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!
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, 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?
I took both classes last Spring in 2020; they were very intense to me because I took these two classes through SMU and they were in quarter system which lasted for about 10 weeks while working full time and taking another pre-req at CCSF. I basically did not have any free time and constantly studying & working. At the end I got A from both classes but I would not recommend anyone taking these two classes at the same time while working full time ( thb I was in too much anxiety and fear of failing for 10 weeks). However, if you don't have full time job or while taking any other difficult classes they are certainly doable.
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!
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.
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 for the information and for the other school options I appreciate it!
ViVi P.
36 Posts
San Mateo folks, the wait is over!
The portal is updated with the decision. Official email will be sent out either tomorrow or Monday!!