Applying to 10 different nursing programs?

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Hello all, I'm enrolled at a university that does not have a nursing program or offer certain perquisites that I need to transfer out into certain nursing schools. So since I've already deposited the $500 on my dorm room I will have to attend this college. However, I will be applying to ten different nursing programs for the next spring semester to broaden my options and acceptance chances. Which are 4 safe schools, 4 good schools, and 2 high reach schools that are highly selective.

It will probably cost me around $300 to apply to all these schools + an extra $130 to request ten transcripts, then retake my ACT to score a 22 because I initially scored a 21. I aso would have to take three admission exams and get over 40 copies of various things the schools may need (résumés, recommendations, essays, ect).

I need to get all this in before Oct.1.

Now does anyone think I may just be overdoing myself just a tad bit? I'm just very afraid that I won't get accepted into a school because my friend applied to eight nursing schools and only got conditionally accepted into one.

Also how many nursing schools did you apply to before you got accepted?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm not sure the concern over a $500 dorm deposit would drive my decision on what school to attend. My grades were decent so I applied to only 1 for my LPN and got in. Applied to 3 for my LPN-ADN bridge program and got into all three. I applied to only 1 BSN, 1 MS and two post master's and got in to all of them.

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All the schools that I will be applying to are all direct entry and the reason I can't leave the school I'm at now is because my mother paid the $500 on my dorm and I just want to put her money to good use, other wise I would feel too guilty wasting her hard earned money.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

1) You're going to attend a university that has none of what you want, over $500? How much more will you spend on tuition, room & board & textbooks for a semester of classes that may or may not count toward your goal?

2) You could apply to 100 schools and still not be guaranteed admission to a nursing programs. The good ones usually have wait lists. During your time on the wait list, you could take your prerequisites for the actual nursing program that you are likely to choose. And yes, I think that 10 is a few too many to apply to. You will no doubt spend another $500 in that pursuit.

Take a step back and look at the big picture.

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1) You're going to attend a university that has none of what you want, over $500? How much more will you spend on tuition, room & board & textbooks for a semester of classes that may or may not count toward your goal?

I initially wanted to be a vetnarian so that was the school that I really want to get into. Also the reason why I'm still going to attend this college is because I have a 15,000 scholarship and a 10,000 grant—no loans. The school is only 18,000 annually, so mostly everything is covered.

But I do understand what you're talking about, and when I did apply to a CC I only had a 18 in math on my ACT so I couldn't even take college algreba or place into chem. I would be paying a 1,000 out of pocket for HS math.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I initially wanted to be a vetnarian so that was the school that I really want to get into. Also the reason why I'm still going to attend this college is because I have a 15,000 scholarship and a 10,000 grant—no loans. The school is only 18,000 annually, so mostly everything is covered.

But I do understand what you're talking about, and when I did apply to a CC I only had a 18 in math on my ACT so I couldn't even take college algreba or place into chem. I would be paying a 1,000 out of pocket for HS math.

Maybe the wise thing to do at this point is to just put aside the idea of a nursing education. You're (presumably) 18 or 19? Take your first year of college and just enjoy it. Your courses will likely consist mostly of Gen Ed anyway, and those courses are always valuable to have under your belt.

Enjoy being a freshman!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

10 is a lot. I think you should go on your state's board of nursing website and narrow down the schools to 4-5 based on pass rate and/or cost if that is an issue.

Every school you apply to will have an application fee which can quickly add up to over $500.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Once you have a semester of college your ACT score doesn't count for squat.

I applied to 4 schools. It was a lot of manage keeping everything straight with pre reqs and what not.

Start pre reqs at the new school if yuh are absolutely set on attending. Tell your mom what is going on. Also most programs I've seen require you to apply to the nursing portion separately from the university so it could cost more also you could get into a university then not into the nursing program.

You need to sit down and really evaluate your plan.

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KeKeylimesqueez, figured that and that's why I'm on only applying to direct entry nursing programs where you only have to apply to the the university once, checking nursing as your attended major and they'll forward it yo them. The safe schools I'm applying to only requires you to get into the university and then your already into the nursing program on a rolling basis.

Plus, I just want to really pick the school who will give me the most money and scholarships to show for it. Because if one school doesn't accept me or offer anything in value then the next one will.

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Plus, I just want to really pick the school who will give me the most money and scholarships to show for it. Because if one school doesn't accept me or offer anything in value then the next one will.

This may sound harsh but how do even know the schools are going to give you money? There are thousands of people who apply to nursing school every year who have fantastic grades who don't get in or aren't awarded any money. You said yourself that you made an 18 in math on you ACT. That won't win you any scholarship money.

If you are bound and determined to stay where you are, I say take your general core classes and focus on making As. If you don't, it so t matter how many schools you apply to, you may not get in.

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Springchivk1, I'm actually top ten of my graduating class and I graduated with a 4.7 on a 5.0 scale for all the other AP classes I took and that's why I received a 15,000 scholarship at the school I'm enrolled in now. I'm just a really horrible test taker and had anxiety the day of the ACT because it was timed and I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

But you are right, and that's the reason why I really wanted options on who would give me the most money based on my GPA not my ACT. I'm only retaking the ACT because the high reach schools requires at least a 22 while the others requires a 21 or below.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Springchivk1, I'm actually top ten of my graduating class and I graduated with a 4.7 on a 5.0 scale for all the other AP classes I took and that's why I received a 15,000 scholarship at the school I'm enrolled in now. I'm just a really horrible test taker and had anxiety the day of the ACT because it was timed and I'm a bit of a perfectionist.

But you are right, and that's the reason why I really wanted options on who would give me the most money based on my GPA not my ACT. I'm only retaking the ACT because the high reach schools requires at least a 22 while the others requires a 21 or below.

BTW I love that you are taking both the positive and negative feedback in stride as you navigate through this decision. I have to admit I'm a bit jealous because I only wish I had the wherewithal to have applied for vet school right out of high school. :) Best of luck with whatever you decide.

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