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!
I took pharm & patho at the same time while working 32 hours a week. I took it through uc Berkeley extension. The term was 6 months long and you go at your own pace (you can take the final after 90 days of enrollment, so you can potentially finish it before the 6th month). For the Berkeley program, There is no set due dates or anything for the assignments, so you have to be self motivated to complete the assignments on your own.
It is definitely doable, it just depends on your learning style, time management, life responsibilities, social life, job schedule, what kind of job you have, etc. If you work in a highly stressed environment, then some days you may so tired from work, it may be hard to find the energy to do schoolwork after work!
I would suggest looking at taking these courses via UCLA extension program because it’s much cheaper than SMU or UC Berkeley extension. It’s like around $850-$900 a course vs the $1200 price tag at the other schools.
The only pro about Berkeley is you can start anytime, the minute you register/pay, is the minute your course begins and you have 6 months from that day/time to complete. There are 12 modules for each course. UCLA has a set start and finish time.
hope this helps!
Thank you! This was the information I needed. I work full time but may take a small break so I can focus on these. The class is more pricey then other locations but it’s also faster which I’m looking for.
Hi, is anyone taking the pre reqs pharmacology and pathophysiology? I’m wondering how intense these classes are and can they be taken at the same time? I’m also wondering if you could have a full-time job while taking these classes at SMU online?
Hi there, I took them at Santa Barbara community college online. Super easy A’s. Don’t even sweat it and you can also keep your full time job! ? you’re welcome
I took Pharm and Patho together through Santa Barbra city college, the classes were both 100% online. Although it is online, each class was very structured and had weakly deadlines. I took them during the Summer so it was accelerated to just 6 weeks. This was a lot of material to study over a short time period, I had to reduce my work down to roughly 20hrs per week. It is doable, but wasn't the most pleasant experience.
Thank you! This was the information I needed. I work full time but may take a small break so I can focus on these. The class is more pricey then other locations but it’s also faster which I’m looking for.
You can definitely look into UCLA extension because it’s cheaper than SMU & offer more start dates. Just check their website periodically for class start times/when registration is open.
I took pathophysiology in the Moorpark CC, pharmacology the the Mira Costa CC. They were both online, semester courses. I didn't work while taking these courses, but I would still they were very intense. Many of my classmates were working, and they all were stressed.
Hi there, I took them at Santa Barbara community college online. Super easy A’s. Don’t even sweat it and you can also keep your full time job! ? you’re welcome
Really? How much were the classes if you recall?
16 minutes ago, Tatyana said:
I took pathophysiology in the Moorpark CC, pharmacology the the Mira Costa CC. They were both online, semester courses. I didn't work while taking these courses, but I would still they were very intense. Many of my classmates were working, and they all were stressed.
Honestly I don’t remember but both classes were like 150-200 each I think? It might be cheaper or free since it’s community college and it’s free tuition right now thanks to Biden
Aw yes I somehow got free aid for my courses during Covid. However I don’t remember them being $300 maybe they increased it since I took them 2-3 years ago.
Hgraner
11 Posts
Thank you! This was the information I needed. I work full time but may take a small break so I can focus on these. The class is more pricey then other locations but it’s also faster which I’m looking for.