Samuel Merritt ELMSN Fall 2019

Nursing Students School Programs

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Hi, everyone! Just wanted to start a forum for those applying to SMU's ELMSN Fall 2019 program. I know the admission deadline was about a month ago and I wanted to know if anyone has heard back yet! I applied for the FNP track ?

On 7/8/2019 at 12:45 AM, jnniemeyer said:

Thanks so much. Obviously the tuition is my biggest concern - I will need to take out significant loans to cover tuition and living costs.

Other nurses seem to think it is a rediculous amount of money to pay. But SMUs tuition is similar to many other entry level masters programs.

Ideally I would like to work in a shortage area, but it seems quite competitive. I think worst cast scenario I could pay the loans off in 20 years on an income based repayment plan.

The best thing you can do is accept the fact that YOU WILL BE IN DEBT. YOU WILL OWE LOTS OF MONEY BACK IN LOANS. You just have to accept it and be comfortable with it. I was panicking for about a week after I accepted admission and looked at how much it would cost me for just ONE year. After about a week, the anxiety subsides and you realize that making the best of your education is more important. When you graduate from the program try to have two or three revenue streams. Some students will plan on working as a CM or FNP fulltime and PRN as a bedside nurse. Some students may plan going into medical sales or work parttime in another industry. My point is don't let loans be a distraction or another anxiety. Have fun in the program, take accountability for your education, and learn how to save lives.

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2 hours ago, Heaven27 said:

Your question seems more appropriate for a student who has graduated the program, but I will give you my perspective. Also, I know this may sound crazy, but most students don't think about that; the reality is most students apply to the program that accepts them and don't look back.The students I know in the FNP and CM programs enjoy SMU. I once met someone who took an emergency medicine course/rotation offered in the PA program because the FNP program doesn't offer an emergency rotation. That being said, he wanted to work in the ER setting but the SMU ELMNS FNP program is designed for primary care settings instead of other specialties. Most ELMNS programs are primary care focused though. I don't hear too much stuff about the programs shortcomings. I had a friend warn me that the program doesn't really teach you how to create care plans, but I don't think nursing programs offer classes just on careplans. She also said that her psych class instructor would add on assignments at the last minute which was frustrating at times. That said, those issues are not major issues and do not reflect how the school operates; in fact, she tells me all the time that she loves the program and the line of work she will be in. Also there is a difference between grad school and undergrad. The my interviewer explained that some students have a hard time transitioning from undergrad workflow and grad workflow. in grad school you are expected to take accountability for your own learning.

I am interested in hearing what your thoughts are on the cost of the program? I know you mentioned it scares a lot of people away. But for someone who will need to take out loans to afford tuition - does it seem worth it? I have been getting a lot of advice that it’s an incredible amount of debt and that an NP would never be able to pay it back.

Thanks!

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9 hours ago, Heaven27 said:

...... That said, those issues are not major issues and do not reflect how the school operates; in fact, she tells me all the time that she loves the program and the line of work she will be in. Also there is a difference between grad school and undergrad. The my interviewer explained that some students have a hard time transitioning from undergrad workflow and grad workflow. in grad school you are expected to take accountability for your own learning.

Thank you Heaven27. Your observations & knowledge in regard to SMU are much appreciated!

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On 7/10/2019 at 6:08 AM, Heaven27 said:

The best thing you can do is accept the fact that YOU WILL BE IN DEBT. YOU WILL OWE LOTS OF MONEY BACK IN LOANS. You just have to accept it and be comfortable with it. I was panicking for about a week after I accepted admission and looked at how much it would cost me for just ONE year. After about a week, the anxiety subsides and you realize that making the best of your education is more important. When you graduate from the program try to have two or three revenue streams. Some students will plan on working as a CM or FNP fulltime and PRN as a bedside nurse. Some students may plan going into medical sales or work parttime in another industry. My point is don't let loans be a distraction or another anxiety. Have fun in the program, take accountability for your education, and learn how to save lives.

Thank you!!!!!

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On 7/10/2019 at 12:38 AM, jnniemeyer said:

I am interested in hearing what your thoughts are on the cost of the program? I know you mentioned it scares a lot of people away. But for someone who will need to take out loans to afford tuition - does it seem worth it? I have been getting a lot of advice that it’s an incredible amount of debt and that an NP would never be able to pay it back.

Thanks!

It is not the cost of the program that scares people; it is the cost of all the additional fees accumulated that scare people. We all might have the same tuition, but everything else varies from person to person.

