StonyBrook ABSN: Class of 2021

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Hi all,

Thought I'd start a thread here so we can connect. I am in the process of taking my pre-reqs and plan to submit my application by the Oct 2019 deadline for the Summer 2020 start.

I'm planning on attending the Sept 19 info session on campus - anyone else going?

I just received an email about scheduling an interview! Does anyone know what the math assessment involves? Math is definitely not my best subject. Congrats to everyone on getting an interview :)!

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2 hours ago, Danielle Rose said:

Congrats everyone! What were your grades if people don’t mind sharing?

3.6 cumulative and 3.8 pre-reqs

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2 hours ago, Danielle Rose said:

Congrats everyone! What were your grades if people don’t mind sharing?

I didn't do so hot in undergrad and still got an interview so I think they're taking a more holistic approach. My cum GPA - 3.31 and pre req GPA - 3.75.

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Didn't receive an interview invite. Oh well.... congratulations to everyone!

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1 minute ago, jjjjjj21122321 said:

Didn't receive an interview invite. Oh well.... congratulations to everyone!

Don't give up hope!! In previous years, interview invites have gone out in multiple waves!! Go luck!! Fingers are crossed for you!!

Scheduled my interview for Thursday the 31st at 10:00am. Anyone else register for the same time slot??

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I got an interview invite as well. 3.8ish cumulative and 3.6ish science pre-reqs. So exciting!

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Specializes in Currently in the Stony Brook ABSN program.

I dont know how to respond to someone individually/my computer isn't letting me. The interview process will consist of a group interview (around 6-8 people) interview at once, a math test, and a writing prompt. From what I remember the interview did not have any curve ball questions. They were actually pretty general interview questions such as what motivates you, why do you want to be a nurse, name a time in your life that you solved a problem between peers, and tell us a fun fact. I dont think they were looking for any flashy or crazy answers. The math test was alright. If you are good at simple math then you will have an easy time. If you arent (like me) then you should definitely practice simple division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction with whole and decimal numbers. I do not think that the math test was the big deciding factor because if it was i dont think i would be in the program but try you best to show how well rounded you are! I'm sure people that rocked the test got in for that very reason. If you need any clarifications or have any other questions then let me know!

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10 minutes ago, Brett said:

I dont know how to respond to someone individually/my computer isn't letting me. The interview process will consist of a group interview (around 6-8 people) interview at once, a math test, and a writing prompt. From what I remember the interview did not have any curve ball questions. They were actually pretty general interview questions such as what motivates you, why do you want to be a nurse, name a time in your life that you solved a problem between peers, and tell us a fun fact. I dont think they were looking for any flashy or crazy answers. The math test was alright. If you are good at simple math then you will have an easy time. If you arent (like me) then you should definitely practice simple division, multiplication, addition, and subtraction with whole and decimal numbers. I do not think that the math test was the big deciding factor because if it was i dont think i would be in the program but try you best to show how well rounded you are! I'm sure people that rocked the test got in for that very reason. If you need any clarifications or have any other questions then let me know!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions, Brett. I'm sure you can empathize with how nervous and curious we are in regards to the interview process. Your post was insightful and comforting as I never quite made friends with math myself. I was wondering if maybe you could speak to the writing prompt a little bit... I attended an info session a few months ago, and I remember Karen saying how the prompt checks to make sure interviewees can present a paragraph with a clear beginning, middle, and end. From what you remember is that what its like? They give us a topic and we construct a paragraph? Do you recall what your topic was? Everyone tells me not to stress over that part, so naturally I'm stressing about it, ha.

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do all the interview requests go out today or do they go out in waves?

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1 hour ago, thinkwarhol said:

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions, Brett. I'm sure you can empathize with how nervous and curious we are in regards to the interview process. Your post was insightful and comforting as I never quite made friends with math myself. I was wondering if maybe you could speak to the writing prompt a little bit... I attended an info session a few months ago, and I remember Karen saying how the prompt checks to make sure interviewees can present a paragraph with a clear beginning, middle, and end. From what you remember is that what its like? They give us a topic and we construct a paragraph? Do you recall what your topic was? Everyone tells me not to stress over that part, so naturally I'm stressing about it, ha.

