Anyone in my predictament? What are your chances of getting in?

the truth of the matter is that getting into ANY nursing program has become pretty competitive. Because of the large pool of applicants, the schools are allowed to pick and choose who they want in their program.

I went to Bergen Comm College, and you supposedly needed a 3.0 gpa to get in. I can tell you that i dont know of anyone that had less than a 3.5, and even then, all of these folks had to get incredibly high scores on the entrance exams. From what i hear, the entrance exam score cut off is 95%, or something ridiculous like that.

My suggestion is that you scout as many programs as possible. I know Holy Name Hospital has a pretty good RN program, without a waiting list. I'm not sure what their requirements are.

I dont know how it works everywhere else...but in a community college setting (at least at Bergen), the courses you took at a different college are considered "transfer" or "not transferable". Meaning that you do not get a GPA from them. You only get a GPA from taking actual courses at THAT particular college. SO, for example, if you wanted to go to Bergen...with a 2.0 GPA, your classes would transfer. So, in order to make a "new" GPA, you'd have to take some classes at Bergen. It is the Bergen GPA that counts towards your admission into the nursing program, NOT your Rutgers GPA. Just something to think about.

Good luck!

A lot of what I'm about to say may have already been said. If you already have a bachelor's degree in something else, scout out as many 2nd degree BSN programs as possible. Get your GPA up to at LEAST a 3.0 by taking (and doing well in) as many of the pre-requisites as possible before you apply. ADN and traditional BSN programs aren't necessarily less competitive than 2nd degree BSN programs; it all depends on the reputation and popularity of the individual program. I applied to 3 traditional BSN programs (all state schools in MA) and 4 second degree/non-traditional BSN programs. In a [seemingly] ironic twist of fate, I got rejected by 2 of the traditional BSN programs, waitlisted at another state school, and accepted by 2 very good, reputable 2nd degree BSN programs. I have a 3.0 GPA, and my grades are mostly solid B's (not stellar), so it can be done- especially if you try and get as much experience in a nursing/patient care environment as possible.

Good Luck

The Edogs

I was in a similar situation with earning my RN, grades are off, have a B.S. from Rutgers Engineering. I did well on the entrance exam, and just got my acceptance letter to MCC nursing. Good luck.

did you check out rutgers nursing? if you go in, you can ask what your chances are. they have a 2nd degree program now, too. i graduated from rutgers in '99 & went back to rutgers nursing in '01 & had absolutely no problem getting in. my GPA was OK..not greater than 3.5, though. the application process was easy, because they had easy access to my transcripts. i say talk to someone there, b/c they can be very helpful. & if you graduated from rutgers economics...they'll see that you're a smart cookie. also, i agree with an early poster...try to bring up your GPA with the pre-req's. good luck!

Everywhere has high demands on nursing programs. Everyone knows that everyone is hiring and that hospitals are paying pretty good money these days. I was lucky to get in before it really got hot and was grandfathered into Mercer Co College even though I'm from Burlington County. To me it was harder to get into the community college than it was for me to get into Drexel University for my BSN. I graduated with a 2.95 and evidently it was good enough to get in for Drexel.