I dont really have an opinion about the cost of the program or whether or not it is too expensive. How someone examines if a program is expensive depends on them and their current or future circumstances. I always wanted to go to Samuel Merritt. It is the perfect loacation for me and close to home. I also always wanted to take the acclerated FNP track. I also wanted to go to a school. Alot of my friends go here and have perso al testimonies. During the application and admission process, i recieved assistance with crafting my personal statement so it was perfect. I also got assistance with developing a good portfolio. Their diversity center is amazing. These benefits were factors I also considered.

For students who are struggling with the ideation process, my only advice is to really consider your circumstances. When looking at cost, please include the total cost you will pay if you do not have a job and still have to pay other fixed bills. You cannot always plan for safety nets and plan for the future. For some people, this might be the only school they are accepted. What then? If you turn down a program, consider how long it might take till you get accepted into another program. Are the chances slim or likely? How long are you willing to put off your goals? Do you have another plan place? Would your other plan get you there faster? Would your other plan cost you significantly more or less in the long run? Going to get a BSN in nursing school just to work for several years and finally apply to an fnp program could cost you time. Do what's best for you. Sometimes the people who give us advice cant relate because it is not their life, times we different, they took another route, their circumstances were different, or their values are different so money is more important.

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On 7/16/2019 at 4:59 PM, Heaven27 said:

It is not the cost of the program that scares people; it is the cost of all the additional fees accumulated that scare people. We all might have the same tuition, but everything else varies from person to person.

I dont really have an opinion about the cost of the program or whether or not it is too expensive. How someone examines if a program is expensive depends on them and their current or future circumstances. I always wanted to go to Samuel Merritt. It is the perfect loacation for me and close to home. I also always wanted to take the acclerated FNP track. I also wanted to go to a school. Alot of my friends go here and have perso al testimonies. During the application and admission process, i recieved assistance with crafting my personal statement so it was perfect. I also got assistance with developing a good portfolio. Their diversity center is amazing. These benefits were factors I also considered.

For students who are struggling with the ideation process, my only advice is to really consider your circumstances. When looking at cost, please include the total cost you will pay if you do not have a job and still have to pay other fixed bills. You cannot always plan for safety nets and plan for the future. For some people, this might be the only school they are accepted. What then? If you turn down a program, consider how long it might take till you get accepted into another program. Are the chances slim or likely? How long are you willing to put off your goals? Do you have another plan place? Would your other plan get you there faster? Would your other plan cost you significantly more or less in the long run? Going to get a BSN in nursing school just to work for several years and finally apply to an fnp program could cost you time. Do what's best for you. Sometimes the people who give us advice cant relate because it is not their life, times we different, they took another route, their circumstances were different, or their values are different so money is more important.

Very helpful, thanks so much!!!

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On 2/28/2019 at 4:58 PM, JJ-MSN said:

Okay guys. I just logged into the admitted student portal, hit check list and saw I was accepted into the CM program. !! But I haven’t gotten an email...

Hey @JJ-MSN were you able to confirm that this form of verifying admission is legit?

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5 hours ago, Glial said:

Hey @JJ-MSN were you able to confirm that this form of verifying admission is legit?

Yes.. it is.

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On 1/25/2019 at 11:54 AM, jackiewackie44 said:

This will be my 3rd time applying -- I was wait listed for Fall 2018 and Spring 2019, so hopefully, 3rd time's the charm! We should be hearing back soon tho. Oakland campus usually calls for interviews, but I've also gotten emails before as well. 

Hi, Just wanted to ask specifically, how is the app different when reapplying? Interviewers said that it is just one additional statement and LOR, but the admissions counselors say it's still the same, including the same 3 shortish statements? I'm confused and wondering how you went about it. Thanks!

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On 10/27/2019 at 2:04 PM, hopelessromantic said:

Hi, Just wanted to ask specifically, how is the app different when reapplying? Interviewers said that it is just one additional statement and LOR, but the admissions counselors say it's still the same, including the same 3 shortish statements? I'm confused and wondering how you went about it. Thanks!

The apps are exactly the same every time I've applied, which makes it quite difficult. I just try to change up my personal statements, but my LOR's have been the same. The interviews were the same structure as well when I went, but some the questions are switched around a bit.

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3 hours ago, jackiewackie44 said:

The apps are exactly the same every time I've applied, which makes it quite difficult. I just try to change up my personal statements, but my LOR's have been the same. The interviews were the same structure as well when I went, but some the questions are switched around a bit.

Thanks so much for answering! I tried to PM you, but found out I couldn't until I hit a certain amount of posts. Did you ever confirm with any staff/faculty about the apps' sameness? It's really confusing how they gave such conflicting information. (Personally, I think the apps being exactly the same makes much less sense than only needing one or two additional supplementary materials.)

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Just out of curiosity, and if anybody on this post is still out there......

Does anybody have an idea as to how far down the waitlist did they go for the FNP program?

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