstanding, cause all I've taken is an intro to inorganic chem, and I don't even think THAT will count for their inorganic chem requirement.

It's been a while since someone posted on this thread. I was wondering, did you guys apply to MGH? I did! I applied for FNP. I also went to the info session, and it seemed like a lot of people apply for the FNP. So eek! Anyone know when we will be hearing?? My guess is not for a while, but just curious when I'll be able to breathe again!!

I'm not too sure about this, but it seems like most schools find anything above a 1000 an "acceptable" score. I don't know what NEU's average GRE score is, but my guess is its in the 1000-13000 range. And to your second question, NO. When you take the GRE you get 1 score, shown as a math, verbal, and analytical score. Anytime you take the GRE and choose to score it, that score stays on your record. If you want to send your score to a school, they will see ALL your GRE scores w/in the past 5 years. You don't get to pick and choose like you did for the SAT. Hope that helps!

HI mellzie! Applications for me are kinda at a standstill. I'm taking A&P 2, Microbiology, and Intro to Chem this semester, and then I'm all set to apply for the January 15th deadline. I've been pondering my goal statement for a few months and need to figure out who I'm asking for reccs. The goal statement is stressing me out the most b/c I'm really not a good writer and I can't yet articulate the reasons why I want to be a nurse practitioner! I just know "deep down" this is what I want to do. So I have to work on that, ha. I'm glad we have until January to fig all this out. What about you? Also, are you applying anywhere else in Boston? Nice to meet you!

Haha don't thank me! I totally hear you! It really does seem like we're in the same boat, but you have the extra leg up for having your bachelor's in health and human services! did you get that at northeastern too?? Jeez! I have a BA in MUSIC. Like, I reeeeeally changed my mind, ha! I'll leave that up to my personal statement to explain (which I'm also freaking out about). I work at a family practice doing admin stuff which has certainly given me a lot of experience, but it's still not direct patient care. I want to try and volunteer at a hospital but you said it, it's hard because a lot of opportunities require a strict time commitment. Bah! I'm hoping that in a few month's time I can ask the Drs I work for if I can do something simple like, take BP and temperatures or something. I'm also thinking about getting CNA certified, cause I think that's relatively simple and doesn't take that long. Idk... Honestly good luck on the GRE take 2! At least there are no more antonyms! Let me know how it goes, and like I said I strongly recommend doing the Kaplan prep, especially the on-demand method, that way you can do it anytime, anywhere. It certainly feels nice to talk to someone who understands this craziness, almost OBSESSION with worrying about nursing school. Take care and feel free me to msg me anytime!!! GOOD LUCK again!!!

Gglove, I hear you!!! I feel the same way, these boards can be very discouraging!! Everybody tells me that I'll definitely get in, but after reading these it seems crazy to me that I'd even be considered!! Your GRE score may not be as bad as you think. In googling "average GRE scores" for the schools I wanna apply to I haven't come to any conclusive score, but it seems to be around 1000-1200 total. The reason I'm not taking it again is b/c the NEW GRE that's implemented as of today is supposedly much harder, math specifically. I wasn't trying to ace the GRE, just wanted to do well, and I managed to do "okay." If you haven't done so I would HIGHLY recommend taking one of the Kaplan Courses, whether online or on-site, to prep. It helped me IMMENSELY and would have done much worse had I not taken it. I think what it comes down to (at least what I've decided), is the GRE can either enhance your application or not do anything for it. Obviously admissions staffs know that not everybody is good at aptitude testing, and the most important aspects of a candidate are personal statement, gpa, and recommendation letters. If those are strong then a low GRE score won't matter as much. Also just want to ask if you've done much research into the BC program? I hadn't, and what I've been hearing is that it focuses A LOT on nursing theory and the history of nursing, and involves less "clinical" hours and more "classroom" hours. I'm not sure if this information is accurate but I did get it from 2 different sources. Lastly (don't mean to talk your ear off), I'm really struggling with the chem pre-req. I still don't have a good sense of what schools require for chem, but I also haven't called or gone to them to ask. I sent emails but didn't get a response (I figured). For NEU it says "intro to chemistry w/ lab" but other schools may want more than an intro class. I plan on calling/walking in to get more info at some point soon. I'm taking Microbio, A&P 2, and "principles of inorganic chem" this fall semester. What about you for pre-reqs? How are they going?

Ah, well good luck! I hope math is your strong suit, because the new GRE was designed to make the math more complex. The verbal is about the same, and they got rid of antonyms thank god, but they added some more weird text completions. That's why I rushed to take it before they implemented the new one August 1st. What is your job? I'm sure if you explain to them about your situation and needing to study they'd understand. I work for a Doctor's office and fortunately they are extremely accommodating when it comes to that kind of thing. Those are really good schools! I'm only looking at Boston for now, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to apply outside of MA.

How are you able to do that?! All the schools I've looked at for Chem you need to take 2 semesters of Basic (inorganic) before you can take organic! It's so frustrating and I want to avoid that if it's not necessary! I'm doing A&P 2 and microbio this semester. Where are you taking your pre-reqs? Stats is a *****! I managed to take it online with a teacher I knew was really good. I wouldn't retake it if you don't need to. I'm also applying to Northeastern, MAYBE simmons, but their requirements for chem are even worse! What about you? Also, how'd you do on the GRE? I thought it was so hard! I studied my butt off, took the Kaplan course, and still didn't do nearly as well as I wanted.

Can anybody offer any insight into the application process for someone who's applying for the next matriculation (2012)? I'm FREAKING OUT! I took the GRE today and got a 610 math 530 verbal. Is that awful? I'm horrible at standardized tests so I'm hoping the other aspects of my application will be looked at more than my scores. Also, what did you guys do for the Chemistry Pre-Req? I sent an email but never heard back... do they accept an intro course or must it be Basic Chem? I know it says "some organic" on the website, but it's nearly impossible to take a chem class w/ "some organic" in one semester. Most need 2 semesters of inorganic in order to take organic. UGH! Thanks for the advice!

Hello! I'm not a graduate or student of the program, but I will be applying for the next class, 2012. I just took the GRE today and all I can say is good luck! It was a total mindfreak for me. If you are good at standardized testing then you'll be fine. I, unfortunately, am not, but am not utterly disgusted by my score. I'm finishing up my pre-reqs this fall and will be applying in the winter. I talked to someone who goes to the PA program and she LOVES it. I don't want to be a physician's assistant though because I want to be trained as a nurse, and have more autonomy in my career. It's really great that you volunteer at a hospital. That's the train I need to get onto. I've worked at a veterinary hospital, and a family doctor's office for about a year now, but still don't have any DIRECT patient care. Eeek! Good luck applying, and hopefully someone soon will be able to input some insight into the program!

I didn't know anyone responded to this! Awesome!!! I took the GRE today and being that I suck at standardized testing, I'm relatively satisfied. (Could've done better, could've done worse). What a *****, though! I'm super eager to start applying! It's scary though, I have no nursing experience, but I just know it's what I want to do. I still have to take Microbio and A&P 2. I sent an email asking about the chemistry pre-req requirement and didn't hear back, does anybody know if an intro course with a lab will count? Thanks for responding!!! I'll have to check back on here more often!!

Hi! Is anyone else gearing up to apply to the MGH direct-entry MSN program beginning in 2012? I'm currently completing my pre-reqs at bunker hill community college. I'm also studying for the GRE and will be taking in a few weeks, as well as at the end of July. I'm super nervous but eager to apply. MGH is my top choice, but I'm also gonna apply to other programs in MA. I really wanna do a MSN program because I want to be a nurse practictioner. Anyone else in the same boat?