UPMC MERCY: graduates, current students, & august 2009 students

juliaanne319 · Apr 12, 2009

Hi molly..

i can't answer any of your questions really but just wanted to say that i just got my letter of acceptance for august 2009 as well!

i will also be moving to pittsburgh (from michigan) and need to get an apartment or rent out a room from someone. i don't know a single person in the pitt area so if you're looking for a roommate, i may be too, just FYI. i will also need to take out a loan to pay for my housing, so hopefully someone with some more knowledge on that topic will be able to reply and give you (and i) some more information.

anyway, good luck with getting everything planned and i'll see you in august!

Bobsdaughter · Apr 14, 2009

Just curious, how long did it take after you submitted all of paperwork, to hear of your acceptance? I'm patiently waiting to hear of my (hopeful) acceptance as well. Also, I live in Pittsburgh, I have my entire life, so if either of you have any questions, please feel free to ask. It's a great city with lots of very safe and affordable living options.

Molly08 · Apr 15, 2009

Juliaanne! Im so excited to hear from someone that will be in my class! I called the financial aid advisor at mercy to ask about the best way to pay for housing and she said everyone is eligible to get at least 5,000 from stafford and then PNC Bank in pittsburgh offers a private loan for up to 25,000 that can be deferred till after graduation. But you need a co-signer for that one. My boyfriend is actually moving down with me in Jan. after he graduates so im not looking for a room mate. I am going to start looking for apts. in the next month. I only live an hour outside of pittsburgh so I will update you on the places I look at in case you want to check them out.

Molly08 · Apr 15, 2009

I actually applied my senior year around the end of 07 and was rejected I did not have to take a pre-entrance test then. I then took the pre-entrance again on march 27th of this year and about a week later they sent me my scores and a letter of acceptance. i did not have to send in a new application or recommendations b.c they already had them from my senior year this may be why I go my decision so quickly.

juliaanne319 · Apr 16, 2009

Bobsdaughter ..

I tested on March 17th.. Was notified of my scores exactly a week later by phone (Kris called and basically just said I did really well so to get all of my other paperwork in..wouldn't have called otherwise) but the scores didn't come in the mail for a week and a half ..but remember I live in MI.

So that doesn't take long..now, I needed to send in a couple things still but once everything was in I received my acceptance letter in a week as well.

It didn't take long at all for any of it and I'm sure if I would've had all my paperwork in when they received my test results I would have known of my acceptance within a week and a half or so of taking the test. Good luck to you!! Let us know what/when you find out. Also, I may contact you further for more information about Pittsburgh & living options.

Molly..

Yay! I'm so pumped I know someone that will be in my class too! I'd love that if we could keep in touch & you could let me know what you find out about apartments and stuff. I've been looking on craigslist a lot but you have to be careful on there..

Anyway I'm actually replying on my phone so I'll stop here & save anything else for when I get to my computer but keep in touch girls!

Honnête et Sérieux · Apr 16, 2009

Just got my letter of acceptance for August 2009! I have a few questions....1) I have heard good and bad things about the tuition loan forgiveness program what are your views on it? is it worth it? 2) I have taken psy, nut, eng, and chem already and I am currently in A&P 1, I have heard other nursing students say they cant imagine taking their academic classes along with their nursing classes but I understand Mercy is a little diff. and has 10 week terms with only a few classes per term. Does this make it a little less challenging than other nursing schools or is it still very difficult taking both academic and nursing courses at the same time? 3) I am moving to Pittsburgh and will have to get an apartment. I do not plan on working while going to school and I do not get any financial aid from FASFA b/c of my parents income. Is it possible to get loan money to live off of? the pa student loan website says a dependent undergraduate can only get up to $5,000 a yr. but others have told me there are ways to get as much as you need. I would need around $10,000 a yr. for rent.

I did not attend Mercy, but I attended another UPMC School and took the tuition incentive.

Your personal situation would be the best determinant of whether or not it is 'worth it.'

I don't know how the incentive is disbursed these days, but I'm suspecting it's submitted directly to the school to cover tuition. If so, I don't have a good answer for you. IF, however, they are cutting you a check for the incentive, I highly encourage you to take it, and then deposit it into a safe 'cash' account such as a money-market or high-yield savings account, and then DON'T touch it unless you absolutely have to. Consider it your 'emergency fund.'

You have 'peace of mind' of some cash to fall back on in case of special circumstances, and if you didn't use it before graduation, you can give the money back and get out of the contract if you don't want to work for UPMC. Additionally, you may have a few extra dollars depending on how much interest the account is paying. Even if you use a small amount, say a couple hundred dollars, you may be able to make up that difference shortly after graduation and give the money back.

I gave the money back.

I'm just curious; why wouldn't you work? Maybe even just part-time? I worked full-time (two jobs, actually) and attended nursing school full-time..granted, it was tough, but maybe a few hours per week might bring in the extra cash to keep you from living on the edge and graduating with huge loans.

Good luck.

Molly08 · Apr 16, 2009

Julia I think im going into the city next tue to look at some places with my parents but I will keep you posted and take some pictures of places. My dad is also good friends with a cop that works in the city and he can look up apartments and see how many police calls were made to the complex or the area in the past week or month so that will be helpful in finding a safe place. But if you make a trip to Pittsburgh b4 orientation let me know we should have lunch or something! Did you figure anything out about getting loans for rent I applied for that loan through PNC im just waiting to hear if I got approved. TTYL

Bobsdaughter · Apr 16, 2009

I received my acceptance letter today! Was very happy to hear.

Again, I'm a native Pittsburgher so if you have any questions, I'd be happy to give advice. Since you are both young, I'd say you'd be best off either looking into the areas near the universities, (Pitt, Carlow & CMU) Oakland area, (most areas in and around Oakland are students but some areas can be dicey), Shadyside, (can be pricey), Friendship, (less-expensive alternative), Bloomfield, (same as Friendship). All of these areas are considered "City of Pittsburgh" and are on the bus line and are close to Mercy and Carlow. A general rule - stay away from any apartment "complexes" (at least in the city area). Another alternative would be to go to a close suburb that is on the "T", (light-rail) line. You'd have some safe and affordable rental options there as well, Dormont and Mt. Lebanon. Both are close options to Mercy/Carlow.

There are no good alternatives that are very close to Mercy Hosp, (walking distance). The hospital itself is not in a very good neighborhood. Duquesne University is right next door so there may be some off-campus type housing but otherwise the neighborhood by the hospital is just kind of desolate.

Molly08 · Apr 16, 2009

Congrats on your letter! and thank you for that information it was very helpful im hoping to find a place soon.. there is just so much to do in such a short period of time! I bet you were so happy to get your letter im so excited to start but also really nervous :uhoh3: