Stony Brook 2year Chances? Other schools on LI?

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I do not really know where to post this.. I plan on applying next Sept for the 2 year program but I am weary of any chances I have and questions if it is a good idea at all. So if you guys could give me any feedback it would be appreciated- I do have 1 year to basically make myself a competitive applicant.

I am a transfer to SBU from CA community colleges and UCLA. I graduated SBU with an ECON degree and applied math and stats minor- lousy gpa of 3.01 . (i had two kids back to back- no family around to help, i dropped my second major and took the minor because 2 kids 13months apart was crazy hard for me)

My overall undergraduate GPA is around 3.4 (I dont know exactly, so many schools it is hard to keep up)

I have not taken all of the prerequisites yet but I have solid science background and my gpa will be around 3.5. (I have some of the preq just missing A+P and Micro) I have 2 sciences with lab with A grades. Stats ... etc.. all A.

I am currently completing my MPH(Master in Public Health)at Suny Albany. My graduate gpa is 3.53. I hope my graduate record can redeem my poor performance at Stony Brook but I dont know how this is viewed by them. My interest in public health stems form my time in UCLA where i was double majoring in math/econ and International development- the ID program is where i first became interested in public health. At Stony Brook I just stuck it out with econ and a math minor basically because I needed to graduate already and I thought i could just go into the healthcare policy /healthcare economics side of public health ... but the more I learn in my program the more I realize that i need a solid clinical background because what I love is epi (infectious disease and then cancer epi a close second).

I am currently project leader on a health care provider influenza vaccination surveillance project in a mid size home care agency, this is 1 of 3 internships I will complete prior to applying.

I am interested in being a nursing epidemiologist basically. I lack the clinical background to make a difference in my chosen field. I work in the clinical department with the influenza surveillance project with all nurses. The Vice President of Clinical Services is a stony brook graduate actually and i believe overall my letters of rec would be strong for this reason.

Does anyone have any input on how to increase my chances before applying since I have a whole year to do it? I do not feel at all competitive.

Also any other program suggestions for me? I know about Columbias ETP but the commute for me would be impossible essentially so I would be looking only for places on Long Island, so far I came up with Molloy, Adelphi, NYIT, Farmingdale, Suffolk and Naussau Community colleges. Are there any programs I am missing?

The EPT program is by far a prefferred program just because as an NP i would be able to gain better experience in underserved areas but once again the commute seems impossible to me.

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Hello!

I am currently in my first semester in the 2 year program at SBU SON. I too, did not see myself as very competitive. I only applied to two schools: stony Brooks's 2 year and Suffolk community's associate program. I was accepted to both!

I am a graduate of stony brook, holding a bachelor of science in biology. I graduated with only a 2.46 ( embarrassing!!) I also hold an associates of science from Suffolk community college in criminal justice, with a 3.7. The courses, which SBU requires for admission, however, I hold a 3.5 in. I still do not truly understand what GPA overall they are looking at.

A few months before I submitted my application, I got my certification as a CNA. 3 days before I submitted my application (jan 2013) I miraculously landed a job at stony brook university hospital as a nursing assistant!! I still am working there, full time... while going to school full time. It's doable, but exhausting!!. I'm unsure if this helped me at all getting in ... I doubt it honestly.... But it is helping me now, knowledge wise!

I got 3 letters of recommendation: one from my manager at Marshall's, which I worked with for 5 years, one from the instructor of my CNA course, and one from my A&P professor, who's class I aced but didn't have much of a relationship with .... I just needed an academic recommendation.

I joke with my classmates now, that I would read my admission personal statement prior to acceptance and be extremely discouraged, thinking to myself "this is just horrible, they'll never accept me ... My grades suck, I sound stupid". However, upon admission, I re-read it and thought "my lord, this is a great essay!!" Haha the personal statement is very important, so put your absolute all into it. If need be, I have no problems with critiquing it for you!

Lastly, there's a section for additional comments when you apply. In that section, I explained why my GPA as an undergrad at Sbu was so bad (good reason to say the least) if you have anything to explain, do so there!!

As my class stands: we are 79. A majority are very young -- under 25. Probably 2/3 or more are former Sbu students too.

If you have any questions.... I'm here. Good luck!!

PS are you taking any courses at Suffolk (micro or a&p2) because I can recommend great professors!

