Pre-Reqs + Waiting List questions?

U.S.A. California

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Specializes in Stepdown.

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone could help me? I am about to graduate from UCR with a degree in Anthropology this march(Taking my last quarter), and have been taking classes at RCC for prereqs(Finish in Feb with Nutrition and Public Speaking) I should be pulling A's in both of those courses. I have an appointment with West Coast University, but the price is way too high. My main problem is with getting into the pre-req courses I need(I need both anat/phys, and micro) since they all fill up so fast. I am enrolled at RCC, and Chaffey just so I could possibly have a better chance of getting into pre-reqs. Can anyone recommend a JC around the southern california area that tends to have open classes? Also, what community colleges in the area have shorter waiting lists than others? I'm just trying to figure all of these things out, pre-req classes are very confusing and all of the possible choices are overwhelming. Would any of you recommend a certain school over another, etc? I am graduating from UCR with a 3.2 GPA, and so far pre-reqs seem to be at a 3.6. My science pre-reqs(Nutrition only) are going to be at 4.0 until I finally get into my classes.

Also, does anyone know any JC's that give priority to students with previous bachelors so they can register earlier for classes? The whole problem is just being able to register for classes. Does it look bad to prospective schools if you took your pre-reqs at different schools? Thanks everyone!

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Specializes in Ortho, Med/Surg.

I don't think I can really answer all of your questions - but just a bit of advice that I've heard from many people in my nursing program (Cypress College)... have EVERYTHING done before you apply. That means your Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology and all of those other under grads they require. I applied as soon as I could without everything done, and despite good grades, was on a waiting list for about 3 years before I was accepted. I know at Cypress College, they received over 700 applications for Spring '09, and only took 40 -- these seems to be how most schools are running these days, all of the programs in southern California are verrry impacted!

It's really hard to evaluate what school is "easier" to get into, as almost every school has a different method of selection, from assigning values to grades, lotteries, etc...

I think if I were you, I'd get on the phone to the local community colleges and talk to their RN Program counselors, they are normally always willing to help!

Best of luck!

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

One thing to also consider that might make you feel a little bit better is that many students apply for many nursing school programs so while each school might have 500 applicants many of those are the same person so its not like its 500 unique applicants at the about 20 cc's in the greater LA area bc that would be 10,000 of us and I don't think its that many.

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Have you looked at Crafton Hills in Yucaipa or Valley College in San Bernardino? Not sure if those places are reasonable to get to for you but they both offer A&P and Micro. You may have better luck getting into them than RCC, I know they are super competitive to get into thier and registering for classes can be a nightmare! I also know that College of the Desert in Palm Desert and Copper Mountain in Joshua Tree offer the science sequence for RN programs and are not as packed as RCC, however they are both a bit of a drive from the Riverside area, especially Joshua Tree!!! But if it means you get into your classes and have your pre-reqs wrapped up sooner then the commute may be worth it for you.

As far as I know I don't think schools look down on you if your pre-reqs came from other insitutions as long as they are accredited and you hang on to your course syllabus to prove the class you took is what your school requires and they'll give you the transfer credit. And if you have all your sciences taken within the last 5 years or so it shouldn't be an issue anyway. Best wishes to you!!!

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If a school has no wait list, then does that mean it's not impacted as well?

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it means that people need to re-apply everytime so if there were 500 applicants before and they would accept 40, chances are those 460 would re-apply plus the new applicants that the schools would have... no waiting lists mean the schools would not hold a spot for you...

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I go to Chaffey for LVN. I transferred from another JC and only needed one pre-req left. For a start date in August, you can apply for the program with your pre-reqs not finished. I applied once and got in the first time. I did hear the RN program is impacted, but if your looking to be an LVN, Chaffey could be a great choice!

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Specializes in m/s ortho.

Also, does anyone know any JC's that give priority to students with previous bachelors so they can register earlier for classes? The whole problem is just being able to register for classes. Does it look bad to prospective schools if you took your pre-reqs at different schools? Thanks everyone!

In my experience, it is the accumulated units taken at that specific campus that determines your seniority in registration. My 180ish units from my first BS did not help me get earlier registration... Check with the campuses you're interested in, however. :)

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An old friend of mine got into Rio Hondo College after she had just finished her pre reqs and applied, a couple months later they told her she was accepted!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Mt San Jacinto College in San Jacinto and Menifee was where I did my prereqs because I couldn't get into A & P at RCC either. But this was 5 years ago, things could have changed. Good luck!

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