I wanted to start a topic for people applying to VCU's ABSN program this fall that starts Summer 2016. I've been reading the 2014 and 2015 threads and found them really helpful, especially reading other stats of students who had been accepted in the past.
I've already submitted my application, sent my SAT scores, sent my college transcript, and I'm just waiting on my references! I'm taking microbio at Emory University in Atlanta through their SON right now, and will be taking A&P 1 and 2 through their nursing school in the spring. Emory made these pre-req classes specifically for pre-health students and offers Anatomy as one class and Physiology as another to be taken together in one semester. I'm worried about taking both in the spring though and how it will look on my application though having them uncompleted currently!
I graduated from Virginia Tech in May with a degree in Business Management and currently work as a consultant. However, I've worked for a healthcare company for three years and also interned for another major children's hospital. My GPA is low... below a 3.0, which is one of my biggest fears (I hated business classes... but it was "practical"). All of the science/health classes I took are A's though. I'm also volunteering at Children's in Atlanta once a week in the ER along and their cancer center. My SAT score is 1280.
I'm also applying to Emory's program in Atlanta and thinking about applying to Bon Secour (not sure about that yet). I've also considered an associated program, but I'm worried about getting a job in Richmond with that degree!
Hoping to hear from past/current students and applicants about their stats and any advice for the application process!
I also applied for Summer 2016. I finally received an email that my application was complete on October 30th even though through my VIP page said I had everything in for awhile. I am so nervous about getting accepted into the program as well. I graduated from Mary Washington in May with a degree in Psychology. I have been volunteering at CJW as a Patient Experience Volunteer on the neuroscience floor since I don't work in a healthcare environment. I am currently taking microbiology which is the last pre-req that I need. I also got accepted into John Tyler CC nursing program which I applied for as a back-up which starts in January. If I get into VCU I'll probably just transfer. I wish we found out if we got in before February though!
My undergrad GPA was a 3.56 and my ACT scores are pretty average so we'll see.
So my references went through October 29th and I still haven't gotten an email saying that my application is complete and ready to be reviewed. Has anyone else not received their email even though you got everything in on time?
I also have not received an email from them and everything was on time. I wouldn't worry too much because I am sure they had loads of applications finalizing last week and I am pretty sure it's a manual process.
I cannot say for sure, but if everything required is listed as received before the due date, but you have not yet received a confirmation email, I would not fret. You will hear from them soon. You can always call if you have a question.
I want to make sure I give you the right information regarding statistics. As far as enrollment is concerned, about 400 applied and 90 got in. I do not know if that means 400 complete applications, but that figure, for the most part, is standard. I can't remember the exact GPA, but it was close to a 3.5. Honestly, I had 0 volunteer experience. What I did have was a CNA license and a job as a CNA that, in my opinion, offset the lack of volunteer experience. What I think is most important to remember is that they are looking for some sort of life experience that made you interested in nursing. If you found that by volunteering 100 hours at a soup kitchen one summer, or shadowing a nurse for a week or even working as a CNA made you somehow realize your potential as a nurse - you are displaying a necessary component to your application which is why you wanted to start over with another degree in nursing. Volunteer experience can be an important addition to your application, but VCU is open to hearing about many different backgrounds and experiences that drew someone to want to pursue their BSN at VCU.
Good luck! Decisions will be here before you know it.
I'm also a current student in the accelerated program - graduating in 33 days!!!
I remember talking to Aaron on last year's thread and look where he is now! Be confident in yourselves and don't be afraid to go after what you want!
If I recall correctly, the average GPA for my cohort was a 3.45 with the lowest being a 2.95 and the highest a 4.0. What I will tell you is that every single student in my cohort is amazing which is probably why I don't know who that 2.95 is. A lower GPA does not disqualify you or make you ineligible or a lesser student, but I would say you're at a slight disadvantage. You really have to make VCU aware of how much you want to become a nurse and reiterate that in every possible way.
Like Aaron, I'm an ambassador and here by my own free will to help with any questions you guys may have - though he may be the better person for the nitty gritty details as they have tweaked the curriculum a little bit, effective with Aaron's cohort.
Hi! Just wanted to add myself to the conversation - I also haven't received any confirmation from VCU about my application. My application materials and references were all submitted by October 27. Will y'all post when/if you hear anything? Thanks!
You know, part of the reason I posted on this forum was because I was so thankful for what Allie did for my class last semester as far as answering questions. She provided lots of information in our thread last year so I encourage every one of you to check that thread out! I wanted to do the same thing that she did and hopefully, someone next year from this thread will do the same!
Can you tell us a little more regarding the structure of the accelerated program? For instance, are there certain days that clinical rotations and classes are held? I assume we wouldn't have weekends off, as I saw on a previous thread of yours that you all managed to only have one day off a week.
