Apollo College Associates Degree Program

Calzonan RN · Nov 15, 2009

I've seen this argument over the years that I've been posting on this board. I personally think Apollo is a waste of money. You caN get an ADN from a CC for around $6000 and if you work it the right way, you won't have the huge wait that most people have. OR you can go to a 4 yr college and get a BSN for around the same cost as Apollo (maybe even less expense). There are ways to get into the 4 yr colleges without a huge wait and you'll have a BSN when you're finished, just one step ahead of everyone else. Where I work they won't hire Apollo grads. People who graduate from Apollo think that it has a good reputation, but it really doesn't. I've asked around (my friend is considering going there) and the consensus among the RN's I work with is that the school really isn't that good. Sure you may be able to pass the NCLEX but as a new hire skills are really important too. JMHO

kf15 · Nov 17, 2009

I find it hard to believe that a school's reputation is more important during hiring than the totality of the Rn graduate sitting in the chair. While Apollo may have a less than stellar rep in the Phx area, my potential initial employer and I were too busy during our interview discussing my skills and experience and what I could do for them, than what school I had attended in order to get to, and pass, Nclex. Besides you'd be amazed at how many people don't even care where you went, it's easy enough to tell the intelligence and competence level of the grad by speaking w/ them, and not by those who taught the classes.

The pgm there has become seriously overpriced, as have all private 2 yr schools, so I got mine quite "cheaper" but I got into the market just before the hiring crash, so I have to say that it was well worth the $$ to not still be sitting on wait lists..... I've heard that most CCs now reqire CNA before you can get into the Rn pgm, so yet another span of time tossed onto the wait list.

Personally I would not waste my time on a BSN if I planned to stay in AZ; but w/ employment outlook dropping still, 1 has to weigh spending more $$ vs waiting to get into the field, where experience is far more imp than anything.

I've seen this argument over the years that I've been posting on this board. I personally think Apollo is a waste of money. You caN get an ADN from a CC for around $6000 and if you work it the right way, you won't have the huge wait that most people have. OR you can go to a 4 yr college and get a BSN for around the same cost as Apollo (maybe even less expense). There are ways to get into the 4 yr colleges without a huge wait and you'll have a BSN when you're finished, just one step ahead of everyone else. Where I work they won't hire Apollo grads. People who graduate from Apollo think that it has a good reputation, but it really doesn't. I've asked around (my friend is considering going there) and the consensus among the RN's I work with is that the school really isn't that good. Sure you may be able to pass the NCLEX but as a new hire skills are really important too. JMHO

JenMorales · Nov 29, 2009

WOW! Ignorance is abundant. There are many things I would like to address in this thread but first and formost...

If you are worried about accreditation contact the nursing board that regulates the NCLEX and find out if Apollo is accredited. As long as you can sit for the NCLEX, other accreditations are moot. Apollo is not a bad school and yes there are several other private school options out there. There's Everest, which I've heard has a worse reputation than Apollo and there's Chamberlain college of Nursing which is actually a 3 year BSN program. If you can spare an additional year, I recommend them.

Apollo is owned by Devry so you can attend any RN to BSN program at a devry school including Chamberlain, which has an online RN to BSN program, as well as University of Phoenix. Unfortunately, schools can choose to take or not take credits as they wish for whatever program. So even if you had pre-req credits from a community college and then decided you wanted to go to the ASU nursing program, ASU is NOT required to take your credits. So, you may want to look into what BSN programs will take your credits from you ADN education.

Also, you can take your pre-reqs at a maricopa community college and the transfer them in to Apollo to save some of the cost on tuition. However, I find that just attending the whole program is better. Yes, private education is expensive and Apollo is not cheap in the least, but there is financial aid. There are pell grants and other scholarships you may be eligible for as well as the tax credit.

If you are going to move to New York anyway, why not look into the nursing programs they have there? There are many in New York and that may be the better way to go. I know Beth Israel medical center has a nursing program with a tuition reimbursement if you work for them.

I will be honest...I looked at every nursing program option out here and then some. I applied to a few before deciding on attending Apollo. I would have preferred Chamberlain because I wanted the BSN, but I had an issue with obtaining my old transcripts and couldn't be accepted to the program because of it. Apollo did not give me any hassles on being accepted, my tuition is mostly covered by financial aid and loans and I am on a payment plan with them for the remaining balance...I am still applying for scholarships to see if I can get the remainder covered. You have to look at your situation and decide what you want to do. I also talked with nurses at hospitals and frankly, many hospitals don't care what school you attended, their first question is usually did you pass the NCLEX the first time?

kf15 · Nov 30, 2009

........ I also talked with nurses at hospitals and frankly, many hospitals don't care what school you attended, their first question is usually did you pass the NCLEX the first time?

Well yeah that's what I've said several times, in response to people posting about "poor reputation" and their places "won't hire from that school." Please. Every nursing school graduates its fair share of embarassments. Anyone who can move thru a 2 yr nusring pgm then sit for the Nclex within 1 month of graduation, AND pass 1st time like me and 99% of my class that just finished, is worthy of hiring for an entry level RN job. When asked during my interviews which school I atteneded it was out of curiosity and nothing else......again the hosp is hiring the person and their skills/abilities, the name of the school on the diploma is not high on their list.

