Any College of Dupage nursing students out there? Or hopefuls?

rocky410 · Mar 6, 2011

Guess I am just wondering if I missed out when not applying this year. My GPA was lowered due to illness a year and a half ago and some bad decision making for not dropping a couple classes which resulted in F's. Since then I have raised my GPA and retaken those courses. To be honest though, I really kind of gave up on COD because of the impossible admissions process and what I have heard from others about it being crazy competive and only accepting people with straight A's. I suppose I will try for next year but really have my eye on going to Waubonsee because they are less expensive and have an easier admissions process from what I hear from my friends who attend there. What is your take on COD admissions this year? It seems like all of you were so easily accepted! Congrats as well.

Napermom · Mar 6, 2011

Hi Rocky, It is pretty competitive. I wouldn't say we were "so easily accepted" though.....I have a 4.0 and worked super hard for that because I knew how competitive it is. I also had all my pre-reqs & gen eds done (except micro, which I'm in now). I also studies very hard for the Pax test to do my best. So, with alot of hard work, it is possible to get accepted, but it's not easy.

erinkcodadn · Mar 6, 2011

I did get in and I actually do not have a stellar GPA. I was a C student when I first started going to school. I had to retake Anatomy 1, got an A, A in Nutrition, and CNA, as well as my math courses. I only have a 3.2 GPA, however, I studied VERY hard for my PAX and scored an overal 96. You can get it in. You just have to show that you are able to remediate, get the A's, and will be a serious student.

christine826 · Mar 6, 2011

i just received my letter yesterday. i am on the alternate list. i was wondering how everyones' scores compared to mine. i have a 3.9 GPA. I have completed all of the classes except nutrition, speech, and microbiology (i am currently taking the CNA course and A&P II). I also got a 117 (77th percentile) on the PAX (not that great of a score). I do not have a degree.

I worked really hard to get in and hope I will get taken off the alternate list and accepted into the program.

thanks for everyones' help.

rocky410 · Mar 7, 2011

Napermom:Thanks for replying, I didn't mean to say that you got in easily as if you didn't work hard. It just seemed like you all got in right away. I know everyone must work hard to get in, nursing is one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers. Even working as a tech in a hospital, it is fast paced, non stop action for 12 hours straight, but I love it :)

Erinkcodadn: that really gives me some hope. everyone who has made mistakes in the past should not be penalized, its good that you were able to raise your GPA and congrats on getting in! I know PAX is huge now in placement... I'm studying for it I bought the NLN PAX study guide. What did you think helped most? I am most nervous for the physics and math portions.

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

Do any of you accepted mind sharing what your points were in the cod system? I'm just curious to see where I stand.

Hi Rocky.

I received 4 points for the PAX (99th percentile composite score)

13 points for GPA (over 3.9, not quite 4.0)

9 points for 8 completed classes

and 1 point for a bachelor's degree.

I don't think anyone could receive more than 27.5 points, per the posted rubric.

My total was 27.

ETA: I believe Dr. Gukenberger posted the llink below to the rubric used to determine applicants' scores.

http://home.cod.edu/Media/Website%20Resources/pdf/academics/programs/nursing/rankscore.pdf

Napermom · Mar 7, 2011

Thanks Rocky. I think that having all classes (you can have one left and still get the full points on the admissions rubric), and the PAX score is super important. I scored in the 93 percentile overall. I was nervous about the math test, but it was pretty easy....and math is NOT my thing. The math class (for health sciences) I took helped me a ton. I was suprised at how difficult the science section was. There was a lot of chemistry and a lot of physics. Way more questions on that than on biology or A&P which I thought was odd.

Bethanyw · Mar 7, 2011

I scored 26 points on the rubric.

4 points for PAX (99th percentile composite)

13 for GPA (4.0)

9 points for 8 completed course

0 points for completed degrees

I went to college several years ago, but was unable to finish, for personal reasons. I do have almost enough courses though that transferred that I'll probably be able to graduate with 2 associates degrees in 2013.

Good luck to you! You never know if you don't try!

Bethanyw · Mar 7, 2011

I read that study guide from cover to cover. I think that last 2 weeks before I took the test, I did nothing but practice questions for this exam. It's not impossible, but you do have to be able to answer the questions rather quickly, because your time is so limited.

chicagoing, ADN, RN · Mar 7, 2011

Yes, don't let yourself run out of time. If anything, use the practice guide to take timed tests with the understanding that each section on the actual PAX exam will contain ~ 33% more questions than the study guide (I don't feel like looking this up so please correct me if I'm wrong).

There is no penalty for "guessing" answers to questions, so if you don't know an answer, try to make your best educated guess!

ChiTownHopeful · Mar 7, 2011

Here is how my scores calculated:

I had A's in both AP1 & Chemistry

75th percentile for the PAX (1 Point)

GPA was 3.8 (12 Points)

8 Gen Ed classes completed (9 Points)

Prev Associate Degree (0.5 Points)

22.5 Points total. I also applied last year but didn't make it in...not even the alternate list. The PAX is an evil, evil test (in my opinion) and it was what held me back last year.

I know someone a few pages back asked about the Spring class...I will try to get into that one as well.

td1973 · Mar 7, 2011

For anyone who is trying to get into the Nursing program...I feel your stress. Do not let anyone tell you, that you need to have a 4.0, or you need to have above average PAX score. Those two things will help "increase" your chances, but DO NOT count yourself out of the game. I am proud to say I made it into the program, first time around and did not have the strongest application (all classes done and 23 pts) I did not score high on the PAX so I know it helped that I had all of my classes done. Some people might not want to put that out there, but I cannot tell you how many times I have gone onto this forum over the past year, searching, searching, stressing on whether or not I have what it takes to qualify. I spent a lot of time doubting myself. My advice to you is to work real hard, do the best you can, talk to an advisor on how to strengthen your application, and you may not get in the first year, but if you are passionate about becoming a Nurse DONT GIVE UP!