Applicants to Portland area schools 2011

kamaboko · Feb 15, 2011

Does anyone know what is takes to get into CCC?

I think I read in a post for the 2010 CCC applicants that the cut off for interviews was 55. I can only suspect the bar has been raised for 2011.

kmdguy · Feb 15, 2011

This is my first year applying to all... MHCC, CCC, PCC & OHSU. I have a perfect 4.0 GPA, but no other degree in my life, and I'm feeling a little worried that I can still get in anywhere. From what I'm hearing around the 'vine', 4.0's get turned away all the time b/c of no prior degree and/or no CNA, etc, neither of which I have. I know I'm bright, and my teachers have been impressed with my work, but I'll be amazed if I can make the cut without the other stuff.

gardenstt · Feb 15, 2011

It seems like some applicants with perfect grades don't always get in, but also remember that there are other with lower GPAs (3.5 ish) who get in as well. All I can think of saying is to try and not stress out too much. It's just a waiting game until we hear back and it is only your first year. A lot of us on here are second, third, fourth.... and so on.

Good luck!!

kamaboko · Feb 15, 2011

This is my first year applying to all... MHCC, CCC, PCC & OHSU. I have a perfect 4.0 GPA, but no other degree in my life, and I'm feeling a little worried that I can still get in anywhere. From what I'm hearing around the 'vine', 4.0's get turned away all the time b/c of no prior degree and/or no CNA, etc, neither of which I have. I know I'm bright, and my teachers have been impressed with my work, but I'll be amazed if I can make the cut without the other stuff.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Mention you have a 4.0 to a nursing admissions advisor and you get the "so what" look. Mention you have a CNA and you get a raised eyebrow. Mention you have previous degrees and they'll put their pencil down. Mention you already have a MD and they'll hand you an application but tell you the competition is tough. :lol2:

This is a one-time application shot for me. I got the CNA cert, but didn't log any hours beyond the practical. I was told by CCC and PCC this was an absolute must to have. Yet when asked why I didn't log any hours beyond the practical, I told them it would be at least a 75% cut in pay. There are justifiable sacrifices and then there are insane sacrifices...the cut in pay seemed insane to me. Then I was asked why I didn't do volunteer work beyond my 50 hour work week. Uhhh....sorry, I want a life.

kmdguy · Feb 15, 2011

Ya Kamaboko, I know what you mean about sacrifices. I ran a company for 18 years (never finished college) and wanted to do something more meaningful than what I felt as a CEO. I quit 2 years ago to focus 100% on school and getting a degree. Seems ironic now that maybe the only way to get "in" to get a degree, is to have already earned a degree. Sounds like a catch 22. Applicant: "I would like to earn my first degree", Reply: "Hmmm, do you have any other college degrees first?"

I've focused solely on school after quitting my position for 2 years just to do this and I'm going to be really annoyed if I get turned down, even with a perfect GPA after all the time and money I've invested so far. School is ALL I have been doing.

kamaboko · Feb 15, 2011

Ya Kamaboko, I know what you mean about sacrifices. I ran a company for 18 years (never finished college) and wanted to do something more meaningful than what I felt as a CEO. I quit 2 years ago to focus 100% on school and getting a degree. Seems ironic now that maybe the only way to get "in" to get a degree, is to have already earned a degree. Sounds like a catch 22. Applicant: "I would like to earn my first degree", Reply: "Hmmm, do you have any other college degrees first?"
I've focused solely on school after quitting my position for 2 years just to do this and I'm going to be really annoyed if I get turned down, even with a perfect GPA after all the time and money I've invested so far. School is ALL I have been doing.

Honestly, don't get bent out of shape if you don't get in. It's not uncommon for it to take a second round of applications, particularly if one doesn't have a prior degree. I sort of see this as the proof of 'sacrifice' the schools are looking for. The "How bad do you reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeealy want it:? Bad enough to wait another 12 months?" In the mean time, they'll push out 40 to 100 students (depending on the school) who have a snowball's chance in hell of getting a job b/c they have no experience and the nursing market has been cut back and at a stand still for newbies. Ha ha ha. Got to love it.

yogamom · Feb 16, 2011

kmdguy,

I've been exactly where you are and I know that this part, the waiting for answers after you submit your apps is the worst!! Here's what I can tell you. I am also working on my second career, as you are. I also put everything else aside to focus on school. I was also horrified at the thought of having to go through the application process a second time. Everyone told me (as they are telling you) that going through the app process for a few years is to be expected. Well, not really. I think out of all my pre-reqs, listening to the "you'll never get in with JUST a 4.0" is the WORST part of the whole thing!! Here is my story for what it's worth.

I have no prior degree. I do not have a CNA. I had a 4.0 and all of my pre-reqs completed. I was accepted at OHSU Portland campus, PCC, and Linfield all in my FIRST YEAR of applying. (I had 60 points at PCC. I know everyone gets worked up about points). OHSU, despite being an OCNE school doesn't really have their point system published. I can tell you that what is crucial for them is to have ALL of your pre-reqs done when you apply. Write an essay from the heart, one that means something to you. You will be just fine. I ended up choosing OHSU and couldn't be happier with my choice. My cohort is 32 people, and I think just over half of us had previous degrees. That's lots and lots of people WITHOUT prior degrees. And yes, there are several CNAs in my class, but many more people that are not.

So, no one can guarantee you will get in. What I can guarantee is that is listening to all of the naysayers telling you that you won't get in before the end of the next decade will do nothing but stress you out. Wishing you the best of luck and if you have any questions, please feel free to pm me!

kmdguy · Feb 16, 2011

Thanks Yogamom for your encouraging note. I have all of my pre-reqs done prior to applications as well (finished them last term). I wrote a very thoughtful and articulate essay for OHSU (I have no problem writing essays, and in fact enjoy it quite a bit). I am VERY interested in OHSU and I'm so excited to hear that you are there and enjoying it. To follow up with an answer to "how bad you want it"... I would say that a 4.0 GPA is evidence that there is commitment there. I would love to PM you and pick your brain about your experience at OHSU. Ever since I decided to make this life change, that was the school I am most interested in, although I'll be happy getting in to any. How long did you have to wait until you received your letter from OHSU? Once you received it, what happens at that point?

yogamom · Feb 16, 2011

You're welcome! It sounds like you're in a really good position right now! Nothing to do now but cross your fingers and wait (so much easier said than done). As far as acceptance goes, it varies from year to year depending on how many applications they get and how long it takes to make the decisions. Last year, they sent an email out the last Friday of April. Actual letters came about a week later. After that, you have a few weeks (maybe a month, I can't remember) to either accept or decline. I'm not sure how PCC works, but at Linfield and OHSU, to accept your spot you must pay a depost (around $300 if memory serves). After you accept and they get your money, get ready for paperwork galore. Over the summer you will be getting your background check, working on getting immunizations sorted out, getting your books, and generally chewing your nails off. It's a pretty exciting time.

Again, best of luck to you and don't hesitate to pm me if you have more questions about the process or the program!

Ginnym1981 · Feb 16, 2011

Great info on OHSU!

Deadlines were due yesterday!

Does anyone know when we should start receiving letters for interviews?

Or a letter of acceptance from Linfield?

Good luck everyone!! :)

kamaboko · Feb 16, 2011

I don't know about Linfield, but PCC told me around May I should hear something. I hope to hear, "We feel compelled to give you a full scholarship. In fact, we insist that you not pay a dime". LOL. Don't think it'll happen though.

melnise · Feb 16, 2011

Hi! I'm new to this and I was was wondering if many people had applied to Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay or Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton?