Will I get into Chamberlain?

Stephalump · Mar 10, 2013

I'm pretty sure Chamberlain is one of the least competitive programs out there (it's for-profit and expensive and a devry school). As the joke goes...all you have to do to get in is open the door :)

I'm exaggerating a bit, but I think you should be fine. Just focus on whatever entrance test they require, wave some money at them, and you should be gravy.

zoe92 · Mar 11, 2013

As Stephalump (pretty much) says, Chamberlain is a money oriented school. Getting in is usually pretty easy because most nursing students will not want to pay their expensive tuition. Just make sure nurses graduating from the program are getting hired in your area.

HusainW · Mar 11, 2013

Awesome! Would you recommend I get CNA certified this summer as well?

maddiem · Mar 11, 2013

I'm applying to Chamberlain for the fall. I graduated high school in 2010. I decided to go to community college first because it was going to save me a ton of money! Chamberlain is a for profit school which means they are VERY expensive...Before you start the nursing curriculum you must complete prerequisite courses which can be done at a community college at over half the price. Plus, I really do think you should experience college at a normal pace before entering into an accelerated program. Especially since you are going to be fresh out of high school. It gives you the opportunity to experience college classes for the first time without the added stress of being in a fast pace course. Chamberlain runs 8 week sessions instead of the traditional 16 weeks. The majority of chamberlain students transfer in from community colleges. Also, you must take the HESI A2 admissions exam as part of your application. You will only know a very small amount of the information on that test for the science portion...they include anatomy and physiology on the exam and most applicants have already taken their anatomy and physiology 1 & 2 courses. I would strongly urge you to go to community college first and then transfer into Chamberlain. It will be the best option financially and for the sake of your education - college classes are very different from high school and doing them at an accelerated can be frustrating if you have never done them before. Talk to a admissions advisor at Chamberlain and they can help you find classes at your community college that transfer to Chamberlain.

If would be a great idea to shadow a nurse first and then if you like it become a CNA. It would be a great experience for you.

Also, Chamberlain is becoming more competitive. I'm going to be attending the one in Addison, IL. And they told us the standards are getting higher because thy have more applicants. But compared to other BSN programs they are slightly less competitive because they can accept more people. Good luck!

meeep, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2013

I would also make sure that the credits are transferrable if your goal is to go on to get your NP. IMO you're better off going to a regular BSN program, but that's just me.

zoe92 · Mar 11, 2013

If you want to get your CNA, go for it. It'll only benefit you. But I do agree with meep, look into other BSN programs too. Chamberlain may have a shorter program but I think they are WAY overpriced for the quality of education you receive there.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 11, 2013

Is there a reason that you all are choosing to attend an extremely expensive commercial school rather than a traditional (not for profit) nursing program? I'm just curious. You will be paying a LOT more for the same degree. PP is correct - Chamberlain is actually an arm of DeVry - a very commercial, for-profit tech school. Make sure that you are clear on the actual length of the program. That 'short' program may just include the clinical classes... and not all the pre-requisites.

Meeep is correct - if your ultimate goal includes graduate school, you would be much better off selecting a traditional nursing program. This will provide a much better impression to the graduate school's admission committee.

jesssssica · Mar 5, 2015

I am a current student at Chamberlain. Before I started, I was lost and had so many questions. I would like to clear some things up for those still confused. Chamberlain is an easier program to get into because there is no "waiting list" classes start in the spring, summer, and fall. This however doesn't mean everyone is accepted. Chamberlain requires for the BSN program a high school cumulative GPA of 2.75 or GED of 551. College GPA of 2.75 must have at least 24 credit hours. You also must have a ACT composite score of at least 21 or a SAT score of at least 990. You also need to complete the entrance A2 Admission Assessment or HESI with a combined score of at least 75 (which isn't easy that easy to get, especially if you haven't had college experience) The HESI has 7 sections. Reading, grammar, vocabulary, biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology and math (which you cannot use a calculator in) You are able to take this exam twice. If you meet all of these requirements, you also need to have the funds for this. The BSN program costs about $90,000. Before you can even become a student, you need to meet with a financial advisor to make sure you can cover these funds, whether it is out of pocket, through scholarships/grants or through loans. As for the people asking why pay all of this money instead of going the traditional route? 1.) Chamberlain's education is the same education you would receive going through the "traditional route" it is just accelerated meaning you graduate sooner. 2.) Because it is accelerated, you graduate in 3 years instead of 4 years. 3.) There is no waiting list to be accepted into a nursing program, you are guaranteed as soon as you become a student. As for taking classes at a community college to cut down on costs, I find this to be a good idea. Many of my classmates have transferred to Chamberlain with credits from their previous college to cut back on costs. Chamberlain accepts a lot of credits but I'd check with them before taking a class at a community college just to make sure it will transfer. For the people deciding whether or not to get their CNA first, through the classes you will take at Chamberlain, you will be able to get your CNA. You typically take 3 classes at a time, every 8 weeks. All of your prerequisites will be through DeVry and all of your nursing courses will be through Chamberlain. You have to get most of your prerequisites out of the way before starting nursing classes. I personally am happy I made the choice to attend. Yes, they are very expensive, but it will be worth every single penny. The class sizes are small (typically about 20 students) which gives the professors more time to work with you individually. They try to get you to work in groups every chance they get, which is a very helpful skill to have in nursing. My professors, and everyone I have worked with have been so welcoming and friendly. Chamberlain has gone above and beyond with making sure I understand what I am doing. The faculty is so willing to help (unlike other colleges I've attended) You can tell they really want you to succeed. If you are hesitant, call up local hospitals in the area and see if they are familiar with Chamberlain students. Your clinicals are at local hospitals in the area so Chamberlain students do earn a reputation. It is a very tough program. The workload is very heavy and challenging and you WILL need to give up things in your life to make time for the work. You have to be really dedicated to succeed in this program. You only get 2 breaks a year (2 weeks for winter break and 1 week for spring break) That's it! There is no break in-between sessions (one ends on Friday the next one starts the following Monday) so you have to be dedicated.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me. I found it frustrating when I was first starting because there wasn't that much information present to non-students but I'd love to help. :)

elkpark · Mar 5, 2015

Chamberlain will take anyone with "a pulse and a checkbook," as the old saying goes. No worries about getting accepted, as long as you're willing to pay their outrageous tuition.

MarquieshaH · Apr 16, 2015

As far as being able to show proof of how you will be paying for college, can you really take out loans equaling that much? I'm sure some costs I can do out of pocket and I will be using financial aid as well, but I want to go there because I've been studying for the Hesi and I am going to my local community college to take my pre reqs. I didn't take the ACT but on their website it says transfer students can either have the ACT and SAT scores or score high on the Hesi A2 exam which I plan to. It's accredited which I love and I am 21 now and want to work as soon as possible so the 3 year program is nice. How are you liking it so far?

mdiane · Sep 30, 2015

Hi Jessica thank you for clearing everything up! I'm looking into chamberlain and was nervous as to what to do. How are you liking it?!