High School Student who needs advice :)

Mommaof3 · Apr 2, 2010

If you are eligible, take some concurrent classes that you will need to satisfy your pre-requisites. I'm not familiar with those particular schools, however; look at their websites and see what classes are required (most require certain classes be complete prior to actually entering the nursing program). There is also usually an application process--figure out what they use to determine acceptance and work towards those goals, thats really all you can do at this point, which would take you far in accomplishing your mission! Good luck.

SurgicalNP · Apr 15, 2010

Volunteer! Also, take courses in your hs like chemistry that will prepare you for pre-reqs to these schools.

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Apr 15, 2010

My daughter is a Junior and started taking her pre-reqs for nursing school this semester. She had to take the placement test and get into the necessary classes (remedial classes were not good enough) first. We talked with her guidance counselor who set us up to meet with the college HS liaison to register and sign all the necessary papers. All her tuition and books are covered by her school, which may or may not be the case with yours, schools vary.

I would do two things; talk to your school guidance counselor but also check out your local CC, it's better to have duplicate information that not enough. A big priority should be your GPA. My daughter and I discussed it that she will only take classes part time so she can maintain a high GPA. She'll graduate with her Associates in Science degree at the same time she graduates HS.

You're being smart to plan ahead - good luck!

Shiningstar05 · Apr 15, 2010

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and some other affiliated hospitals with Emory have "Volunteen" programs for the summer (for ages 15-18). Get as much volunteer opportunities and community service as possible. It will not only look great on your resume' for Emory's application process, but you will also gain a beneficial experience in a hospital and patient setting. Georgia State is a little bit more competitive as far as GPA goes (because the tuition costs less and is public), however, Emory is private and more expensive. So, make sure you stay on top of your classes to receive the best possible GPA (for admission and scholarships), and if possible, take AP classes. Do well in your math and science courses, especially. Prepare for you SATs if you haven't already. You want to stand out as much as possible. Check with the college websites to see when they have visiting events to get more information on what the program and school is like. You will have to take about 2 years of undergraduate courses before you apply to the actual nursing program so don't worry so soon. Once you graduate HS and get into college, that is when you really want to focus on your GPA and courses for your freshman and sophmore years. Good luck!

SingDanceRunLife · Apr 15, 2010

I see that those programs are not direct entry (you have to take the 2 years of prereqs and gened first)...so my biggest suggestion is to look into other schools that are direct entry (if you apply for nursing and get into the school, you get into nursing). When you do 2+2 programs rather than 0-4 ones, it's much more of a gamble. The competition is much tougher for 2+2 programs because there are people who are applying both internally and externally whereas with 0-4 programs you know if you're in right away.

I'm finishing up my freshman year at a college with a direct entry program, and I'm so glad I chose that! My dream school had a 2+2 program, and I found out that only 44% of internal applicants were admitted to the nursing program each year, and that was way more of a gamble than I willing to make.

The other thing about direct entry programs is that you'll get into nursing sooner. Many start nursing classes freshman year and clinicals sophomore year. With 2+2 programs, you're sure to not start nursing classes or clinicals until your junior year.

If you need any more advice, feel free to message me. I'm not too far removed from your situation so I can give you a better perspective on college admissions straight from high school than most of the other members on the site.