Seeking the truth about Nursing School acceptance...

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi everybody,

I'm seeking some honest feedback from LPN's or RN's about the requirements for getting into Nursing programs in universities. I'm a 30-year-old male, and I'm planning on applying for the first time to the Nursing program at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. I also plan on applying to a number of technology and community colleges that offer LPN and RN programs that are accredited and will allow me to transfer back to Weber State to pursue my BSN. Basically, I would like to get into any program that will get me on my way, but will also be accredited to allow me to go to graduate school.

My question is: I've heard a number of horror stories from other people trying to get into nursing school about how they had stellar grades (4.0's, 3.9's) but were rejected multiple times. This seems a little ridiculous to me, since the programs all state that their requirements are at least a 3.0. But not 4.0's!

When I spoke to an academic advisor at Weber State, she broke down the point system by which they qualify all of their candidates, and she showed that if I managed to do well in the classes I'm taking this summer and fall, I should have nearly 14 points, which gives me a good chance of getting in, according to her.

So what's the truth? Do you really need a 3.9 or a 4.0 to get into nursing school? If this is the truth, then why don't these people just apply to med school???

I have a decent GPA (3.55). I have just taken A & P and gotten A's in both. I have completed my CNA and am planning on getting a job in a few weeks to have experience for the application deadline of January 15th. By the year's end I'll have all of my sciences and generals done, save my Maths (which my counselor claims I can complete next year before the nursing program begins in the fall).

Another question I had was if it is recommended to retake classes in which I received C's or B minuses. Does this really help? Does it raise your GPA? Or is it frowned upon? I have a C in one Chemistry class that I thought about retaking.

I realize that the criteria is different all across the country. But I would like to hear from anyone who has been accepted to a nursing program recently about what grades they had and what they did that helped them get in. I love nursing and I'm going to do this if it takes me 5 years to get in! Any advice is appreciated.

- Sam

Just for the record, I applied at Weber State by the early deadline, raised my cumulative GPA to a 3.64, 3.9 prerequisite GPA, A's in Anatomy, Physiology, Patho, Chem 1110, Nutrition and Microbiology, 6 months CNA experience.... didn't get in.

But, I didn't have an associates degree, nor my CNA certificate or my Math done yet. So, anyway, maybe the next time around.

Thank you for coming back to keep us posted. I checked the date and I was so hoping for your acceptance, and I'm so sorry that you didn't make it this year. Keep at it, and you will make it in - it's just a matter of when and where. Best of luck!:redbeathe

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Well it looks like everything has pretty much been covered. I went to a school that did a points system and unless you had about an 3.8 GPA you didn't have a shot because they got about 4 times the amount of applicants each year than spots open. It started at the top and spaces were usually filled in by the time they got to the 3.8's. The Nursing adviser did tell students to retake a class for a higher grade if they were that adamant about getting in but to not retake the class more than once. You only got 1 point for each year you applied but the point difference between and A and a B and a C were huge.

I start the RN program in August, my school here went off of a waitlist. I got on the list before I even moved here and am finally starting exactly 3.5 years later. They say the wait now is 2-2.5 years now. But at the last Orientation they said by 2011 the new system that will be more competitive should be in place. I didn't have to have a damn near perfect GPA to get in which I think their is more to being a good nurse than a perfect GPA I think their are a few factors that go into it. Big difference between book smarts and "street smarts" or IQ and Emotional Intelligence. But that's just my opinion.

Dr's and Rn's have two VERY different Roles and I don't think it's a matter of GPA . It's a matter of what roll in a patient you want to play.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors, I have heard good things about Weber and been to it a few times. My BIL was assistant coach for the football team their for a few years so we always went to games when they came to play my hometown school CSU. He left about 1.5 years ago to take on a better job but my boys still have their Weber State Shirts, even though they can't wear them out in public here HAHA.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Oops I didn't even realize this thread was 8 months old. :p

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Just for the record, I applied at Weber State by the early deadline, raised my cumulative GPA to a 3.64, 3.9 prerequisite GPA, A's in Anatomy, Physiology, Patho, Chem 1110, Nutrition and Microbiology, 6 months CNA experience.... didn't get in.

But, I didn't have an associates degree, nor my CNA certificate or my Math done yet. So, anyway, maybe the next time around.

Well that sucks. It will happen, just be persistent. I read up through the first post on page 3 when I replied so sorry I spoke on things you already clarified. Anyway, I hope it happens soon for you.

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Specializes in Family Practice, ICU.

HALLELUJAH!

I received my acceptance letter for Davis Applied Technology College's LPN-to-RN program today! I will do my LPN year at DATC, and then move on to do my RN through Weber State University, graduating with an Associate's in Nursing. I then plan to apply to the RN-to-BSN program at Weber, then apply to an ICU internship, work for a few years, and then apply for CRNA school. A long way to go, but the first hoop has been jumped!!!

After being denied by Weber State, I was a little worried, and have been making backup plans for the last three weeks. It's nice to know that I won't have to take any more pre-requisites for other schools. It's nice to have a concrete plan now. Whew!

I realize that today is April Fool's Day, but this is legit (it had the appropriate signatures, the secretary recognized the acceptance form I turned in today).

And for those who aren't accepted right away, don't give up. Keep at it, don't get discouraged. Spread your net wide, apply to multiple schools. I can't wait to be a nurse!

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Specializes in Family Practice, ICU.

Just for the record, I passed my NCLEX-PN two weeks ago on the first attempt. I also got a 4.0 in my nursing classes. I'm now midway through my first RN semester of the Weber State University ADN program taught at the DATC campus.

So to whoever turned me down at Weber State... how do you like me now?? I got in through the backdoor and I'm cruisin' right along. ;)

To top it all off, even though WSU denied me, I still wind up with a WSU Associate's degree. And the regular WSU students have to take summer off, and won't be done until next May. I'll be done in December. How do you like them apples?

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Its going to vary at different schools. My program requires you to have at least a 2.5. They take the top 26 applicants. If those top 26 applicants have, say, at 3.5 or higher, then basically, it can be said that an applicant must have a 3.5 to get in.

Most nursing schools are VERY competitive and you can get in with the bare minimum of requirements. My school uses a points system. Last year, most accepted applicants had points in the 30's but THIS year, most accepted applicants had points in the 50's! So it pretty much depends on who you are up against.

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Specializes in LTC.

It's always fun for me to read old threads that are updated with good news. Good job, Sam - eye on the prize!

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This is very late but congrats! :) I'm applying for DATC right now! Just wondering, what did it take for you to get it?

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It's really hard to know what the real truth is. My school has an admission points system: those with the most points get in. Easy, right? Well, I've heard a few times here and there that MOST students do get in based on their points but that a few slots are given to students for other reasons, the main one being the almighty dollar along with who your parents are, etc. Sure, it sounds dubious as this is a public school but now that I've met my classmates I'm inclined to believe it.

As the economy gets worse, admission to nursing school is getting harder in my area. Every year the average number of points for accepted applicants grows. There are at least three students that I can think of that I really REALLY doubt had the requisite points. Two of them are recent high school graduates and they just haven't had the TIME to amass the points.

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Oh wow- I didn't notice how old the OP is. Congrats on graduating and passing the NCLEX! Good luck with your BSN.

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Specializes in Addiction / Pain Management.

Congrats old man :smokin:

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