I couldn't find any threads on Summer 2015 cohorts for the ABSN program at Samuel Merritt (San Mateo campus is my #1 choice), so I thought I'd start one! I was just curious to know anyone's opinion on how heavily they weigh each category of the application process. I have strong references, a solid work history including *some* health care (working with autistic adults for 3 years, except it isn't my most recent experience), and decent stats, although they could be stronger:
Sciences: 4.0 (so far, still in progress)
Overall: 3.6
TEAS: 89.3 (first try, but plan on taking again if needed)
I was really surprised to learn that they mostly look at Reading and Math scores from the TEAS, and not science (which was my highest score). Does anyone know if they rely on the classification? I was "advanced", but obviously would like to be "exceptional".
I am currently finishing up my writing samples, which I am finding the most challenging since it is hard to fit in all I want to say in 250-300 words. (CRAZY)
I am working on my application due September 1st, but am nervous since I still have classes in progress this Fall. Does anyone know if they really frown upon this? I know they say that it is suggested they are all finalized, but its okay if they are in progress. I am so anxious to get started in the program and learn!!!
Congrats Vera16 & Lillyambers!!! Lillyambers, I was wondering which location were you accepted to? I applied to the Oakland campus and haven't heard anything yet (fingers crossed)! As for your prerequisites, I was under the impression they needed to be complete before classes started. Have you contacted SMU about it? Wishing everyone tons of luck!
@msshawnamarie I was accepted into the San Mateo campus! You might hear back a little later since you are in a different campus. Yeah they need to be complete but I'm not sure how I'll complete 4 classes in 2 months hmm (pathophysiology, pharmacology, english, and communications!)
I figured it was the San Mateo campus - I just wanted to double check. I am super anxious (I imagine most of us have been). Hoping everything works out for you re: your prerequisites.
I don't know about the Oakland campus, but I got a call on Monday night offering me a spot in the April San Mateo cohort (which I didn't apply for). Unfortunately, I am currently in progress with Pharmacology and Pathophysiology and won't be completed until May so I had to turn it down. They did say that they are releasing June San Mateo admissions in the next few days (which is the campus and term I have been hoping for this whole time), so hopefully we all won't have to wait too much longer! I have literally been obsessively checking my email :)
That said, lillyambers are you currently in progress with all four of those classes? I do know that they have to be 100% completed before you start at SMU... Hope it works out for you! As for your license, I don't believe its a requirement, but it may make it more difficult to get to your clinicals. Depending on what shift you get (I remember reading somewhere they can vary from 6am-11pm) and where (keep in mind that April term clinicals are in SF), public transportation may or may not be able to get you there. Can you get your license?
I applied for the Oakland summer program. I have no heard anything yet either.
Congrats to those accepted.
I was told as long as you apply for fasfa you should be ok. It's not a ton of time between being admitted to starting school. However, Samuel Merritt seems to be a well oiled machine.
Best of luck to everyone. I can't wait to find out one way or the other!
There doesn't seem to be a lot of people chatting on here, maybe that's a sign there isn't a ton of applicants? Wishful thinking!
I applied to the San Mateo campus for the April start, but have yet to hear anything at all from SMU. I'm checking my emails constantly. The suspense is killing me!
I'm hoping to hear back from students who are in the absn cohorts regarding their experience with pathophysiology and pharmacology. I took both classes at SBCC. I have A's in both classes, however since it was an online class, I don't feel confident entering the absn program ... I've been reviewing books for these classes but I just feel scared now haha.. I know patho and pharm are the foundations of the nursing field, so would reviewing help even if I'm not that confident in the area? Any feedback would help!!
I hear you - I'm currently taking these two classes online through SBCC. I got accepted for the June cohort at the San Mateo campus and am working really hard on learning these subjects on my own because they are soooo important. I've never been a fan of online classes, because I learn so much more in the classroom. I find pharmacology pretty easy, but pathophysiology is a challenging class and the instructor explains everything in terms of coding (as in everyone in this class is planning on being a certified medical coder and nothing else...). Not exactly helpful for those of us planning on applying this to actual care. Anyways, I'm just being extra diligent in reading everything in the book and looking for extra explanations online, because the outlines / class notes the professors use are literally straight from the instructor version of the book, they clearly didn't write them.
Overall, I wouldn't stress too much if I were you - if you got As in both classes, you must have had a pretty solid understanding of the material. In terms of starting an ABSN program, you know you can always look things up as you go for reminders, its not like every student has every single detail of every class ever taken memorized. Don't be so hard on yourself.
Hi dmalk1229, Thanks so much for the info! I ended up going down there and meeting with Eugenia and I had it added to my file! Have you heard back yet?
Hi dmalk1229. Your comment about getting into the June cohort is making my heart lurch! This is the first I'm heaving of results being released for later cohorts. What location is that for? How and when did you get your acceptance? I applied to the May Oakland ABSN cohort and have not heart back yet. Has anyone in that cohort heard either way? Ah, so eager to know!
I don't think they are releasing Oaklands results until the beginning of March. I think the San Mateo people will know April and June before anyone gets acceptance from Oakland. Try not to stress!
msshawnamarie
9 Posts
Congrats Vera16 & Lillyambers!!! Lillyambers, I was wondering which location were you accepted to? I applied to the Oakland campus and haven't heard anything yet (fingers crossed)! As for your prerequisites, I was under the impression they needed to be complete before classes started. Have you contacted SMU about it? Wishing everyone tons of luck!