MUSC Accelerated BSN

I got my acceptance letter yesterday!! (Very Elated to find out and quite ecstatic)

I am a Charlestonian as well. Finishing my undergrad here at CofC in December. I just need to get through anatomy this semester.

Congrats to everyone who got in. I look forward to meeting all of you during the mini-orientation Nov. 5th.

Sorry to those who didn't get in this cycle. Keep applying and never give up.

Cheers!

Hi,

I have a question regarding my chances. Last year I graduated with a B.S. from Clemson in Biological Sciences. I'm currently employed at MUSC as a Research Specialist in a micro lab. The P.I. is investigating microbial bioburden in the MICU. I sample surfaces in the MICU patient rooms at UMH and VA twice a week. I've also been volunteering at a nurses station in the hospital once a week since March.

My UGPA isn't competitive; it's a 2.97 (some programs consider anything above a 2.95 to be a "3.0"). My pre-req GPA as-is is at least a 3.0. It may be higher, but I don't have my transcript available. I'm about to enroll in Statistics and Psychology at Trident in the spring. I know I can ace these classes because I've matured and have acknowledged and corrected the issues that hindered my success in undergrad. I want to apply to the ABSN program for Fall 2011. However, I've been reading the average GPA accepted is considerably higher than mine. One poster said someone told her the NS cut off above a 3.15 the semester she applied.

Am I to understand that SAT scores are no longer evaluated? I took the SAT when the max score was 1600, and my score was a 1270.

I'm an african american male, not that my sex and race would be important. But yeah, all that said, do I stand a chance?

Edit: Congrats to those who've been accepted for the spring! Good luck to the others!

Hello Everyone,

Congrats to everyone who got into the program!!! That is super exciting. I also got my acceptance letter and could not be happier. I have to move to Charleston and I am very unfamiliar with the area! I was told James Island or West Ashley are the best places to live if you are a student at MUSC. I wanted to know if anyone had any advice or good apartments that they know about. I would greatly appreciate the help. I am also looking for roommate(s) to cut expenses. I know that I saw something on MUSC about roomate matching/help, but if anyone is in the same boat or have advice I would be forever greatful. Thanks again and I cannot wait to meet all of you on the 5th of Nov. Again Congrats:)

Chucktown: I am not sure how much they weigh undergraduate GPA. You're right, they do not use SAT or GRE scores anymore. I'm sure they would factor in the courses that you take at Trident. I graduated from Wofford College with a BS in Biology this past May and I work as a Research Specialist at MUSC as well (Dept. of Neurosciences). I would think that you being a RS would look good. Also I would also try to keep up the shadowing hours whenever you can. Even if it is going to the hospital for a few hours a week...I think that they appreciate the extra effort and then they know that you are sure about your career choice. Also, get good rec letters- people to testify for your academic capability and character. Good luck!!

bys22: Yes, many students from the area live in West Ashley and/or JI. (They are a little less expensive than downtown!) I live in Mount Pleasant and will be staying there for school as well. I have a few friends that live in Mira Vista and The Regatta (James Island)-and they seem to like it. Hope this helps a little!

Hi everyone,

I also just heard back and am accepted, (conditionally because still finishing two prereqs) but I'm still excited! I am from CT and have been to Charleston only driving through. I also am looking for a roommate and would like any advice you have! Look forward to meeting all of you in November!

Congrats to those who were accepted! I applied for Fall 2009 and didn't get in. My story is a long one. I've already matriculated throught a BSN program. Got to the last semester, and completed all my classes and everything boiled down to this one test, an exit exam called HESI. A lot of colleges swear by this exam, but my former college didn't prepare us well for it..it was kind of shady how it went down. Anyways, you only have 3 chances to pass and if you don't...oh well..pretty much. You aren't able to reapply and not able to get your nursing degree. Isn't that sad?! No matter what your GPA or grades look like (3.0 for me), everything is based on this test. That was Summer of 2006 and I wasn't able to get my nursing degree , but I was able to transfer courses and obtain a BS in health science. So I went back home (college was in AL) and challenge the SC board of nursnig to do my LPN and they granted me that chance and I've been a LPN since. I'm located in Charleston, and I didn't want to do Trident Tech b/c then I would have to do ALL my prereq's over:eek: ...I REFUSE (Already spent 4 years getting them..). I also did not want to do ANOTHER 4 years to do BSN. MUSC was my only hope. When I didn't get accepted in 2009, I just assumed maybe it wasn't my time to do nursing or maybe it wasn't for me. So I decided to go another route and look into hospital administration b/c I think I'd make a good manager. I'm proud to say that 1.5 years later (August 2010), I have my MBA in hospital administration with a 4.0! Great, right?! But NOW, nursing has been heavily on my mind and I just feel determined to not let it go. I want to take my MBA and start a new type of career and see where that takes me..but I always wind right back to the start and think about trying out nursing again. My question is this: Do you think they would give someone who have gone thru a nursing program another shot? Could that possibly be why I didnt' get in? I must admit, my SAT scores weren't so hot, but you'd think, "well she's a LPN with experience, let's give her a shot". Or could they possibly be thinking, "well she's already gone thru a program and didn't make it, so what makes her think she could get thru ours?" Even my old nursing dean sent in a reference for me if that wasn't a good enough push. What do you think? I'd appreciate your feedback. I'm thinking about applying for 2011. Thank you.

HELLO ALL!!!

I'm new to this thread. Just wondering info about those who have been accepted to see how I would stand as a competitor for the program.....GPA, pre-req GPA, previous degrees, volunteer work, etc.

THANKS!

BestSweetGal, Wow, I can't imagine getting through a BSN program and then not being allowed to sit for NCLEX because of HESI. Did anyone else in your class not pass? We had a test we had to pass at the end, but everyone made it on the first try. It wasn't very hard.

As for your wondering about why they would or wouldn't accept you, you need to remember that they don't look at each individual application and decide whether or not they think you can succeed in the program. They look at your application compared to everyone else that applies. You can read through these boards and see all of the very qualified people who are applying. So when you don't get accepted they aren't saying, sorry we don't think you can do it, they are saying there were 60 other people with stronger applications. However, with how well you did in your MBA program I think you'd have a very good chance of getting in. I can understand being afraid of being rejected again but you will never know if you don't try!

Thanx for the words of wisdom...yes..there are others that didn't pass and the same for the classes behind me. When we first sat for Hesi...3 out of 12 passed! Sad. Then the next two times..one passed..and the third time...none. So there is really 8 of us without a nursing degree! We were devestated...but eventually got over it and ventured into other areas..but still... Just keep us in your prayers..thanx!

Ok this HESI thing is stressful! Do we take it at MUSC? I never heard of it before, anyone knows if we need it at the BSN on MUSC?

Hi!

I am a new nursing student for this Spring '11 Semester so I look forward to meeting you all soon!! I am also from out of town so I am trying to familiarize myself with the area through websites and a mini-trip down in a couple weeks. I am still in the process of looking for a place and getting uniforms, books, supplies, etc so if anyone wants to email me about materials/even a place they may have please kindly let me know, it would be greatly appreciated! (It is a bit interesting shopping for items when there is a distance so if I am able to find what I need during my time in town in early-mid December before classes start that would be awesome!) Well if anyone has any other advice that they care to share, please do! It is an honor to get in so congratulations to my fellow classmates, best of luck to those applying, and thank you for any advice!!

Thanks for any assistance!