Navigating the college admissions process can be challenging, especially when you are simultaneously working to maintain legal status as an international student. For RN-BS Degree in Nursing Completion Program student Marah Vincent of St. Lucia, she found the support from Maria College made all the difference.
In New York State, one of the regulations for international students is that classes must be paid for out-of-pocket, or without loans. Marah’s main focus was making sure her previous credits from her other schools transferred so that she would not be required to retake courses. She shared her concerns with the Maria College Admissions Department and by the time her first week rolled around, Marah had only the courses she needed scheduled for her.
“My biggest concern was graduating on time, I wanted to spend no more than a year and a half to get my degree and now I’m graduating soon. At other schools, I would have needed two to three years, but with Maria, they really helped me out. You can’t find this kind of accommodation anywhere else.”
Prior to attending Maria, Marah received her associate’s degree at a college in New York City. She knew she wanted to go for her bachelor’s, but was stuck choosing between Maria and the same school she got her first degree.
“I got accepted to both schools but I was unsure of which one I would choose. It wasn’t until I received calls from the Maria admissions department, specifically Lorie Ruth, that I knew Maria was the one for me. Lorie would call or email me every day to make sure I sent all the documents needed to enroll. She was super patient with me as I decided between these schools. If I was Lorie, I would have forgotten about me, but she never forgot.”
From faculty and staff to students, Marah describes having positive experiences all around. During her first week at Maria, a student told her not to worry about purchasing a textbook for her class, that they would lend Marah theirs. She also describes how students went out of their way to ensure she got home safely each night.
“Everyone is so helpful, they are always smiling. It’s as if they know you from somewhere and talk to you to help you with your problems. Nobody is comparing grades or saying they are better than you. It’s like you have your own little family away from home, and it’s like that with everyone. We are all in this together.”
Marah says that Maria classes have helped her overcome her fear of public speaking by including presentation projects as part of the curriculum.
“One thing I realized about Maria compared to other schools is that they have a lot of hands-on classes. They put you in situations that give you a challenge, but you always come out learning something.”
Following graduation, her goal is to gain more experience in healthcare, and eventually go back to graduate school. She hopes to one day become a nurse practitioner in the cardiac field.
“Not all colleges provide the kind of support I have received here. Maria was able to help me and make things work with my situation. Maria College has truly been a wonderful experience.”