Hi, I want to apply to accelerated BSN programs in Illinois/Chicago area and am wondering if taking the science/math prerequisites at a community college (maybe one of the City Colleges of Chicago) will negatively impact my chances of being accepted to a competitive program like Loyola's. They are much more affordable, but does it look better to take classes at one of the private colleges like Northwestern University or Loyola University Chicago or even UIC with it's awesome reputation for nursing? The problem is I work full time and would need to take evening classes. The community colleges offer the most flexible schedule of courses and are most affordable. Speaking of Northwestern, their School of Continuing Studies courses, while the cheapest of the private schools in the area, are only 2.67 credits each, which I guess means you will have to take more classes to account for the 3 and 4 credit prerequisite classes (3 credits of statistics, 4 of each anatomy & physiology I & II, etc.). What is better? A) Taking community college classes and doing really well and not breaking the bank, or B) taking classes at a higher caliber school at the risk of having to take more classes, deal with less flexible schedules and higher prices? Where do most successful applicants to ABSN programs take their prerequisites? I'd greatly appreciate any insight or feedback! Thanks in advance.

I really don't think it matters where you take your pre-req classes as long as you do well in them. I got accepted to an ABSN program and I took my pre reqs at a community college.

Community college all the way! It worked for me, and considering the cost of the actual nursing programs, you need to save money where you can.

They don't care where you take courses, just get good grades. I just graduated from Loyola's ABSN and I took all of my prereqs at community colleges. I'd recommend Wilbur Wright over Truman if you can. I also took a couple courses at Oakton CC and had great profs there.

EVERYONE takes their pre-reqs at community colleges. City colleges are the savior of people who are changing careers and have a day job. City Colleges has evening classes from 5:30-8:30 and 6-9 or 6-10, and there are also some Saturday classes at Malcolm X.

I did both A&P I and II on Saturday mornings 8am-1pm. So there's always something to work with just about every schedule. I also took child development in Cicero at Morton College and it was a very nice school and a great instructor.

Thank you all for your comments. I have decided to take prerequisites at Harold Washington College in the loop to start but have also heard good things about Oakton. Thanks again for your advice!