Applying to SWIC Fall 2011?

omgitskayc · Sep 13, 2010

Yay! I'm not alone! I've applied to the SWIC nursing program too! I went to SWIC

and got all of my pre-reqs done.. Then I went to Chamberlain because I thought it would be quicker and easier. While it wasn't very difficult it was super expensive and I had to quit after my second trimester so now I'm not in school but applying to different programs. According to the pre-nursing form I will have about 19 points and the counselor said they accept people who have between 15-17 so I hope I make it. I am also applying to Lewis and Clark.

MyGenesis · Sep 20, 2010

Yay! I'm not alone! I've applied to the SWIC nursing program too! I went to SWIC
and got all of my pre-reqs done.. Then I went to Chamberlain because I thought it would be quicker and easier. While it wasn't very difficult it was super expensive and I had to quit after my second trimester so now I'm not in school but applying to different programs. According to the pre-nursing form I will have about 19 points and the counselor said they accept people who have between 15-17 so I hope I make it. I am also applying to Lewis and Clark.

Oh girl, you are so in!! Start celebrating!!!! :yeah:

I thought about going to Chamberlain too but it is too far from base in my opinion. And also I want to be near my kids in case the school calls me if something happens. Also, Kaskaskia College has a LPN program that interested me but it is in Vandalia and the first class starts at 7 am...it is not convenient for me.

I'm hoping to have 15 points (I wish I could have more time to repeat math again) by the end of the semester and score some more in the entrance test. Do you know any information about the test?

Congratulations and I hope to join you next year!!! ;)

omgitskayc · Sep 20, 2010

I hear the math portion is fairly easy, mostly algebra and pre-algebra (and you only have to get a 77% or higher to earn all four points. The english part is supposedly harder but I'm not sure exactly what they ask and you need an 80% or higher for all four points.

I really hope we both get the points! I have been taking classes at SWIC for different things since 2007 when I got my CNA and I love it there. I'm not sure what town you are living in, but there is also a LPN program in Red Bud, IL at the Beck Career Center. I'm thinking about taking it if I'm not accepted. For awhile I was thinking about becoming a Medical Assistant because I've been accepted into the program before.. But I've read a lot of negative things about becoming a MA.. I figure as long as I'm doing the medical route, I may as well go all the way!

If you get 15 pts by the end of the semester and get 2's or 4's on your admission exam I'm absolutely positive you will make it into the program!

Stay positive!

MyGenesis · Dec 20, 2010

I hear the math portion is fairly easy, mostly algebra and pre-algebra (and you only have to get a 77% or higher to earn all four points. The english part is supposedly harder but I'm not sure exactly what they ask and you need an 80% or higher for all four points.
I really hope we both get the points! I have been taking classes at SWIC for different things since 2007 when I got my CNA and I love it there. I'm not sure what town you are living in, but there is also a LPN program in Red Bud, IL at the Beck Career Center. I'm thinking about taking it if I'm not accepted. For awhile I was thinking about becoming a Medical Assistant because I've been accepted into the program before.. But I've read a lot of negative things about becoming a MA.. I figure as long as I'm doing the medical route, I may as well go all the way!
If you get 15 pts by the end of the semester and get 2's or 4's on your admission exam I'm absolutely positive you will make it into the program!
Stay positive!

Hi again!! Fall semester is done!!! Yayy! :uhoh3: :yeah: Right now I have the 15 points I wanted. I will be taking Intro to Sociology at Midland College this Winter semester with the hopes of an A or B so I can go up to 16 before the due date. I will be taking my test January 28th...let's see I can score at least 2 points to have peace of mind. Only God knows, I will let you know whatever happens but I pray we get accepted after all our efforts.

As you mentioned I went to the Beck Area Center and did not make it out of the car. If I don't get accepted to SWIC, I will probably start working as a CNA for which I will be taking the class this Spring 2011 and I will be continuing my Health Information degree (i'm finishing this one anyways-almost done).

What are you up to these days? Hope things are going great! Happy Holidays!!

omgitskayc · Dec 20, 2010

....Things are okay.. not going the way I planned but okay..

I talked to the counselor at SWIC in October and he notified me that neither my Chamberlain grades or my high school grades were not enough to get me into the program, and because it was October I would not be able to meet the minimum requirements to get in..

BUT.. I was once again accepted into the Medical Assistant program. I'm gonna go ahead and do it. I'm just tired of being told I will get into a program, or I won't get into a program. I just wanna have my degree already!! Only thing that stinks now is orientation for the Med Asst program is January 6 and I'm getting my gall bladder out a few days before that. I hope I'm feeling okay by then cause orientation is mandatory!

I'm glad to hear that you are getting things done though! I'm really hoping you get in! You gotta let me know how it goes either way.

Happy Holidays!

MyGenesis · Jan 12, 2011

First of all, I pray you are feeling healthy and strong these days and that you were able to do the mandatory orientation with no problems. I know what you mean about SWIC telling you one thing and then another. I have gone through that situation with the acceptance of some transfer classes myself. That is why I had to take 16 credits last semester, because they told me yes to some classes and then called me telling me that one component was missing and stuff like that.

