polly313

I am a current BSN student about to graduate so it's been awhile since I did all the application stuff, but I'll try to answer some of these for you! 1) It's easier to get in for Spring, and your stats are in line with what most people will be applying with; def give it a shot! Can't hurt right? 2) Getting your applications in early versus the day the app is due doesn't really matter, they look at all the apps at the same time and make all the decisions at once after the deadline ends. 3) Good idea to retake a class/ take a new one for an elective. Not sure how to go about getting that one to count as your elective credit though. I know there is a form that you fill out when you apply that lets them know which classes you are enrolled in that you will have done by the time the program starts, but those obv don't get factored in to the GPA. It's just so they know you will have all the required courses if you were to start. If the course isn't done by the time they make decisions it won't affect your GPA- it will just show that you are taking that class. And you don't need chemistry last time I checked so I dunno how that will work out for you. 4) No experience with CNA program, but that would be a question for Mardi Long. She was out for awhile so that might be why you never heard from her/ she is very busy now with incoming students and graduating students. Just retry! 5) Volunteer at the children's hospital! They take new volunteers in the summer/fall/and maybe december. That's all I did- otherwise no med experience. A few other things- the C in bio might hold you back. I would retake that. however, they don't forgive the bad grade, they just average together (still shows that you wanted to improve that grade though). Had a friend get denied bc of a C in anatomy and she retook it and got in the next time she applied. Good luck!

that was really long. sorry! haha

Yes, I do have a roommate. We both pay about 550 in rent and utilities/cable/internet/water end up costing another 150 monthly depending on what time of year it is (I'm in Mt. P). I have gotten a few small scholarships here and there, but nothing to really bank on. I also don't spend a whole lot of time applying for them like I should, but a lot of them I dont qualify for on the basis that I am a white female, middle class (according to them > ) and not religious. They have tons of scholarships for men in nursing, diverse populations, and low-income persons, as well as a big "Christian nurse" scholarship that a bunch of people just got this semester. Different scholarships will pop up every semester, and our dean usually emails everyone about them. Lots will be available for the fall semester. You're right that the max federal loans are 12,500 per year (split between two semesters). The additional money you need will have to be covered with a private loan. The two loans (federal and private) combined cannot exceed MUSC's estimated cost of living for 1 year (35000). A few weeks before loans are disbursed the CON will usually award people "Nursing Loans" that have been (for me) between 4 and 2 thousand a semester. This just depends on what they happen to have that semester and who has more "need" according to their standards. One thing everyone needs to do if you will be giving up full time (or part time!) employment is a "Change in Circumstances" form from the financial aid office. This is simply a form that states that your W-2 and tax information from the following year will not reflect your contribution during the school year because you will no longer be working. I had a pretty good job before I started school, and before I filled out that form I didn't qualify for diddly squat. Ask about the form. Re employment: I babysit and have little jobs occasionally, but I don't have a consistent job. I want one though, and I've been on the lookout for good ones that work with my schedule. After you get the hang of everything it's possible to have a job for 1 or 2 days a week comfortably. There are a couple people who still work as techs full time in the hospital, but I have no idea what their academic status is like so I can't speak to that and whether I would recommend it. I know that for me, school is not stressful and I could do a job not to exceed 24 hours a week. For others, school makes them crazy and neurotic. Depends on which kind of personality you are I guess! I would recommend waiting to see how you will fair during first semester and make a judgement for yourself as to whether working is going to be a benefit to you. Ultimately, I decided that I would rather have the opportunity to focus entirely on school so that I don't accidentally kill someone because I'm tired or later on because I didn't pay attention in school. But now I'm ready to do school and a job :). Also, if you already have a tech job, try to keep it, even if you don't work but one day a week. There are often "internal new grad" applicants that you will be able to apply for, and this will make your life easier come graduation. It's VERY competitive to get a new grad job at MUSC. Keep that in mind. Re the cost: It is stressful to take out so much money for school. My cousin is a nurse, and she helped me decide to go to MUSC and pay the money, because this is an investment in you and your career. MUSC is well-known everywhere...they know who we are in Cali where she works! Your value as a new grad and throughout your career will reflect in the top notch education you will get. Around here, Roper and MUSC don't even really hire nurses who aren't BSN prepared. If you get your RN and somehow find a job in a hospital, it's likely you will be sent back to school to get your BSN, which will cost you a bunch of money anyway (and time!). BSN nurses are preferred for specialty jobs, management jobs, and any job that pays well really. I also know that the air force doesn't take nurses that don't have bachelor degrees. Not sure about other branches, but if you want to go on to be a flight nurse or a nurse in the military, you better have a BSN! You will get a job, you will always have a job, and you will pay off your debt :) One other thing I will share with this forum: Parking! Parking. The sooner you can get an ID and get some parking, the better. You've been warned. You'll all be fine. The CON is always there and makes sure everyone gets going!

Obv out of state is allotted more b/c it costs more

You aren't allowed to take out loans OVER the amount they estimate the year will cost. So that figure (35,000) is going to be the absolute max amount you can receive from financial aid and loans combined. If you want $ over that (which it's doubtful you'll need $ over that) you will have to get a personal loan that is not specific for school. I get the max amount every year and I have an extra 3grand usually floating around that I don't end up using. And I am not frugal.

Third semester student here, chiming in on a few things! 1) Location: It is absolutely cheaper to live outside of the Charleston area (i.e.-n.chas, ladson, summerville, park circle etc). However, if you plan to be involved in anything outside of school you will be making trips back and forth the campus, often for just 2 or 3 hours at a time. The class schedule is so different and varied, so even if you aren't doing things outside of school you should plan to be in the car a lot if you don't live nearby. For me, living in Mt. Pleasant has been great and has made it easy to say YES to all kinds of volunteer opportunities and extra learning opportunities. Traffic from Summerville in the AM is literally the worst. It's a bottleneck situation getting into Chas. every morning from 1-26 2) You all will get lots of financial aid information on your mini-orientation. They will have someone there to talk to you about it and answer some main questions. I am working on my second bachelor's degree, and getting approved for a loan was not a problem at all. If you do your FAFSA (which is required, so do it), you will automatically be considered for the Stafford Loan and some other government loan, which totals 12,500 per year (two semesters). Any amount over that that you need in loans you will have to get in a private loan form. I went with PAL (palmetto assistance loan) but I recently learned USAA does them too, so I'll probably consolidate when I'm done. The College of Nursing will give out loans as well, but you have to pretend like you aren't getting anything extra and just ask out for what you need. If you end up getting scholarships or loans from MUSC, etc, they will reduce the amount of your private loan. Does that make sense? It's sortof confusing to explain. Anyway, get started on all of this but I haven't had a problem. One of my friends did hers at the last possible second and had no trouble at all. You will probably need a cosigner though. It would be safe to wait until your mini-orientation if you are not sure what you're doing, because a lot of stuff will get sorted out there. Also, MUSC financial aid will meet with you and you can discuss your options with them, which is helpful to some. 3) Clinicals: For your first semester you have 2 days of classes and two days of simulation/clinical. If the schedule is still set up the same, you will all have either Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday off. If you are military and you need Friday's off for special military things, email them NOW and let them know. Changing the schedule after it's made is nearly impossible. However, if you don't have a good reason to have Friday's off it won't happen. I actually like having a day off in the middle of the week; it's a nice break. Simulation is USUALLY on the same day as your Health Assessment lab, and that day will go from about 9-3 with lunch at 12. A few unlucky souls will have no day off and health assessment and sim lab will be on different days (there are so many of you now!) Hospital clinicals are from 6:45-1:00 first semester at either MUSC, Roper or VA. If you want VA specifically you can request it. You won't do 12 hour shifts until 4th semester. You probably will only need one pair of scrubs for first semester. I got a second pair for 2nd semester and I have done well with 2. If you bring cash to the mini orientation they might be selling old scrubs there. I have no insider info on that but the graduating class was doing that when I had mine so it's worth a shot

There were a few alternates from my cohort who found out three days before classes started! Most of them found out before that though, and by phone

Repost of link to FB page!

The "five hours" thing is just my way of saying they do it pretty quickly. Could be longer, could be shorter. I don't have any specific inside info on exactly how long it takes, I just know it's faster than you'd think (like it takes ~1 day to do final decisions)!

I honestly can't say for certain, but I feel like it probably was. I was all over this message board and I feel like the turnaround was pretty quick from when they met and when I found out. I am hoping you all find out today; I am nervous for my kin! However I don't know if their decisions being made today will translate into you all finding out...maybe they have to put things in the computer first? I have no idea how that all works. I don't think Mardi Long is involved in the acceptance process(could be wrong), but she will be one of your advisors if you're accepted, and she's the one that coordinates new students.

Yes! That is Mardi Long's number above^^. When I called last year I left a voicemail and she returned my call in 8 minutes. I think it was around 3 or 4 when I called. I am the alleged sister who will call at 2 for my poor nerve ridden sister :). If they still don't have decisions then One of you lovely ladies should call later in the day and reinquire :)

Also the financial aid email doesn't really indicate anything. I got the email but know others that did not. Also, if they haven't met yet (and if they say they haven't they probably haven't..they sit for like 5 hours and make decisions and then it's over), they can't very well send you guys info about financial aid- they are two different offices that don't really talk a whole bunch. One thing you will learn if you're accepted is that the CON isn't always doing things on a timeline you might like, so getting used to last minute scheduling is a must :)

Sorry for the delay dreamMUSC. As you can imagine I am very busy and don't think about this forum as much as I used to (hehe). I don't know that I have any especially exciting information to share about the program that you all haven't already heard, but I will say I am enjoying myself while very much looking forward to being finished in May. The program does move very quickly; however, I don't think it's as hard as everyone makes it sound (while it certainly is challenging). I think my best advice is to do your best to make your own opinions about people, the curriculum, the material, etc. and try not to pay attention to the people in your cohort that will be the vocal parties. It is a small community of students, and stress is one of those things that you can inherit from someone else when you might not even be stressed at all. Working is possible if you can still be flexible with your job; the college does their best to accommodate everyone in special circumstances, but try not to abuse this. Be an advocate for yourself, form your own opinions, and stay focused on your goal! If we can remember to do those things we will all be great nurses one day. This program has certainly been preparing me.

Hey Spring hopefuls! I am a third semester student right now in the program. Just to address someone's question about how to find out about admissions: you can wait for your packet in the mail, or you can take a deep breath and pick up the phone and call Mardi Long around October 16. They make decisions pretty quickly when they finally sit down to meet about it, and they will tell you over the phone. I waited until someone posted on this blog that decisions had been made and then called to avoid being annoying. Good luck!

Randib07- I would recommend you have Mardi Long do an unofficial evaluation of your transcript and include a few more details about your past experiences. I did this last summer when I was starting to gear up for this whole process, and she helped to push me in the right direction with regard to prereq classes, my overall GPA and how it stacks up, and what I was missing. She was very helpful and told me that it would be a good idea to start volunteering ASAP! It paid off :) If I hadn't spoken with her I would be getting that advice now and reapplying for the fall semester. Good luck!!