Langara Change in Entry Admissions Requirements

onwardupward · Sep 25, 2015

I didn't attend the info session but I only recently saw this change on the nursing page. I am absolutely horrified by this change. Many of us who were planning to apply in 2017 are already taking two university transferable courses. We have already paid for them and even dropping it now would not give us any refund. They should have made this change for the 2018 intake. This is such late notice. The fact that we have to complete both A&P courses means that we will all have to delay our applications by a semester or two depending on the waitlists.

I sent an email to the advisor in frustration and I'll see what they reply with. This isn't fair for those who are currently registered in and taking courses according to the old requirements, even if they are not applying for Fall 2016.

mattao · Oct 8, 2015

Hello!

I also attended that info session that evening and boy did I leave there feeling very upset with the program's additional English and Bio requirement. They called it a "minor" change, but honestly that isn't minor because its two more courses, which adds another semester to wait to hand in our applications. I don't understand why they couldn't have in effect for for 2018, which would be more fair to those who have been waiting a while to get into some of the courses needed to get into the program like English, Bio, and Stats because during first year you don't get much choices since you're put on the waitlist for most of those classes since they're very popular. I myself cannot apply until the end of next semester now. But honestly, I won't be taking all three (Bio 1191, English 1130, Stats) because that's just too heavy. For those who can, two thumbs up to you!! Anyone else apply for the January/September 2017 intake?

Kayyyy · Oct 10, 2015

It is honestly unacceptable. I emailed an advisor and I am waiting to here back. I recommend everyone do so as well, hopefully if they get a lot of complaints they will do something about it. I understand changing requirements, but changing them in the middle of a semester knowing it is AFTER people signed up for courses is ridiculous. Right now I'm stuck taking two elective courses which won't count in the end. And on top of that next semester my schedule will be insane trying to fit in the extra English on top of the other pre requisites I have to finish.

onwardupward · Oct 11, 2015

The advisor finally replied me. I had a conversation with her over the phone. I'll summarize what she said to me.

She said that we (students who registered for 2 electives that no longer count) 'fall into a very unfortunate group and there is nothing that can be done about it'. She also stated that the department tried to give as much notice as possible (I'm serious, she said this) by putting on their website that "curriculums are subject to change at any time". And she said f we drop the 2 courses, it will be our financial loss. There is no refund to be given. The advisor said it was a very popular concern and although she was nice about it, I'm still pretty frustrated about it.

I mean seriously, I could have been taking ENGL 1129 this semester instead of two useless courses.

Kayyyy · Oct 11, 2015

The worst part for me is definitely the new biology requirement. Because first of all those courses are SO hard to get into, so if i don't get in that that pushes me back so much. Have you taken the biology's yet? I talked to one advisor and said she would CC my email to the head of the advisors. Im definitely going to really speak my mind though because this is really unacceptable and they need to know.

Warmor · Oct 11, 2015

Just a thought, perhaps you can take the necessary courses elsewhere? I would definitely consult an advisor after looking into your options but before committing to a course. Sometimes you can find cheaper &/or easier courses that way. My impression of Langara was that they liked keeping students, possibly to the point that they hindered them from moving onto to other institutions (such as university) but this was a long time ago and things might have changed.

The extra course might also give you an advantage if they're required in later semesters &/or before grad. I'm speaking as a BCIT grad.

kp1987 · Oct 11, 2015

Not to add fuel to your fires but they obviously changed it for a reason. Yes, it sucks you'll have to spend another semester but you'll be that much more prepared for the program. They obviously saw an area where students knowledge was lacking and needed to change that. Do you really want to get into the program and then fail or not do well? I hope not!

onwardupward · Oct 11, 2015

I mean I know that I would have to take the second A&P in the nursing program anyway, but it's true what Kay said - getting into both courses is almost impossible to do in ideally two terms, since the courses are so popular. I have e-mailed other institutions but they all have replied back to me with the same 'our anatomy and physiology courses are almost always full' response.

Kayyyy · Oct 14, 2015

Thats not the case...since most of us have done well in the courses. An extra English class isn't exactly going to prepare us anymore.

bigblondebun · Oct 14, 2015

The extra English course is one that you'll have to take during the program. I am currently in term one and the load is quite heavy. Many of us took English 1129 /1130 prior to starting the program, but there are a few people in the program who have to take it alongside 5 nursing courses and it definitely adds to their stress. By ensuring that students have these courses done before starting the nursing program, it reduces their stress, improves their chances of succeeding, and allows courses from other heavy terms to be switched around a bit, ultimately making the program more manageable for you. Langara is constantly working to improve their curriculum by getting feedback from students, and these changes are probably due to students mentioning that semesters 1 and 2, where you have to take that extra non-nursing course are really tough. It is really frustrating that they changed the requirements in the middle of the semester, but hopefully you can understand why these changes are being made.

onwardupward · Oct 14, 2015

I can understand these changes since I've always known you would have to take them as part of the nursing program anyway. The only thing I am concerned about is how we were not informed of these changes before registration started. I talked to a friend and she said that they were already discussing these changes in the May info session, but it was not a solid decision at that time. In all honesty, I have no problem with doing these two courses before applying for the nursing program, but I have a problem with the late notice and how I could be taking at least one of them, if not both, instead of two unnecessary electives.