SUNY UB ABS 2018 start

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Hi! I'm getting ready to apply to University of Buffalo's ABS program. I'm wondering if there is anyone else on here that's applying, we could provide some support to each other. Or if there is anyone in the program now (May 2017) that can give some insight to how many students got accepted and what the general acceptance gpa looked like. Thanks!!

Welcome to UB's ABS program guys! I'm one of the current students. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I know we all did last year.

Wow thank you!

I am curious about so many things. What is your class like-- Did most start with previous experience? Is there a big age range? Aaaand are most locals or did some come from other parts of the state/country?

I wonder about the intensity of the curriculum and if it's possible to have any sort of life outside of school, too...

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Did you add yourself to the Facebook group Laurah224? There are a few posts to get to know each other in there! :)

Wow thank you!

I am curious about so many things. What is your class like-- Did most start with previous experience? Is there a big age range? Aaaand are most locals or did some come from other parts of the state/country?

I wonder about the intensity of the curriculum and if it's possible to have any sort of life outside of school, too...

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I really like everyone in our cohort, we all bonded pretty quickly and there's a sense of camaraderie among most of us. A lot of us started w previous experience as: aides, EMTs, massage therapists, medical assistants, etc. But some of us just had volunteer experience. Some came from completely different fields (we have a pilot).

There is a big age range. Get ready for kids in their 20s, and parents in their 40s. The age range is a blessing.

I came from California, one girl came from Connecticut. A few came from NYC. Most are Buffalo and NY natives.

Believe everything that people say about the intensity of this program, as well as the level of disorganization. Don't count on having much of a life outside of school. Be prepared to buckle down and get stuff done. Be prepared to lean heavily on the other people in your program.

There's been a high rate of failure in our cohort. This is something I would absolutely ask about at orientation when you go. About 10% of our cohort failed out after the first summer session, and another 5% failed out after the second summer session. I heard through the grapevine that 25% of the cohort that is left is at risk of failing now. I'm not trying to scare you, but be prepared to give this everything you've got.

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They don't care if you miss class. But, you're putting yourself at a higher risk of failing out of the program if you're missing classes and not giving this everything you've got. I'm not trying to scare you, just trying to be honest. We had parents (who have second Bachelor and Master's degrees) that failed out after the first summer session. Get your support system together while you have the time. Brace your family for the reality that this program is going to be a hard one. There will be other students in the program who are parents who will be mentors to your class at your orientation. Pick their brains. Once our class has graduated and is mentoring you guys, we'll try to help you as much as we can, but you've got to be prepared to throw everything you've got at this.

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Erika, thanks so much for being willing to answer our questions - it is good to get an accurate picture of what is coming. This seems like a minor thing, but I have been really curious - are you allowed to record lectures? (audio, not video) I have heard that some schools don't allow that, and I am really hoping that isn't the case at UB. Thanks!

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I audio record every lecture and share them with our class. Would you like access to them?

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I audio record every lecture (that professors have okayed) and share them with our class. Would you like access to them?

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Just saw them on the FB group - thanks!

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I'm waiting on Drexel and Columbia (but it's so expensive--I'm not sure I can afford it). I'm going to request permission to join the FB group :)

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I got accepted in to the program too, I just got a new student guide just a few days ago. I am excited to meet all and I am also very grateful to Ericka, I kept reading her answers that's very helpful.

I also have a question , Are you guys applying for scholarships already?

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Hi Erikaw,

Can I get access to those lectures ? I also have one question about scholarship, did u guys apply for scholarships and what are the chances of getting any of those, and when do we find out about outcome of it?

Thank you in advance for your help and support.

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Hi 2mana2! Congrats on getting in, did you fill out the scholarship essay on the initial application? I think they said they would announce some of those awards mid January.

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