GatorPhD

Kelly, this is Dr D and for sure retaking a course is accepted. But, be careful, some students have retaken courses many times. We only use the first 2 attempts. While I know that this does not apply to you, some people have taken courses 4 and 5 times to get an "A". Thus we implemented the rule that we evaluate the first two attempts and use the highest of those 2 grades. I hope that helps.

I am sorry for causing confusion. Regarding repeat courses What I meant is that in the state college system, you cannot repeat a course if you have a passing grade. So if you have a grade of "C" in A&P, you cannot repeat the course to try for a higher grade. However in the University system, you can repeat courses even if you have passing grades. You won't read that anywhere on FAU materials. It will only hit you if you try to register at the state colleges. I am just trying to save you that stress because it so part of my knowledge set. Regarding the post asking for clarification as to why any individual did not get admitted I can't predict what is planned for this year. In years past I have met with individuals. But, other schools do not do that. Others who are on this post would admit that I have spent hours with applicants individually directing and advising them. Technically, it is not a requirement and is time consuming. So, most schools will not meet with applicants at all. Truthfully, for many, there is no way to say why they did not make the cut. It truly is just the numbers cut in the rankings. If we could take in more students, they would be in like flinn. So, there is nothing wrong with the applicant or the application. Others who need to correct something, know that they should have corrected that "C" to begin with. Or, some of the files I reviewed before Christmas did not have all of the science courses completed or in progress, yet they applied. People with seriously low GPAs applied. Those applicants probably should not be nurses to begin with since they do not pay attention to important details. But, they still want advising time. Last year that was 700 applicants. So, please understand that we have gone above and beyond to serve applicants. Your anger is misplaced. No other school would provide the support that we have provided for applicants. With new leadership. I just don't know what will be provided. Please don't assume that what was done is your right. OK, since letters are arriving, I probably will not be checking back this year. See you during the next application cycle. Best wishes to all! Dr. D.

If only e-mails waiting in the system were the case! But, it is not, sorry to say. Dr. D

It's me! I hope you are all hanging in there! I am doing my best to advocate on this end. I know how much this means to each of you. I also know that quite a few of you will be disappointed at the same time that others are delighted. For those of you who are disappointed, I don't know if the kind of individual counseling will be available to those who do not get in this year as it has been in the past. It quite well may be. But, I wanted to take the time to tell you a couple of things to keep in mind. First, the fact that FAU can only admit a limited number of students is a function of the funding provided by the legislature. It is not a reflection of you and your talents. It is a simple fact that seats are limited. Don't let that stop your dream of becoming a nurse. We all want to find meaning in why we didn't get accepted. In general, none of us know why these things happen. You work with all of your heart for something and you get disappointed. But, I choose to believe that there is a reason for it all. It is not readily apparent when you are in the midst of heartache but, believe me, it will be revealed to you at some point. You never know. It could be that you will meet someone who is to be your life mate in the year that you wait. Or, you will save someone's life in the class you will repeat. Last year someone completely found what she wants to do with her career in the "in between" time. One reason we went to Nursing CAS is to facilitate enrollment of qualified applicants in high quality nursing programs. Since you are already in CAS, you have access to other available programs around the country, if you are interested. We need nurses. So, you have a variety of options. 1. You can look at other programs, but look at the quality programs and avoid the expensive ones if you can. 2. You can retake courses with low grades (those with less than a B). Remember that you can only take them at a state university. You cannot repeat courses at the state colleges. 3. If you are an FAU pre-nursing student you can complete a major and apply next year to the Accelerated program. 4. Or, you can hold steady and reapply next time. Whatever the e-mail decision says for you and whatever you decide to do in response, remember that life is messy and it is challenging. We all have obstacles and must work to get over them. But, it is the quality of our character that is revealed in how we respond to disappointment and how we choose to grow from it. You are much more than what one e-mail reveals. You are strong and intelligent men and women. One numbers decision does not determine your future. Please don't give up your dream. Sincerely Dr. Dormire

