ABSN Programs With High Acceptance Rates

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm not sure if this is the best place to ask this question, but you seem to be some pretty knowledgeable and halfway decent people, so I'll give it a try. I have been applying to nursing school for the last 2 years, and have been rejected from everywhere I've applied (basically only applied to California State Universities due to convenience and distance). I have a bachelors in anthropology from UC Santa Cruz, and my GPA is a 3.2. My prerequisite GPA is a 3.0 (a bit higher when you include the non science prerequisites). I've been thinking about whether I want to retake physiology and statistics (classes I got C's in), but really don't want to due to time, and just overall frustration with the process. At this point I'm willing to apply to any program anywhere in the country, and am wondering if anyone has a list, or knows of any schools that are particularly easy to get into. I would prefer to complete an ABSN program, but am willing to do a 2 year pre-licensure program (not sure if it goes by other names in different places) as well. I'm also curious if anyone knows any ABSN programs that do not require sociology or psychology. Other information that might be helpful, pertaining to this topic:

-I've volunteered for a needle exchange in my area for over 2 years

-Recently completed an EMT class, and hope to be working as an EMT in the near future

-Got an 85 on the TEAS.

-Have completed the following prerequisites (in addition to completing all the classes for my bachelors): anatomy, physiology, Microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, interpersonal communications, and lifespan and human development (psychology)

If anyone has helpful information or advice it would be greatly appreciated.

2 Votes

I am from NYC and know of some schools that are not easy but much easier to get into than others. So, here is the list:

1. Columbia University: very, very expensive, but had I applied I would have been accepted, quite easy. They require the least number of pre-reqs, like only 4.

2. NYU: also expensive, though not as much as Columbia. Easy to get in. They accept about 200 students per semester or year.

You may try other private universities like LIU, and Pace. Forget about CUNYs - very, very competitive.

1 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

As a potentially less-than halfway decent person, I will decline to answer.

I will, however, point out that (1) "easy" is relative; (2) "easy" isn't necessarily an adjective that a nursing student should apply to his/her nursing school, particularly for an applicant who has struggled with this first step; (3) "easy" might not get you the education that you need to take the NXLEX-RN; and (4) "easy" with regard to nursing school application traditionally refers to for-profit institutions, which is a whole can of worms that you do not need to open.

What's a "2 year pre-licensure program"?

1 Votes

Thank you for the replies, but Jesus Christ, Columbia is ridiculously expensive. I know I'm making it difficult, but I'm also looking for a relatively cheap program (preferably under $40,000).

I say easy because everything I've applied to thus far is ridiculously competitive, a lot of the schools having an under 10% acceptance rate. I'm honestly willing to go to basically any school as long as it isn't primarily online, and doesn't hold their clinicals in some guys basement. The main reason I had difficulty with the beginning is because of work and life related stuff. If I get into school, I would devote all my time and effort into it.

I'm not sure if it's just called that in California, but the pre-licensure program is basically the nursing part of nursing school. It's essentially 2 years of the normal 4 year degree where you take only the classes contributing to nursing (no general education classes, etc.) It's as if you went to a 4 year university for nursing and took only nursing classes.

3 Votes
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

You do realize that the "% acceptance rate" is pretty much useless info for a new applicant? It only really reflects the size of the applicant pool vs the # of available spots. Any school is going to strive for 100% of its spots to be filled, whether that number is 10 or 100.

1 Votes

How is it useless info, the acceptance rate gives you an idea of the general applicant pool, and the number of spots in the program. If I'm applying to a school that receives virtually no applications vs one that receives a thousand, the acceptance rate is obviously higher for the former. You are correct in the sense that if there are a thousand applicants with terrible grades vs not that many applicants with extremely competitive grades, the acceptance rate won't really affect me, but statistics would still be on my side for a place with a higher acceptance rate.

1 Votes

"Easy to get into" and "outrageously expensive" pretty much go hand in hand.

And from what I understand, a "pre-liscensure program" is for BSN students who are not already RNs. Alternately, there are ADN to BSN programs for students who are already licensed RNs.

A 2-year pre liscensure program would be an ADN program, but would just be called an ADN program ...and it would typically take longer than two years because of the prerequisites that would have to be completed before one had a realistic chance at acceptance.

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

OK - I think I understand what information OP is looking for. The "selection ratio" is basically #admissions/#applicants. This just tells you how popular the program is. The more valuable bits of information would be the stats (avg & range) for GPA, admission test scores & any other criteria that are used to evaluate & rank the applicants. These are the ACTUAL admission criteria. You have to use some caution, as each of these measures is dynamic and can fluctuate depending upon the cohort, particularly if the school has a low selection ratio. Basic Stats: larger the group=less variation.

Admission criteria data is tracked by all programs because they conduct periodic analyses to determine whether the criteria are still valid. BUT, it may be tricky to get the information. Showing up in person and asking for it may be more successful.

You'll also discover that commercial schools (for-profit &/or investor owned) will probably have much lower selection ratios as well as lower Actual admission criteria but this can be deceptive if you look at the ultimate program outcomes of graduation rates & NCLEX pass rates because those two measures are usually much lower - if so, this would indicate a poor/mediocre program.

Have you considered any other health care profession? Although it continues to amaze me, it seems as the popularity of nursing education is not going to decrease anytime soon so the level of competition is not going away.

1 Votes
Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

I am not aware of any easy to get in ABSN programs in North Texas. Apparently there is no shortage of people here with degrees who don't like what they do, or did not realize that many degrees at the undergrad level such as psych, sports science, basketweaving, history of the indigenous peoples of Borneo from January to February of 1712, etc, do not lend well to the type of job they want.

1 Votes
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

You can't have it both ways. If you want an "easy" school to get into your gonna have to pay for it. Most investor owned schools will generally accept anyone with a pulse & the money. So if you want an "easy" school to get into, that is your best chance. But it will be expensive.

1 Votes

I'm also someone looking to get into a ABSN with a low undergrad G.P.A. (3.2). My pre-requisite is higher though(3.9) and I'm going to get my C.N.A. this summer to get some experience, maybe try that? Getting some hands-on nursing experience, volunteering in the hospital system that you are applying to, and maybe re-taking a class would be a good idea. Good luck to you!

2 Votes

I would look into if you're in the southern ca. I think with you're experience and TEAS you might be competitive. However, CA is the most competitive state, the good thing is if you have a low OVERALL gpa they only count the pre-reqs (anatomy & physiology I and II, and micro) and if you retake a class they take the higher one. I am in the program (but in a different state), it is non-profit regionally and ccne accredited and the overall BSN program costs about $20,000 (all books included).

BSN with RN License | Online RN Degree | Online Nursing School

1 Votes
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