UCLA MECN Fall 2020

botmann · Apr 23, 2020

You may want to talk to UCLA SON about which online schools/courses they will accept, especially for the core science courses such as Chemistry, biology, and so forth that have lab requirements. It's very common that most programs do not accept online lab work; the theory part is fine.

As for the military experience used to satisfy class requirements, you're probably going to need to test out of it. Although it can save time, I would suggest taking those classes if you know the material well just to pad your GPA. Do not take likely how competitive it is to get into ANY nursing program. Although UCLA MECN or other direct entry programs do a holistic approach to offering acceptance into their programs, they do look at GPA and grades.

My suggestion, don't set in stone when you want to apply. Take the required courses, do very well, and applied when you have them done or just one or two you're doing the school term when you apply. I worked full-time grave shift and it took me a good three years to get those science courses done once I was past the introduction courses because I only took one or two at time. I took all but one class in person in the morning.

Also, I suggest applying to several programs and types--ADN, BSN, ABSN, direct entry MSN/DNP/PhD. If you're want to be a nurse, all will get you there. And there are plenty of bridge programs, so if you don't get into a direct entry MSN program, it'll just take longer to get the MSN.

lilyrose212 · Apr 26, 2020

@botmann -Thank you for the advice! My plan is to take two courses at a time and slow down as needed. Your point is definitely well taken - no point in rushing to get all the requirements done if you won't do well enough on them to be competitive for admission...

botmann · Apr 27, 2020

6 hours ago, lilyrose212 said:
... no point in rushing to get all the requirements done if you won't do well enough on them to be competitive for admission...

This cannot be understated enough. From when I doing research into which schools to apply, I found, in general, most programs get about five hundred applicants for fifty openings.

I gave up a spot for CSU East Bay's BSN program, but I had gone to orientation. The rumor floating around at orientation, there were almost a thousand applicants for sixty spots.

I got into and committed to Johns Hopkins's direct entry MSN program. They have a bigger cohort of about a hundred twenty students. I asked, and they said they usually get around six to seven hundred applicants per term.

From the programs I saw, many ADN programs are so much competition. The ones around me, if you complete the minimum requirements, then it is either a lottery system, waitlist, or first-come-first-serve to being offered admission.

Almost all the BSN programs are about competition. They offer admission to the top point earners which is based on grades, GPA(s), TEAS/HESI score(s), and possible points--veteran, health experience, school attended, etc. The same direct entry programs are this way too.

Direct programs are kind of wild west. There's some general commonality. Many programs are doing a holistic approach. Although grades and GPA are not the primary focus, they are taken into consideration. More importantly, are going to be those essays and letters of recommendation. The schools have a vision of the type of student they want and trying to graduate, which help them try to figure out if you're going to fit. Thus, it is important to research and figure if you will, and if the program is going to help you reach your goal. These programs are not cheap, and nothing worse to spend all the time and money and not help you achieve your goal.

On a side note, I found it a lot easy to apply to law school, many years ago, than nursing school. All the schools used the same system, and practically all had the same requirements. The differences were essay questions and the number of letters of recommendation.

kvt1013 · May 22, 2020

Just got offered admission from the waitlist! Miracles do happen!

For reference, I was originally #7

InspiredNurse7 · May 22, 2020

4 hours ago, kvt1013 said:
Just got offered admission from the waitlist! Miracles do happen!
For reference, I was originally #7

CONGRATS ?

InspiredNurse7 · May 26, 2020

On 5/22/2020 at 9:40 AM, kvt1013 said:
@kvt1013 hey I have a few questions if you don’t mind.

What was the deadline for you to accept your spot ? And now that you have been accepted are to going to decline UCI?

thank you, and CONGRATS again.

kvt1013 · May 27, 2020

On 5/25/2020 at 7:18 PM, InspiredNurse7 said:
On 5/22/2020 at 9:40 AM, kvt1013 said:
@kvt1013 hey I have a few questions if you don’t mind.

What was the deadline for you to accept your spot ? And now that you have been accepted are to going to decline UCI?

thank you, and CONGRATS again.

Hey! Deadline for me to accept is Friday May 29, but I already accepted it so nothing more to do. I will decline UCI, but I'm awaiting the official email from the graduate division before doing so.

InspiredNurse7 · May 28, 2020

@kvt1013 Nice. Thanks for responding! Super cool

futurenurse_W · Jun 2, 2020

very excited to report I just got off the waitlist! for reference I was originally #8 :)

InspiredNurse7 · Jun 29, 2020

On 5/27/2020 at 9:25 AM, kvt1013 said:
Hey! Deadline for me to accept is Friday May 29, but I already accepted it so nothing more to do. I will decline UCI, but I'm awaiting the official email from the graduate division before doing so.

Hey @kvt1013 are you in Epi at UCLA RN?

kvt1013 · Jun 29, 2020

12 hours ago, InspiredNurse7 said:
Hey @kvt1013 are you in Epi at UCLA RN?

Hey, I am not. I already did Epi during grad school in 2014 and thankfully my course counts for UCLA’s requirement

InspiredNurse7 · Jun 30, 2020

10 hours ago, kvt1013 said:
Hey, I am not. I already did Epi during grad school in 2014 and thankfully my course counts for UCLA’s requirement

Oh cool!