I know that it's early, but I really wanted to get a jump on this. I have read the past two years' threads from start to finish and have seen the amazing support given by everyone involved. Considering how competitive it is for nursing school admission, it is extremely informative and heart-warming. I will be applying to all the schools in the Portland/Salem area to which I will qualify. This next year is going to be rough, but ever since I started on this journey I have loved every moment.
A little about me:
I am 33, married, no kids.
I live in Salem and have taken the bulk of my prerequisites at Chemeketa.
I have been working as a Dental Assistant for 2 years and feel that it is supremely unfair that many of the OCNE schools do not count dental assisting towards their "direct patient care" discretionary points. (I went to school for a year to become a dental assistant. I have dealt with medical emergencies, bodily fluids and have had my fingers in mouths on a daily basis! I'm grumbling, I know.)
I have a 4.0 GPA (so far) for all of the OCNE prerequisites (My single B in one of three Chemistry classes will haunt me when I apply to Linfield)
I am still one term away from finishing my prerequisites for the majority of the schools to which I plan on applying
I don't really think that I will be lucky enough to be accepted to any of the Portland-area community colleges due to my lack of necessary discretionary points (if any of you CURRENT students have found otherwise, I would be very interested to find out what you know!)
I will be applying anyway, because I know that I should at least make it onto a waiting list or two and as I have seen in previous threads - they do go through their waiting lists!
I sincerely hope that all my hard work will pay off and that I will be accepted SOMEWHERE
Again, I know this is early, but I look forward to seeing the responses from everyone!
For all you ladies who got accepted at OHSU: First of all CONGRATULATIONS! I am currently working on my prerequisites for the 3-yr program and was wondering whether you could help me answer a question: Have you all taken a Chemistry class? So far, I have a 4.0 GPA in all my classes including Micro. I was originally not planning on taking Chemistry, but now I'm wondering whether it would greatly improve my changes for getting accepted next year. Also, do you think that completing an AAOT or AS of General Studies would make a difference?
On another note, I guess I should introduce myself. I applied at PCC, MHCC and CCC for fall 2014. I got to the second round at both PCC (maxed out at 54 points) and CCC (maxed out at 51 points). I have no health care experience, so, I thought it was pretty amazing that I even got invited to sit for the essay and/or interview at both schools (I do have a 4.0 in all m pre-reqs, I have a prior degree and I have some volunteer experience in a cath lab...used that at PCC, not CCC). Unfortunately, I didn't feel that I had a stellar essay at PCC, but, I felt really good about my essay and my interview at CCC. Didn't matter either way, cause I am waitlisted at both PCC (#20) and at CCC.
The waiting is killing me, because, I have to put my plan B affairs in order (go and get my CNA and start getting some experience). But, it's hard to commit to anything just yet not knowing what's going to happen. A gal who is currently in year one at PCC's program told me that two years ago, PCC made it all the way through their waitlist and that last year (when she got accepted), they made it all the way to 41 on their list. That's somewhat encouraging, but, I don't want to get my hopes up either way.
Anyone on the PCC or CCC waitlists hear anything yet? CCC's orientation is 6/4 and PCC's is 6/18 and you're supposed to go to both the programs orientations, whether you're accepted or on the waitlist (kind of embarrassing if you're on the waitlist, if you ask me). I'm hoping to hear something before then. Fingers crossed...
Hello Born4this. I totally understand what you're going through. Even though I got into PCC, I made it onto CCC and Linfield's waiting list before that and wasn't sure where I should go from there, take CNA in the Summer....or not... It's hard to commit when you could most definitely get accepted into the program anytime. CCC is my first choice when it comes to schools, so I am hoping to get into their too. However, I am super happy to be attending PCC in the Fall regardless. Keep checking your email. This is how they will contact you not by phone.
Kathrin: I was accepted into OHSU's 3yr BSRN without a Chemistry class. By the application deadline I had finished all pre-reqs with a 4.0, had healthcare volunteer experience (no CNA) with an emphasis on social justice and grassroots organizing. My overall GPA was far from stellar, 3.36, from my first try at college years ago. Good luck to you on your application process!
I will put in my two cents real quick. First, Kathrin, I haven't taken a chem class in my life. Also, micro is not a prereq for any school except mhcc (however, things may change next application year). Chem wasn't on the application for OHSU so I don't think it matters if you take it or not. Next, having a prior degree (being an associates or bachelors) only gives you one extra point (I believe) of course one point could mean in or out with nursing.
Born4this: I think being 22 on pcc is actually a very good chance. I can't remember the day we had to decline/ accept by for pcc but I am pretty sure they get to in the 30's at least for wait list. And yes, go to orientation. For CCC I think I only know one person on here so far that has declined but that doesn't mean more ppl won't. The responses were due on the 16th so I am guessing Monday they will start their calls out to waitlisters (that's prob not a word). I also know someone who got a call from CCC in Sept. Offering her a spot. So, be patient. You will most likely get in somewhere!
