Samuel Merritt ABSN Spring 2022

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Hi everyone!

I wanted to start a thread for students who are applying for Samuel Merritt's ABSN program for the Spring 2022 cohort since it's due on July 1st. Feel free to ask questions and/or post your admission stats if you'd like. I went to a couple info sessions, so maybe I can answer some of your questions. To anyone who is currently in the ABSN program or have completed it, I would love to hear your experience and thoughts about it since I have heard mixed reviews. 

Here are my current stats:

Pre-req GPA: 3.90 (Though I am still completing some pre-reqs this Summer/fall)

Science GPA: 4.00 (Taking pathophysiology this fall)

TEAS: I took it twice and luckily SMU will take the best scores from each individual section between the two. However, I don't know how they would calculate that since TEAS scores are equated based on difficulty. If I were to calculate my score based on my best results it would be 89%

Letters of recommendations: One from a Human A&P professor I had, who I also TA'd for after completing the class, one from a nurse, and an optional one from my boss at my current job (part-time food service employee). 

Volunteer experience at an Emergency Department, TA'd for a Human A&P class for Sac State's ATS program (I don't know how relevant this would be since it wasn't a college course. ATS classes are meant for middle school/high school students who wish to enrich their knowledge in subjects of their choice). 

Good luck on your applications everyone! You got this!

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Hi Geline! I am also applying for Spring 2022 at the Sacramento campus. I'm down to the wire right now as I'm taking the HESI next week! I was just informed by a counselor that they will take the best scores from each section so I plan on taking it a second time shortly afterward. Here are my stats:

Last 60 units GPA: 3.63

Pre-req GPA: 3.8 (so far... still in process)

Science GPA: 4.0

Letters of rec: one from a nurse with 30 years experience, and I'm trying to get ahold of my chem professor but he isn't responding. Since all of my classes have been online I have not established relationships with professors so this is tough. I will probably get one or two from previous bosses as backup. 

I've been volunteering for the past few months at COVID vaccine sites doing charting and check-ins. I only have about 15 hours at this point but I don't think SMU has a minimum hour requirement for volunteering (not sure though?). My last two professions involved helping people and working with the public, so I plan on emphasizing that experience. 

I've been thinking/planning/starting & stopping the process of going to nursing school for 12+ years. I was laid off from my corporate job last year due to covid, and took it as a sign to go for nursing again. I can't believe I'm at the point of applying! I've mainly been interested in SMU's ABSN for the ability to start working sooner, but I'm nervous about figuring out how to pay for it and balancing school & family (I have an 11 yr old and 8 yr old). Any other moms applying? 

Anyway, thanks for starting this thread!

 

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Hello  Everyone! The app deadline is just around the corner! Which location did you choose to send the TEAS results? I see that there is an option for "SMU ELMSN Sacramento", "SMU ELMSN San Fransisco", "SMU ELMSN Oakland" and "SMU ELMSN ABSN Oakland". THX!

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Specializes in Certified Nursing Assistant.

Hi There,

I am adding in, I think your stats look great Serena!! you have a really good chance of getting in. One thing I love about Samuel Merrit is they select students from all types of GPA and experiences to keep the selection fair. Could you imagine a school that only chose 4.0 students? No diversity or differentiation from all the students. Everyone brings their own experience and they select from a wide range of people. Although having 4.0 GPA might be great....but they only select a handful of them!! 

 

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Specializes in Pre-nursing student.

Hello Everyone, 

My stats are as following and I am applying for my first time to the ABSN program. 

Science: 3.5 

Last 60 units (still in progress I graduate in December): 3.9

only prereq I have left is English Composition which I will be taking in the Fall. 

TEAS score overall: 88%

LOR: 1 from a clinical director, 1 from a clinical supervisor, and 1 from my Epidemiology professor.  

I am currently working as a Behavioral Therapist and have recently taken a Clinical Internship opportunity. I will also be starting work as a scribe in the fall but this probably won't count towards this round of applications. 

I was wondering if any of you got an email about verifying your application. I think mine hasn't verified because I still have to do a AU with my Summer courses I am currently taking but I could be wrong. Any insight? 

My Bach degree is also still in progress so I'm not sure if that will affect my chances. 