ChuckE · Nov 30, 2009

For those who think Apollo College is a waste of money (and simply a bad school), look up the NCLEX pass rate for year to date. It's higher than ASU.

*I'm an Apollo College student in 3rd of 6 semesters.

crangel · Dec 2, 2009

To ChuckE

I took the A-2 test today at Apollo and did not score well on the voc. Do you have any suggestions on studying for this part of the test? I really want to get into the March 2010 class!!

Thanks

ChuckE · Dec 3, 2009

Crangel - I don't know what the A-2 test you are referring to. Just 3 semesters ago, we took the CPat and the NET tests.

I have heard that Apollo now replaced the NET with the TEAS test. Is that the test you are referring to?

Regardless, the tests should just be a measure of your base knowledge in Math and Comprehension. As such, there should be an online study guide (free most likely).

LMK if I can answer any other questions.

E-mail me for a faster response.

wifemom77 · Dec 3, 2009

Check into Chamberlain college of Nursing. It is right next door to Appollo and they offer a 3 year BSN. IT is expensive, and difficult (as any good nursing program), but a great option. Now is the time to apply though because they are new to AZ and actually have openings. They have been in FL, MO, and IL for 25+ years though. Their accrediation falls under the Devry accrediation for now, so you are good there. I have heard nothing but BAD things about Apollo. Personally, I attending GCC and feel they have a great program, but the wait list is too long and I really wanted my BSN. I transfered to GCU. They have an even better program, probably the best in the Valley, but it is very hostile. You either pass or fail and the instructors don't back you up to much...they basically tell you there is a line of other students behind you that want this degree so suck it up or get out. The program is hard, and if you don't pass a ertain part of the class you are out of the program and you have to re-apply to get back in. That is something they won't tell you when you are researching.

Chamberlain,s 3 year BSN is a great option. Just go in and speak with someone-forget trying to call the 800 number.

~Wifemom77

ChuckE · Dec 3, 2009

Yeah, GCU sounds MUCH better. :icon_roll

Regardless of where you apply, you still have to pass an entrance test of some kind.

Check into Chamberlain college of Nursing. It is right next door to Appollo and they offer a 3 year BSN. IT is expensive, and difficult (as any good nursing program), but a great option. Now is the time to apply though because they are new to AZ and actually have openings. They have been in FL, MO, and IL for 25+ years though. Their accrediation falls under the Devry accrediation for now, so you are good there. I have heard nothing but BAD things about Apollo. Personally, I attending GCC and feel they have a great program, but the wait list is too long and I really wanted my BSN. I transfered to GCU. They have an even better program, probably the best in the Valley, but it is very hostile. You either pass or fail and the instructors don't back you up to much...they basically tell you there is a line of other students behind you that want this degree so suck it up or get out. The program is hard, and if you don't pass a ertain part of the class you are out of the program and you have to re-apply to get back in. That is something they won't tell you when you are researching.
Chamberlain,s 3 year BSN is a great option. Just go in and speak with someone-forget trying to call the 800 number.
~Wifemom77

JenMorales · Dec 5, 2009

The A-2 test is the HESI test. They are doing that and the CPat. To study, you can get a HESI study guide, they're sold in any bookstore, and just practice the vocabulary. The tests are pretty standard and they just want to test your vocabulary, reading comprehension and basic math.

Apollo's program is actually pretty good. I'm attending there now. I like my professors and haven't had any problems. Chamberlain also requires you to test to get in, it's actually the same one as Apollo. That program, however, is a 3-year BSN program, not a 2-year ADN. There are many great things about the school, but being that it is new in Arizona, there are things they are still working out. I had been accepted to the program then my acceptance was rescinded because the advisor had misinformed me of some things and I couldn't provide them documentation quick enough for their liking.

Every school is different though. Everest also has a 2-year ADN program that you can look into as well. I know they also require testing.

ChuckE · Dec 7, 2009

So Jen, you were accepted into Chamberlain, but they rescinded it and now you're attending Apollo? Do I have that right?

JBaker77 · Dec 7, 2009

I was enrolled in the Healthcare Administration thinking I was in the ADN program. I told the admission's counselor I wanted to be a nurse and that is the program she put me in. I did not know any better, I trusted that they would put me in the right program. I even had her confirm to me that at the end I would have an Associate's in Nursing. I figured they just called their program something different but the results would be the same, so I didn't think anything of it. Then friends and family asked me how they work in the clinicals if it is an on-line course. I didn't even know what they meant by "clinicals" so I called my student advisor and that is when I discovered I was in the wrong program. My student advisor (different from the one who signed me up) informed me that Apollo doesn't even have an ADN program so after seeing your post I'm really confused. Maybe it depends on what area a person lives in. I'm in the Akron-Cleveland, Ohio area. Do you mind if I ask how Apollo worked in your clinicals? I'd love to have input from anyone that knows anything about this. I've delayed getting my degree by 9 months from this mistake. ARGGG!!!