Samuel Merritt University ABSN Spring 2025

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A thread for those who applied for Spring 2025  

Specializes in CNA MPH.

Hey everyone!

I was informed that I got into another school late last week, so I will be giving up my spot for ABSN. 

So if anyone's still on the list, I hope you get my spot. 🙂

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To those who are taking out private loans, what APR/interest rate are you getting offered with or without a cosigner?

I currently got a rate of 8.99% from Earnest without a cosigner and 8.85% from Ascent without a cosigner. 

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Thank you for the information. I will be looking into financing in the next couple of weeks. I had to pay off some loans to raise my credit score. 

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Hey everyone! I know we have orientation next week for the San Mateo cohort. They have not mentioned the time correct just stated to save the dates? 

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angela_suman93 said:

Hey everyone! I know we have orientation next week for the San Mateo cohort. They have not mentioned the time correct just stated to save the dates? 

When I called a few weeks ago, they said it would be 9am -12pm. Hopefully that hasn't changed at all. And then we are participating in another orientation via zoom the next day, same times. 

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@Brianne Amaro ahhh I see thank you!! 🙂

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Hey! Yes the email gives a time, it's at 9-12. So excited to meet everyone! 

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mvdmelon said:

Hi everyone! I'll share my journey in case anyone else can relate. 

I've been aiming for MSN instead of BSN programs since I already have a BS in Public Health. I've gotten waitlisted/rejected at USF - ELMSN, rejected at UOP - ELMSN, waitlisted at SMU - FNP, and accepted to SMU - Case Management, but decided not to accept as it's not what I'd like to do with a nursing degree. I decided to apply for SMU - ABSN program since I've been trying with no luck for MSN programs. After almost 3 years of trying, I finally got into a nursing school, SMU - ABSN in San Mateo! I did reapply to USF - ELMSN and still waiting to hear back.

My grades in college were terrible my first 2 years, but I graduated with a 3.2 GPA. I was a CNA and behavioral technician in college. I then became a medical assistant to gain more experience and skills. I took all the science prereqs online while working full-time and got an A. My prereq grades consists of mostly A's, maybe a B+ or two, and a C+ in Stats.

For those who didn't get in this cohort, don't lose hope! Everything happens for a reason and your time will come. I am thankful that my 3 years of not getting into nursing school has rather helped me gain more confidence in entering the field by my experience working as a medical assistant. I was also able to just live life and travel. 

I'm excited yet nervous! I'm still debating between SMU and USF, but we'll see if I even get into USF. 

Hi, thank you so much for sharing this. I'm currently in the same boat. I have my bachelors already and I've been trying w ELMSN programs but was recently waitlisted pretty far back for FNP. I didn't apply to CM as that's also not what I'd like to do w my nursing degree. Hence, I've decided to apply to the ABSN June.

you're right, everything happens for a reason. Rejection is just redirection. 
thanks again for sharing. Good luck to everyone in their nursing journeys 🙂 

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Specializes in Pre nursing student.

Hello everyone!

I'm looking to apply for the Spring 2026 term at the San Mateo campus. I was wondering if anyone who got accepted into the ABSN program (San Mateo/Oakland) can share their stats? I'm finishing up a few other pre requisites and I don't have the perfect grades but I am looking in other areas I could improve on. 

Thanks!

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Congratulations on your journey to becoming a nursing student. I am currently in the ABSN on the San Mateo Campus. I did have strong science grades, with an overall GPA of 3.9, however, I know many of my classmates had closer to a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and were still accepted into the program. Three things I felt helped me to stand out as an applicant were my letters of recommendation, volunteer hours, and application specifics. Try your hardest to get a letter from a science teacher, I was told that is huge. I also volunteered at my local hospitals ER for six months prior to applying. Lastly, make sure you take your time with your application. Make sure your information is as accurate as possible and speak from your heart when asked about the essay questions. Also, tell your references to save what they wrote, and also save your own responses. If you do not get accepted the first time around, the application resets those areas, and it will make reapplication much easier if that hard work is saved. Best of luck to you!!

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Specializes in Pre nursing student.

@Brianne Amaro

Thank you so much! This definitely helps with navigating the application process. I've seen through the threads that you got accepted and are currently in the program. Congrats! That is amazing! How has the program been going for you?

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Thank you. It is incredibly intensive, but you learn a ton of valuable information. Be prepared to dedicate just about everyday to school and you'll do great. Keep us all posted once you apply. And just a bit of a side note, I still had three prereqs in progress when I applied so if that ends up being the case, you can definitely apply early. Good luck!!  

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