Also, Kathrin, only your prereq grades matter for the OCNE 3 year at OHSU. They make you put in every grade you have ever received down but they only look at the prereq list. Also, I don't have my cna and I got into 3 nursing programs this year. I am sure it's nice to have and the ppl who do will probably have an advantage, however, you can definitely get into nursing school without it. Part of me wishes I did have it but unfortunately it was not realistic for me at the time.
Thank you for your answers. I already volunteer at the hospital in labor & delivery and work as a CNA. The chemistry class would have been hard to fit into my work schedule, since it is a 5-credit, 4-day a week class at my community college. I really appreciate the help! Good luck on your new journey as an OHSU student :)
Oh and I wanted to add that I got accepted to OHSU w/o a chemistry class. I am, however, a CNA with a 4.0 GPA for pre-req's. I highly recommend CNA experience, not just to get into nursing school -- but I work with a lot of nurses and I think the best nurses were CNA's first and ultimately we're all trying to be the best nurses we can be!
Hello Born4this. I totally understand what you're going through. Even though I got into PCC, I made it onto CCC and Linfield's waiting list before that and wasn't sure where I should go from there, take CNA in the Summer....or not... It's hard to commit when you could most definitely get accepted into the program anytime. CCC is my first choice when it comes to schools, so I am hoping to get into their too. However, I am super happy to be attending PCC in the Fall regardless. Keep checking your email. This is how they will contact you not by phone.
Thanks for the encouragement pogues60. I think PCC has always been my first choice, mainly because I took/take my pre-reqs there. I am currently taking micro there and earning a B (gasp! yup, getting a B...crazy since I've gotten nothing but A's since I started taking pre-reqs almost 2 years ago). It's a comfort thing, really...I know the campus, it's close to home. Plus, they get the most applicants every year in this general area, so that made me think they we the best (based on that and what I'd heard prior to reading this blog and the issues they've had the last year or so). But, like many people I've seen on this thread - I think that's changing. I feel like after having gone through the application process, CCC won me over. PCC's process is so impersonal. It's probably like that because they get so many applicants, but, still. I know nothing about the program, specifically, it seems. Other than the cohort size is 80. I mean...you can get more info from this thread, which has been helpful. But before reading it, I had no idea about clinical sites, mentors, etc. I got to interact with some of the program faculty and the administrator at my interview with CCC. I got a feel for the program, learned about the clinical sites, got info on how mentors work, and even got to ask the interviewers questions. I just felt so good about the program and the people involved following my interview.
Having said all that, although it would be more convenient for me to go to PCC because I live 20 minutes from there, there's the familiarity with the campus aspect, plus my study buddy from A&P/micro (we've been studying together for a year and it's her dream for us to go to nursing school together) got in. But, the fact is...my heart is telling me something else. I'm pretty sure my heart is telling me that I want to go to CCC. I may not have a choice and honestly, I'll take what I can get. I know I want to do this, so, if that means going to PCC I will gladly accept my seat if/when it becomes available.
PS - thanks for letting me know it comes via email. I thought I read somewhere it would be a phone call!
Born4this: I think being 22 on pcc is actually a very good chance. I can't remember the day we had to decline/ accept by for pcc but I am pretty sure they get to in the 30's at least for wait list. And yes, go to orientation. For CCC I think I only know one person on here so far that has declined but that doesn't mean more ppl won't. The responses were due on the 16th so I am guessing Monday they will start their calls out to waitlisters (that's prob not a word). I also know someone who got a call from CCC in Sept. Offering her a spot. So, be patient. You will most likely get in somewhere!
Thanks so much alewis513. I'm actually # 20, so, hoping that that is good enough to get me a spot if CCC doesn't work out (hope they call/email me this week!). It's so crazy to me that they can go so far down their waitlists. I mean...getting all the way through it doesn't even make any sense to me! So, I'm trying hard to not get my hopes up. But, I'm crossing my fingers that this year is no different for PCC and/or CCC and I get that email/call.
Either way - I really hope I don't have to wait until September. That is cruel!
Long waitlists are simply the result of everyone applying/getting into several schools. Most successful applicants do, as the research shows. (Reference? Oops--can't remember, but I did see this somewhere) Anyway, if every successful applicant were to get accepted into/waitlisted into two schools, when the Chinese fire drill ends and the dust settles, waitlists as long as the total cohort sizes have been gobbled right up.
Kathrin
6 Posts
For all you ladies who got accepted at OHSU: First of all CONGRATULATIONS! I am currently working on my prerequisites for the 3-yr program and was wondering whether you could help me answer a question: Have you all taken a Chemistry class? So far, I have a 4.0 GPA in all my classes including Micro. I was originally not planning on taking Chemistry, but now I'm wondering whether it would greatly improve my changes for getting accepted next year. Also, do you think that completing an AAOT or AS of General Studies would make a difference?