Samuel Merritt ABSN Fall 2011

scarlettm · Jun 14, 2011

Rtke: how do you know you didn't get in? Rejection letters aren't sent until later on I thought.

They usually have many qualified applicants and I've know people who didn't get in and they have a well rounded application. It depends on a number of things I'm sure. If they have many applicans with above average grades and volounteer and or medical experience they can't accept everyone. And I'm sure they look at yiur personal statement as well. But who knows how they make their decisions.

bluejaiye20 · Jun 14, 2011

For those searching for the FB website, I tried to post a link but it was removed by allnurses because it is against the "scoial networking" policy of the website. I can't offer any other way to find us besides searching "Samuel Merritt Fall 2011 Cohort" (because that's the name of the group. You can broaden your search by just searching keywords in the title.

On another note, i saw people were sharing their stats and I thought i would put a couple minds at ease. i was accepted (found out Friday).

Overall GPA: 3.40

Science GPA: 3.10 (A&P II and Chem in progress)

Healthcare Experience: Alot of shadowing and volunteering at low-income clinics and the

UCDMC in Sacramento (7 years total on and off throughout high school and college)

Letters of Rec: Very good, both could only attest to academics, not clinical

TEAS: 88.2 overall

Personal Statements: Very Good, or so I heard. minority, Spanish speaking, low socioeconomic status (talked about briefly). Showed large enthusiasm for nursing field and used clinical experiences

Becky965 · Jun 14, 2011

Has anyone called EB and just asked her?

Ktke · Jun 14, 2011

After sending multiple emails and leaving vmails, I finally spoke to staff at SMU this am and she was able to give me some information. She said that the letters for students accepted have gone out, and as of now they only have 3 tuition deposits. They have to see how many students they already accepted will respond to tuition deposit before they send out to... ??waitlisted applicants i'm guessing. She did ask when I applied so it seems they may be going by submitted date. My application was postmarked March 1. haven't recieved the rejection letter yet, but last term I didn't recieve anything in the mail until WEEKS after the email notification. However, I didn't even get waitlisted this time around.

Last year students were still being accepted into late July according to this blogsite, but if its the same as the summer cohort sched, they only give you 2 weeks to submit your decision and tuition deposit once you recieve application so maybe they are making for a tighter turnaround with admissions.

Vickan · Jun 14, 2011

Yes I called EB but she had no information for me yet. I can just wait until she has anything and then she will contact me.

essT · Jun 14, 2011

Does anyone know when financial aid packets are available? I couldn't find any information on SMU's website.

oaktown2 · Jun 14, 2011

I know nothing about when we will hear regarding financial aid, but based on previous cohort's threads, they seem to be available pretty late.

mala in se · Jun 15, 2011

For those who were accepted, do any of you mind sharing your statistics and experience you have? And ifyou have any classes in progress?

Sciences: 4.0

Last 60: 3.8

Overall: 3.4

TEAS V: 87 (98 national/95 program)

Letters of recommendation: One from instructor/another from an RN where I volunteer at

Experience: I've been a cuddler in a NICU at a local hospital for 7 months now

Degree: Social Sciences BA

Courses taken: Pharm (De Anza) and Pathophys (SMU online)

I basically quit my job July of last year with no science background whatsoever to go to school full time. I crammed all the sciences and leftover prereqs in three semesters. It has been extremely tough the last two semester, but I think it's prepared me for the program.

BTW the letter of intent was sent to me today, and there is a $350 hold charge for the spot, and it is due at the end of this month. If there are waitlisted people, it will be after June when you guys should find out if you're in.

I also have an application sent out to CSU San Marcos' ABSN program and know of a few people that got in with much lower scores than me. My last transcripts were sent out to them last week (right before I found out I got into SMU). I think there's still spots open there for Fall and definitely for Spring (and you don't need the pharm and pathophys), but it's a 2 year ABSN vs. SMU's 1 year.

I hope this helps. Congrats to those that got in. Those waiting, there's still a good chance IMHO.

mala in se · Jun 15, 2011

I know nothing about when we will hear regarding financial aid, but based on previous cohort's threads, they seem to be available pretty late.

I went in a few months back and talked to a person in financial aid. The most I could borrow for financial aid was below $19K because I already have a degree (and I assume all of you guys do too), and the very little scholarships are limited (mostly going to minority males). She also stated that Kaiser's program may be coming back, but the advisor could not confirm. I think this will hurt some people trying to get in because this is $60K they are looking for up front.

essT · Jun 15, 2011

It says on the site that the tuition is divided into 3 equal payments, though. Is that not true?

oaktown2 · Jun 15, 2011

My stats are almost identical to mala in se's, though I took the TEAS IV. My letters of rec came from an instructor, former boss and coordinator of a volunteer program I did in Ecuador. I have also volunteered as a doula in a local hospital and do massage volunteer work as well. This summer I am taking pharm, patho and will do the challenge exam for communications (assuming I accept the spot).

mala in se - I am also waiting to hear from CSUSM and recently sent the last of my transcripts. Hopefully we will hear something soon!

mala in se · Jun 15, 2011

It says on the site that the tuition is divided into 3 equal payments, though. Is that not true?

Can you post that link because if that's true, that gives me some breathing room as I really did not want to take out any loans. I just assumed that's how private institutions worked.