Are application fees the norm?

ChristineN, BSN, RN · May 5, 2006

I say "yes" they seem to be the norm, but I've never heard of a fee of $100. The programs (3) that I've applied to all had application fees of $25, $30, and $40. Is it alot of money to spend? Yes, but I see it as an investment in my education. If it's the school you get into, you'll be glad you applied. :)

Pixiesmom, BSN, RN · May 5, 2006

Excellent point. I think I'll start saving those pennies I've been pinching for a good cause.

capribry · May 5, 2006

I had a program that application fee was 100 bucks. They called it a registration fee b/c you couldn't personally fill out an application and send it in, an admission person filled it out for you (while u are still there) and u would just sign where needed. The fee went towards your tuition though.(kinda sucks for me since I don't want to go to the school anymore(got into a better one) The school that I got into fee was 35 dollars. I had to apply twice though. We also had to pay a 100 deposit 2 weeks after u got accepted that will hold your spot in the program.

Travellpro · May 6, 2006

That is outrageous. I think my application fee was only like $20 or $25.00. You don't really have a choice but to pay it though! Good luck.

AuntieRN · May 6, 2006

Ours was $100 too. It also was put towards your tuition once you actually started the nursing classes. We had two weeks to pay it as well. They called it a deposit that was nonrefundable and could not be transferred towards any other program.

llg, PhD, RN · May 6, 2006

Processing all those applications costs the school a lot more money than you imagine -- and with all the applicants to nursing programs increasing the workload, I imagine schools are trying to make ends meet and discourage people from applying to lots of "extra" schools in case they don't get into their top choice.

All applications need to be processed, the data entered into databases, reviewed for eligibility, etc. just to BEGIN the process of selection. The selection process requires that people review the content of the application and "grade it" ... and interview the applicants .... rank them .... make decisions about tough issues that require meetings and discussions ... mail out letters of acceptance/rejection .... etc. It's all very expensive for the school and as the number of people applying (but not attending) grows, the schools need to pay for the costs of the application process through its application fees.

I suspecct more schools will be raising their fees -- an unpleasant consequence of the trend for students to apply to mulitiple schools.

llg

bsugaRN2b · May 6, 2006

Mine was $50 - they made up for the cheaper app fee by charging a $250 deposit to hold a seat...ouch!

MIKelly · May 6, 2006

The program I'm applying to charges $100, but not until you are actually accepted in. There is a $40 fee for the HESI test.

TRINI_RN · May 6, 2006

I had to pay a $35 application fee at my school. Once accepted I had to pay $100 deposit, but the $100 goes towards tuition. $100 for application fee seems

a little high.

capribry · May 7, 2006

I posted earlier about having to pay 100 buck registration fee so that it will seem like that u didn't have an app. fee and that it goes towards your tuition. Well what if u decide not to go to that school or don't get in? Where does the money go? I wish that u could donate it to another student who needs the much needed money than to put it in the admission director pocket(u can tell that I strongly dislike that school:angryfire ) The program at this particular school starts in Sept. but they wait until 2 weeks before classes start to tell u if u are in or not(stupid). By then you would have to turn down all the other schools b/c u missed their deadlines just to wait for acceptance to that school. And God bless you if u don't get in. You would have to wait untill next year to apply again and feel quite dumb applying to the same school that have already accepted you. I have a friend that is in this situation and I hope that it works out for her. But to tell u the truth, I would probably laugh at her b/c she passed up a great school with a good reputation for another school just b/c it's 15 months long instead of 22.

Thanks for letting me vent a little, 100 dollars is alot to lose when it is beyond your control!!!

Melcia060 · May 7, 2006

My app fee was $25 and the matriculation fee was $50. I guess it does take a lot of time for someone to sit there and sift thru the applications, but I think schools may attract more students by not charging the fees. I've attended 4 other colleges and never paid to apply to any of them. I'll admit that I chose where I did my pre-reqs based on whether or not I had to pay an application fee (yes, tuition & location & reputation were in there too somewhere). Call me cheap...and broke. :chuckle I caved in and paid the nursing school application fee because I fell in love with the program. Mel