Applying to Queensborough Community College

Published

Hello,

I am hoping to get advice on my situation. I plan on meeting with the admissions office to discuss this; however, there is a wealth of knowledge/experience on this site that could provide some clarity.

17 years ago, I went away to college and did quite poorly my first 2 semesters. Basically, I received a C- in the pre-req courses (sociology, psych, lit) needed for Queensborough's nursing program. I have not taken A&P.

I trasferred out of that school and ended up getting my AAS in Business Admin. at a local CC and subsequently completed a BS in Business Admin. at a SUNY college with a 3.4 GPA. I have been working in the healthcare field for 15 years (data management,finance, and patient coordination positions). I now have a strong interest in pursuing a nursing degree. I am afraid my pre-req grades are going to limit my chances of being accepted into a program.

Does anyone have an opinion on what I could expect, or anything I could do to better my chances? I read that repeating the pre-reqs could disqualify me all-together. The more I read, the more I become worried. Any advice is appreciated.

Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Hello and welcome to the site.

I moved your thread to NY Nursing Programs Discussion forum where I think you will get more response.

Good luck!

I forgot to add that I did later take an equivalent Intro to College Writing and Reading course, and an upper level Psychology course (Organization behavior), which required general psych as a pre-req. I received an A in both classes.

I'm currently in the nursing program at QCC. I too did poorly once in a college i previously attended (below 2.0 gpa).

The good thing about transferring is that your GPA is reset, and only credits you have earned will be transferred. During the nursing admission process (this is after you finish all your pre-reqs and take the PAX exam), they will ask for your record and use the GPA of any pre-reqs you have taken at other schools/ the ones you have taken there.

The good news is that you can however retake the classes at QCC and they will take that GPA into consideration instead.

This is from my experience, to be 100% sure i would do what you planned and speak to an academic adviser

Thank you for replying! I feel better knowing that. I am in the process of registering for a A&P1/2 at another school. Were you waitlisted after applying to QCC?

I didnt apply directly into the nursing program. I entered as a health science major while taking my pre-reqs so i wasnt waitlisted. Some pre-reqs u are required to take at qcc i believe so check that to make sure before you take them at another school. You also should have microbiology under your belt before apply to the program. I believe you can not have taken it more than 3 years ago. I am taking micro and nu-101 at the same time and it only adds more stress. Be sure you get A's in all pre reqs so you do not leave anything to chance. Also be sure to aware yourself on all application deadlines, and PAX exam dates so you do not waste anytime. I made that mistake and wasted a semester.

From what I have read, pre-reqs can be completed elsewhere, but the nursing courses must be done at the school. I plan on going to the school this week to clarify everything. I appreciate the information!

I'm currently in the nursing program at QCC. I too did poorly once in a college i previously attended (below 2.0 gpa).

The good thing about transferring is that your GPA is reset, and only credits you have earned will be transferred. During the nursing admission process (this is after you finish all your pre-reqs and take the PAX exam), they will ask for your record and use the GPA of any pre-reqs you have taken at other schools/ the ones you have taken there.

The good news is that you can however retake the classes at QCC and they will take that GPA into consideration instead.

This is from my experience, to be 100% sure i would do what you planned and speak to an academic adviser

Well, I went to QCC for pre-screening yesterday. I was basically told that due to the competitiveness of the program (700 applicants, 120 seats), the chances of being accepted into the nursing program are slim. The board only looks at the 4 key courses along with the PAX. He said, "mathematically, even if you get a 4.0 in A&P1, you still won't meet the requirement of a 3.0 minimum to be accepted". They do not allow you to repeat any courses to improve your grade. I informed him of upper level courses I took in writing/Lit and psychology (received A's) and he said it didn't matter. I was getting blocked from every direction.

I asked if my hospital careeer experience/bachelor degree added any weight to the application and was told "no". He followed up by saying people have come in with law degrees looking to change their careers. Degrees don't increase your chances.

With regards to QCC accepting transfer credits, he said to make sure you ask Admissions about any courses you plan to take elsewhere to ensure they will transfer. He specifically pointed out that courses taken at Nassau Community College and Medgar Evers college will not be accepted in transfer. QCC does not see their biology programs as "equivalent".

I just can't believe 3 intro courses I took 16 years ago are defining my life at this point. :down: Disheartening, to say the least. He suggested I look into private schools because they are less selective due to fewer applicants. I am also looking into St. Paul's school of nursing in Queens; however, after reading the comments here, I don't know what to do. It's also $600+ per credit. I do get tuition reimbursement from the hospital I work for, but it's still a lot of money for an associate degree ($38,000 total if you had no credits to transfer in). More than double of what I payed for my bachelors. :uhoh3:

I would love to complete an accelerated BSN program, but I need to work full-time.

McFlea,

QCC is not your only option in obtaining your RN degree. I know Nassau Community College will allow you to retake those classes for a better grade. Just don't have those classes transferred in. If you can receive "A's" in your A&P classes you should be fine. All RN programs are competative though.

Please dont be discouraged.I recently graduated from qcc and i have been told that same story by admissions advisement and basically everyone at qcc including students.Do not give up and as the previous poster said you can do the required pre-reqs at qcc.Plus i dont think they will accept classes from 16yrs ago so then you could re-do them.Try and find out from someone else. Due to all the negative advice it seems impossible for anyone to get into and get out of the program.Yet they have a graduation twice per year so it is indeed possible with determination you will get it done.

Thanks mo2rn. I'm going to complete all of the pre-reqs and take it from there.

+ Join the Discussion