SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University ABSN 2021-2022

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Hi everyone,

I've started this thread so we can discuss and share our experiences applying to SUNY's ABSN program for 2021. Being that the application period just opened, I’m sure we can all benefit from sharing information in regards to the process.

Best of luck to those applying!

The ATI TEAS 6 Study Group fb group was very helpful!! I studied with mometrix and the practice tests on the ATI website. I ended up 89.3% overall. 89.4 in reading, 93.8 in math and 91.5 in science. 

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On 11/3/2020 at 4:14 PM, christinast said:

I haven't heard back from them yet but I applied in the middle of October. Not sure what's going on. I tried to sign up for an open house but all of the spots were full ? 

I haven't applied yet. I take my TEAS in January. I did not expect people to apply so soon, with the deadline being 1/31/21. Anyways I am super nervous as there aren't many seats available. It's always bene my dream to be a nurse.

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Same here. Feeling a little stressed about the personal statement; isn't the maximum word count 400 words? How can I fit everything D: 

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54 minutes ago, rachelk5189 said:

Same here. Feeling a little stressed about the personal statement; isn't the maximum word count 400 words? How can I fit everything ?

I think its 3,000 max LOL. I just looked at the application

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It’s 3000 characters max, which is ~450 words! (kind of feel like that’s too short for a statement but oh well ??‍♀️)

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Do you guys think interviews are gonna happen next month ? I don’t think we are gonna hear anything this month because of all of the upcoming holidays. This time last year, several interviews already happened 

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46 minutes ago, christinast said:

Do you guys think interviews are gonna happen next month ? I don’t think we are gonna hear anything this month because of all of the upcoming holidays. This time last year, several interviews already happened 

Yeah I feel like it’ll be January before we start hearing about interviews but maybe they’ll schedule them soon after? I don’t know how many people they typically interview per cycle/how many rounds they do

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Yeah, I think so. I also think they are waiting for fall grades since it's a later start.

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Hello all! I'm currently enrolled in the program finishing in August. I'm here to pay it forward b/c students in the previous cohort helped us along the way. Please click here to view last year's thread - it's filled w/ Q&A's that are still applicable: https://allnurses.com/suny-downstate-ABSN-t707109/

If you haven't already, please read the entire thread above before posting questions.

 

Things will be very different for you for a number of reasons: the first is your program of study will not match ours since we started in the Summer vs Fall... Summer 1 was notoriously known for being hell (don't worry everyone survived), but perhaps, things will be smoother for you since it's now a Fall start. Secondly, we're halfway through and only had 4 clinical rotations b/c of COVID (shocking, I know, but don't worry, you will all be fine b/c restrictions may be lifted for you)... and yes, we're known as the COVID cohort... if we can get through this nearly ALL ONLINE, SO CAN YOU.

I am going to list 9 simple steps to follow from now until you graduate... follow these steps and I promise - if you give it your all, and follow this, you will all do fine.

Step 1: Stick together and crowdsource knowledge from one another ... it's literally the only way to succeed... everyone's in the same boat trying to stay afloat - this is a critical step.

Step 2: Be superhuman flexible... more than likely, you will never know your schedule until the very last minute (and don't be surprised when things change or if you don't get a final syllabus even after 5 weeks into a course)... learn to be OK with this b/c you WILL be OK... like, you WILL be OK... I'll say this for the third time... YOU WILL BE OK (as long as you follow step 3)

Step 3: Negotiate everything and anything... want to get a final pushed? grading policy changed? desire an open book or group exam? ... power is in numbers - if your cohort reaches a majority consensus and/or it's literally just blatantly unfair - voice it... more than likely you will have a solid case to make it happen... remember, your professors WANT you to succeed... they are not out to get you... they really care about you succeeding... they want you to get an A.

Step 4: I am going to utter 3 simple words and that's all... Test Bank Questions.

Step 5: All accelerated programs require some form of self-teaching... learn to be OK w/ self-teaching things via Youtube, simplenursing.com, etc... remember, this is coming from the cohort who had to perform head-to-toe physicals on teddy bears... yes... teddy bears... 

Step 6: The ATI program they make you use throughout the program to supplement your courses helps you pass the NCLEX (it's also super digestible, so make sure you incorporate that early on into your studies)... By the way, everyone literally bombs those ATI exams (low 50s - high 60s) at the end of some course they make you take, BUT don't be alarmed - they barely count, and everyone still passes the NCLEX (as per previous cohorts, fingers crossed)

Step 7: This step is also critical to accomplishing Step 1... Once people actually start getting accepted - somebody needs to take on the role of a "leader" and create a private FB account for accepted candidates to join to accomplish STEP 1... ... remember this is coming from the cohort who had to take this entire program ONLINE during COVID... and yes, a 90 person chat is possible once everything is divided into sub-groups.

Step 8: Stay as organized as possible. Downstate is deeply and unforgivingly disorganized. Stay on top of admin for clinical clearance, and do not miss deadlines. Accept it and just move on. Make your planner, pencil, and eraser your best friends. 

Step 9: Optional step… but try to get ahead. You have 8 months before you start, consider taking patho and/or pharm at a community college - you will thank me once in the program.

*Since this program doesn't start for another 8 months... I'll stop here and I'll check back later. Good luck to all during the application/interview process!

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Wow, that was super helpful, thank you for your thorough breakdown of the program! I just had one question about the last point though: I actually asked downstate admissions about whether they would accept credits for Patho from Portage Learning and they said no, that no credits for Patho were accepted because it’s part of the curriculum. The program website directly contradicts this statement and says credits for Patho are acceptable pending a credit evaluation. Did anyone in your cohort take Patho prior to starting the program? Thanks!

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Specializes in Microbiology Technologist.

Thank you so much for these details!! It is so helpful. Do you mind saying what your schedule is like? I work and have a toodler and I really want to do this accelerated program

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Does anyone know the EXACT start date? On their website it says FALL START EVERY YEAR meanwhile on their curriculum pages it shows Summer starts on MAY

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