Regis College in Weston early decision due Dec. 7, 2009? Anyone apply?

[dreamagain18]

I just mailed out my application packet today to Regis College in Weston, MA for their Accelerated Master's of Science in Nursing (NP program). My packet is basically complete with sealed transcripts, sealed recommendation letters, my resume, cv, and essay. The only thing that is pending is my official GRE scores. I took the GRE yesterday. I was only 10 measly points away from the required minimum score of 1000. My total score was 990 (420 verbal and 575 quantitative), although on the upside I think I did fairly well on the Analytical Writing portion. My GPA is 2.8 (they require about a 3.0), but I have retaken most of the prerequistes to improve my science grades (got A's/B's in all of them). I do have about 4 years of clinical experience in research and my recommendation letters are excellent. Although my application is somewhat weak, I think overall I've done a decent job of improving myself. Hopefully Regis will take all of that into consideration.

I applied for their early decision deadline due Dec. 7, 2009. I wonder if this would benefit me in any way? Supposedly letters are mailed out by Jan. 11, 2010. I wonder how many applicants apply for early decision? Also, what is the actual advantage of applying for early decision as compared to waiting for rolling admissions? Is it less competitive or more? I went to one of their info sessions and learned that they receive about 200-300 applicants and 25% get accepted. Im just so nervous, the anticipation is killing me....plus Regis is the only school I'm applying to....so all the eggs are in one basket..lol

Anyone else applying for nursing schools in the Boston or surrounding areas for 2010?

[BananaNapkin]

So it's finally done! The interview went fine except when she brought up my GRE scores...She suggested I take them over again. They are pretty bad, I got an 840 but my analytical was good (5.0)...I was hoping I wouldn't have to ever suffer through that again but it looks like i might need to. She asked me basic questions like why nursing, why regis, talk about your background etc. Since the GRE thing was something she asked me first, I'm hoping after talking with me she realized that my GRE scores don't reflect how I am as a person or student. She said they are trying to get decisions out before christmas but no promises. At the very latest Jan 11. I'm going to wait until after that to worry about the GRE's. It's intimidating at first because they have your application out right in front of you. They didn't mention my undergrad GPA, they just said my grades were strong and she had just my prereq grades in front of her and those were good.

Allie-they interview every applicant so you will have your chance!

[allie2010]

Thanks for the info, I'm glad the undergrad grades didn't seem to be a huge deal. I am hoping to hear something before Christmas but since I did not apply early decision that may not be the case. Have you heard from MGH yet? If you don't mind me asking, what is your first choice?

[BananaNapkin]

I think it only applies to early decision to find out before Christmas, but they are quick to give decisions from what I've heard. MGH and Regis are my top choices so wherever I get in I will go!

[juliewoo]

BananaNapkin,

Just as FYI since you applied to the same schools that I did last year...

You'll hear from Regis pretty quickly about their decision. I sent my app in after the early decision deadline (beginning of January) and had my response within about 2.5 weeks. They only give you 4 weeks from the date your letter is marked to make a decision send in a deposit, which made it tough since MGH doesn't send out letters until late February/early March. That wasn't something I had considered when I sent in my applications so I thought I would warn you now to potentially save you from the anguish that I experienced over trying to decide what to do!

[dreamagain18]

Banananapkin - congrats on getting the interview over with, sounds like it went well:) I definitely would relax until after you get a decision to worry about retaking the GRE. The test is stressful enough, you don't need the extra pressure.

Juliewoo- which nursing school did you decide to attend? and what were the reasons for your choice? How do you like the program so far?

I know it's only been exactly one week since Regis got my application, but frankly I'm getting very worried, I haven't heard anything from them, except an email confirming they received everything. I don't have the strongest application and Regis is the only school I applied to. I really really want to get in. I've had to retake some of the science classes, so before applying I manage to get all A/Bs for the prereqs. The GPA and GRE are just mediocre.

This is just driving me nuts....the waiting...and wondering...Im tempted to email them again, but that would just by annoying on my part, we'll see what happens this week......

[BananaNapkin]

Julie-Thanks! I have thought about the timeline between regis and MGH. If I hear from Regis first then I will send my deposit in! Unfortunately I'm not a strong applicant so I will be lucky to get into either school!

Cherish- When will Regis get your GRE scores? I don't think they will contact you until they get those because they want everything before they interview you. They had all my grades and GRE scores infront of them during my interview. Once they get those they will call you for an interview right away!

[juliewoo]

Cherish, I ended up choosing MGH simply because I felt it was a better fit for me (in terms of location, what the program offered, etc.) I just finished my first semester and I LOVE it.

Good luck to all of you waiting for your decisions. I remember how nervewracking it can be!

[delphiniumRN]

good luck to you guys, it is a hard program.... you can do it

[dreamagain18]

Hey Banananapkin,

So I just found out that if you had an interview with one of the advisors BEFORE you submitted your application, that will count toward your interview portion. So they will not contact you for a second interview. Basically I got an email saying letters will go out before Jan. 11......back to square one.

I hope we all get some GOOD news before the end of the year. That would be the greatest gift ever:)

[BananaNapkin]

1Oh that's good then. So you are all set! The suspense is killing me! When did you do the initial interview and how did it go?

I know! It would be so great to get that good news!!

[dreamagain18]

I actually had the first appointment or interview with the school last year in the fall.....so it was a while ago. At that time I still had prerequisites to take and my GPA was pretty low and hadn't taken the GRE yet...I really wasn't much of an applicant. But she encouraged me to take some of the science classes over and schedule the GRE, which took me a year. Now that I've done all that, I feel better, but still don't have a good solid feeling about acceptance.

I wish there was some kind of sign lol.......

But did she really say they would try to get letters out before Xmas? I'm hoping to, but I'm a little scared at the same time about not being accepted. I wonder if it would be a thick or thin envelope......

[juliewoo]

My acceptance letter last year came in a regular letter/thin envelope (it only had two pieces of paper - the actual letter and a deposit/agreement form).