Hi applicants! Dr. Dormire checking in again. I just scanned through the posting and am also surprised that you just received admission messages from the University. Who knows that that is all about!!!! On behalf of my colleagues within the broader University, I apologize for the stress. Regarding the interviews, everyone will hear at the same time. Well, I should say, everyone SHOULD hear at the same time. That is the plan. But, with someone different in place, I am not sure. I don't think it would be right for people to have invitations and others to be wondering. In reference to Znumbers, please don't worry about it if you have not added it to your NursingCAS application. Your applications are all connected to FAU information by this time. Next year we will make it a designated field. But, please do not put yourself through any stress of trying to add it not. Life is stressful enough. We don't need to add things for ourselves to worry about. E-mail is the official method of communication for FAU. So, please check your FAU e-mail and the account you have tied to NursingCAS. That is how you will received your notification. Last year weeks after notifications were sent, someone contacted me to ask why they did not receive a letter. When I checked, their e-mail had been sent. In clarifying the e-mail address, the applicant stated, "Well, I don't have that e-mail address anymore!!" I was shocked. How did the applicant think we were going to get in touch? Why would you change the e-mail address you have tied to Nursing CAS in the middle of an application process? Who knows, but I share the story so that you don't make that mistake. OK, that is the news for now. I do think you will be hearing VERY soon. Keep your eyes on the e-mail! Sincerely Dr. Dormire

Hi Bronze! Dr. D chiming in. I can give you the complete story on this one! The course is 4 semesters long and we have done a great job of scheduling courses just 4 days a week under the new curriculum. So far it has been 2 days of class and 2 days of clinical. There are some courses that extend into the evening (Pharm goes until 6:50); you may need to schedule a visit with your interdisciplinary team in the evening or on a Saturday. To get clinical facilities we have had to schedule clinical on weekends in the past three years as well. But, we strive to have weekdays as much as possible. We rarely allow online courses for prelicense students. We have just recently allowed that approach and the outcomes will determine our future use. We are so successful with live course delivery, it is hard to argue the approach! Anyway, I hope that helps! Dr. D

Hi. This is Dr. D. I just wanted to chime in and hopefully help reduce your stress a bit. You may know that I am no longer the Assistant Dean and with that change there are some changes in the review of applications. Dr. France's (the Interim Assistant Dean) plans to notify applicants of their invitation to interview by February 14th. So, no need to be looking for your invitations yet. Breathe. Also, my advice regarding transcripts and all: Those are issues out of your control. It is kind of like being on an airplane in turbulence. There is nothing you can do about it. So, we can't hold it against you. Actually the delay in informing students on invitation to interview can work in your favor. It gives time for everything to catch up. So, trust in the system. I won't stick my nose in here much. I just wanted to help when I can. My most important message: Believe in yourselves. You have worked hard to get to this point. All the best, Dr. D.

Just a quick check-in to bring you all up to date and correct the rumors. Yes, the wait was difficult. There were two reasons that the decisions took as long as they did. First, we delayed any interpretation of filed until transcripts were given adequate opportunity for delivery to CAS and incorporation into your file. Determining how to connect your TEAS scores with your CAS file was tricky. I do have it figured out for next year, however. But I personally managed the Nursing CAS and sent out every letter individually; some of you were correct, I have many other responsibilities in addition to send out the decision letters. But, even more importantly, I wanted to be sure that the letters were correct, despite a typo (yes, I also found that much too late). So, I am sorry that I didn't get them out sooner. For those of you accepted, we have received your responses confirming your acceptance. Don't worry about that. We will send additional materials shortly. You were correct on your reasoning regarding the two orientation dates. We have found that it is better to have you attend in two groups so that we can get to know you better and you can get to know each other better, too. We will talk about the program changes when we are together. But, to correct some mis-advice: Last year we had a 753 applicants for the 2 programs and this year we had 698 applicants. In any given year, a good number of those are not prepared for admission. So, qualified applicants equaled: 104 for the accelerated group and 144 traditional program applicants. Now, big news, since this is the fastest way to share it. We are submitting a grant with the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach. It looks promising that we could be funded. If it is funded, we will admit an additional 30-40 students to begin in August. This group of students would have their relevant clinical at the VA, expanding our student capacity. But, now you know the most significant reason for the delay in sending out the denials: there really is hope. Let's hope it works out! I won't be back here very often. I simply don't have the time. But, I do try to read the blogs fairly regularly! E-mail me if you need to meet with me to discuss your individual application decision. Sincerely Dr Dormire