Samuel Merritt ABSN Summer 2012

ElenaH. · Apr 11, 2012

Eastbay: I had only 3 months of volunteer work at CPMC ICU and zero medical work experience. I volunteered 12 hours a week so I would be done by the application deadline, finished 100 hours. I speak another language and I sent 5 recommendation letters instead of 2 that Samuel Merritt was asking for. I prepared those 5 for UCSF that I also applied for and decided since I was asking 5 people for recommendation letters for UCSF, one extra copy for Samuel Merritt wouldn't hurt. I sent them all to SMU and got accepted right away.

pnlu007 · Apr 11, 2012

katiebelle,

i suggested she waive the volunteering, because she already has health care experience and she can leverage that experience for her essay. the essay was not specifically geared towards "volunteer experience". I just took a look and it says Professional or Volunteer experience. 4 years of paid medical professional experience she said she has is plenty to write a syrupy essay on how she loves helping people!

wannabnurse81 · Apr 11, 2012

I for sure suggest that you volunteer East Bay... I think it will look good on the app. I volunteered for 7 mos., 4 hours a week in an ER, I would have volunteered more than 4 hours a week, but I also have been working full time.

orangepeels... Okay, so in December, I qualified for a 300+K loan to buy a new home, I also have good credit, so I for sure thought I'd get a pretty good rate. Sallie Mae - told me a needed a co-signer, which I was pretty shocked that I could qualify for a home on my own, but not a student loan!! Then I went to Wells Fargo and the interest rate was 11.95% (fixed). Anyway, so I got a co-signer for Sallie Mae, also w/ good credit and our interest rate is 7.9%, so I think 7.5% is a good rate. Not sure if anyone really gets a 2.5% or near that unless they have serious money in the bank...

ElenaH. · Apr 11, 2012

I started my application with Discover bank and they said that my interest would be 4.25% but it's variable somewhere between 2.5 and 10.5 or so. Also, I asked for only 23K... maybe the amount matters too.

aluflow · Apr 13, 2012

Eastbay: I think volunteering is always a good idea. My application had something like a 3.6 GPA (3.5 for core science), TEAS 4 scores in the 99%, volunteering in a hospital for the past 5-odd months, plus current work as a TA for an anatomy class and working as a science tutor. My letters of rec came from a professor who thought I was the bomb-diggity and a former SMU student/board member who works as an NP. I was waitlisted! But I'm in now so I can't complain.

Orangepeels: That's bananas. My credit and my cosigners are about the same as yours, and I was approved for 3.25% or something with Sallie Mae, and that was with deferred repayment! Maybe it's the car loans/existing loans? Maybe it's something about your cash-to-credit ratio? I don't know. But that's just nuts.

orangepeels · Apr 15, 2012

Thanks everyone for your response and insight. ElenaH, I don't think it's the amount of the loan in terms of the interest, since I was only borrowing $17k. I think Aluflow might be right about the income to debt ratio since I have a car loan as well. I guess me and Wannabenurse are in the same boat since we have other loans/fianances as well so it affects our interest. Aluflow you're so lucky with such a low interest! :) I'm going to go ahead and just accept, since I looked elsewhere for myself and it was about the same. Thanks again everyone!

emsaway · Apr 16, 2012

Hi Oakland peers,

I just registered for the Oakland ABSN summer program for all 10 classes. I am getting SO excited! Did anybody else register yet? It was very straight forward and simple which is a relief.

I also just got approved for Sallie Mae loan at 6% variable, with i/o option. I am fine with that rate, just happy to be approved even though myself and my cosigner have A+ credit.

I'm looking forward to meeting everybody at the orientation...can't wait!

katiebelle77 · Apr 16, 2012

I just registered too. I think I am in both Lab section 1 each of the labs. I thought it was pretty easy too... So, let's talk about books... Are you guys going to get the bundle? Has anyone ordered the books yet? Do you have any tips or insight? 1 month until orientation!

Oh and as for the interest rate I mentioned on the the unsubsidized govt loan- sadly, 6.8% is relatively low as we are all finding out. Because of that, I am accepting both subsidized and unsubsidized portion...

wannabnurse81 · Apr 16, 2012

Hey guys! I got the bundle and I am happy with this decision. P.S. have the books delivered to your home!!! They are heavy!!! Shipping is FREE! The bundle also includes digital access to your books, so you can leave your books at home and use your laptop at school to access your books. What are you guys getting for shoes? They have to be white.

emsaway · Apr 17, 2012

Wannabnurse...where did you learn of the shoes? This is the first I am hearing of any type of dress code. Also, where can I order the book bundle?

wannabnurse81 · Apr 17, 2012

I am in the SF cohort, so we had our orientation last Thursday & Friday. White shoes, closed front and back. You can order the book bundle on the SMU bookstore link. Choose your program ABSN summer, then your campus and then pick any class ant the bundle option will pop up.. It's around like 1,200ish.

aluflow · Apr 17, 2012

Ahhh that's so much money! I should probably go for the bundle, but I have a feeling I'm going to buy them individually on Amazon.com. Wannabnurse, I don't want you to have to post the names of the books, but do you know where the list is?