Uguza

(Oh, and I got my acceptance the second week of January, so you may hear from them earlier than Feb 15...)

I am also in the program right now and I wanted to echo the posts that talk about how great it is! Maybe it's because I've already done a master's, or because my first two degrees were both at really challenging schools, but I don't think the BAT program is nearly as crazy as so many people say it is. There have been a couple of DAYS when I have felt overwhelmed, but overall, it's extremely do-able. I have other things going on, too - it's not like I just sit and study all day. I think a lot of your experience of the program is based on your general outlook on life and how hard you work. I feel like we're getting a lot of different types of opportunities to learn, certainly not at all focused on community health or rural nursing! I have really enjoyed most of the classes and have learned a ton. Of course there is lots more to learn, and I would never dream of just jumping in as a nurse right this moment, but we still have over 5 months (of a 12-mo program!) left to go and I know that by the end, I'll be ready to start. All of the jobs we will be getting straight out of school start with an orientation period, anyway, so with the basics learned from this program, we're good to go. There are tons of BAT grads in area hospitals we've come in contact with during clinicals and many of them are some of the best nurses out there. Some of the professors we've had are amazing, and I really feel lucky to be learning from them. Some are not so great, but luckily, it seems to work out that the less-than-great ones teach the fluff classes that don't really matter much. Anyway, don't be dissuaded from this program just based on one or even a few poor reviews. Each person is different, so this program is certainly not for everyone, but if you're really excited about nursing, ready to work hard and learn from some excellent nursing instructors, and also ready to commit 12 months to not doing much else, I would definitely encourage you to give the BAT program a shot!

Hi! I'm currently in the BAT program and I just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying it! It's lots of work, but very do-able. You will not be hurt at all with some pre-reqs left to finish. That's very common and not a problem. Just work hard and get good grades! Our class has lawyers, PhDs, several people with their master's, etc. Quite a mix! (There are also many students who just finished their first bachelor's last year or a few years ago, so it's not like everyone has an advanced degree.) It's a great program, though, and we are learning a ton. Good luck!

Well, I ended up choosing Binghamton. I was enrolled in a pathophysiology class this semester as one of my final prereqs for Buffalo and it turned out to be a joke - the prof had evidently never taught online before and was trying to make us take all four exams in person throughout the semester! She eventually conceded and arranged for them to be taken online, but with ridiculous limits (ie, not able to go back and check or change previous answers, only allowed one minute per question, etc), and she was obviously a very uninvolved prof who didn't care whether or not we learned the information. It wasn't worth it to me to stay in the class and deal with her nonsense, so I dropped it and had to give up the option of UB. Oh well! I agree, though - the program seems excellent and I've only heard good things about it. I'm sure it's very worthwhile and that it prepares people well for nursing. Good luck!

I got an email from BU today with a link to the facebook group they made for this incoming BAT class. It said that anyone receiving the email got accepted on the first round, and that they'd continue accepting students from here on out from the waitlist as people decline their offers. I would definitely check my spam/junk mail box if I were you - all BU emails were going straight there for me, for some reason. I'm sure there will be lots more students accepted as they hear back from people who turn them down - hang in there!

Anyone know of any good, free (or cheap), online A&P resources for reviewing all that A&P I studied almost 15 years ago? When I talked to the person from the DSON before applying, she said I need to know that stuff cold...and it's been a looong time... Thanks!

All I did was set up a phone meeting with one of the admissions ladies, and I emailed her my transcripts ahead of time. She just told me which classes counted and which ones I still needed (for prerequisites). I don't know how it works for the 2-year program, though. I have found them to be a bit disorganized in general, too, so it might be best to just make a phone call rather than relying on online information. Good luck!

I emailed the school of nursing - the lady I had talked to this summer when I had some questions about prereqs. She seems really nice. Now I wonder whether I would have heard today if I hadn't emailed, or if my email this morning bumped my application up to the top of her pile...I bet you don't have anything to worry about, but it didn't seem like she minded hearing from me so if you send her an email making sure she has everything from you that she needs (or something like that), maybe you'll hear sooner! Good luck!

I'm in!! :) Now to decide whether to go to Binghamton or Buffalo...

That's kind of what I was gathering so I sent an email yesterday. She wrote back right away and said that she's in the process of reviewing applications and I should hear very soon. She also said she'd let me know if anything was missing. I got the impression that my email was definitely not necessary, but she didn't act annoyed or anything so I didn't feel too much like I was bothering her. Hopefully "very soon" means in the next few days!

I applied for the BAT program, too, and now I'm getting nervous that so many of you have already heard back from them! I didn't finish the application until a few days before the deadline, though, so maybe that's why... I'm already accepted at Buffalo for their accelerated program so I still need to decide between the two if I get into Binghamton. Anyone else consider Buffalo? There seems to be so much more info about Binghamton on this site. Either way, I'm looking forward to starting somewhere in May!

Whoops - I posted that twice and now I don't know how to delete one...

Congratulations! Feels good to be accepted, eh? :) I don't know anyone in either program, so all I know is information I've found online. They seem pretty comparable. One thing I saw at some point was that it's nearly impossible to get into clinicals in OB or peds at UB, which would be a bummer if it's true. (Anyone know if that's the case??) I grew up outside of Buffalo so I'm used to the winters - and they do a good job on the roads, so that helps. I'm planning on visiting both schools (assuming I get in to Bing) so we'll see...Any advice, anyone?

I just got accepted into the 12-month accelerated BSN program at SUNY Buffalo (the ABS program) to begin in May 2013. Anyone else? I still have to decide between this and the accelerated program at SUNY Binghamton (the BAT program). Any current or former students from either of those programs who have advice on which to choose? They both seem pretty good from what I've read, but it's hard to get a feel for each one. Thanks!