Hey guys! I'm new to this forum but has anyone applied for Spring 2018 Cohort yet? I'm not sure if the applications are open yet but that is the cohort that I want to apply to. I will have my BA in Sociology in December 2017 and I am still doing my prerequisites. If you've already applied or are a current student, let me know if you think I'll have a chance at getting in.
Degree: BA in Sociology
Last 60 unit GPA: 3.4 (hoping to raise it to 3.6 by end of year)
Science GPA: 3.5 (still need to do Microbiology & Physiology)
Non-Science: 3.1 (Completed all)
CNA License: Yes
Paid Job Experience: Yes for 1.5 years
*Haven't taken HESi exam yet, but I will this month
Please help, what were your GPA's when you got in and when did you find out you were accepted? Also, if you were ever on the waitlist, when did you finally get accepted?
Got into Samuel Meritt ABSN spring 2018 in San Mateo first time applying! Stats are important but not everything, otherwise we might as well just apply to SF state. Had 3.85 on nursing prerequisites, 3.1 for undergrad GPA in psychology, and a 94 on Hesi A2. I think besides stats what really matters are your work experience, personal statement, extracurricular activities and letters of reference. I've work for 2 years at California Pacific Medical Center as a CNA in med/surg and Caminar for Mental Health for two years before that. Volunteering is great, but volunteers can't really do hands on with patients since they aren't licensed. Get a MA, CNA or EMT license first and get paid to work in the area. I got my charge nurse and fellow RN for references. Also talk about in your cover letter what made you want to become a nurse. For me it was my mom who passed away after three liver transplants at UCSF. Also if you are a runner or whatever and have an athletic record, talk about that. Market the heck out of yourself to the admissions! Also, 80 something isn't good enough on Hesi. I am hearing people who are getting rejected with a 92. Go for broke for a 94 and above. Get the Evolve Hesi book and study like hell for at least a month before the exam.
I think the HESI is important, but they do see the entire application. I got an 88% overall and I got in on my first time applying to the ABSN and ELMSN programs. The main thing is to have a solid application and that the message the applicant is sending matches with the experience, letters of rec, essays etc. Sorry to hear about your mom. My mom has a chronic condition, and throughout my experience in the health field, I've seen a few flaws. I revolved my application on that. I looked into MA certifications, but the programs were so expensive and I didn't qualify for financial aid because of my bachelors. Some clinics take non certified staff and train them to become MAs (That's what I did). I worked as an MA for 2.5 years.
I agree with you. I really feel for people who got waitlisted and have similar stats as us. Got waitlisted to USF's entry level MSN and never made it off the waitlist. Don't know what they want some times. Luckily's Samuel Merritt takes three cohorts a year and has several campus locations. Also perhaps, retaking some of the gut classes online to improve GPA helps. Like if you got a B in English or history, retake it for a gut A. sometimes being desperate works! Also since nurses like to hear that you have experience, writing in your statement, if you have, helped teach nursing students on the floor at work during their clinicals and can be a potential teaching asset in the future, they like that. We need more instructors who are willing to take a pay cut to teach so more nursing students can get into programs!
Got into Samuel Meritt ABSN spring 2018 in San Mateo first time applying! Stats are important but not everything, otherwise we might as well just apply to SF state. Had 3.85 on nursing prerequisites, 3.1 for undergrad GPA in psychology, and a 94 on Hesi A2. I think besides stats what really matters are your work experience, personal statement, extracurricular activities and letters of reference. I've work for 2 years at California Pacific Medical Center as a CNA in med/surg and Caminar for Mental Health for two years before that. Volunteering is great, but volunteers can't really do hands on with patients since they aren't licensed. Get a MA, CNA or EMT license first and get paid to work in the area. I got my charge nurse and fellow RN for references. Also talk about in your cover letter what made you want to become a nurse. For me it was my mom who passed away after three liver transplants at UCSF. Also if you are a runner or whatever and have an athletic record, talk about that. Market the heck out of yourself to the admissions! Also, 80 something isn't good enough on Hesi. I am hearing people who are getting rejected with a 92. Go for broke for a 94 and above. Get the Evolve Hesi book and study like hell for at least a month before the exam.
Hi TatsunL! I also was accepted into the San Mateo cohort on my first application cycle. Looking forward to meeting you! Maybe we should start some sort of Facebook page? Seems like carpooling is the way to go. I'm in SF so I hope the commute isn't too bad. Looking forward to orientation! -Danielle
Hi TatsunL! I also was accepted into the San Mateo cohort on my first application cycle. Looking forward to meeting you! Maybe we should start some sort of Facebook page? Seems like carpooling is the way to go. I'm in SF so I hope the commute isn't too bad. Looking forward to orientation! -Danielle
We should! all the gas money saved! and yes to the facebook group too! this program is intense and we will need all the teamwork and support from each other in our cohort. - cheers Lisa.
I agree with you. I really feel for people who got waitlisted and have similar stats as us. Got waitlisted to USF's entry level MSN and never made it off the waitlist. Don't know what they want some times. Luckily's Samuel Merritt takes three cohorts a year and has several campus locations. Also perhaps, retaking some of the gut classes online to improve GPA helps. Like if you got a B in English or history, retake it for a gut A. sometimes being desperate works! Also since nurses like to hear that you have experience, writing in your statement, if you have, helped teach nursing students on the floor at work during their clinicals and can be a potential teaching asset in the future, they like that. We need more instructors who are willing to take a pay cut to teach so more nursing students can get into programs!
How can you retake english, or any class, if you got a c or better? I heard you cant retake unless you didnt pass the class...
The ones I took a while ago like English 1A, I just resigned up for them. Some places let you do retakes, but agreed most places don't let you retake them unless its C or below. so try to ace it the first time and make sure the time you take the prereqs its a good time in your life so you don't have to take a W or C.
Has anyone on the San Mateo waitlist heard back? I emailed Derric last week, but he didn't respond. Just curious if there was any upward movement because I'm not sure if I should reapply for the Summer cohort.
Nene17
19 Posts
I think the HESI is important, but they do see the entire application. I got an 88% overall and I got in on my first time applying to the ABSN and ELMSN programs. The main thing is to have a solid application and that the message the applicant is sending matches with the experience, letters of rec, essays etc. Sorry to hear about your mom. My mom has a chronic condition, and throughout my experience in the health field, I've seen a few flaws. I revolved my application on that. I looked into MA certifications, but the programs were so expensive and I didn't qualify for financial aid because of my bachelors. Some clinics take non certified staff and train them to become MAs (That's what I did). I worked as an MA for 2.5 years.