Samuel Merritt ABSN Fall 2021 Start

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Hello everyone, I haven't seen a thread for the ABSN Fall 2021 Start (Sacramento, San Mateo) so here it is. ? 

Specializes in CNM.
8 hours ago, pearlr said:

For those who had to complete their science prerequisites, did you opt 100% online classes or hybrid mode? Since SMU says they are accepting 100% online labs due to Covid-19, I am wondering what everyone is doing, specifically about science prereqs?  
I still have a long way to go. I have to complete a lot of prerequisites including all 4 Science prerequisites.
Plan to apply in 2022.  Would love to hear back from you. 

I did all of my science prerequisites online through Portage Learning. Before COVID the admissions counselors were strongly advising against online and they even told me I'd need to get written approval to do so for labs. I actually started my A&P class in person in Spring 2020 and we all know how that turned out.

To be honest, I much preferred online, especially because Portage was asynchronous. Since I was working full-time and teaching at night it made my life so much easier. Plus, I really think the structure of the classes helped so much in my preparation for the TEAS exam. I feel like the format of asynchronous learning meant that all of the information was really clearly outlined and I had to just learn it. Whereas in my in-person class, there was the variability of the instructor. Sometimes students would ask questions that, even though they were interesting, would get us super off topic and we always ran out of time to cover all the material. It also felt like the instructor would teach to their exams vs. the curriculum. IDK I'm sure that's not the case everywhere but that was my experience and I think if you really want to learn the material, asynchronous learning can work. 

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5 hours ago, ag1043 said:

I did all of my science prerequisites online through Portage Learning. Before COVID the admissions counselors were strongly advising against online and they even told me I'd need to get written approval to do so for labs. I actually started my A&P class in person in Spring 2020 and we all know how that turned out.

To be honest, I much preferred online, especially because Portage was asynchronous. Since I was working full-time and teaching at night it made my life so much easier. Plus, I really think the structure of the classes helped so much in my preparation for the TEAS exam. I feel like the format of asynchronous learning meant that all of the information was really clearly outlined and I had to just learn it. Whereas in my in-person class, there was the variability of the instructor. Sometimes students would ask questions that, even though they were interesting, would get us super off topic and we always ran out of time to cover all the material. It also felt like the instructor would teach to their exams vs. the curriculum. IDK I'm sure that's not the case everywhere but that was my experience and I think if you really want to learn the material, asynchronous learning can work. 

Thank you so much for sharing ag1043. And congratulations on being accepted at SMU. Which other subjects did you take through Portage besides Chem, A&P 1,2 and Micro. I really like how organized and standardized their curriculum is. But it sure is pricey $$.

I really appreciate your reply.

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10 minutes ago, pearlr said:

Thank you so much for sharing ag1043. And congratulations on being accepted at SMU. Which other subjects did you take through Portage besides Chem, A&P 1,2 and Micro. I really like how organized and standardized their curriculum is. But it sure is pricey $$.

I really appreciate your reply.

I took all my online courses (lab included) at public community colleges. Cañada here in the bay, saddleback in la, and Mira costa in San Diego. All online so you can take them from wherever! I did chem at Cañada, physiology at saddleback, and anatomy and Mira costa. 

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4 minutes ago, mvillanueva said:

I took all my online courses (lab included) at public community colleges. Cañada here in the bay, saddleback in la, and Mira costa in San Diego. All online so you can take them from wherever! I did chem at Cañada, physiology at saddleback, and anatomy and Mira costa. 

I really appreciate your reply mvillanueva. Good luck!

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On 7/24/2021 at 12:33 AM, pearlr said:

For those who had to complete their science prerequisites, did you opt 100% online classes or hybrid mode? Since SMU says they are accepting 100% online labs due to Covid-19, I am wondering what everyone is doing, specifically about science prereqs?  
I still have a long way to go. I have to complete a lot of prerequisites including all 4 Science prerequisites.
Plan to apply in 2022.  Would love to hear back from you. 

Hi Pearlr!