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Hey Kris10,

Can you tell me how you went about becoming a CNA? I'm currently applying to nursing schools and would love to get some experience under my belt. I moved from NJ to Long Island few months ago, in NJ I worked the front office of a dental office and want to move on to clinical work in a medical setting. Any advice?

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Hey Kris10 Can you tell me how you went about becoming a CNA? I'm currently applying to nursing schools and would love to get some experience under my belt. I moved from NJ to Long Island few months ago, in NJ I worked the front office of a dental office and want to move on to clinical work in a medical setting. Any advice?[/quote']

Hi! I did my CNA course work at a local nursing home that I was referred to by a friend of mine. You can take the short course at a nursing home, a hospital or through certain business schools or even boces. It's about 6 weeks long and fairly easy for those with even a bit of common sense. The worst part of getting certified is the state clinical exam, where you perform certain skills in front of an observer (which will prep you for nursing school, because often you do the same there with professors watching, judging and grading!!) It's a wee bit nerve wracking. Where in Long Island are you residing and what schools are you applying to? Perhaps I can refer you to some CNA programs. I've been working as a CNA at Stony Brook University Hospital for over a year and I go to nursing school at the university as well. The experience is not only helpful with being accepted into nursing school but with the actual material as well. I barely had to study fir fundamentals or health assessment at all. Honestly! I get to put what I learn into my practice everyday! And the nurses let me do fun things (draw blood, IVs, wound care, straight cath, etc) because I am a nursing student.

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Hey Kris10,

Thanks so much for getting back to me. I live in Farmingdale and I'm a student and SUNY Farmingdale. I've applied to Farmingdale, Stony Brook, Adelphi, and Molloy's nursing programs so far because I want to get my BSN, but right now I'm even considering applying to Nassau and Suffolk for an ASN and pursing a RN-to-BSN bridge program if all else fails.

Someone referred me to a career center in Hempstead for CNA classes. They offer a few different schedules for their CNA course, but the only one they offer that works with my school schedule (I'm in school 3 days a week w a full time course load) is their weekend only 8 wk course. I'm also interested in what other options are out there, such as certification through a nursing home. Since you took your CNA course through a nursing home, were you obligated to work for them for a certain length of time afterwards? I really want to get my feet wet in the medical field and hopefully gain knowledge and experience that'll make me a more competitive applicant (and better nurse someday!)

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Hey Kris10 Thanks so much for getting back to me. I live in Farmingdale and I'm a student and SUNY Farmingdale. I've applied to Farmingdale, Stony Brook, Adelphi, and Molloy's nursing programs so far because I want to get my BSN, but right now I'm even considering applying to Nassau and Suffolk for an ASN and pursing a RN-to-BSN bridge program if all else fails. Someone referred me to a career center in Hempstead for CNA classes. They offer a few different schedules for their CNA course, but the only one they offer that works with my school schedule (I'm in school 3 days a week w a full time course load) is their weekend only 8 wk course. I'm also interested in what other options are out there, such as certification through a nursing home. Since you took your CNA course through a nursing home, were you obligated to work for them for a certain length of time afterwards? I really want to get my feet wet in the medical field and hopefully gain knowledge and experience that'll make me a more competitive applicant (and better nurse someday!)[/quote'] I did my CNA training at St. James healthcare and rehabilitation center in Saint James, NY. It was completely free -- the training, the books and the state exam. All I had to buy were my scrubs. There was no commitment to work there either, although we were offered jobs after completing certification. However, they switched owners during our class and withdrew the job offer and similarly laid off some staff. They ultimately called me to offer me a job a week or so later but I had already found work at stony brook hospital. Look them up and call, see if they are still offering the class. Most places do require some sort of work commitment, but not all. Research and shop around. I wish you luck. Working as a CNA decreasing the time you HAVE available to study, but it also decreases what you actually have to study! For you are working, living, breathing and experiencing the material first hand!
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P.S. I only applied to SBU and SCCC because I couldn't fathom paying the tuition to Molloy or Adelphi. I knew I would get accepted to SCCC but SBU was up in the air ... Who knows what they base their choices of students on?? An associates can still get you a job, especially if you find work as a CNA some place while in school. I know personally at SBUH they told me they would hire me with my ASN because it is viewed as career advancement (from CNA to RN). Whatever route you have to take--- take it. But don't spend a fortune! I just finished a winter course at SBU mixed with ASN RNs going for their BSN, most of whom were practicing RN's.

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