TCC - Tarrant County College - Questions!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Specializes in Operating Room.

Katydidit34, or other Tarrant County College students:

I just looked at the TCC Nursing website again. Now I have chemistry 1411 (will be completed as of Wednesday!) (10-19)

I know they only require 1406, so I will have to contact them to see if that is acceptable. 1411 is a higher level than the 1406, so it should be ok. (At least, I hope it is!) I also will have to take the PHED class (unless my 4 P.E. credits will be enough...yeah right..lol) I can take it during the spring, but of course it won't get counted on the application.

So, if I apply for Fall '06 there, what would be my chances, just from your opinion, without having the PHED class yet? Do I have to have that completed before applying?

I could possibly take the non-credit Intro to Health Professions class and possibly the Medical Terminology too, but I didn't see where the Dimensions Analysis was available between now and Feb 28th.

I'll give it a try...It would be cheaper now that I live in Tarrant County, that's for sure! (Now that I think about it, being able to do clinicals over here would be cheaper as well!) :rolleyes:

So, from your opinion or knowledge, do most people have ALL of their classes completed before applying? Do most of the people have those 3 extra non-credit classes completed too?

Depending on what I make on my Music Appreciation class that starts next week, I will still have at least 1 B going in (Composition II). :uhoh3: All of my other classes are A's, including all of the sciences.

I've never been to any other college except a DCCCD campus. I don't even know where to begin. I know I will have to have the classes reviewed, so I am going to call them tomorrow & ask about the chem & the course descriptions.

It doesn't matter when you apply as long as it is within the filing period, correct? (Not a first come, more points-type situation?)

....and of course, another entrance exam...lol Can you tell me anything about the Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC examination exam?

Thanks for your help!!! Sorry this is so long!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Out of ALL the colleges I went to (and there are SEVEN!) I must say that Tarrant Co was probably the best of all of them. I have friends who went through their program, and they are well respected and turn out excellent graduates!

The instructors actually cared wether you passed or not and were willing to take the time to work with you. You don't find that everywhere you go.

One thing I do wonder though - would it be too hard to retake the comp class just so that you can have an A on it? Just something to consider.

Also - how much longer do you have to go to finish up pre-reqs for the BSN? What if you just set your sights on that for next fall or the following spring at UTA? I know a University is 3 to 4 times as expensive, but you get 6 to 8 times the financial aid too.

Also - Texas health Resources will PAY for your school and books - up to about 7500 a year as I understand it. Maybe you could work at Arlington Memorial or Harris to accomplish that? You have to aggree to work for them afterwards but it isn't that long!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

I received a scholarship from HCA. It won't cover the full amount.

Personally, I am tired of wasting money to retake classes. If I have to retake a class, why not retake Algebra for DCCCD (where I have always attended)? The more classes I retake, the more that is taken away from the scholarship amount. I'm going to end up at the last semester with out any money to cover it.

As for UTA, I have 4 more core classes for the RN-BSN, However, if I just go straight for my BSN, I would have those 4 classes, plus 3 other nursing-type courses (pharmacology, etc.).

I truely believe there is a way I'm suppose to go about this, apparently I haven't figured it out yet. :rolleyes:

Thanks for your response! :) I think I'm going to call UTA today as well. I had been accepted to go there when I graduated, but I couldn't afford it. :( (Probably wasn't mature enough to handle it anyway.) lol

Out of ALL the colleges I went to (and there are SEVEN!) I must say that Tarrant Co was probably the best of all of them. I have friends who went through their program, and they are well respected and turn out excellent graduates!

The instructors actually cared wether you passed or not and were willing to take the time to work with you. You don't find that everywhere you go.

One thing I do wonder though - would it be too hard to retake the comp class just so that you can have an A on it? Just something to consider.

Also - how much longer do you have to go to finish up pre-reqs for the BSN? What if you just set your sights on that for next fall or the following spring at UTA? I know a University is 3 to 4 times as expensive, but you get 6 to 8 times the financial aid too.