 

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Hey LovingNursing,

I received an email on July 13 requesting info on my planned courses for the fall, which I sent immediately. I just received another email today saying they never received a response and that I would be dropped from the review process if not received by Friday. I responded to the 2nd email and got an auto confirmation from SMU (I didn't on July 13, so not sure what happened). Anyway, I would definitely call the office and follow up as soon as possible in case there is an error somewhere along the line. 

 

Regarding your Bachelor's, I believe as long as it's done by end of fall you are good. 

What campus did you apply at?

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Hi everyone! I applied for the Sacramento Spring 2022 cohort. I applied 1 year ago and was waitlisted 38/40. I ended up in spot 22. I decided to retake a couple of classes this Spring for a higher grade. I live in Roseville. 
 

I'm currently a dental hygienist and have been working for over 15 years. Love my job, but I am looking for something more fulfilling.  

good luck to all of us!


stats 

science GPA 3.75

overall 3.87

bachelor of science UOP

Do you all live in the area? I'm open to carpooling!

 

 

 


 

 


 


 

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Specializes in Pre-nursing student.

Hey SerenaGrace, 

I applied to the San Mateo campus as my first choice! Also I did not know SMU calculates our TEAS/HESI with the highest score in each category. 

I got an 89.4 in Science, 96.9 in Math, 91.7 in English and Language Usage, and 89.4 in Reading. 

I feel like I could retake it and get into the 90s but I really don't want to have to take the exam again. 

I am also already started my application for the September 1st deadline!!

 

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Hi All! Commenting for updates. I applied for the Fall 2021 ABSN start date on a whim - I knew I my application wasn't strong yet and didn't get in (I had 5 courses planned or in progress). I applied for this cohort for the Sacramento Campus. I am also a mom! I have a toddler. Here are my stats: 

Science Prereqs: 4.0

Overall: 3.47

2 BAs: International Relations and French

TEAS: 92.6 composite (91.6 reading, 93.8 math, 93.6 science, 91.7 English)

Experience: 5 years in a OBGYN office, volunteer experience at the Sacramento Mental Health Hospital and Bay Area ICUs. BLS/CPR Cert.

LOR - Nurse Friend that did the SMU program (we worked together previously), Doctor where I worked, Communications Professor.

Currently 2 courses in progress: Physiology and Microbiology. Both complete Monday!

I know that SMU was very late in getting decisions back to us the last go around. The Sacramento folks found out less than a week before the next applications were due. The San Mateo folk just heard back last week or the week before. Yikes!

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Wow lmwallac, your stats are amazing! I'd be surprised if you didn't get in. 

Does anyone know how a 'W' in a science prereq will affect your application? I stupidly took Microbiology in a very condensed format (5 weeks) and I am struggling bigtime. I'm currently sitting at around 80% and got a D on the 2nd exam, even though I studied like crazy for it. I'm feeling really dejected. Luckily the lowest exam grade will be dropped, but the homework load for the course is INSANE, and I'm feeling like it will be impossible to get an A. The professor is no help at all and doesn't seem to care if his students succeed, just throws a ton of work with very random due dates (3 lab quizzes, a long discussion post, and 350 homework questions on 2 chapters due in one day, then nothing due the next day). I'm thinking about dropping it and retaking it in the fall, but 1) there are no cc's with open micro classes online at this point, and 2) I'm enrolled in patho & pharm this fall and there is no way I want to attempt micro on top of those two classes.

I suppose I could just stick it out and if I end up with a B or C retake it and reapply for fall 2022, but not sure how a W will impact my chances at SMU or any other school I decide to apply to (thinking of applying to SCC/ARC next application cycle). ?

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Specializes in Certified Nursing Assistant.

Hi Serena, I'd say stay in the course and shoot for a B. there is nothing wrong In getting a B. your stats are already great. You might cut yourself short by dropping out and not having the opportunity to take this course in fall. 

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Hi Serena! I think you should stay in the course too. You've got this!! You can drop the "D" exam.. Reach out to the professor and ask for extra help or ask for studying tips for their class. You reaching out to the professor says that you are willing to put the work in and dedicated to doing well.  I don't think a "W" looks great on your transcript, but I don't think it's the worst either. 

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