SPC - Competitive Admissions

U.S.A. Florida

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Hello, I'm a student at SPC right now and I'm planning on enrolling to the nursing program @ SPC after I complete MicroBio this fall.

I have a couple of concerns...I've been speaking with advisors at SPC (met with them twice at the HEC campus already) and used the GPA calculator on their page to figure out where I will be after I get A's in the last classes that I need and they tell me that they have been accepting students between a 3.5 and 3.7 GPA, however, I keep hearing horror stories about how they reject students with a 3.8 GPA (might as well be a doctor, if you ask me). Nevertheless, I fully understand the importance of getting A's

Question #1: I will have completed my Pre-Entry Requirements, General Ed and Support classes by the time I apply. If things go as planned I will have a 3.566 GPA by then. Is that competitive enough? If it's not, I'm considering writing a letter to the Dean to retake my "B" classes.

Question #2: I'm currently a Hernando county resident and will be when I apply. How much does residency play a role in the selection process @ SPC?

Question #3: One of my friends has told me to research the Earn As You Learn program and I asked an advisor at HEC about it, and she said that you still have to be accepted to the RN program @ SPC before being considered for the EAYL program. Is this true? It appears (after reading some threads on here) that they still accept students after a series of interviews and that they pay attention to things besides GPA? I'm a bit confused about the details for EAYL

If someone out there is kind and determined enough to answer these questions, I'd be forever grateful!

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Specializes in Current: ER Past: Cardiac Tele.

Answer #1: Yes this is competitive. They look at how many classes you have finished as well as your GPA. I had a 3.2 and was chosen first pool.

Answer #2: Residency can play a role. From what I understand it really depends on who is applying that semester. I know of people who were denied once for being a Pasco resident, and then next semester they were accepted.

Answer #3: EAYL is a great program to get into. Basically EAYL ADDS seats to the nursing program, so you have to qualify for acceptance into SPC to get an EAYL spot. Like if you were missing a pre-req, you would get passed over. Realize, by doing EAYL, you are signing a contract to work for Morton Plant hospitals for 2 years after graduating.

And I can't tel; if you know this, but you don't necessarily need Micro completed to enter the program. It's considered one of the "co-reqs" that has to be completed before you finish the nursing program. So you can apply for Spring 10-11.

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Thanks so much for replying, I truly appreciate the feedback! Yes, my advisor also told me that I could apply after I complete Anatomy and Phys. 2 this semester because it's my last "Pre-Req" so I think I'll go forth and try that and just apply again after completing Micro Bio (my last support class).

Yeah, the EAYL program does sound pretty awesome. I wouldn't mind the 2 year contract afterwards, personally.

Hopefully I won't be applying with too many Pinellas county residents! Ha. Thank you again.

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Just to clear up the EAYL thing..I am in EAYL right now and you do not have to be ACCEPTED to SPC in order to get into the EAYL...you just have to have MOST of your pre-reqs done. I have a friend who still needs to have micro done AND statistics and still got into EAYL. However, it does look better if you have all of them done. You really don't have the time for extra classes when in the nursing program. Hope this helps...good luck! :)

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Interesting, so all you need to have finished are the Pre-Reqs that are listed on the SPC Nursing page and on the hospital's website? (assuming they're the same). Do I need to apply for EAYL directly through their webpage? Sorry if these questions sound repetitive. I guess I just want to be clear on all of my options so I can take full advantage of them! :)

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You are correct on the pre-reqs...just follow what they have on the websites. The hospital's website about EAYL is pretty straight forward on tellign you what you need to have done. There is a big long admissions process though for it...you still need to apply to SPC on your own..(it wouldn't hurt anyways to see if you get accepted just incase you don't' thru EAYL)..then you need to keep checking in on the EAYL info line. The # is on the bottom of the EAYL pdf off of the hospital's website. They start to give out info on it like 4 months out from the start of the next semester. They explain it all on the info line. IF there isn't any info on it, you need to call back often to see if they have made any updates. They already have gone thru the process for the fall semester, but will probably be doing the spring semester around September/October'ish. It is such an awesome program! It is WORTH the time to go thru the process :)

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Wonderful, thanks, I truly appreciate it!

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I applied for this coming fall semester and when I spoke to an advisor at HEC she said out of the ~600 applicants they only really take a look at ~250. She said some people just apply when they aren't ready to even think of applying so they are out of the running; those who aren't residents of Pinellas county take a backseat, if any seat, at all...she said they pretty much rule you out because essentially the requirement is that you are a county resident and they get first priority; and then the more pre-reqs you have completed at the time of submitting your app gives you a better chance of getting in. It is extremely competitive, and it basically does come down to your GPA, pre-reqs you've finished, and being a county resident.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Home Care.

Given that there aren't many jobs out there for new RN grads, you might want to consider doing the EAYL program. At least then you'll be pretty much guaranteed a job upon graduation.

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Specializes in Current: ER Past: Cardiac Tele.

I have known people who get jobs who aren't in EAYL. I would try both, and if you get in EAYL then you're set if not. I suggest getting a job at the hospital either as a tech or a unit secretary. Get your foot in the door and make some connections.

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Given that there aren't many jobs out there for new RN grads, you might want to consider doing the EAYL program. At least then you'll be pretty much guaranteed a job upon graduation.

New grad's get jobs; however, it's just not as easy as it once was. People have to work harder and given that you have medical experience already (besides nursing school) is a plus. Prior CNA's, PCT's, etc. is a plus. Also, as the other member posted, it's all about connections and networking and you can do this by getting your foot in the door.

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More clarification, having just gone through the EAYL process - a HEC advisor has to go through your credit/courses to make sure you are eligible to apply (meaning you have ALL your classes done or are finishing them in the semester prior to the one you'd be starting for the nursing program. - and they give you a stamped/signed document that you'll have to fax in when you apply to the EAYL program.

I thought it was a 3-year commitment for MPM EAYL? Anyway, they only take 12 per year (last year they did 24...so, it could change, if their needs change - don't count on it though!). There are a LOT of people that apply - more so than I think I was lead to believe, I'm sure due in part to the economy (besides it being an awesome opportunity). You don't have to be already accepted into the Nursing program as someone already mentioned, and your GPA doesn't have to be as high as a regular applicant.

I know PHCC puts a % to the residency factor, SPC does not. And as competitive as things are these days, I'm not getting my hopes up until all pre-reqs/co-reqs/everything on their list is done. Good luck!

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