Samuel Merritt ABSN Summer 2020

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Hi All,

I didn't see a thread for the Samuel Merritt ABSN summer 2020 cohort and just wanted to start one, as I know most of us are in the process of applying right now. I applied to the Sacramento campus, but am currently waitlisted. I just wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations on how to be more competitive aside from GPA (as I am going to retake some courses to up my GPAs). I love that Samuel Merritt looks at applicants holistically. Please share the wisdom , whether you are applying or you are already in the program. Thank you and have a blessed day !

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Thanks for starting this thread! Hope other applicants chime in as I'm curious how everyone is doing one week away from application deadline, and I would love to feel the support and offer support!

My app is almost done and I'm so relieved, but I'm hoping to get it in a couple days before the deadline and not be stressing til the last second!

My first choice is Oakland May cohort, but #2 will be San Mateo June start. I just really don't want to do that bridge commute every day since I have 3 kiddos to attend to on the daily too, and don't want to sit in traffic that long. But I'll be blessed if I get accepted into either program!

I don't really have advice on how to make your app more competitive, since this is my first time applying or trying to get into any nursing program. But I think you're right, it seems like SMU cares about the "whole person" and overall experience. BUT it also seems the first line criteria is GPA and HESI scores. So good luck to you this time around! XO

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You are a super mom!! Praying for all of us !! I'm finishing up my app as well , but nonetheless the anxiety level is high ahah!

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Thank you for starting a thread! My application is complete but I'm down to the wire on getting my references in. Does anyone know how much weight they put on them? One of my references may fall through and I believe it is my most important one. Good luck to everyone!!

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12 minutes ago, klc said:

Thank you for starting a thread! My application is complete but I'm down to the wire on getting my references in. Does anyone know how much weight they put on them? One of my references may fall through and I believe it is my most important one. Good luck to everyone!!

Hey ! Letters of rec are very important and required (you have to have 2 at the very least ). I think you should try to find someone close to you like a boss or mentor and have them write you one asap. Or just harass the bananas out of your intended person to get it in lol good luck. I'm hoping they pull through for you !!

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Thank you! That is what I thought ? I have one in for sure, my second is having trouble logging in to the system which I'm trying to resolve today (I just found out NursingCAS is closed Friday, Yikes!!), and I'm trying like heck to get my intended third person to get it in on time. The crazy thing is I sent all of the reference requests back in October!!

Another question...are references carried through to the next application on NursingCAS?

Did you ask one of the SMU counselors to review your application on ways to become more competitive? I believe I read somewhere that they are more than willing to help out.

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44 minutes ago, klc said:

Thank you! That is what I thought ? I have one in for sure, my second is having trouble logging in to the system which I'm trying to resolve today (I just found out NursingCAS is closed Friday, Yikes!!), and I'm trying like heck to get my intended third person to get it in on time. The crazy thing is I sent all of the reference requests back in October!!

Another question...are references carried through to the next application on NursingCAS?

Did you ask one of the SMU counselors to review your application on ways to become more competitive? I believe I read somewhere that they are more than willing to help out.

Ohhh!! I didnt know they closed fridays ! Well hopefully your references are able to send them in on time. I set up my due dates for the letters a month prior to the due date for the app just in case lol so with the applications, the classes , personal info, achievements, etc will roll over. Your personal statements, references, and letters of rec will not. So when I applied this time around I had to contact all my references and people who wrote me letters to reupload them and/or expect Samuel Merritt to reach out. And yes SMU admission counselors are super nice. After I found out about being waitlisted for the Sacramento campus, I reached out to the Sacramento counselor and she pulled up my file and just told me what I could do to better my chances. I occasionally reach out to her for all types of questions and shes always helped me out every time.

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1 hour ago, klc said:

... my second is having trouble logging in to the system which I'm trying to resolve today (I just found out NursingCAS is closed Friday, Yikes!!)

Ya, it's crazy, two of my references had trouble! One couldn't log in and the other couldn't upload their letter of recommendation for some reason. Both had to contact NurseCas support! The latter had to have the IT at NurseCas upload his letter for him. Not sure why all the technical difficulties! I'm still waiting for my most important reference to submit his (instructor) and he is so not tech savvy, and with the holiday I'm extremely worried if it will come through. = (

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Also - I'm trying to submit today or tomorrow, but... in case I still am waiting for this last reference to come through, do you guys know what time/date exactly the app is due? I know it's December 1st, does that mean Sunday night by 11:59pm on December 1st? (NOT Saturday night 11:59, right?) And I know that the time is Eastern Time.

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Chongcolatealmond-

SO smart to put you put your due dates a month prior!! I wish I would have thought of that!! Thank you for the info. on the next application period. Also, good to know that the counselors have been so helpful!

ChristinaAC-

My reference had to do the same, she said it was due to a firewall on her work computer. But, she did get it in ? Now I just have to keep on my third reference which is from work so it's vital it gets submitted.

Yes, I believe it is Sunday night by 11:59 ET. But, you can submit your application before your references come through. I submitted mine Monday, Nov. 25th and I still had two of the three not in, NursingCAS just updates it. They also already verified my coursework within 24 hours of submitting!

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10 minutes ago, klc said:

ChristinaAC-

My reference had to do the same, she said it was due to a firewall on her work computer. But, she did get it in ? Now I just have to keep on my third reference which is from work so it's vital it gets submitted.

Yes, I believe it is Sunday night by 11:59 ET. But, you can submit your application before your references come through. I submitted mine Monday, Nov. 25th and I still had two of the three not in, NursingCAS just updates it. They also already verified my coursework within 24 hours of submitting!

Oh that's helpful to know there is a firewall issue for some folks, thanks for letting me know!

I'm in the same boat, staying on my third references butt to get it in! fingers crossed!

Oh wow, also very helpful, thank you, I wasn't totally sure if I could submit the app before the references are submitted, but I was thinking I probably could (more like hoping!) NursingCAS has confirmed receipt of most of my transcripts, but nothing about verifying my coursework yet. Hopefully they verify mine quickly too!

Thank you!

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Thanks for starting this thread!
I submitted my application for Oakland last week.

Good luck everyone!??

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