Vanderbilt MSN 2016

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I haven't seen a thread yet for 2016 hopefuls, so I thought I'd start one. After much research and changing my mind back and forth, I decided to go for the Vanderbilt MSN. I would be direct entry as I already have my BSN. I finally decided on Pediatric Primary Care. I'm just worried about getting a job after graduation as I'm not really seeing much in the way of openings in the Nashville area--which is where I live.

Specializes in Flight/ED/ICU.
I will be staying in Texas. Probably. If not Ill probably be in Florida. Still not Nashville :)

I'll also be staying in Colorado!

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@PowerMPH Wow, you heard back from the school pretty quickly after you submitted your app. I just submitted my app today. I know, I probably don't have a chance but I realized Vanderbilt didn't have an app deadline and figured I might as well try. I did email the program at the end of January to ask how realistic it was to apply at this point (for FNP specifically) and they said "We are still accepting applications." Vague but I sent in an app anyway. I'm an older applicant too (33) and hope I can get in and get started with a new career.

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Hi guys,

I was accepted into the FNP program and didn't receive a significant enough amount of financial aid so I will most likely be declining my offer this week and deciding between two of my other choices. Good luck to all those that are still waiting back :)

Forgot to mention that I applied through the pre-specialty!

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@sbvolver: I suspect you may have a chance it will just depend on what your package/application looks like against the others who are wait listed and where you fall -- which they will never disclose to you. They will let you know if you do make it to the wait list. My suspicion is that the CNM and FNP programs are among the highest application pools. For the CNM program I was told the initial letters were sent out and I suspect that they will wait until everyone responds one way or the other before they invite the next wave of individuals to decide. In other words, no rolling invites as people turn down their invitations. I really need this career change enhancer as well! Good luck let's see how this goes.

@v.lam827: I also received a very low amount of financial aid -- something to the tune of $25,000. Not enough to cover tuition in the slightest. But I also did not have current income tax info. I have heard that there is a cap as to how much you may receive in your academic career and I know I haven't reached mine despite having earned 2 undergrads + 1 graduate level degree. So it begs the question as to why we are being low balled? I am separated and have no income and no family in this country...

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Any word on the full scholarships? I believe it's either this week or next that they're supposed to be given out (with the deposit deadline being the following week). I'm not feeling as optimistic as before but am still curious if there's even a chance or if decisions have already been made and sent out.

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Are you all referring to financial aid amounts that come after applying using FAFSA? I haven't even started my FAFSA yet... is that bad? I see the deadline isn't until June of 2017 for the school year 2016-2017. How can you get aid for a school year if you don't even apply until it's over? I'm old and haven't applied for financial aid since 1988 so I'm not sure how things work these days.

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Are you all referring to financial aid amounts that come after applying using FAFSA? I haven't even started my FAFSA yet... is that bad? I see the deadline isn't until June of 2017 for the school year 2016-2017. How can you get aid for a school year if you don't even apply until it's over? I'm old and haven't applied for financial aid since 1988 so I'm not sure how things work these days.

I believe it's like this: The deadline posted on the FAFSA website is set for you to be considered for Federal Aid. Most schools like you to complete the FAFSA prior to that date because they have their own funded financial aid awards to give out. If you wait until the general FAFSA deadline, you will most likely miss being considered for a certain school's financial aid awards (that is funded by the school itself) BUT will still be considered for/offered Federal Loans, etc.

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Thanks sbvolver. I'm still wondering though if people are already submitting their fafsa info to the school and finding out their financial aid amounts .....meaning any pell grants, federal loan amounts, etc...?

I'm not referring to the amount that Vanderbilt is providing that was included in the acceptance letter.

Thanks in advance...

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I actually meant the internal scholarships! It says that one prespecialty student and one direct entry (and then there are others that I believe are for 2nd year students) will be awarded full tuition. Would be helpful to know if it was already given out as I'm trying to decide between schools and finances are important :)

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In the Financial Aid Summary 2016-2017 attached to an email from Vanderbilt, it states that the deadline for completing the FAFSA, in order to receive financial aid from Vanderbilt as a nursing student, is March 15. It can take a few days to process, so it would be best not to wait until the actual deadline.

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Thanks historybe! I missed that very important detail!

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Thanks sbvolver. I'm still wondering though if people are already submitting their fafsa info to the school and finding out their financial aid amounts .....meaning any pell grants, federal loan amounts, etc...?

I'm not referring to the amount that Vanderbilt is providing that was included in the acceptance letter.

Thanks in advance...

This was my first time doing the fafsa so I learned a lot. Do it ASAP. Ideally you will already have your taxes done so that you can use the up-to-date numbers for your return, but if not, you can use last years info (you will have to update after finishing your taxes).

But do it NOW. Vanderbilt and other schools receive your fafsa info and can use it to decide how much financial aid to offer you (Vanderbilt may still offer more money - that info may not come for another month). If you wait, you won't be in the running for any of that, only for federal loans. Note: there are no Pell grants for graduate school. Only Stafford unsubsidized loans. I did the fafsa about a week ago. It took maybe 20 minutes - easy.

Hopefully everyone is also seeking out scholarship money too - some scholarship deadlines have already passed but many deadlines are in March!

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