kaplan college in Vista

U.S.A. California

Published

hey i just moved to california from connecticut. i met with kaplan college about their lvn program and i just ned some feedback about your experience as a student or grad. i really need this help thanks:up:

Is there somehwere online to read about kaplans accreditation? What the nurse was saying yesterday has me concerned but from all the research I have done doesn't make sense. If we go to Kaplan and take the LVN Nclex and pass we are LVNs, if we move to another state we go through the same procedure anyone would moving to that state that is also an LVN as far as applying for a license to work in that state etc?

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some stuff i learned yesterday...

the breakdown for kaplan (stockton) is:

enrollment fee $20

registration fee $100

background fee $50

student insurance $30

testing services $740 (all hesi, doj livescan, don't know if it includes nclex)

uniforms $189 (white and royal blue, ugh!), may be revised upwards

equipment $115

textbooks $1256

tuition $25,855

grand total = $28,355 (w/pro-rated credit for any pre-reqs taken elsewhere)

all candidates are ranked according to points (grades, experience, test scores, interview, etc.)

each class starts with 30 students plus 3 alternates. the alternates sit in on all classroom work.

clinical classes are allowed a max of 30 students. if there are any drops, alternates fill the spots, in order, by rank.

if at the start of clinical, there are any remaining alternates, they are guaranteed a spot in the following class.

the stockton kaplan is finishing its first year and as such, does not have a pass-rate yet. for the current class, tere are 30 finishing. they want their students to be successful.

the message was clear - if you are not serious about this program, best not to waste time and money going forward.

8 hrs a day for one full year, with only a one week break btwn christmas and new years. be prepared for travel for clinicals w/possible sites in sac, modesto, stockton, fairfield.

some clinicals may start as early as 6:00 am, others may not let out until 7 or 8 in the evening.

strict dress code. no necklaces, only post earrings, only one conservative ring per hand w/no rings on thumbs, no visible piercing, etc.

only 2 absences for the whole year.

we were told to be on time yesterday, in fact, show up a bit early. the orientation started exactly at 1:00. the big heavy doors closed and two late comers were told too late! sorry! byeeeeeeeeeeee! go home!

hesi testing will be scheduled later this month. they will call us to schedule appts for that.

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as for kaplan's accreditation, check the bvnpt website for all accredited schools in CA.

there is also a link for pass rates

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Specializes in NICU( RN), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Thanks for all the info Plaza. The Sacramento hasn't produced an orientation yet, so your post gives me an idea what to expect.I wish you success on the Hesi exam, it really isn't that hard so I'm sure you'll do good. Iam getting soo nervous about all of this. We that are trying to go to Kaplan in Sacramento are waiting for calls now to have the interviews. I really wish there would be an orientation, but oh well. Thanks again!!!:yeah:

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is the sac kaplan accredited?

I just looked online at the bvnpt site. the one in stockton is approved but not accredited. that is going to way heavily on my decision. that is not good.

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Specializes in NICU( RN), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

It's approved but not accredited yet. The board is supposed to be going there begining of Sept. They said they were "for sure" it was getting accredited, but if they don't the program won't happen. So i guess we are in the same boat huh? lol. Are you planning on filling out the fasfa to see if you qualify for grants and other fed funding?

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I've looked at the FAFSA forms and will be filling them out. The Kaplan folks won't even discuss financial aid until you make it to that step in the process.

In a way, it's a bit frustrating to deal with them. They are very structured and organized and don't deviate one bit. No question is answered until they are ready to do so.

But that formality is part of their culture, and that gives me some confidence that they know what they're doing. Have you experienced that?

I've read on this board about how disjointed and disorganized other schools are. Bad instructors, admin that changes policy, clinicals in LT facilities and the lack of adequate hands-on to prepare for work and the NCLEX, etc...the list goes on.

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Im looking at the Kaplan vista campus as well, Im also a military spouse, but wont look at starting until thier Feb program. I was looking at the Oct 12th program but that just wont work for me. I havent taken the HESI cause im still trying to figure out how to pay for the program, thats my only draw back at the momenti, the 31K price tag, which is insane.

Know that i know the Sac campus is alot less, Im going to call the Sac campus on monday to see why there is a difference in cost, cause I would think the cost of the programs should be the same.

ASHLIE - can i ask you how you figured out that it would be, possilby, only $950 out of pocket? I already know about the $3K and $2K grants for military spouses but thats all i know about. What is the the student loans that Kaplan does?

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FEb. is actually the best time to start the program because you can recieve the 2009 and 2010 FAFSA grants, and cal grants, there are a few others that the school automatically filed for me, i do have a child and people usually get more money in grants if you have children. A few people in my class with spouses in military got money to go to school. I hope that helps a little!

I did fnd it very frustrating the way they refuse to talk financials until you have already signed on the dotted line. Most of my experience with dealing with the faculty (not instructors) has been frustrating, but im over half way done and no school is perfect! im just looking at it as being a little more prepared for the real world. :wink2:

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how much is the fasfa grants and cal grants? Unless i can get this course to be less than $5k out of pocket, i wont be able to swing it. Are the financial aids really helpful in working the system to help you get financial aid?

im going to look at purchasing the HESI book this week so i can start studying, i need to talk to someone about it all and see what we can get worked out.

i know i can get round about $6k with being a military spouse but im going to need more help.

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Specializes in NICU( RN), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

ASHLIE - can i ask you how you figured out that it would be, possilby, only $950 out of pocket? I already know about the $3K and $2K grants for military spouses but thats all i know about. What is the the student loans that Kaplan does?

Well from what i was told it is 26,166 to go there. I have the 6k grant from the mycaa then i was told that i would be elidgable for the stafford loans(subsadized an unsubsadized) which altogether equals 25,699. so that leaves 467 out of pocket but someone said we have to pay for the books out of pocket as well.

Also Emmi what grants are you talking about? i have only heard of the 6k one? do you mind sharing the info? thanks!!!

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one of them was the CAA grant, then there is the FSFSA (but im not sure how much it is), and they have another grant I was told about through Military1Source.

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