I'm new to this site, but have been following the allnurses posts regarding Samuel Merritt program applications religiously for a while now. I recently applied to the ABSN and ELMSN - FNP program for the July 1 deadline. Thought it would be great to have a place to provide insight, stay updated and share experiences with all of you through this terrifying journey. I mean we ONLYYY have to wait until October - November to hear anything. Let the wait begin.....
Hi everyone! I applied last semester for the San Mateo campus and was waitlisted #20 out of 56. I inquired about why I was waitlisted and the counselor told me it was due to the fact that I had 5 courses in progress, so now that they are all finished I'm hoping for better luck this time. I did move from #20 to #13 (checked about 2 weeks ago) on the waitlist. The application for Fall (Nov. start) semester was due April 1st and I heard back about a waitlist notification May 30th... just to give some time range. Not sure if that is how it'll work this time around. Best of luck to everyone!
Some of us have gone back through the posts on previous cohorts and noticed the shorter time between application deadline and notifications for the Fall cohort compared to the Spring cohort. I can't remember if it was because there were not ELMSN candidate interviews? At any rate, it seems like the Spring cohorts have a much longer wait, and though they're telling us mid-late October, last year heard back 2-3 business days after interviews concluded (for Masters programs) and about 8 business days for ABSN candidates.
I don't know about you guys, but the closer we get, the slower it feels like it's going. I know that my application was not as strong in GPA as many/most of you, but my HESI score was good and I had good LOA's and community service/leadership. So I'm pretty sure I'll be waitlisted. Or at least I'm keeping myself prepared for that so I won't be terribly disappointed. (Insert crying laughing emoji here)
I am sorry I said the month thing, I feel like I upset a couple people. I, as well, have gone through and noticed the trend through the last few cohort threads. I was not on anyway trying to make it seem like I knew more than you guys, and I am sorry if it came out that way. I was honestly just telling you guys what they told us which was that they were falling behind this year because they have more interview candidates than usual so it should take longer. Again, I am sorry if I upset anyone that was never ever my intention.
Hey MamaKat!!! My overall GPA isn't outstanding, I went through a rough patch in my undergrad. But, my friend was accepted last year and had a 3.1 and her science prereqs were outdated, but it really depends on the overall applicant. Your essays play a huge part, hers brought me to tears. I also have great LOA and great scores on my HESI so we are in the same boat. I am worried about being waitlisted too, but I'm really trying to put my energy into getting accepted. We can do this.... if we can make it through this application waiting period. Is this the first hurdle of nursing school? To see if we can stand the wait....
I can't speak for the group, but you didn't upset me! Thank you for sharing what they told you. I just hope they're full of it! Can't wait until we all find out!!
I wanted to let you all know that I was one of the ones who was wait listed for the fall 2018 and was guaranteed a spot for the spring 2019. We were notified of our acceptance for spring 2019 on September 8th. This is ONLY because we were high on the wait list for the fall term. (I was originally number 5 and moved to number 2 on the wait list for fall 2018). I want to say that only the first three on the wait list were guaranteed spots for the spring 2019. There is no need to be worried about not receiving an e-mail. (We had been waiting since early April to hear if we got in or not). I hope this puts some of you at ease. :) Good luck to those of you who are waiting to hear. I can't wait to meet my fellow cohort members!
I wanted to let you all know that I was one of the ones who was wait listed for the fall 2018 and was guaranteed a spot for the spring 2019. We were notified of our acceptance for spring 2019 on September 8th. This is ONLY because we were high on the wait list for the fall term. (I was originally number 5 and moved to number 2 on the wait list for fall 2018). I want to say that only the first three on the wait list were guaranteed spots for the spring 2019. There is no need to be worried about not receiving an e-mail. (We had been waiting since early April to hear if we got in or not). I hope this puts some of you at ease. :) Good luck to those of you who are waiting to hear. I can't wait to meet my fellow cohort members!
Congrats on your acceptance! May I ask what your statistics were like? Last 60 GPA? Science GPA? Hesi score? I'm just curious what #5 on the waitlist "looks" like. Many previous cohorts on this site put their statistics. This cohort hasn't done much of that.
Yes! I will answer your question to the best of my abilities as it has been months since I have applied and I can no longer access my application. I am also currently at work so I can 't look through my papers to look at my exact stats. Anyways here is what I can remember:
Last 60 GPA - 3.8
Science GPA - 3.0
HESI - 85%
5 years work experience as a CNA/ Acute Care Assistant
Also remember that each application season brings about different types of applicants and sometimes it can be more competitive than others. I would have to say that my GPA and HESI score is no where near as impressive as many other applicants. However, I think that my work experience probably helped compensate for my lack in stronger grades and scores. Hope this helps!
Thanks, Insegon93, for replying. I do appreciate it. I do like to know what my "competition" is like, if you know what I mean. I totally get that every application cycle is different. Also, I can see that the Spring waitlists probably move faster, due to people getting accepted other places, and our wait-time being so long finding out. I know someone who was on a waitlist last year and was #19 and made it in.
If anyone else wants to post their stats, you should!
Here's mine:
Last 60 GPA: 3.85
Science pre-reqs: 3.71
HESI:93% (100% in Anatomy and Physiology)
I worked as a Psych Tech in a children's hospital a long time ago, and you better believe I included that. Haha!
sff123
16 Posts
Hi everyone! I applied last semester for the San Mateo campus and was waitlisted #20 out of 56. I inquired about why I was waitlisted and the counselor told me it was due to the fact that I had 5 courses in progress, so now that they are all finished I'm hoping for better luck this time. I did move from #20 to #13 (checked about 2 weeks ago) on the waitlist. The application for Fall (Nov. start) semester was due April 1st and I heard back about a waitlist notification May 30th... just to give some time range. Not sure if that is how it'll work this time around. Best of luck to everyone!