Samuel Merritt ABSN Summer 2016 Cohort

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Hey Everyone!

I've used this forum for quite a while to get a point of reference on how competitive I am to eventually obtain offers of admission to several nursing programs throughout the country.

One of the programs I really want to get into is Samuel Merritt's ABSN! Being that I have not seen any threads for those of us applying to SMU for the Summer 2016 Cohort, I thought I'd start one since the application deadline has passed (unless they've extended it passed the original app deadline of 9/1/15).

Let's stick together through this nerve wracking process, get to know one another, share some stats, experiences, and key information as it arises.

Degree: BS in Health Sciences, Pre-Clinical Option at CSU East Bay in progress and projected to graduate March 2016.

Average GPA (Last 60 Semester Credit Units or 90 Quarter Units): 3.90

Cumulative Undergraduate GPA: Current is 3.39

Average Science GPA (prerequisites only): 3.58

Microbiology: A

Anatomy: A

Physiology: A

Chemistry: C+

TEAS Adjusted Total Individual Score:89.3%

TEAS Reading:88.1%

TEAS Math: 96.7%

TEAS Science: 87.5%

TEAS English: 90.0%

Key Work/Volunteer Experiences: I currently work at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Mental Health Administration in Palo Alto, CA for over a year and a half, and I volunteer at the Emergency Department of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Leandro, CA (over 150 Hours worked and counting).I hope to hear from the rest of you, and good luck to all those who have applied or plan on applying!

Other Programs Applying To: Samuel Merritt University ELMSN-Case Management, University of San Francisco MSN-CNL, University of San Diego MSN-CNL, CSU Los Angeles ABSN, CSU San Marcos ABSN, CSU Northridge ABSN, CSU Stanislaus ABSN, Western University of Health Sciences MSN-E, CSU East Bay BSN, University of Colorado-Denver ABSN, Rush University GEM, and potentially a few others.

Hi futurenorcalnurse,

No I did not recently apply - I applied around 2013-2014. I hope you get it in! Good luck!

Thanks nursekay! Good luck to you, and congrats!!!

I also applied for the April, May, and June 2016 cohorts. I received the email to start in January 2016 at San Mateo and I said I would take a spot in that program if they selected me. I found out Friday I was accepted so I'll be starting a lot sooner than I had planned! It's not ideal, I would've preferred Oakland because I'm in alameda but there was no way I was going to say no. And it's a big scramble to get everything done...medical paperwork, financial aid, etc., and I didn't get to attend an orientation so I feel a little lost. But I'm in and that's all that matters to me haha. I've been on this road to nursing for a loooooong time.

For the TEAS:

reading: 100%

math: 83.3%

science: 70.8% (I had like all earth science and physics questions...***** Haha)

overall TEAS 84.7%

last 60 units 4.0 gpa

science prereqs 3.34 gpa

I think what helped me the most was work experience as a surgical tech for 7 years and three awesome recommendation letters from RNs and a CRNA. Because as you can see my TEAS was just ok and my science gpa was good but not great.

Good luck everyone!

Specializes in Anesthesia.

Congrats @courtneyclox! I hope you get everything done in time. I can only imagine trying to get everything situated with such short notice, but I'm sure you got this! At least you are officially in the program. You're now one less applicant we have to worry about for the summer cohort ;) haha kidding. Happy for you though. I really wish I could have jumped on the early start but bc my BS is still in progress, I couldn't. Your stats, experience, and references are really great, especially your clinical experience as a surgical tech. I fear that being that my only clinical experience has been done through volunteering may not be enough but we will see. Also, my references weren't from nurses but from my microbio professor and my supervisors but they're all health care administrators. Do you plan on keeping your appointment with your job as a surgical tech? Perhaps being on-call or something?

Happy new year, everyone! Any news from SMU? I'm anxiously waiting for the academic calendar to be posted so I can start planning my life!

I know this is off topic. But I can't help but notice that you got an "A" in microbiology and anatomy physiology. I was wondering how did you study for microbiology. I have three prerequisites left. anatomy and physiology 2,microbiology, and college algebra. For College Algebra I have a tutor. how did you study for anatomy and physiology 2, and microbiology.I am especially wondering about microbiology because there is little studying information around the internet. the only thing I have done is was getting a private tutor but that is expensive. since I'm already paying for a math tutor. how do you factor a study for microbiology? Your insight would be extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

Hello All,

I am applying for the Summer (June) program in San Mateo. I am about to start Pharmacology and Pathophysiology. The closer we get to hearing whether we are excepted or not the more anxious I am getting. Good Luck to everyone.

Specializes in Anesthesia.
I know this is off topic. But I can't help but notice that you got an "A" in microbiology and anatomy physiology. I was wondering how did you study for microbiology. I have three prerequisites left. anatomy and physiology 2,microbiology, and college algebra. For College Algebra I have a tutor. how did you study for anatomy and physiology 2, and microbiology.I am especially wondering about microbiology because there is little studying information around the internet. the only thing I have done is was getting a private tutor but that is expensive. since I'm already paying for a math tutor. how do you factor a study for microbiology? Your insight would be extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

Sorry for the late response but I hope it finds you well! To study for microbiology, I sought a lot of help from my Lab Teaching Assistant and I studied often. The first time i took Microbiology, i got a C... However, I felt like I had a really good professor who translated all the science-speak into concepts that were more understandable. I also had a study group who quizzed each other on all of the material especially before exam day. I found making flash cards took too much time, and instead, the study group asking each other questions, listening to questions, and answering them really helped with auditory/reading/writing learning! Also, I spent extra time in the Lab during my TA's office hours just taking about all of the lab techniques for the practicals. Understanding all of the staining techniques and biochemical tests and why they are used started to become seemingly almost common sense as I started to nail down the concepts. So overall, try to create a study group and visit your professor(s) for office hours after reviewing material. From office hour visits, I was able to kind of guess how my professor would ask questions and which topics he cared about the most. Hope this helps!

Specializes in Anesthesia.

Last year, ABSN applicants for the April Start (San Mateo Campus) began to hear on Feb 10, 2015! That is tomorrow!!! I hope we all hear soon. If you've heard, please let us all know =) the waiting has been stressful!

I applied to the June cohort... I am so nervous. Looking at last year it look's like there will be about another month till the June cohort finds out :/

Specializes in Anesthesia.
I applied to the June cohort... I am so nervous. Looking at last year it look's like there will be about another month till the June cohort finds out :/

Ahh I know the waiting is tough!!! Hang in there and keep us all informed if you hear earlier than expected lol I think I saw some people from June cohort hearing even before the Oakland may cohort!

I emailed the admissions counselor who emailed me that she received and was processing my application for June, and she said she expects answers end of February, beginning of March! Hopefully sooner than later!

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