UMSON Spring 2015

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Hello everyone! I may be a little early with this, but here's a new post for all of you hoping to apply this September 2nd for the Spring 2015 semester at UMSON. You can post questions you have, helpful advice you would like to give (if you're already in the program), etc.

I specifically have a question for those who have already applied to the Spring 2014 semester and got in. When you applied last September, when in November did you get your acceptance letter in the mail? Was it the beginning, middle, or toward the end of November? I'm asking this because the other nursing school I am applying to only gives a 3-week time period after the end of October (when they let you know if you made it in or not) to accept or decline enrollment. So, if I don't make it into UMSON, I'd want to be able to give this other nursing school an answer before the 3-week time period runs out.

I agree with afowler77, don't call too much! They do a great job updating materials online, I've only had to wait a day after sending.

Also, afowler77 I don't know why but all my PM's to you are not sending! Tried twice already.

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Hello everyone-again! :) Second post of the day, hope you all aren't tired of me yet. Anyway, I've had day off from social outings and working into the afternoon hours and decided to use this time to look back at some of the old threads from past prospective student cycles and took some notes. I'd like to credit Grey Lady (hopefully she'll be joining us here?), queserasera, and afowler77 for providing the bulk of the information I've learned today. However, if I provide any incorrect information, please correct me!

Here is what I've discovered, regarding our journey-to-be in the next few months, in no particular order. Hopefully this will be a resource for all of you who are on the same boat.

• Use this time wisely! In the next two months:

1.) Get an updated CPR certification (only two institutions accepted are American Heart Association and American Red Cross, and the best time to do this in December)

2.) Get your immunizations and bloodwork. Set up an appointment with your primary care physician and have he or she fill out the form provided in the accepted student's page on the UMSON website.

3.) Review your anatomy and physiology. I'm not sure if you all used the most recent Pearson book with Hope Solo on the cover (sorry, I'm a big fan haha), but if you did definitely use that. If you got the online access code, wonderful! Take the time to refresh your memory with some of the quizzes and flashcards available. I for one think the quizzes are amazing! However, if you have any other anatomy textbook still in your possession, use it!

4.) Review some medical terminology. If you already work in a healthcare profession, or are exposed to some medical personnel, ask them to help you out with this. Or, go online for some resources if someone with medical experience isn't available to you.

5.) Got this from a Grey Lady post, but go over some basic Latin root words that may be helpful. Online resources would be helpful for this. If you've already taken a Latin course (highly recommended), look over your notes if you still have them!

• Having previous medical experience helps! If you currently don't have any medical experience, volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, any hospital offsite facility (laboratory, imaging, etc.), or doctor's offices if you can.

• About 300 people apply, while about 140 people get in. However, our cycle might be different from others in terms of numbers. 80-90 people get into the Baltimore program while 45-50 get into the Shady Grove program.

• Spring applicant numbers are usually lower than that of Fall applicants, so it is less competitive BUT competitive nonetheless.

• Make sure your phone number in your file is up to date! Check on surfs and if it is not, you have time to perhaps call and make sure it is correct! This is so admissions will have the correct number to call you regarding if you made it in or not.

• The status for our applications go from:

1.) Complete and ready for Review - Once you see this, your application will absolutely be reviewed!

2.) Committee Ready - Now, your status will say this for quite a while, so don't fret. Only after this will you see:

→ Provisional Admit - You made it in! Though, you've still got some classes to finish before being admitted, and you must get a B or better in them or else your seat will be given to someone else who is waitlisted! But I'm sure this wouldn't be a problem. :)

→ Institution Admit - This means you're in, you're in, you're in! Congrats to you!!!!

→ Waitlisted

→ Rejected

• Accepted students are notified around the same time with status changes on SURFS or calls from admissions... this is something I've observed from previous forums, however I could be wrong.

• There is no particular order for calls, so if you're absolutely dying to know your status just check on SURFS!

Anyway, that's all I've got for today. I'm sure there will be much more we'll be finding out in the next months. So everyone, get your applications all pretty and ready for September 2nd! :)

(And again, if any of the previously mentioned ladies would like to make any corrections to my notes, please let us know!)

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Thanks so much littlemango!!

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Thanks so much for your suggestions, all. I've noticed they've been adding my docs quickly too, but since my rec letters were sent before I applied, they said to wait until Wed. since they might take longer to add. I'm sure they have some way of dealing with those materials, but I'm just nervous in case they don't have them for some reason, that's a quick turnaround time to ask my writers to resend. If they're not on SURFS by then, though, I'll have them resent - better safe than sorry, right?

