Frustrated with the Admission Process

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

I guess I just need to express my exasperation.

My college in Austin goes by the point system for admissions. I currently have completed 5/5 pre-reqs and 4/5 co-reqs with a 4.0 GPA across the board. I passed my HESI A2 exam with a 94.82% and got 940 on the critical thinking. Due to the process, I will apply come July 1st with 51 points for Spring '15. Unless there is a miracle or some type of divine intervention, I will not get in.

Yes, I get it that the demand is high. I know the program is supposed to be one of the best in the area and worth the wait. Last semester they accepted 100-ish students and the lowest points accepted was 59. They tell you that in order to even be competitive, you need a 3.8 GPA. I disagree. I think you just need to wait long enough.

I think what bothers me is that despite all of my hard work, I'm simply a number. People who have waited longer with a 2.7 GPA and lower test scores, can and will get in before I will - because they've waited. It makes me feel like I worked my tail off to just wait. Next application period in the fall, I'll have 61 points, but that still may not be enough, because every semester they are tightening the process: accepting less students and requiring more points. And of course, the program is changing and while the wait from app to begin is now 9 months, it's going to 12 months after the July application period.

Maybe I should apply to some other programs? At this rate, if I'm lucky and get it on the second app process, I'll start Fall of '15 and could graduate with my ADN in Fall '16. I only need 3 semesters to finish the degree because I've completed so much already.

I've waited my entire life to be a nurse. I've wanted this since I was 4 years old. I put my life on hold to raise a family, and now I'm 43 and finally living my dream. I know another year isn't much.. but it feels like a lifetime. I'm registered this fall for core classes (to eventually complete my BSN) while I wait. Bring on the government classes! (sarcasm):no:

Thanks for listening. I know this is a process. I need to be patient, but at times it's hard to see people getting in all around me, while my 4.0 GPA gets to sit and wait.

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

Ahhhhhhh, what an awful position to be in. With those scores you would naturally assume that you would be near the top of the list! I hear your frustration and yes you should vent a little. If you voice your frustrations they won’t build up inside you and tear you apart. The key is not to fixate on them and essentially wreck your attitude.

If you were in my area, those scores would guarantee you a spot. Hell, you would have probably been just ahead of me and I was the top of my graduating class. Our point system worked little different but for the most part it was similar. The demand for nursing school must be really high there. Maybe you should look at different programs, wouldn’t hurt to just look.

Right now you are just assuming that you won’t get in now with 51 points, but it isn’t official yet. Stay positive and deal with whatever happens. I know you want to start now cause being near the middle of the age curve puts stress on you (I know because I was the same age as you when I started), but know that when you do get in you will have a big advantage. Why? Life experience. I feel I did so well because I have done so much. I would bet you would be in the same situation. Raised kids, experienced so much of what the world has to offer, and having the maturity that comes with age to buckle down and study as well as staying clear of the drama…

So take this time to vent, it is deserved. Watch what happens and position yourself to succeed and it will happen. Maybe not as soon as you want, but it will happen. Good luck and let us know what transpires.

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Specializes in ICU.

I guess I am not understanding. Why would you not get in with those scores? Why would people with lower scores get in ahead of you. Do you just apply and get put on a list and then they say in so many years you can have a spot. Also, their nursing program is only a year? I thought all ADN programs were 2 years. I start this fall with a graduation date of May 2016. If they just do a wait list, I would most certainly apply elsewhere. My school does a points system but those with the highest scores always get in. There is no wait list. I would apply to as many schools as possible. I am 38 and going into the program this fall. I have wanted to pursue this for a long time and I wouldn't let that long of a wait hold me back.

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I guess I am not understanding. Why would you not get in with those scores? Why would people with lower scores get in ahead of you. Do you just apply and get put on a list and then they say in so many years you can have a spot. Also, their nursing program is only a year? I thought all ADN programs were 2 years. I start this fall with a graduation date of May 2016. If they just do a wait list, I would most certainly apply elsewhere. My school does a points system but those with the highest scores always get in. There is no wait list. I would apply to as many schools as possible. I am 38 and going into the program this fall. I have wanted to pursue this for a long time and I wouldn't let that long of a wait hold me back.

It's hard to understand, but here is how it works in a nutshell. Our program has 200-250 applicants each period. They take approx 100. Those who don't get in, reapply and get 5 more points added to their score for every time they have to reapply. So the baseline, where we all start is Nursing GPA x the number of pre-reqs/co-reqs taken, plus points for HESI (90-100% gets 10 points. 80-89% gets 7, and so on) Plus one point for orientation, and 5 points for application. That effectively puts me at

9 classes x 4.0GPA = 36

HESI 94.8% = 10

Orientation = 1

Application = 5

For a total of 52 points. I mistyped above when I said 51. I was so frustrated. It will be 52.

There are people who have applied 2 and 3 times, maybe even 4 times.. who could have as much as 15 or more points more than I will because I still have one co-req that I'm completing this coming fall. They will get in before I do even if their GPA or test scores were lower, simply because they had to wait and reapply - giving them extra points for the wait. Last application period, the lowest points accepted into the program was 59. Everyone else was above that. I'll just be a number.

Our ADN program is 4 semesters. I've completed enough co-reqs already that I'll be down to 3 semesters when I start. I can do that in a year, going over the summer. Which is what I intend to do.

