HELP! Classes are expiring!

Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Hi guys, so I'm seeking GENUINE advice....

For the past two years I have been applying to nursing schools around the South Bay. Mainly to LA Harbor, LA Southwest, and Cerritos. My sciences expire this year and once again I didn't get into any of these schools. I can't apply to most colleges because they have a 5 year recency reqmt and this is my 7th year now. I would like to retake them but based on my research, most schools only accept one retake even if it's just for recency. Meaning if I retake all 3, no school will accept me from what I researched.

My question is, should I just go private like west coast university or Stanbridge? Do you guys know anyone who had a good experience because all I see are the horrible posts.

Before anyone asks, the reason it took me so long to apply was because At the time I wanted to pursue other options and also because I had a baby and had a very tough pregnancy/delivery/recovery. Any insight is appreciated.. Thank you for reading til the end.

Sour Lemon

5,016 Posts

Hi guys, so I'm seeking GENUINE advice....

For the past two years I have been applying to nursing schools around the South Bay. Mainly to LA Harbor, LA Southwest, and Cerritos. My sciences expire this year and once again I didn't get into any of these schools. I can't apply to most colleges because they have a 5 year recency reqmt and this is my 7th year now. I would like to retake them but based on my research, most schools only accept one retake even if it's just for recency. Meaning if I retake all 3, no school will accept me from what I researched.

My question is, should I just go private like west coast university or Stanbridge? Do you guys know anyone who had a good experience because all I see are the horrible posts.

Before anyone asks, the reason it took me so long to apply was because At the time I wanted to pursue other options and also because I had a baby and had a very tough pregnancy/delivery/recovery. Any insight is appreciated.. Thank you for reading til the end.

I can think of at least one nurse in LA who went to West Coast and is not completely unhappy. He does have crushing debt, but he's employed as an RN, lives within walking distance of his job, and has several roommates. He's getting by and sees a light at the end of the tunnel. It's not s short tunnel, though. Only you can decide if it's worth it to you.

What I would strongly urge you to consider is the likelihood that you'll make it through the program and actually end up licensed. Paying a small fortune for a degree is one thing, but paying a small fortune and ending up with nothing could be devastating.

If moving is an option, you might have better luck is less saturated areas.

LovingLife123

1,592 Posts

None of us know your grades, the competition, and why you are being rejected. $110k for a degree from West Coast? How does that sound remotely reasonable? How much do you think you will make? Also understand that graduating from a for profit comes with a stigma. And if they aren't accredited, good luck finding a job.

Brittanydlopez

14 Posts

None of us know your grades, the competition, and why you are being rejected. $110k for a degree from West Coast? How does that sound remotely reasonable? How much do you think you will make? Also understand that graduating from a for profit comes with a stigma. And if they aren't accredited, good luck finding a job.

All the schools I mentioned above are lottery based. I haven't been getting in the last two years because of that. I have an overall 3.5 gpa in all my college coursework and a 2.5 gpa in my sciences. From what I know, Cerritos and harbor both had a few hundred applicants but are only accepting about 40 plus a few alternates (I'm not sure how many alternates). I've applied every semester the past two years but the only reason I didn't get in was because I wasn't chosen in the lottery.

I know the risk of going to private that's why I wanted to see if anyone had any good experiences in these private schools. I don't have an option to retake these classes. I was even thinking maybe going the lvn route for now....

Brittanydlopez

14 Posts

I can think of at least one nurse in LA who went to West Coast and is not completely unhappy. He does have crushing debt, but he's employed as an RN, lives within walking distance of his job, and has several roommates. He's getting by and sees a light at the end of the tunnel. It's not s short tunnel, though. Only you can decide if it's worth it to you.

What I would strongly urge you to consider is the likelihood that you'll make it through the program and actually end up licensed. Paying a small fortune for a degree is one thing, but paying a small fortune and ending up with nothing could be devastating.

If moving is an option, you might have better luck is less saturated areas.

Thanks for your response! That's the end goal, to end up licensed. Instead of me going private I just might have to go the lvn route...

Even if admission is based on a lottery, the fact that your courses are five years old and your grades weren't stellar is concerning. How much information do you think you'll have retained? I while talk to someone in admissions about retakes or look to move somewhere less saturated.

Hi there. You may want to recheck w/ each individual school. I have seen some nursing schools where they don't count it against you if you retake a class due to the recency requirement. Now if you take it again due to a bad grade and not the recency requirement, then they might count it against you. I have to retake Chemistry again because I took it more 7 years ago. Hate chemistry, but I have to do what I have to do. The school I'm planning on applying to doesn't count it against me.

BTW, if you want to retake at a community college, I'd suggest going to the Counselor at the community college you want to retake at. I know, some community colleges do let you retake classes (even if it's one you already attended) BUT you have to prove that you need to retake it due to a recency requirement. For example, just bring in the application requirements and some document showing the program you intend on applying to with you when you go into a counselor to show them your prerequisites are past the acceptance date.

Good luck!

Specializes in Psychiatry.

There are people that apply to both the LVN and RN program and get in where they can and bridge right after.

My suggestion to you is this: don't retake any more classes. That's more time and money you'll be wasting.

Don't go to a private BSN school like west coast. The debt is ridiculous and not worth it in my opinion. With your prerequisites, you'll be paying $90k. Financial aid doesn't go too far with them and eventually, you'll have to make ridiculous monthly payments. They typically won't tell you this because they want you in.

I would recommend a private LVN program because it's cheaper and paying it off is more realistic. Also, you can do a bridge program for an ADN or get a BSN right after.

You might need pharmacology for the LVN program, and if you haven't gotten your CNA license, I suggest you do both this summer.

broughden

560 Posts

a 2.5 gpa in my sciences.

In your pre-reqs?

Every school in my area requires a minimum of 3.0 in pre-reqs and thats just to qualify. You wont actually get in with that GPA.

Your options are retake your pre-reqs or go the for profit/private route. Thats it.

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