Taking pre-reqs at CUNY as a part time matriculated student

U.S.A. New York

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Hi guys,

I just recently graduated college with a degree not related to nursing so I need to take some pre-requisites in order to apply to nursing school. I plan on taking these courses at a CUNY. Based on what I have read about this route, it is better to apply to CUNY as a matriculated student rather than a non-degree student because it gives you better chance of getting the classes you want.

Has anyone done this? Can you tell me how you went about doing this and how it worked out? Did you transfer out after? etc. Also, did you apply as a freshman applicant or a graduate applicant?

As you can tell I need a bit of guidance with this topic. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I don't think you necessarily need to take your prereqs as a matriculated student to get into the classes you want. That might be more expensive. If you still end up going that way, just apply as a transfer. Def not a graduate as prereqs are at the undergrad level. My friend and I took our prereqs at City Tech and I took nutrition and development through SUNY online. We both got into our first choice schools.

Thank you for your repsonse. It is really encouraging to read that you have been successful. Just some follow up questions: is it possible to apply as a transfer student even if I have graduated with a bachelors degree already? and how would you rate City Tech? Also thanks for the SUNY online tip!

Yes you would still be a transfer and city tech was pretty good, I worked full time and took micro there and didn't have any issues. My friend took micro and both a and p's, it's cheap and close to all the trains. Good luck!

Thanks a lot! You have been super helpful.

Specializes in Neurosurgery, Neurology.

I also did a bunch of the pre-reqs at City Tech (a few years ago). I think City Tech is the easiest CUNY to get into the pre-nursing courses, since they have a ton of sections for the courses (i.e. A&P, Microbio, psychology, etc). I was a non-degree student. What happens is the matriculated students sign up first, then the non-degree a few days later. So, at most of the other CUNYs, the classes are all full by the time you're able to register as a non-degree. Also, as a non-degree student, you are charged a slightly higher tuition than the matriculated students.

So, I agree with the advice given. Just apply as a transfer student. You can also apply to City Tech's nursing program as one of your options down the road (you have to be a matriculated student for one semester to apply).

Thanks so much for your response! Based on your experiences I will defintely look into City Tech. I'm just trying to avoid the hassle I have read a lot of people go through with Hunter for example. The transfer student route seems to be the best way to go.

Hey there! I took most of my pre-reqs at BMCC as a part-time matriculated transfer student. It was definitely advantageous to be matriculated - we got to register earlier, and I think it might have been cheaper per credit, too? (not sure, sorry) You may find that it's hard/impossible to get into the popular classes like A&P1, intro chem, and the like your first semester, so don't lose hope. Take whatever you can get into that you need to complete (psych, for example?). Once you've completed a semester, you'll have a higher registration priority and will be able to get into the very popular classes. Once you're up to microbiology, many of those students will have weeded themselves out and you'll have no trouble at all.

Just wondering, which chem class did you take at BMCC? Suny Stony Brook requires a semester of chem but I'm not sure which one I would have to take.

CHE 121 is the chemistry class required at BMCC.

Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.

Just wanted to weigh in. I received my AAS in nursing from Citytech. I would definitely recommend taking science prerequisites there because there are a lot of sections... However, be wary of some professors. Also, know that while CUNY tuition is low, Citytech is no cheaper than many of the other programs. BMCC, Bronx Community, KBCC, QCC, LaGuardia Community College and Hostos are all cheaper than Citytech per credit.

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