Me?...well, after I enrolled and paid the Sociology class for the Winter session I had to drop the class because the amount of work was insane and had family members coming for Holidays to the house to visit for three weeks in the last minute. So you can imagine...I'm stuck with 15 points so far. I changed my DET for Jan 19th because I want to get this over with.

Like you, I am tired of waiting to have a degree plus I can't wait to become a financially independent woman. I'll let you know what happens on the 19th.

Happy 2011! Many blessings and good wishes to you!!

erikausaf · Jan 26, 2011

So, did you take the test? How did it go? When they say 15-17 points, that is INCLUDING the test so you should be fine.

trace10 · Jan 28, 2011

Hey everyone. If anyone can help me I would so appreciate it. I have quite the dilemma. Originally I started back in school to get into the Radiology Technology program. So I took all of me prereqs for that. I have 18 out of the 20 points so I am pretty confident I can/will get into that program. The problem is, I started looking into things and I am really scared now that maybe the jobs aren't out there for X Ray techs and maybe at my age (41) I should go into something that is pretty much guaranteed to provide a job and with some security, such as nursing.

When I turned in my application in a girl at the window told me I could turn one in for both the x ray tech program and the nursing program. I kind of thought that was wrong, but I decided to go ahead and try. Well, after talking to the admissions people for both programs, they say I have to choose only one to apply for by Monday. I have no idea what to do. I can't afford NOT to be enrolled in one of the programs starting this year. But after taking my Pre Nursing test today and scoring 6 points on it, I now have 19 points for the nursing. If it's true that everyone got in with 15 1/2 last year than I should get in, but did they change the format recently with all the extra points for LPNs and such. I am so terrified this will be the year you will need 20 points to get in and I will be screwed if I choose the nursing path!!! I DON'T KNOW WHICH ROAD TO TAKE!!!!!!! How many points do you all have with your test included???? Is anyone as scared as I am about not getting in and feeling like they just wasted a bunch of time and money on prereqs????? Thanks for letting me vent!!!

KJNIllinois · Jan 29, 2011

Hi Trace,

I have also applied for Fall 2011. I wouldn't be too concerned if I were you, 19 points should be more than enough to obtain a seat. I believe last year, the number was 17 with a small number of seats at 16 or 16.5 (based on GPA, test scores, etc.) The year before that I think it was 15. I believe it all depends on the total number of applicants and where the average of applicants stand point-wise. Even with the high number of applicants that apply, I wouldn't expect the number to jump any higher than 17 this year (though I could be wrong.) At any rate, I think you should be just fine because even though applicants with LPN or EMT status will get extra points, there are probably far more applicants at less than that number since not everyone will complete their pre-reqs by then. Good luck to us both and I will keep my fingers crossed for you!

How did you find the test, BTW? I've heard such different opinions about it and I'm scheduled to take it in February. Some people have said it is pretty difficult (so 6 points is fabulous!) and others have said it isn't that bad. I'm at 16 points right now, so even if I get 2, I will be happy as a lark! Math has never been my strong suit, so I'm counting on the English to help me out; though my understanding is that the English side is fairly math heavy. I've been studying the guides pretty diligently, so if they are a good indicator of the test, I should do alright.

Best to you and everyone else applying for Fall... :lol2:

trace10 · Jan 30, 2011

Thanks KJNIllinois. Wow, 16 points before your test. That is very impressive!! Are you in the field already or do you have 12 pts from the 3 major classes and 4 pts from As and Bs in all of the prereqs? The test, seriously, you will get at the very least 4 points. I did really crappy at the English, which surprised me, because I just retook the ACT last fall and scored a 32, in the high 90 percentile of everyone who took the test last year, but still got only 2 pts from it. I thought that would be my strong suit. Turns out I did much better in the math. It was very simple, just basic adding, percentiles, fractions and such. Obviously you are very smart so I would bet at least 6 but probably 8 from the test. Good luck. My fear is that they made the testing easier than the past and everyone will do better and the scores will be higher. I hate the not knowing!!!! I know last year they actually let people in who had 15 1/2 pts. Please let that also happen this year!!!!! When are you scheduled for your test???

KJNIllinois · Jan 31, 2011

Hi Trace,

Glad to hear the test wasn't too bad. I'm scheduled to take mine on Feb. 8, but with these impending storms coming our way, I will have to wait and see if I need to reschedule. I've never been in the medical field before and am going back to school at 39. I have a BA in Anthropology (uh, yep, good choice..LOL). I did finish my pre-reqs with a 4.0, which I never thought I'd do. I do think being an older student does help keep you more focused, because I can tell you, I didn't do nearly as well my first time around in college! :uhoh3:

Not too worry, as I said, I'm sure 19 points will secure you a seat. I don't think SWIC has anything to do with what is on the test itself. My understanding is that several years ago they employed a different pre-entrance exam that students found somewhat easier. Then they switched over to the DET and people weren't scoring as well. Most of the people I talked to were in agreement with you about the English side of the test being far more difficult. The other problem is that you can find test study guides for the others, but finding one specifically for the DET is difficult. I almost wish the test had a science component to it as many of us just completed several science courses to get this far.

I certainly hope I get a chance to meet you this summer. Did you make a decision yet as to which route you might take? Are you interested in direct or indirect patient care and what area of nursing do you think might interest you?

Best,

Kelly