Affording pre-reqs and nursing school

coolpeach · Dec 31, 2008

I am in Dallas, Texas and you can take some of your pre reqs anywhere and have them transfer (biology, A&P 1 & 2, microbiology, etc). There are other pre reqs that are only offered at the campus that the nursing program would be at (End of life issues, medical spanish etc). I think you need to look at your pre reqs and feel free to take the general pre reqs at the campus close to you. If there is a more specialized pre req then take it at the other campus. You should be able to take the course schedule to the advisor at the campus with the nursing program, and have them assure you that the course is transferrable before you take it.

sunray12 · Dec 31, 2008

I would not read that to mean not to take courses at UDC. I think you should take as many of your prereqs where you can get in state tuition and I think this is what a majority of pre-nursing students do.

Most nursing schools will accept courses as long as the school is accredited. Also the classes you take usually have to be an exact match for whatever the nursing school lists in their prereqs, so you have to read course descriptions carefully before you put your time and money into one because you don't want to find out after the fact that your school won't accept them. If a school tells you up front that they won't accept coursework that you've taken from an institution that is accredited, then you probably need to look for another nursing school that wants to work with you.

Also UDC has a nursing school, so you could probably get your entire nursing degree at in state rates if you choose to.

serasarah18 · Jan 1, 2009

Wow that is ridiculous price to pay at a community college. I'm currently in San Diego and it's only 20 dollars a unit. I don't think it matters where you take your prereqs. Just make sure the school is accredited. Online classes would be convenient, but be careful...not all schools will accept online classes especially if you're applying to schools like Hopkins and Georgetown. I think you should give more weight to your previous degree and where you graduated as well as extracurricular activities. I'm also in the same situation. I graduated with a bachelors with a non science degree. I think that's what helped me the most in getting into Hopkins. I didn't even really consider what kind of community college to attend. I was more concerned with grades, volunteer work, and being well rounded. You can also call those schools and ask for their opinion. Hopkins was very helpful and gave a lot of good advice.

caliotter3 · Jan 1, 2009

What guarantee do you have that this woman was giving you an accurate tip? I would go ahead and do what you can afford and what is convenient to you. I've been involved with schooling for years, and have never heard that it mattered where one got their prerequisites unless the school is not accredited or if the courses were too old or did not meet the course description requirements. While it may even be true that preference is given to those who take their prereqs at that school, nothing was said to you that implied there is a guarantee that doing so will get you admitted. Good luck with your future plans. I know how difficult it can be do accomplish anything when you don't have the financial means to do what you desire.

ybq2008 · Jan 2, 2009

Although I'm not that familiar with the area you're attending school in, I just wanted to commiserate and let you know you're not alone.

I'm new to NC (I've lived here for 4 months), and thus an out of state student. I had to charge $2000 in tuition and fees to my credit card in order to finish up prerequisites at the local CC. That's not including books or lab equipment *sigh*

Its a risk, because there's no guarantee that I'll be admitted into Duke this fall, but I'm doing it because I have a good feeling about it all. I could wait until I'm a resident (9/2009) and pay the $40/per credit hour tuition and apply next year. But I felt compelled to do it this year, so I'm listening to my instincts. I figure, God didn't put a price on his investment in me, so why should I? Good luck on whatever you decide! :)

Julie

mina11 · Jan 2, 2009

She was the admissions officer at the school I'm applying to.

mina11 · Jan 2, 2009

What guarantee do you have that this woman was giving you an accurate tip?

She was the admissions officer at one of the schools I mentioned. She absolutely refused to address my question about UDC, only saying in her reply that they felt NVCC best prepared local prospective applicants.

Agrippa · Jan 2, 2009

I think in Maryland community colleges, they offer in county tuition rates to all students who declare that they are going into nursing or any other healthcare field that is considered to have a shortage of workers.

I dont know about what college you were talking to, but for them to "prefer" or steer you to a particular school seems at to be pretty stupid at best, and unethical at worst. I know that JHU and UMD take credits from anywhere as long as it is not one of those scam/unaccredited online schools.

clovermhkm · Jan 6, 2009

As long as the school is accredited there should not be an issue with them accepting your pre reqs and the credits. I'm a transfer to UDC this semester for the RN program and I still need to take 2 more classes before I can apply to their program. So far I have been bumped around by their staff but from what I have heard their program seems to be good and hospitals don't complain about their students so I would imagine their pre reqs can't be that bad. I was at Montgomery College before and I was very satisfied with their classes and teachers but I had to switch to UDC for their RN program becuase MC's program is hard to get into and they have a weird transfer credit acceptance policy.

Just call the department of the class that you want to take at the school you want to to your accel BSN at and make sure you know what the equiv class at UDC is and make sure they accept it.

Good Luck

superramvette · Jan 6, 2009

It may make it harder for you to get in. UTC where I am at even states on their website that they give preference to those who take their pre req's at UTC and not elsewhere. Utc.gov has it listed on their website. Some schools base their points system on classes attended there. UTC and Northwestern tech in GA both give more points to those taking there.

LawyerRN2b · May 12, 2011

I know this thread is old, but I am having the same problem. I need to start my pre reqs in the fall and I am so torn. I am a DC resident (for now) and UDC would be so affordable. However, I certainly don't want to jeopardize my chances at GU or GMU (my two top picks). I actually considered UDC straight through, but I haven't had much luck figuring out the job prospects afterwards. In this economy, I don't want to take any chances.

Also, since the original post two years ago, out of state $ per credit at NVCC is now hovering at $312.00. That is a chunk of change!!! I just don't want admissions to look upon my application poorly b/c I chose the cheaper option. As people may know, UDC has had its problems with accrediation, etc. I'm just at a point where I cannot afford much more in the way of schooling. I have a BA and a law degree. I want to do nursing right.

OP- what did you end up doing if you're still around and willing to share??? Am very curious!