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.....
I just received an email saying that i am number 4 out of 70 on the waitlist for San Mateo! Feeling happy and hopeful- especially because I got denied last time I applied. Does anyone have experience with the waitlist? Does it seem likely I will get in? Even if I get in, I will need to defer until the Summer cohort because I have a brand new baby. Even if I don't get bumped up on the waitlist, do you think I will just be offered a spot for the summer cohort?
HoboKitty, do you mind if I ask how you strengthened your application from last time? Do you mind posting your stats (if you haven't already)? Congrats on getting such a great waitlist spot! I hope you get in this round or move up enough to get an offer for the next cohort!
Does anyone know if we retake the HESI, do we get to pull the sub section scores and take the highest from each? My HESI in A&P this last application was an 80%, but my others were all high 90s, overall 91%. Hoping that if I retake and score higher, I can use the other high 90s for a better overall.
Does anyone know if we retake the HESI, do we get to pull the sub section scores and take the highest from each? My HESI in A&P this last application was an 80%, but my others were all high 90s, overall 91%. Hoping that if I retake and score higher, I can use the other high 90s for a better overall.
"I have taken the HESI A2 more than once. What scores do I use?
Please enter your highest score for each subsection of the HESI A2. Please upload a copy of all your HESI A2 score reports with your NursingCAS application."
Does anyone know if we retake the HESI, do we get to pull the sub section scores and take the highest from each? My HESI in A&P this last application was an 80%, but my others were all high 90s, overall 91%. Hoping that if I retake and score higher, I can use the other high 90s for a better overall.
So I have seen on this thread, or maybe another, that someone took the HESI and was able to only take the parts they wanted to improve. However, I have taken the HESI twice, and I do not recall being able to pick and choose. I thought I had to retake all the parts. This might be a good question for the counselors. Especially because you only have two chances to take it for SMU. They will not allow a third retake.
When I took it the first time, I didn't even get an 80 on the A&P section. I had low 90's on the other parts, and was happy with those. I went ahead and studied again, for all parts, and ended up knocking ALL my scores out of the park. I was really happy I retook it. So unless you're feeling unsure if you can achieve the same or higher scores on the other parts, maybe ask the counselor?
I know you get to enter the highest score from each section, so maybe it doesn't matter if you get a lower score on math or grammar the next time? Also, if you didn't study with the Elsevier study guide, maybe consider buying it online? I used that one, a second HESI study guide (it had a yellow cover and had a high number of 4-5 star ratings on Amazon), as well as Anatomy and Physiology Cliff's Notes. Those three together (about 8hrs/day for 5 days) took me from a 76 to a 98 on A&P. I used the two books and online quizzes for the other sections and did MUCH better all around.
I won't give any test questions, but if you search you tube for HESI anatomy questions, you will find several videos that give you questions that were asked on the exam as well as general areas to study. I can say that I had at least 5-7 test questions (maybe more) on my exam that were discussed on various YouTube videos. Good luck with your retake!
Boogalooga, Arpan, and WebbC1, I really feel like you're going to get either accepted or high on the waitlist. I don't see how they could form a waitlist without having reviewed everyone's applications. So to me, it seems like maybe you're in that second or third 30% that will hear back with an acceptance. I don't know why you haven't heard yet, but all of you have great stats and experience and I can't see you getting a straight rejection when someone like myself had a lower GPA and no healthcare experience. I just have a good feeling about you guys.
I know the wait must be killing you. I'm sending good thoughts, vibes, prayers, energy, and the kitchen sink toward your acceptance. I mean, if you guys aren't in, the rest of us rejections and waitlisters really have no chance.
So I have seen on this thread, or maybe another, that someone took the HESI and was able to only take the parts they wanted to improve. However, I have taken the HESI twice, and I do not recall being able to pick and choose. I thought I had to retake all the parts. This might be a good question for the counselors. Especially because you only have two chances to take it for SMU. They will not allow a third retake.
When I took it the first time, I didn't even get an 80 on the A&P section. I had low 90's on the other parts, and was happy with those. I went ahead and studied again, for all parts, and ended up knocking ALL my scores out of the park. I was really happy I retook it. So unless you're feeling unsure if you can achieve the same or higher scores on the other parts, maybe ask the counselor?
I know you get to enter the highest score from each section, so maybe it doesn't matter if you get a lower score on math or grammar the next time? Also, if you didn't study with the Elsevier study guide, maybe consider buying it online? I used that one, a second HESI study guide (it had a yellow cover and had a high number of 4-5 star ratings on Amazon), as well as Anatomy and Physiology Cliff's Notes. Those three together (about 8hrs/day for 5 days) took me from a 76 to a 98 on A&P. I used the two books and online quizzes for the other sections and did MUCH better all around.
I won't give any test questions, but if you search you tube for HESI anatomy questions, you will find several videos that give you questions that were asked on the exam as well as general areas to study. I can say that I had at least 5-7 test questions (maybe more) on my exam that were discussed on various YouTube videos. Good luck with your retake!
waitlisted for san mateo 62 of 70 so that is obviously not going to get me in. It sucks because I went to the counselor Anne Seed and she made it sound like I was a sure in after she looked over my gpa etc. I would have done more this summer and last semester if I didnt think i was going to get in to strengthen my application for the next round. I do not know what I can do in 2 months to make it better. This just sucks/
waitlisted for san mateo 62 of 70 so that is obviously not going to get me in. It sucks because I went to the counselor Anne Seed and she made it sound like I was a sure in after she looked over my gpa etc. I would have done more this summer and last semester if I didnt think i was going to get in to strengthen my application for the next round. I do not know what I can do in 2 months to make it better. This just sucks/
Would you mind posting your stats if you haven't already? I'm very curious to see if any of us can find a pattern in the stats of those who were waitlisted vs accepted. And if anyone gets flat out rejected, would you mind posting as well? I think it has the potential to be very helpful to everyone who is re-applying and those who look to these threads for their initial application. Thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to share.
Boogalooga, Arpan, and WebbC1, I really feel like you're going to get either accepted or high on the waitlist. I don't see how they could form a waitlist without having reviewed everyone's applications. So to me, it seems like maybe you're in that second or third 30% that will hear back with an acceptance. I don't know why you haven't heard yet, but all of you have great stats and experience and I can't see you getting a straight rejection when someone like myself had a lower GPA and no healthcare experience. I just have a good feeling about you guys.
I know the wait must be killing you. I'm sending good thoughts, vibes, prayers, energy, and the kitchen sink toward your acceptance. I mean, if you guys aren't in, the rest of us rejections and waitlisters really have no chance.
Hang in there. (I know, easier said than done...)
MamaKat, you're just the best! So positive. I'll definitely let you guys know when I get an update. If I get rejected I'll try again!
MamaKat916, BSN
207 Posts
HoboKitty, do you mind if I ask how you strengthened your application from last time? Do you mind posting your stats (if you haven't already)? Congrats on getting such a great waitlist spot! I hope you get in this round or move up enough to get an offer for the next cohort!