Also - Texas health Resources will PAY for your school and books - up to about 7500 a year as I understand it. Maybe you could work at Arlington Memorial or Harris to accomplish that? You have to aggree to work for them afterwards but it isn't that long!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

See....

in my experience (myself and 4 kids - 2 of the kids were at community college now 3 are at universities)

The scholarship is a great thing - however in the community college world, you get about 2400 a year in finaincial aid. Once you pay your tuition and fees, that leaves you 1200 to spend on books or so and almost nothing to help you pay for gas, childcare, etc. That scholarship wipes out some of your eligibility for financial aid at the community college level. At least that has been the case with my kids.

At a University - you would likely qualify (avg midddle income family is what Im sort of basing this on) for about 12 to 18k a year in a combination of grants, loans and other funds. That HCA scholarship would wipe out 2k of it (or however much the scholarship was) You pay tuition and buy books and you STILL have about 8 k to help you with all the rest of the expenses like getting there, clinicals, living expenses, equipment etc.

DON"T be afraid to take out student loans - let me explain why -

For nursing - you can get some hospitals to pay them off for you in the form of a sign on bonus, you can pay them off each year when you get your tuition reimbursement from an employer if you are working while in school AND there are MANY loan repay programs for nurses through hinson-hazlewood and the US government.

I figure its going to take me 1 year to pay off my 50k or so in loans I have taken out for Grad School. For a BS you might be 20 k in debt by the time you finish, but you will earn 50-60k that first year out at a minimum. Run the numbers, but you are investing in YOURSELF. Don't limit yourself to what you think you can afford, go and have a sit down with the FAO at a University and take your FAFSA and associated info with you. You won't know until you ask.

While the scholarship you got is a good thing - you don't want to let it limit you either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

As for private Universities like TCU - they have LOTS more scholarships and the Texas tuition equalization grant to level things out money wise - so don't rule that out either.

You don't know where you stand until you apply and apply for financial aid and let them offer you a package - then you call them and tell them you need more money and ask them to see what they can do. My sons FA package went from 2800 a year to 17k a year JUST BY ASKING!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm so excited that you are considering TCC!! First, let me say that I LOVE IT!! Ok, now for the details. LOL!!

First, probably the most important consideration is going to be that chemistry class. Does it have an organic component to it? Chem 1406 includes general, organic, and biochem. They will usually accept other chem classes as long as they have some organic involved. Secondly, I would go ahead and apply without the P.E. I'm pretty sure that it's not included in the over all points. I don't think they count the p.e. or the humanities elective. They want them done, but they aren't counted in the points. Your science classes are given more weight so if you've got all A's in those, that is fantastic!! The TEAS test has a study guide that is literally exactly like the test. Study the guide and you'll do fine. The biggest problem is that the deadline for application for the spring has already passed. The Fall applications will be available in January and you also take the TEAS between Jan and Feb. Definitely call and talk to the department secretary. She can answer most questions but if she can't answer all of them you may want to make an appointment to see the nursing advisor there, who by the way is a HOOT!! Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm sure I've left something out. :)

Love,

Katy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

When I went to TCC - if you over a certain age you didnt have to take PE

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Funnie,

If I don't get in I am just going to go the BSN route.

I hope TCC or UTA works out. You will be a credit to any school you attend.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have never heard that about the p.e. but it's certainly worth asking about.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.
I have never heard that about the p.e. but it's certainly worth asking about.

That's how it used to be with the BSN that I originally planned on getting. However, I wasn't old enough at that time. So, I have 4 P.E. credits. lol

Of course now, with UTA's BSN, the P.E. requirements have been removed. :uhoh3:

SUNNYJOHN! Thank you, and you too! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wonder it you can CLEP out of PE?

Perhaps 10 toe touches and a handful of jumping jacks?

:p

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

Sounds like MY kind of PE class!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment