mbjacobs

I saw and respect your preference for licensed RNs versus fellow SNs feedback on this issue, but as a fellow second-career student in his 30's, I thought I'd briefly chime in. I can't speak to any other person's comfort level regarding the complex you describe above, nor other people's perception of nurses and nursing. But I do think nurses are special. I spent thirteen years of my life working in every role from linecook to IT professional and throughout it all, I looked at the nurses around me (family, friends and others in my community) and learned about their work, their sacrifices, their challenges and their education and I admired it. I also saw their experiences, their disposition and their weird-as-hell sense of humor and I wanted it. I was driving down the highway in 2011 thinking about how much I hated my current career and realized - wow, if I want it, I could make that happen. Six years of pre-reqs, applications, and school later, I'm about one year out. I don't know you and it may be unfair to assume, but my guess given your age and the sacrifices you made to go back and get this far, is that you looked at the nurses around you, picked them out of all the jobs you could have gone back for, and decided you wanted to be like them too. When I get freaked out, frustrated, frightened, repulsed or (most commonly) completely weirded-out, I remind myself about that feeling and I power through. Good luck.

Hey Guys, I went ahead and created a Facebook group for people who are accepted and planning to attend ACE in 2016. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445423422324607/ I'm planning to join the 24 month cohort, and I originally made the group specifically for others in the same group. On second thought, I realized there will probably be a lot of crossover in terms of logistics, planning, etc, so I thought I'd post it here too. Feel free to join if you're interested! Matt

This is really helpful. Thanks a lot for taking the time to share this with us AceOfHearts. That is pretty encouraging!

Sounds good. I just created one. https://www.facebook.com/groups/445423422324607/

Awesome, you sure will! Would you be interested in setting up a Facebook group for people who are accepted/planning to attend in this cohort?

Hey Rojer - I didn't repeat classes per se, however, I dropped two classes and took them at a later date. I am not sure how retaking a class might impact your application, but if someone took a class once, then took it again with a better grade, it implies to me that that's a person who wanted to really master course material, and succeeded... Good luck!

Hey, I met with admissions a couple months back. The counselor indicated to me that the personal statement was very optional. She strongly emphasized the importance of grades, academic background and pre-req completion status when it came to acceptance criteria. The counselor told me that if a candidate submits a personal statement, the most relevant information is an action plan for completing pre-reqs. So I did submit one, but it was basically three sentences saying in so many words, "I'm taking my last pre-req now, and will be completed prior to the start of the program." Matt

Thanks. Good luck to you, and keep us posted. Hopefully this thread will stay bumped so other applicants can find it.

Hey Adnil, Did you hear back? I found out that I was accepted to the Fall 2016 24-month ACE cohort last week. Any word on your end? Matt

Hey Guys, Glad to come across this thread. I learned today that I've been accepted to the 24 month ACE cohort (which was my first choice of the two). For those who are urgently awaiting news: I submitted all of my materials in September, though I added a couple voluntary odds and ends right before the deadline on October 15. I actually had the chance to meet with a very helpful admissions councilor in late September, and she indicated that the eight-to-twelve week review period began right on October 15. So don't fret if you haven't heard yet! You are well within the window. It hasn't sunk in yet that "it" (going to nursing school) is finally happening. I decided to pursue this career way back in 2011 and have spent many nights and weekends in school, taking not just pre-reqs, but even pre-reqs to the pre-reqs. I'm sure many of you can relate. Anyway, ACE was my first choice program, so most likely I'll be seeing some of you come September. In the meantime, best of luck to everyone still waiting to hear. Matt