Samuel Merritt ABSN Fall 2014

sunshine5300 · Mar 4, 2014

Ok Thanks Rinaa. I know Santa Barbara seems to be very popular with hopeful SMU students, and I have heard it's not too hard. But like HopefulBSN1, I worry that I won't get in. I'm glad to know about Yuba Community College as another option.

Look forward to learning alongside all of you in the Fall!

Hey, is it still November 1 start (meaning early November)? Has anybody heard anything different?

rinaa · Mar 4, 2014

HopefulyBSN1,

It wasn't hard to get in at all, you just have to make sure you get cleared for pre-reqs for the classes. So if you're trying to get classes for the Summer, I suggest you get that done because once you have been cleared then you can just sign up for the classes on your registration date. Hope that helps!

sabotech · Mar 5, 2014

Hi guys,

I'm also in it for fall 14. I took patho/pharm through SMU since I'm applying there, but its expensive and I don't think they care where you take it as long as it's approved. Here are my stats btw...

last 60/90 3.59

Science 3.85

Teas Comp 92.7

TEAS Math 100

TEAS Reading 83.3

Black&teal- First of all, awesome name! Go Sharks! Second, the pool is expected to be somewhere around 100 where the staff expect that the first 10 on the waitlist should get in. Of course, who knows what happens. Last fall was 118 applicants for example.

Has anyone else heard from SMU or received a tentative timeline? I haven't heard back from them yet.

black&teal · Mar 5, 2014

Sabotech- Thanks! I actually just went to the game tonight and sadly we lost! :'( ahaha. Also your stats are very high, nice job! But anyways here is the tentative timeline I found online:

https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/nursing/abs_nursing/timeline

I'm actually not sure if we're allowed to post links...? So if it gets removed before you have a chance to look at it just lmk and I can post it again as text. :) Do you know the exact number of seats available? I think it's 40-something right?

jh3697 · Mar 5, 2014

Their website states 48 spots per campus.

sabotech · Mar 5, 2014

Thanks black&teal! At least we got a point...

jh3697- youre exactly right. Around 100 or so applicants, 48 get accepted over the phone, maybe ten or so will not join, so approximately 10 on the waitlist also get accepted.

HopefulBSN1 · Mar 5, 2014

Hey everyone

Now that I've looked back on my application I'm not sure how we're supposed to calculate our science gpa. I know on the application we were required to put in our 2 chemistry classes, anatomy, physio, & micro but on their page it says the science gpa will be out of the 4 science classes. So do we omit one chemistry class from our gpa?

sunshine5300 · Mar 5, 2014

Hi,

I had this same question regarding chemistry. I think the 4 science classes just means the four subjects (chem, micro, physio and anatomy). Some people take 2 classes of chemistry, while others only take one chemistry with lab. They only require 4 semester credits with a lab. They probably count both of your chemistry classes, but not sure. You could ask.

My stats are 4.0 science GPA, 4.0 last 60 and 94% Teas overall.

I still have to take pharm and patho though, so it isn't exactly "apples to apples."

SMU looks at the whole person when they admit, not just grades. We all know this, but it's good to remember. They look for commitment to serving our communities. So, I don't like to emphasize just the grades. :) I really don't think anyone is a "shoe-in." If I don't get in this time, I plan to just reapply until I do.

Just two more months of waiting!

black&teal · Mar 5, 2014

If you had to take 2 classes to fulfill the 6 quarter/5(?) semester credits for chem, then yes you do count both into the science gpa. :)

sunshine- I agree! Trying not to let stats alone psyche me out! It was a bit of pressure to make sure our writing samples stood out though, since they don't do interviews

HopefulBSN1 · Mar 5, 2014

Did everyone stay within the 250-300 word count for our writing samples? I initially wrote so much until my counselor said to follow the guidelines as it may simply be seen as whether or not we can follow directions.

sunshine5300 · Mar 5, 2014

That's a good point about following directions. I hadn't thought of that angle. I did stay exactly within the word count for all of mine.

black&teal · Mar 6, 2014

I stayed within the limit as well. I was stressing out over just a few extra words and I was definitely on a cutting rampage hahaha. But I'm not sure how much it really matters in the end.. I saw someone's samples from two cohorts ago, and she had written 600+ words for EACH prompt! And she was accepted, but she also had tons of experience that she wrote about. So I think in the end what's important is as long as you are able to get your points across clearly.