Just sent in my applications for Simmons College, Northeastern, and MGH direct-entry nursing programs! I was wondering if anyone who is currently a student, also applying, or a graduate has any insight to offer.
A little about me:
I have a 3.77 overall GPA. I still have the prerequisites A&P I & II and Life Span development courses to complete, and have A's in my completed pre-requisites. I am on an emergency squad where I take patient vitals and assist in patient care. I volunteered at a hospital and shadowed a Physician Assistant. I am a Teaching Assistant at my college for Biology and Microbiology. My GRE scores are about average: 152 verbal , 151 quantitative, and 4 on writing. I live in and am from New York, and love the Boston area. I've applied to only Boston schools!
I read most of the discussions on forums re Direct Entry Programs in Boston and was wondering - Did anyone here applied to a FNP track at Northeastern? NU is the first school i heard back from, and I actually have an interview set up for tomorrow morning - Extremely nervous...Wondering in general, if you had an interview already, what kind of questions are being asked?
I posted the following on the NE direct entry thread. I had my interview today. It was painless (well, except for having to drive into the city during rush hour, but I used to work at BMC, so it was at least familiar). Park in the Gainesborough garage if you drive in, it's 2 bldgs over from Robinson:
I had my interview this morning! Awesome woman (asst dean of graduate admissions), smart and warm, had great advice about the best path to pursue what I'm interested in (early childhood preventive health, following through adulthood). It went well, I think. I was pretty set on Simmons; now I'm on the fence a bit again. There's something to the cross-disciplinary opportunities in a large university. And she was just so great and supportive.
She did tell me they only take 28 DEN applicants (across ALL specialty tracks--not just FNP!), so NOT counting chickens. I thought they took about 100. Thrown a bit by that!
I hope to have the chance to connect with my NU interviewer the way you have - I had a very negative experience with MGH staff (had a question in regards to additional materials to supplement my application, not an interview) and that (as funny as it may sound to some people) made me completely cross MGH off my list...I just did not want to have anything to do with an institution that is represented by arrogant and dismissive (to say the least) admissions' staff.
You know, I am also a bit surprised by the number of DEN applicants accepted across the border...Maybe these programs are designed so with a purpose...
The first university i actually heard from was Salem State - I did not get in, but listen to this - They only accepted 8 people in their Direct Entry Program! Admissions' staff was extremely pleasant and informative , however, and they offered to waive my fee and place me under consideration for their newly developed Accelerated BS in Nursing, if I was still interested.
I hope all goes well tomorrow, NU is my top choice... 28 applicants...Ouch!
Thank you for sharing your experience! Greatly appreciate it!
Thank you!!! I hope I left a positive impression, I was extremely nervous...(and my phone connection was at times static which made even more nervous that I was not hearing the whole question..) . By the sounds of it I was interviewed by the same person as you @ emmawdhous - Extremely nice and personable, very informative and intelligent, but warm. She is the Assistant Dean Graduate Nursing. We exchanged some observations in regards to the field I am employed in and as it turned out - She had a great experience and understanding of it, which helped me connect with her even more.
Very impressed by the approach! Now I want to be a part of NEU even more! :)
That's great, Kriscat! Yes, it sounds like it was the same woman (asst dean).
Happy to say Northeastern called this morning, and I was accepted FNP track! So grateful to have a) the wait in my rear-view mirror, and b) choices. Especially b! Now to focus on financing.
Again, hang in there all who haven't heard; I got word on all 3 programs only since Wed. 4/4.
In regards to financing - Did you get any scholarships?
I am just curious how it works, as some people in the past have said that they did not know about scholarships being awarded until the arrival of the actual acceptance package in the mail?
I'm still waiting, so for anyone out there who still hasn't heard, you're not alone! They emailed a couple of days ago asking about the last date of my inorganic chemistry course that I'm currently in. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing.
They didn't mention it on the call; they said they'd be mailing an official acceptance letter, and that might have something with it. I hadn't applied for scholarships/aid yet though, but I'm doing the FAFSA now so they have my financial info and emailed the FA depts at both Simmons and NE for information on steps to take going forward. I'm interested in HRSA scholarships/loan repayment as well (it's not looking like they provide scholarships to bridge or DEN program candidates though; the reasoning behind this is a mystery to me).
I am planning on applying to Boston area direct entry programs next Fall. I am going to do the psych track so I am looking at BC, MGH, and Regis. BC is my first choice right now mainly due to the timeframe of the program and the assistance with obtaining the clincial placements. I am hoping for some feedback on where to take my pre-req's. Right now I am thinking of taking most of them through John's Hopkins online program. Has anyone taken these courses? What do you think about taking lab classes online? I am hoping to do online courses because I have to continue working full time and I have a demanding job (as a child protection social worker).
Also, the GRE is definitely my main weakness. Did anyone else with lower scores still get accepted? I have a very good GPA from undergrad and relevant work experience but am concerned that my GRE scores will keep me from getting accepted. Any feedback is appreciated.
kriscat
7 Posts
Hello to All!
I read most of the discussions on forums re Direct Entry Programs in Boston and was wondering - Did anyone here applied to a FNP track at Northeastern? NU is the first school i heard back from, and I actually have an interview set up for tomorrow morning - Extremely nervous...Wondering in general, if you had an interview already, what kind of questions are being asked?
Thank you and good luck to all of you! :)