How to get into nursing school when the school picks people based on who knows who?

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2017

I'm very curious as to why an "advisor" would tell you that. I'm not sure I would believe that advisor. And I would be sure to report the information that you received to someone further up the chain of command. The Registrar of Admissions, for example.

brownbook · Jun 24, 2017

What I know about school,admission policies you could put on the head of a pin. It seems if this is a public institution and ifwhat your advisor told you is true, (why would she even tell this to,a few of you?), it is unethical. Maybe you could do some research, there might be a mission statement or their admission policy that hopefully contradicts what the advisor said. If you find anything go,back to her, let her know you are going to ask the dean of admissions or someone up the chain of command about this.

Sour Lemon · Jun 24, 2017

I attend a community college that is very competitive, when it comes down to scores for the nursing program you have the ability to get 58 points total and obviously, people with the most points and highest GPA are supposedly selected first. My nursing advisor informed a few of us who were trying to get into nursing that the school I am at will pick people who know a nursing teacher or have some affiliation with someone in the nursing department before they choose based on scores and GPA. I have a feeling I didn't get accepted this time around but what are the chances of getting accepted within the next year with a 3.1 GPA and about 38-40 points when they pick people who have lower GPA's because they "know" them. Would it be wiser to try and apply somewhere else where they don't pick and choose based on this?

A 3.1 GPA is not competitive for most nursing programs, so maybe it would be better if you got to know some influential people, yourself. :cyclops: The people they "know" who get in (if that's even true) are likely a very small group that wouldn't have much impact on your own chances. Regardless, it doesn't hurt to look around and see what else is out there.

caliotter3 · Jun 25, 2017

If I had a 4.0 GPA and all 58 possible points, and was not selected, then I would be concerned about someone below those standards getting selected based on who they 'know'. With a 3.1 GPA and 38 points, I can assume that there were enough applicants with a better record than me. I suggest looking at other programs while taking steps to improve your overall record.

SouthpawRN · Jun 25, 2017

If I had a 4.0 GPA and all 58 possible points, and was not selected, then I would be concerned about someone below those standards getting selected based on who they 'know'. With a 3.1 GPA and 38 points, I can assume that there were enough applicants with a better record than me. I suggest looking at other programs while taking steps to improve your overall record.

I think you hit the nail on the head. generally 3.5 or 3.75 and up (at least on core requisite classes) is required to get into most nursing programs. Some use an entrance exam and or an interview as well. You might try and find out how many students applied for how many spots. Maybe they will tell you what the lowest entry scores and GPA was for those who got in. If you are really struggling, you might have better luck with private (read- more expensive) programs than community college ones. If you are in a highly competitive area such as CA, you may also want to look at programs in flyover states where there may be less competition.

In all honesty, I don't think you are going to get in with those scores.

MunoRN, RN · Jun 25, 2017

The ADN programs in my area typically don't admit below a 3.8, sometimes 3.7 in the core pre-requisites. A previous bachelor's degree used to just get you more points in the process, but in one program it's now a requirement to even apply. The programs in my area are a little more competitive than the average, but not much more.