Application deadline dilemma

[Quota, BSN, RN]

I'm planning on applying to two different aBSN programs for Fall 2017. Applications are due Jan 15th for my first choice school and find out if you are accepted in April, possibly late April. No problem there. My dilemma is about my back up school application. They do a first and second review, Mar 3rd and May 19th respectively.

The problem comes in that they require a letter of recommendation. My best option would be to ask my boss who I've worked with for about 9 years now. The trouble with that is that I haven't told them I'm looking to go to nursing school and didn't plan to say anything until I was accepted. My plan was to give notice a few months before school would start allow time for them to hire a replacement and for me to train them. Saying something in February for a letter of recommendation does not fit into that plan and could result in a lot of unwanted drama.

With the current environment at my job it is also a possibility that my boss would say no to writing a recommendation, citing company policy against helping me leave the job. Not really true but there is a chance they'd say it. So I'd prefer to avoid asking if I can and put it off until second review if I need to. I guess if they did say no I'd have to contact my old department head from about 3-3.5 years ago as the next best option.

I messaged someone in admissions for the for the back up school to ask if your chances are better for acceptance in the first review vs. second review. Their answer wasn't as clear as I'd like but it sounded like they were saying it doesn't matter.

So, opinions. Should I wait and see if I get into my first choice school and therefore don't need a letter of recommendation or not risk the possibility of a decreased chance of acceptance at the back up school?

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Can you use a teacher? I have two that have offered to write me reference letters.

[Quota, BSN, RN]

Not really. I just finished all my pre-reqs online at my local CC. They only one I have a tiny bit of a relationship with is my current Micro professor because we did have to do in person lab. But it's a 12 week class I finished in 10. Not much of a relationship for a letter of recommendation. She knows that I do micro testing as part of my job currently and therefore lab was very easy for me. I helped other students in lab who had trouble, and I earned an A in her class. That's it, not really a noteworthy enough history to get a recommendation from.

[crazydoglady89]

Do you not have a trusted co-worker (one on your level or even a bit senior) that you could ask? I would be VERY wary of asking a supervisor. You don't know for sure yet if you will be accepted anywhere, and you may want that job in the meantime, or you may decide not to go to nursing school after all (unlikely, but life changes in a split second sometimes).

I would even be slightly wary of asking a current co worker (in my experience, people blab, even when you trust them), but do you have NOBODY else? Do you volunteer anywhere?

[Quota, BSN, RN]

Do you not have a trusted co-worker (one on your level or even a bit senior) that you could ask? I would be VERY wary of asking a supervisor. You don't know for sure yet if you will be accepted anywhere, and you may want that job in the meantime, or you may decide not to go to nursing school after all (unlikely, but life changes in a split second sometimes).

I would even be slightly wary of asking a current co worker (in my experience, people blab, even when you trust them), but do you have NOBODY else? Do you volunteer anywhere?

Not really. Our department was bought by a small company about 2 years ago, lots of turn over since them. Small group, 10 people including lab manager and boss. Only one coworker has been here longer than about a year now (besides manager and boss) Most of my coworkers actually know my plans but won't say anything to possibly get me in trouble. Just not good options for a letter of recommendation. The one coworker who has been with the group even longer than me doesn't speak English as her first language and probably wouldn't be comfortable writing me a letter because of that. I might ask her.

As for other options besides my old department head from 3-3.5 years ago they would all be more on a personal level than professional. I figure professional relationships are better than personal. I volunteer with a local dog rescue group. Foster dogs and attend adoption events etc. Not horrible choices but not really super relevant for nursing school applications. Pretty sure I'm just going to wait until second review. I'll know if I got into my first choice school by then and only need to ask if I didn't get in. If they say no I'll have time to ask my back up options and hold off the possible drama for a few months if things go sour.