SUNY-Downstate & Pre-reqs

U.S.A. New York

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Hi everyone,

I'm a second degree student currently finishing up my pre-reqs. I'm applying to SUNY-Downstate for their accelerated program that starts June 2006. Do you have to finish all of your pre-reqs before you put in your application? I've heard "rumors" that b/c it's so competitive, they don't really look at the applications of students that haven't completed their pre-reqs. I want to plan accordingly - thanks so much for your help!

Katie

I know a lot has changed since I applied. Like I said before, I got accepted to the program without having a grade for several science classes. Each year, as nursing gets more popular, admissions become more and more competitive. If someone applies with a BA with all completed prereqs and another applies missing a bunch of classes, it only makes sense to prefer the completed BA first. Then again, there are other factors that come into play too - grades, work experience, cultural diversity, personal essay etc.

Either way its worth applying and trying to give it your best b/c you never know what goes through their heads when they sort through the hundreds of applications.

In terms of the program, I dont think any accelerated BSN program can be very proud of themselves. Its not possible to learn everything and develop critical nursing skills in such a short time. I have recently started my first job as an RN and with a week or two I learnt more about nursing than I did a whole year in school. I think its like that everywhere. I'm learning a lot on the job and I'm actually started to think that I do know a little bit about nursing... though not very much yet! =)

Give it your best, study hard, and welcome to nursing!

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I'm convinced that confusion is the name of the game! Despite what the admissions office said just two days before, I went home on Thursday and found an acceptance packet in my mailbox! I'm pretty psyched but that school can really make you go in circles!

In terms of comparing NYU and Downstate - I have a friend who is a pediatric rehab nurse at NYU Hospital (Tisch) and is working on her Master's degree at Hunter. She said that in NYC, Hunter and Downstate have better reputations than NYU - of course the NYU name may get you further if you want to work out of state. It's not that NYU is a bad school - not by a long shot - from what she said, a lot of folks who are already in the field just don't think it's necessary to spend so much money. On the flip side, though, I've also heard that students at NYU get more attention than at Downstate. So I guess each has it's goods and bads.

It is a tough call though - I wanted Downstate b/c of the affordability but also b/c they have a mandatory clinical in a free/low-cost clinic in downtown Brooklyn. Also, the amount of loans that I would have to take out for NYU hurts me physically ;). I already have a bunch from undergrad and my husband has TONS from law school.

Good luck with making your decision - maybe I'll see you at Downstate in June!

-katie

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congratulations on your acceptance to Downstate. I've been hearing so many conflicting things but it seems that NYU is not really worth the debt. Keep me posted if you hear anything else. I have five days to make a final decision. Thanks for the information.

Eli

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congratulations on your acceptance to Downstate. I've been hearing so many conflicting things but it seems that NYU is not really worth the debt. Keep me posted if you hear anything else. I have five days to make a final decision. Thanks for the information.

Eli

Best of luck with your decision! Please keep the rest of us informed what you decide, and then when you start your program come back and let us know what you think!

I am a couple of years away from starting an accelerated program, but the schools you all are mentioning are some of the top ones I'm considering. I'd love to hear current students' comments on how it all seems before, during, and after the whole process. :)

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Hi, I just got accepted to SUNY-Downstate's accelerated program for June 2006, I also got accepted to NYU's Accelerated Program but it starts January 17th (very soon). I haven't taken my finals for 2 of my pre-reqs due to the transit strike, they all got rescheduled for next week, but I still got accepted. Hope that answers your question. One more question, does anyone know if it is worth it for me to take out the loans and go to NYU or should i go to Downstate and save the money. Is there a big difference between the two schools. Speaking with NYU graduates, they also complained that they didn't get the experience they expected. Anyone know?

thanks,Eli

Hello

I am another recent 8/05 grad of Downstate. Bottom line with downstate is you'll get what you pay for-its cheaper and it feels cheaper. I do however know people who paid $$$ for columbia's ETP and Emory's ETP-like program in GA and everyone seems to have the same type of gripes--about nursing school in general- you never feel totally prepared. Downstates clinical sites are limited to Brooklyn whereas the Manhattan schools- you go all over. Also, it's only in it's third group right now so . . .. they''re still working the bugs out!!

I personally would rather spend big $$$ on my MSN than on the BSN and since I knew this all along- it has been a perfect fit for me.

I didn't finish my prereqs until the end of April and I was still admitted for June. Just make sure you finish them b/c they'll revoke your seat if you don't make at least a C.

just my 2 cents.

:roll feel free to email with any additional Qs:roll

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Hi

Thanks for the information. Can anyone tell me their experiences with safety in the downstate neighborhood? A big concern my husband has with me going to downstate is the safety issue as I will be using buses to get there and home. My husband had a bad experience while doing a research internship there a number of years ago and is worried about me having to take the buses.

Also, can anyone give me an idea of what the daily and weekly schedule is ( as far as classes ) at Downstate?

Thanks,

Eli

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I know this is an old thread but I know a couple people who went to SUNY Downstate and they said that the school in very unorganized. I mean if you just want to get the BSN over with and you dont mind dealing with nonsense then go ahead. Despite the fact that I heard that I am still thinking of applying for my BSN there because it is walking distance from my house. But I would consider a few alternatives if I were you.

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I have heard that downstate is convenient because all the classes are usually scheduled on one day a week (I have heard its usually thursdays) because the school only has a BSN program which means the students are mainly working nurses. As far a the neighborhood goes, I dont live too far from the school and I haven't "heard" about too much going in the area. I believe that things can happen to you anywhere though, Brooklyn or not.

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Thank You,

I think so too. Its not really a concern of mine it is my husband's so I just want to make him feel more comfortable.

Eli

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Hi. I've heard that downstate is very hard to get in to. I plan on applying to the accelerated program this month and I'm so worried. My undergrad gpa is only 3.1, but I've been getting all A's in my pre-reqs. I feel like I'm going to be rejected because I don't have any health care work or volunteer experience and I did horribly on the NET exam. For those of you who were either accepted or rejected, any thoughts or advice? Should I even bother applying? And if you were accepted, how did you get in? Did you have perfect gpa or something?

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hello

I graduated from the accelerated program in 2005- on ly the second class they had for the program. I feel very well prepared by SUNY I am currently in graduate school a semester away from being an FNP. No I didn't have perfect grades in ugad but my prereqs were very strong and I was working in healthcare for 4 yrs before I went back to school --BUT that being said- there were many people from all walks of ife in my class with little to no expereince in health carer- there was a mother of 6 who was going back for a degree now that the kids were grown. So don't get to caught up on the experience- concentrate on why you wanna be anurse and what you know about nursing and what you want to do in nursing in your essay. I am glad I went to downstate- the price was right and you will roll up your sleeves in brooklyn- trust me clinicals will have lots of expereicnes. I imagine that things have gotten more competitive over the last 3 yrs but. . .that's my 0.08 cents

you can email me privately if you want more help- go for it- I never regretted going there!!

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Hi. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I still plan on applying even though I think I only have a shot in hell. Yes, from what I've been reading, the program has become very competitive. I'm reading of people who have an excellent gpa and healthcare experience and are still being rejected. However, who really knows what admissions is thinking and looking for in their selection process. I've worked very hard in completing all but one of my pre-reqs in a very short time, so I suppose I might as well apply, I've come this far. I'm just hoping that maybe a miracle will happen and I'll be accepted... I guess stranger things have happened.

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