It's a little less than a month-and-a-half from the application due date for both campuses, and I'm up in the wee hours doing my best to ensure all the requirements are ticked off on my checklists
I was unable to apply for the incoming Fall 2015 cohort, as I had more than three pre-reqs pending, but I'm hopeful to attend Rutgers' Newark campus in the spring. Anyone else excited/scared/unnerved with the application process (especially with NursingCAS; even with an upgrade to 3.0, it still does not seem any more intuitive), or has already completed it? Also, what are your interim plans while waiting for decisions?
After being a bit of stalker on the other threads (sorry!), I'm also hoping it won't turn into the debacle that has happened with the Fall 2015 acceptance letters... although,I might have just jinxed that, and maybe with an application deadline extension, to boot!
Here's to hoping this process goes well for all of us!
Do you mean that 50-60 students are accepted for each campus, or total?
thanks!
Hi Lizzie626,
From when I asked for clarification during one of the online question sessions, it was about 50-60 students per campus (Newark and New Brunswick only; Camden had its own admissions), but of course based on what they felt would best fit for the specific cohort--hence, the estimation.
From what I gathered from the Spring 2015 cohort on these forums, New Brunswick had a lot less for their cohort and had to take their classes at Newark--which had a full cohort of about 60; however, I'm unsure of what the rationale may have been to admit such a smaller group.
P.S. Still in "Validating" stage:sorry: Calling NursingCAS on Monday to seek assistance.
I know we're only 5 days into October, but has anyone heard back yet? This waiting game is not easy!
Hey bb18!
We most likely will have a looooong wait (see the message thread of the agony endured by the last cohort! ) until we receive even acknowledgement before the applications are being reviewed, PLUS some of us are still in NursingCAS limbo (even AFTER we followed the filing instructions meticulously), so I'm actually hoping they'll convene a little later to ensure that those of us in that boat will be considered for review, too.
Our best bet is to have diligence, plus lining up other plans in case this does not pan out the way we'd like to. I actually am considering to apply to Columbia's Master's Direct Entry (MDE) program, which does not require a BSN and is a holistic reviewed application (it replaces their previous ABSN with no required GPA, and can lead to a combined program with the DNP or nursing PhD; however, you'll still need a minimum bachelor's degree prior to applying, and will need to take the GRE if you do not have a master's degree), and NJCU. I'll be attending open houses and instant decision days, as they are also coming up, too.
How is everyone planning to spend their time during our application "purgatory"?
Okay everyone, in regards to my issue with NursingCAS receiving my transcripts:
NursingCAS claimed they only received 1 transcripts out of the 3 schools I've attended and my application has not been checked off as completed yet.... I ran to the schools that they said they did not receive yet last Friday and purchased a second copy for both and had them sent out that same day. I called NursingCAS again to explain to them that I already sent the transcripts but they should be receiving a 2nd copy of both soon. The representative told me that once they receive the transcripts, there's no way to track when they get to their office until they are scanned. Once scanned, they take 7-10 business days to process before it gets uploaded to your application. Ugh!
So I decided to give Rutgers a ring. I asked the admissions rep when the committee was convening and asked if I still had a chance seeing as to this issue was out of my control. He said the committee began at least reviewing the applications, and has access to see them even if we don't see "completed" on our end, so he basically was trying reassure me that even if my transcripts weren't checked off as completed, they could see that I had everything else. He then told me that the reviewing process is at the very least 2-3 weeks long, and that if I could try my best to get the necessary materials by then, they could push my application further along into the completed applicant pool. These transcripts better make it!
On a more personal note (one that could possibly help others), I am currently taking my last two pre-requisites (Bio organic chem and Microbio). Although I showed that I am taking these classes at the moment on my NursingCAS application, the admissions rep advised me to submit some kind of proof of my current enrollment in these classes so that they don't just "write my application off". He gave me the email address of the admissions department and said that "a simple screenshot of your internet browser with your class schedule pulled up showing it is for Fall 2015 semester" should suffice.
Having a mental breakdown....LOL! Sending you peace, soothing cups of tea, and virtual hugs to all of you during this anxiety-ridden time!
Just out of curiosity, which instant decision days are you planning on attending? I looked around for those in the northern Jersey area, but I wasn't able to find any for ABSN programs. Thanks!
Just out of curiosity, which instant decision days are you planning on attending? I looked around for those in the northern Jersey area, but I wasn't able to find any for ABSN programs. Thanks!
Unfortunately, I couldn't find such, too! Sorry, I wasn't as clear; I'll be applying to ABSNs, but the only instant decision for that that I know of is LIU (applying to Brooklyn campus); in terms of open houses with instant decisions, I was gearing towards matriculating into the school and then applying into and/or if possible accelerating in the institutions' traditional BSN (e.g., Bloomfield is traditional 4-year, however I've done most/all of their non-nursing required courses--either will have to follow sequential courses and go part-time [allowing me to work], or be given permission to take other nursing courses or research [highly doubtful]).
Right now, gearing up to take the GRE for Columbia's MDE program; it's definitely a "reach" school for me, but hopefully scoring well on the exam and my previous volunteer and clinical experiences will give me a leg up. I'm also hoping (though, highly doubtful) that Rutgers will make decisions by Columbia's application deadline of November 15.
Also, thanks adrilambbb for the update; saves them a call from me to bug them about whether they've begun application review.. again! Definitely helpful in allaying some of the fear that we would have been disregarded because of not having a "complete" application on NursingCAS.
I was also considering applying to the Columbia MDE program; there's an ongoing thread with more information about that program that I've been posting in. However, I haven't really had enough time to prepare for the GRE, and that's what's really making me think twice. Another aspect is the price (so expensive!), and the fact that it is in the city ( I would be commuting from Passaic county). I might just apply and see what happens, though.
Another option I'm considering as of late is Seton Hall's direct entry master's program. I was actually not interested in this program initially because you graduate as a Clinical Nurse Leader, and not a specialized NP. I assumed this position was totally different from the realm of advanced practice nursing. However, I contacted admissions and discovered that upon graduating, you do get to sit for the NCLEX, have the option of working as an RN for experience, and then sort of branch out to the CNL role, which is apparently like a nurse case manager of some sort ( I need to research the role more). It's a full time 2-3 year master's program, and the deadline isn't until mid spring, so this is another option I'm considering.
Hi arenna534! You can check your status via NursingCAS. Have you looked there first? If you feel better speaking to a human (lol), you can call the school's admissions dept directly and they should be able to tell. You can also call NursingCAS' Customer Service number: 617-612-2880
Got my notifications that NursingCAS has received my 2 missing transcripts!!!!!!!!! I am now in the third "flag" which says verifying..... is this the final step before the decision? Or does it have to say complete?
) until we receive even acknowledgement before the applications are being reviewed, PLUS some of us are still in NursingCAS limbo (even AFTER we followed the filing instructions meticulously), so I'm actually hoping they'll convene a little later to ensure that those of us in that boat will be considered for review, too. 
Definitely helpful in allaying some of the fear that we would have been disregarded because of not having a "complete" application on NursingCAS.
sirI, MSN, APRN, NP
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