That being said, I have decided to apply to every school within a reasonable distance. I just have such a difficult time accepting that a C student can get in before a 4.0 GPA, just because they waited longer.

I'm going to stay positive because I know that I've worked my tail off. If anyone has earned a spot, I believe that I have. I'm not an arrogant person, but hard work should always pay off, whether it be at this college, or somewhere else. I'm not going to let anything stand in the way, if I can help it!

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Ahhhhhhh, what an awful position to be in. With those scores you would naturally assume that you would be near the top of the list! I hear your frustration and yes you should vent a little. If you voice your frustrations they won’t build up inside you and tear you apart. The key is not to fixate on them and essentially wreck your attitude.

If you were in my area, those scores would guarantee you a spot. Hell, you would have probably been just ahead of me and I was the top of my graduating class. Our point system worked little different but for the most part it was similar. The demand for nursing school must be really high there. Maybe you should look at different programs, wouldn’t hurt to just look.

Right now you are just assuming that you won’t get in now with 51 points, but it isn’t official yet. Stay positive and deal with whatever happens. I know you want to start now cause being near the middle of the age curve puts stress on you (I know because I was the same age as you when I started), but know that when you do get in you will have a big advantage. Why? Life experience. I feel I did so well because I have done so much. I would bet you would be in the same situation. Raised kids, experienced so much of what the world has to offer, and having the maturity that comes with age to buckle down and study as well as staying clear of the drama…

So take this time to vent, it is deserved. Watch what happens and position yourself to succeed and it will happen. Maybe not as soon as you want, but it will happen. Good luck and let us know what transpires.

Thank you.. really. I know you're right. I'm typically not like this but the frustration was eating me alive and I felt better just to get that out in the open.

Nothing will get in my way. I appreciate you telling me that it's okay to feel the way I do, and to vent. It's nice for someone to understand. I almost feel selfish and/or arrogant because I feel like I should be accepted. I feel that the top students should always get in first. There really aren't many 4.0 students.. and definitely not 100 of them applying. So other students could get in. Or at least give 4.0 students some kind of point boost for the hard work. That, I could accept too.

So for me, I've decided to apply to other local colleges and try to get in somewhere. I'm sure things will work out as they are meant to. Possibly I could just stand to learn some patience. That in itself is a lesson. :)

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How many points given for hardship, community giving, and life experience?

Seen this broken down by point count on some colleges. Wondering if unwritten process at others.

Good luck

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Wow. I don't see how that makes a program strong. Basically letting anyone sit around and build enough points to get in. It says just be patient and you too shall get in. Not that you have to work hard to be accepted. I would be willing to bet they lose a lot of students that first semester. The lowest GPA that got in my program was a 3.5 and we still lost 10 of 60 that first semester.

I would definitely look at other options. Hopefully the schools there are different than here because the application cycles here end in April for fall.

Good luck and it's ok to vent and be frustrated good luck on your journey!

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That's a really awful system. It might not be as bad if they would give the students that reapply just 1 point, but 5 points for that scale is too high. I'm sorry! So glad you're finally making this all happen for you though! That's wonderful :)

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How many points given for hardship, community giving, and life experience?

Seen this broken down by point count on some colleges. Wondering if unwritten process at others.

Good luck

Yeah.. that would be really nice if they did that. I'd be racking them up like crazy! :roflmao:

Thanks to all for the support!

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Wow, I am sorry! That is a terrible system! I would probably apply to other programs around my area as well as that one. Just make sure their NCLEX pass rate is sufficient.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

It is a difficult position, but I fail to see why 'hardship' should give anyone an advantage. Everyone has to meet the same outcomes. Anyone who gains admission due to some sort of emotional appeal rather than actually meeting requirements will be at a significant academic disadvantage - as well as taking the place of a fully-qualified student.

Schools are trying their best to figure out how to maintain equitability. Some are just better than others. Most programs in my neck of the woods have no 'waiting list' & they don't give any consideration for previous attempts. They clear out the applicant pool and start fresh each time. Potential students just have to keep applying and hope that they place high enough in the applicant pool.

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It is a difficult position, but I fail to see why 'hardship' should give anyone an advantage. Everyone has to meet the same outcomes. Anyone who gains admission due to some sort of emotional appeal rather than actually meeting requirements will be at a significant academic disadvantage - as well as taking the place of a fully-qualified student.

Schools are trying their best to figure out how to maintain equitability. Some are just better than others. Most programs in my neck of the woods have no 'waiting list' & they don't give any consideration for previous attempts. They clear out the applicant pool and start fresh each time. Potential students just have to keep applying and hope that they place high enough in the applicant pool.

Life's full of inequality. A hardship is a disadvantage. The school is attempting to equalize the hardship. Handicapped parking is not rewarding people, it is equalizing the disadvantage of being handicapped. You have a football player who can't read & write well and gets full scholarship, while another individual just misses the SAT cutoff for admissions.

The two I've seen are only about 7 points given, but can bump up to another TEAS test score level.

http://www.hartnell.edu/nursingandalliedhealth/documents/NRN%20Selction%20Criteria%202015.pdf

http://www.miracosta.edu/instruction/nursing/downloads/Pointsrev9.1.13.pdf

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