Thanks for the great summary of past threads, littlemango! Luckily, I took A&P 1 and 2 over the summer. It was no fun, but at least it'll be fresh!

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I am about to start at UMSON. I would like to pass on some advice as we just went through orientation and have spent the summer preparing.

Most definitely get the A&P flash cards and power points out. It was specifically suggested at orientation that we review cardiac structure and functioning, as well as some of the other systems that relate to homeostasis. Also, review conversion factors you used in chemistry. Part of orientation covered conversion of doses based on prescribed dose versus available dosage. It's simple stuff, but I plan to work on more of that this week. It's the same deal as chem where you converted moles to grams, etc.

They set up several opportunities for us to take CPR at school, so I wouldn't sweat that too much. You will be busy getting vaccines and drug test after admission, as well as buying uniforms, books and supplies. My best advice is to stockpile some cash for those, research scholarship and loan options, and review A&P and conversions. Relax and enjoy free time.

I absolutely love UM at Shady Grove already. The orientation, faculty and staff were all impressive. My class is very excited to get started. I wish you all luck!

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Mischienza thank you for the advice! I'm glad we can do that all after admissions. I had just renewed my CPR last Fall at work, so doing it again this year would be a bit of a hassle. Though, do you know yet if the CPR renewals at the school will be free?

Regarding the general school supplies... Do you have any idea how much we should be saving for this? I'm starting to save money for the uniform and supplies, but I just want to get a feel for just how much it will be. The books I'll just be renting, probably from Chegg. (Though if anyone can think of a cheaper option, speak up!)

Conversions are a bit of a struggle for me, but I'll be working on that for sure now.

It must feel awesome to be starting soon! The campus at Shady Grove is absolutely gorgeous, I love it so much. I hope all goes well on your first week! Keep us updated! :)

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Specializes in psych/dementia.

Don't remember if I've popped in this thread or not. Current CNL and will be graduating in December. I started Fall 2013.

Scrubs you can get at Wal Mart so can be as cheap as $15. The stethoscope can be anywhere from $15 for a really cheap one to over $100 for a really good one.

They will give you a list of conversions you need to know so I wouldn't worry about trying to memorize every conversion out there. The list is fairly short. Tbsp to tsp. Ml to oz. Tbsp or tsp to ml or oz. Etc.

Books can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Shop price no matter if your buying new, used, or renting. The bookstore will probably never be cheaper than online options.

A&P is reviewed in all the classes you need it and I don't know many who reviewed anything before classes started. Could it be helpful? Of course. Would I worry if I didn't do it? No. It's not like med calc. There is no test on it first week of school.

Good luck to all those applying!

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Hi smoup, welcome! :)

I'd probably save up to $200 for the supplies, then. Great! Also, the med calc test... I heard about this once before, didn't know if they were still doing it. Is the test only on conversions or is there more? I also figured that about the bookstore. It's like that at the community college I go to. Will there ever be textbooks that are required to be purchased new?

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Specializes in psych/dementia.
Hi smoup, welcome! :)

I'd probably save up to $200 for the supplies, then. Great! Also, the med calc test... I heard about this once before, didn't know if they were still doing it. Is the test only on conversions or is there more? I also figured that about the bookstore. It's like that at the community college I go to. Will there ever be textbooks that are required to be purchased new?

As far as I know, there is still a med calc test that you must get 100%. I took one in Fundies, Med-Surg, Peds, and OB. The test has conversions enbedded in dosage calculations such as "If the doctors orders 2 g of X drug to be given, and the pharmacy sends up a vial with X drug that has 50 mg/ml, how many ml would you administer?"

The only book I have needed new was the lab book for Health Assessment as you turn in pages of the book in lab. Other than that, it's not mattered.

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Hi everyone! I've turned everything in... and my application is ready to be reviewed! Like some others here, I wish I had the opportunity to take the TEAS again, but seeing that we can only take it every 60 days.. :/ Didn't get much time to study for it. Anyway, thanks for all the info everyone, and good luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

Everything should be turned in for my application now. I'm just waiting to receive notification that they received my last letter of recommendation. My instructor said she mailed it out on Monday so I will give it one more day before I email them. Best wishes to everyone!!!

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Application is now complete for me too (emailing is a better way to ask a question than calling, I've found, in case anyone else has any issues). Good luck everyone! I hope I'll see all of you who are applying to shady grove in a couple of months!

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