Thank you Brett. I really appreciate you taking the time to outline what we should expect. I definitely need to take some time to review my basic math and interview skills. I am so nervous!

I wonder how many people are invited to interview vs. how many are accepted?

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9 hours ago, Brett said:

Hello! My name is Brett and I am currently in the ABSN program at Stony Brook. Congrats on all of the people who got their interview! I am here to answer any questions you guys may have.

Hi Brett,

Thanks for taking the time to answer all of our questions. It's very generous of you. If you don't mind, I have a few questions!

  • What's a typical school week like? 9-5, M-F, 1 hour lunch break?
  • When are the best time slots one can maximize studying?
  • How would you differentiate SBU from Downstate's 15 month program? More challenging, given SBU is 12 months, or just different?
  • Would you recommend taking patho or pharma outside the program prior to starting to get ahead?
  • Do you have any tips for those who get accepted?

Thanks again for all your help. Good luck, everyone!

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Specializes in Currently in the Stony Brook ABSN program.

Hello guys! Sorry It been a long day but i will try to answer when I have time.

To answer Thinkwarhol's question: You do not have to stress about the essay at all! They give you 25 minutes and a writing prompt. I do not remember what it was exactly but it was something along the lines of defining moments in your life that shaped who you are. I am not the best at grammar when it comes to writing the first draft but I just typed away. I had around 5 minutes to grammar check what I wrote but overall it did not feel like any sort of curve ball at all. It did need to have a beginning, middle, and end but all you have to do is try your best. You already went through an undergraduate degree where you wrote so many essays so you stick to your instincts. Just read all the directions, take a deep breath and start typing. Hope that helps!

To answer slorte's question: From what I remember only 200 people out of 900 applicants get accepted to the interview process. So if you got an interview then you already beat the odds! A class contains 80 people.

To answer NurseDan's questions:

What's a typical school week like? 9-5, M-F, 1 hour lunch break? -The summer is the most brutal. You will get 1-2 days off during the week depending on your clinical schedule. A normal class day is 9-5 and then after that is a bunch of homework and studying to keep up with. After the first month of the summer you get into some sort of routine and it just like becomes more bearable but the first month is by far the worst. This semester has been a but more tame but you still need to keep on top of your stuff. You will realize that the teachers are there to help you pass. It is honestly amazing how they were able to get such overall great teachers for the whole program.

When are the best time slots one can maximize studying? -I dont totally understand your question here. You dont choose your schedule. Everyone is together except for clinical. You will have to learn to just study when you have free time.

How would you differentiate SBU from Downstate's 15 month program? More challenging, given SBU is 12 months, or just different? -I cannot compare to any other program since I havent experienced anything other than SBU but all I can say is that this program is doable. You just need to put in the time and effort to keep your head above water.

Would you recommend taking patho or pharma outside the program prior to starting to get ahead?- NO. Dont kill yourself before the program starts. No preparation will get you truly ready for the program so get all the rest you can before is starts and then jump in head first. The teacher who teaches these to classes is AMAZING.

Do you have any tips for those who get accepted? -Thats a hard one that I may have to think about. Off the top of my head I have a few words of advice: 1) If you are an A student then dont be stressed if you get a few B's. When it comes to nursing a pass is a pass is a pass so dont stress what you get. Just figure out how to improve and look towards the future. 2) No matter how you try to prepare for the program you will be stressed in the beginning. You will have a million things to do but just take a deep breath and try your best. 3) Give yourself some time to have fun. You may not think you will have the time but you can always make the time.

I am not proof reading what i wrote so I am sorry for the mistakes. Like I said, my first draft may not be the best. If anyone has any more questions Ill try my best to answer later. Bye for now!

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