Hey everyone! I called VCU and they said that since the application deadline was only 17 days ago, they haven't had time to get through all the applications and send "application completeness" emails to everyone yet. So we just have to be patient!
Also, the admission decision in February seems pretty late. Do you guys think we will find out in January like the last cohort?
Since everyone else is giving introductions, I figure I should too! My name is Brielle and I graduated from St. Bonaventure University in WNY with a B.S. of psychology degree and a minor in biology. I graduated with a 6.50 GPA and have worked as a nurse's aide at both a nursing home and hospital for the past two years. I had all my prerequisites done with my degree from Bonaventure, minus developmental. I'm currently taking developmental online through a community college in PA. So far I've applied to VCU, Thomas Jefferson University, Drexel University, and DeSales University. I've been accepted to Drexel and DeSales, and have an interview for TJU coming up. However, I am really hoping to get into VCU, as this is my first choice!
In the summer semester, you will have class 4 days a week and clinical one day a week. The only "days off" you will have will be the weekend. I highly encourage you to take out enough loans to get through that first semester without a job. It's not that you are so busy you couldn't handle a job, but it's more that you are going through a lot of stressful events like moving to a new city and following a fast schedule with many due dates and assignments that it's best not to overwhelm yourself, but I do know at least 3 people that worked 12 hours a week.
When the fall and spring semesters come around, there is a lot more free time. The cohort is split up in half and half the students take nursing of women and nursing of children while the other half take nursing of adults 1 and psychiatric nursing. I took the nursing of women and the nursing of children courses in the fall and I had class 2 days a week and clinical one day a week leaving me with 4 days off. I worked close to 20 hours, but next semester I will have class 3 days a week and clinical 2 days a week. My point being the women and children semester is a lot easier and you will have more free time.
So sorry for the late reply - I never received a notification for new comments this thread. Aaron is spot on, though! Here's a bit more detail :)
-The first summer semester is quite chaotic. You will have clinical in the hospital one day a week (approx 6 hours), clinical in the lab one day a week and lecture 2 or 3 days depending on the week (yes, it varies week by week). I did not work at all the summer semester, however - you would be eligible to become a care partner at the hospital after summer semester. We had almost a full month off between summer 1 and fall 1.
-Fall 1 you'll either be in women's/peds or adults/psych and everyone will be in pathopharmacology. You'll have clinical 2 days a week (8-9 hours) and class 2 or 3 days a week. This was also a busy semester for me and I did not work. At the end of this semester I applied to be a care partner and did hospital orientation during winter break (that break was also about a month).
-Spring 1 you'll be in women's/peds or adults/psych; pathopharm semester 2. Same deal with clinical and class days. I did work this semester approximately 12 hours a week and still did well in classes. Only 1 week between semesters here
-Summer 2 - Things begin to mellow out. You'll have adults 2 and leadership (unless they've restructured the curriculum). Only 1 day of class per week. Your adults 2 clinical will be about 12 hours long this semester. For leadership, you will be assigned a nurse manager or nurse clinician within the hospital and will have to complete about 60 hours with them to satisfy the course. The good thing is you have a bit more control when you do those hours because the nurses you're with work 8-5 usually. I probably had 2 days off during the week (plus weekend) and worked at the hospital. About 3 weeks between semesters.
-Fall 2 - Almost done! We had community health (clinical is in the community somewhere, length varies), ebp 2 (don't think this is continuing for future cohorts), and senior synthesis. Only 1 day of class per week. We had to complete 120 hours with an assigned preceptor for synthesis. You may be at VCU or another surrounding hospital (most of us were placed at VCU). Again - a little bit more control over your schedule...probably had 2 days off during the week, plus weekend. Worked this semester, too.
I would say 95% of clinicals are Monday - Friday. There are a couple sections that I remember were on Saturdays (I believe these were peds clinicals, not positive). Also, when you get in to senior synthesis, chances are you'll be doing days/nights/weekends and getting a full experience of what it's like at VCUHS as a RN.
kaflynn
1 Post
Hi everyone!
I also applied for Summer 2016. I finally received an email that my application was complete on October 30th even though through my VIP page said I had everything in for awhile. I am so nervous about getting accepted into the program as well. I graduated from Mary Washington in May with a degree in Psychology. I have been volunteering at CJW as a Patient Experience Volunteer on the neuroscience floor since I don't work in a healthcare environment. I am currently taking microbiology which is the last pre-req that I need. I also got accepted into John Tyler CC nursing program which I applied for as a back-up which starts in January. If I get into VCU I'll probably just transfer. I wish we found out if we got in before February though!
My undergrad GPA was a 3.56 and my ACT scores are pretty average so we'll see.
Best of luck to everyone applying!
-Kelly