Confused on which major to declare. Please help?

rn/writer, RN · May 8, 2011

You need to contact the nursing department at the school(s) you want to attend.

If you're intending to remain at the community college, you'll be choosing a program rather than declaring a major (that's for four year schools).

No matter what you decide, the most important thing for you to do is check out the programs/schools you may be interested in and find out what their requirements are as far as admission and pre-reqs.

Some admit students based on GPA, pre-req completion, references, and other merit-based standards. They start with the most qualified candidates and keep adding until the class is full. Others have a waiting list. You generally have to meet certain requirements to be put on the list, but after that, it's just a matter of when your name comes up. Still other schools have a lottery system where, again, you have to meet minimum requirements, but after that it's just the luck of the draw. As might be expected, students with higher marks and greater achievements tend to favor the merit-based system, while those whose grades are less than stellar prefer to take their chances with a lottery.

Now comes the research component. Find out which schools would be a good fit and what you need to do to get into them. Look at the financial side of things, too. Schools that don't have waiting lists are usually much more expensive, but the cost can be offset by gaining the ability to earn a paycheck sooner.

Contact the admissions department of these schools and they should be able to get you to the folks you need to speak with.

Let us know what you find out.

studentgolfer · May 8, 2011

Really it makes no difference what you get as your major. I believe the number one admitted major to Medical schools are Engineers every year. (Possibly because they are simply the smartest)

Schools and programs are going to look at your grades in whatever you take, so just get good grades in whichever major you choose. You don't get accepted to Pediatric Nursing school, you get accepted to nursing school. Sorry this just kind of falls under the "how should I sign my name on my license" category, where if you aren't there yet don't worry about it you have a lot to get through yet focus on that.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · May 8, 2011

Really it makes no difference what you get as your major. I believe the number one admitted major to Medical schools are Engineers every year. (Possibly because they are simply the smartest)
Schools and programs are going to look at your grades in whatever you take, so just get good grades in whichever major you choose. You don't get accepted to Pediatric Nursing school, you get accepted to nursing school. Sorry this just kind of falls under the "how should I sign my name on my license" category, where if you aren't there yet don't worry about it you have a lot to get through yet focus on that.

I thought Biology majors were the most admitted majors in Med school.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · May 8, 2011

On a percentage basis, it used to be psych majors... Med School can teach you the necessary biology that you'll need. What they want is someone that can think, gets good grades (some evidence of good study habits) and meets the minimum academic requirements, regardless of actual major!

As to a current major while waiting to get into a program at the JC level, pick one. Once you get into the program you'll change your major to one the program has designated. If you're going to a 4 year, they probably have a pre-nursing major or a catch-all generic pre-medical professional major. If you're at a 4 year and you're trying to get into a program and they don't have a pre-nursing option, choose something in an allied health field or biology with an emphasis in public health or something along those lines. Regardless, choose a major that's close to what you want and will give you some good career options should you not be selected or are ineligible for their RN program. OK?