I did my science pre-reqs online at a community college only because COVID forced all classes be online.  I honestly loved taking it online because all of my science professors posted the lectures online. I was able to watch the lectures at my own pace and time.  It definitely made it a lot easier to take notes as well - I was able to pause and rewind to catch up. 

Depending on how you look at it, the lab portion may be a pro or con.  If you love doing experiments, it may be a con because you don't get the hands-on experience.  If you're like me, and don't really care for lab, it can be a plus because you can do the labs in the comfort of your home! 

We mainly used labster, but depending on the teacher, they may add supplementary labs.  For example, for anatomy, we didn't use Labster at all, the professor posted pictures of slides, cadavers, and pictures of models for us.  In physiology, we used a combination of labster and case studies.  In Chemistry & Microbiology, we did a combination of labster and home labs with materials we have around the house.  

(If you take these classes at community college, look up the professors on ratemyprofessor.com, some are much better than others, both on and off line)

Good luck on your all your classes and application!

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3 minutes ago, Chau.P. said:

Hi Pearlr!

I did my science pre-reqs online at a community college only because COVID forced all classes be online.  I honestly loved taking it online because all of my science professors posted the lectures online. I was able to watch the lectures at my own pace and time.  It definitely made it a lot easier to take notes as well - I was able to pause and rewind to catch up. 

Depending on how you look at it, the lab portion may be a pro or con.  If you love doing experiments, it may be a con because you don't get the hands-on experience.  If you're like me, and don't really care for lab, it can be a plus because you can do the labs in the comfort of your home! 

We mainly used labster, but depending on the teacher, they may add supplementary labs.  For example, for anatomy, we didn't use Labster at all, the professor posted pictures of slides, cadavers, and pictures of models for us.  In physiology, we used a combination of labster and case studies.  In Chemistry & Microbiology, we did a combination of labster and home labs with materials we have around the house.  

(If you take these classes at community college, look up the professors on ratemyprofessor.com, some are much better than others, both on and off line)

Good luck on your all your classes and application!

Hi Chau.P, thank you for replying. I have been looking at various community colleges for online science prerequisites but all seem to be full. I need to enroll in Physiology.

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If schools are still doing distance learning, you can look at taking the course out of the area?
I took anatomy at Merced College because all the community colleges in the Bay Area was full. 

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1 minute ago, Chau.P. said:

If schools are still doing distance learning, you can look at taking the course out of the area?
I took anatomy at Merced College because all the community colleges in the Bay Area was full. 

Thank you! I have been looking outside the Bay Area but no luck. Will try Merced also. Thanks for recommending.

 

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has anyone heard back from the waitlist? it's still too early to ask as we are only  going into the second week but any updates would be helpful!

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29 minutes ago, pearlr said:

Thank you! I have been looking outside the Bay Area but no luck. Will try Merced also. Thanks for recommending.

 

Here's a link with all the community colleges in California.  Also, you can email the professors to make sure both lab & lecture is 100% distance learning!  Last fall semester, I got into a physiology course but had to drop it because it was not 100% online - some labs were scheduled for on site.

https://www.cccco.edu/Students/Find-a-College/College-Alphabetical-Listing

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2 minutes ago, Chau.P. said:

Here's a link with all the community colleges in California.  Also, you can email the professors to make sure both lab & lecture is 100% distance learning!  Last fall semester, I got into a physiology course but had to drop it because it was not 100% online - some labs were scheduled for on site.

https://www.cccco.edu/Students/Find-a-College/College-Alphabetical-Listing

Thank you for the link and for the tip about emailing the professors. This is so helpful!

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1 hour ago, Chau.P. said:

Here's a link with all the community colleges in California.  Also, you can email the professors to make sure both lab & lecture is 100% distance learning!  Last fall semester, I got into a physiology course but had to drop it because it was not 100% online - some labs were scheduled for on site.

https://www.cccco.edu/Students/Find-a-College/College-Alphabetical-Listing

Do you happen to know anyone who took Physio at SMU? If I am not able to enroll at any CCs I may enroll at SMU. The professor is (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME)

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