BCIT Aug 2010/ Jan 2011

Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN · Feb 9, 2010

Hate to burst your bubble, but BCIT unofficially doesn't accept people without at least 30- aka, 1 year- of university credits, AND health care experience. Most of the people who go there are a little older then fresh out of high school- I am currently a level 7 student there (graduate in May) and when i started, the youngest person in my class was 21, and the oldest around 55. Mean age around 33.

Your best bet to increase your chances are to get health care experience, and some post-secondary credits. You should kill 2 birds with one stone and take BCIT's English, Philosophy, etc those "core courses" you must take, plus some liberal electives. This way it'll be a lighter course load once you're in, and you'll have the credits.

vta3 · Apr 19, 2010

Hey Jeffy 604, I'm also applying for August 2010 at BCIT. I didn't find out that I was shortlisted until late March, and I'm going insane waiting to find out if I've been accepted or not.

I don't remember what my high school average was (graduated June 2006) but I have about 80 credits at SFU and a lot of the transfer credits done. I volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross and am a First Aid Instructor.

This is my second application. My first application (for January 2010) was successful in getting me shortlisted but I got cut because I didn't have enough of the transfer credits done. I had my English and Psychology, but they still required more...

This semester, I took 6 liberal electives credits and LIBS 7002 from BCIT to meet that requirement and I'm still not very confident about my current status for the August 2010 intake.

Were you shortlisted for this intake? Have you applied to any other nursing programs?

green_tea · Oct 2, 2010

Hey everyone, I'm interested in applying for the program. But I have a few questions.

1) Is it really a MUST to have a car/be able to drive? Did bcit verify that somehow? What if I have someone who's able to drive me around?

2) Can you tell me a bit about the interview?

3) When are admission decisions made by? I assumed that you won't find out until some time around May?

THank you so much!

jazzyp88 · Jan 15, 2011

I just finished my application for Aug 2011.

I applied 2 years ago but BCIT had lost my application. I was in the midst of doing my BSc at the time so I just let it go but now I wish I had put up a fight. All that money and time gone to waste! I had applied at that time as a means to move back to Burnaby so didn't take it too seriously. I remember that I called in really late (in late April) and they apologized and told me they would do a file review. I got a call the day after saying I got shortlisted, even though I know they had already made their final decisions (because a friend of mine had received a rejection letter)

I had at that time, 2 years worth of Science credits with an A GPA but they said that I didn't make the cut because I didn't have intro to psych. I was really angry because I had taken an upper level psych credit and I had a good GPA.

Anyways make sure you stay on top of this and call in to see if your application is received.

I don't know what they will say now because I've completed my BSc but still haven't taken intro psych. I have taken some religious studies classes and anatomy/physiology. since my last application and have done a lot of volunteering since. I have no idea where I stand though!

green_tea · Jan 19, 2011

Can someone explain a bit about the shortlisting? Is that not the same thing as waitlisting? I've read on another forum that someone was shortlisted for Aug session and will guarantee a seat for the Jan session. Isn't that technically keeping a waitlist? : :confused: :

jasn · Jan 19, 2011

Shortlisting is not the same as waitlisting.

Say 300 people applied to the Aug intake of BCIT, with 96 spots available. They might shortlist, say, 120 (this is a made-up number!). That means 180 people are cut - try again next time.

Those 120 shortlisted people are asked to submit further information (ie. references, essay). 96 are chosen from that 120, and they will also have a small list of,say, 10 people as "backups" in case all 96 don't accept their offer of admission. This is technically called a waitlist, but it functions differently than other schools. So if you're following the scenario, 104 chosen, another 16 cut to try again next time.

BCIT doesn't have a waitlist like other schools such as Langara or Kwantlen (sorry, can't remember which?), where everyone who meets the minimum requirements is placed on a list and eventually make it into the program. At BCIT, each intake is competitive. You could apply once or ten times to get it. BUT usually the top ~5 people on the "backup list" are guaranteed a spot for the next intake if they don't make it in that time (so if all 96 did accept those offers, those 5 would be offered admission for the next intake)

Hope that wasn't too confusing!

Nemo0n · Feb 6, 2011

Hi, I don't know which school would be a better choice BCIT (3 years)or UofC BNAT (2 years) program?

orthogal77 · Feb 26, 2011

Does anyone know when you are notified as to whether or not you are accepted at BCIT? I applied for Aug. 2011 and I tried to be proactive when applying and submitted a letter of intent/introduction as well as several professional references (I work in health care) as I had heard that they may request them. I have all A's for my highschool grades and I do have the necessary university credits but those grades aren't great since it was a long time ago (I'm 33) and I wasn't very motivated at 18. Anyone know if I even have a chance of getting in?

hello123 · Mar 8, 2011

BCIT is indeed competitive to get in, but take note that they have shrunken their degree to a 3-year format and have disallowed students to become ESN's during the program. Instead they have replaced it with co-op preceptorships (paid via a bursary format) in the last semester. That means a few things:

1. ESNs can get seniority while they work for a health authority as they are seen as casual employees. Hospitals who use ESNs tend to favour them over other types of new grads, because they have already proven they can taken on their own patient load (without a preceptor). ESNs have access to internal job postings upon graduation, where other regular new grads do not and must apply externally (and sometimes there is not much externally).

2. In a weak job market, having that ESN connection can really make the difference between finding employment after graduation, to having no employment at all and possibly having to relocate elsewhere.

So be sure you carefully consider this when applying for a nursing program in the lower mainland.

jasn · Mar 9, 2011

BCIT is indeed competitive to get in, but take note that they have shrunken their degree to a 3-year format and have disallowed students to become ESN's during the program. Instead they have replaced it with co-op preceptorships (paid via a bursary format) in the last semester. That means a few things:
1. ESNs can get seniority while they work for a health authority as they are seen as casual employees. Hospitals who use ESNs tend to favour them over other types of new grads, because they have already proven they can taken on their own patient load (without a preceptor). ESNs have access to internal job postings upon graduation, where other regular new grads do not and must apply externally (and sometimes there is not much externally).
2. In a weak job market, having that ESN connection can really make the difference between finding employment after graduation, to having no employment at all and possibly having to relocate elsewhere.
So be sure you carefully consider this when applying for a nursing program in the lower mainland.

Personally, I have some very opposite views on your points :) I think BCIT has a great program, but I'm getting the sense that you don't agree.

-yes, BCIT students get paid for preceptorships while other schools do not, and instead get paid for ESN. To me, those are equal. You are still making money while in school.

-a 3 year program is not necessarily a bad thing? It's not for everyone, but certainly is a great option for those looking to finish faster than 4 years.

-yes, you could get a job from your ESN, but I know many students who have received job offers from their preceptorships as well. It makes sense too: you are done school after that term and looking for a job, instead of still going back to school for another 1-2 years (which an ESN would do)

-to my knowledge, ESNs take on 2 pts, while in preceptorships you take on the full load of the nurse. you are not at a disadvantage by going to BCIT!

Another point to consider is that BCIT has a great reputation, and I have heard nothing but favourable comments about the BCIT program from staff during my rotations. Just adding my :twocents:

srama · Mar 14, 2011

I've been waiting to get a response from BCIT about my nursing application.

I'm really hoping I'll get shortlisted at least! I haven't gotten the 2 Liberal studies classes done though..

Has anyone who applied for the 2011 Aug intake gotten a letter yet?? I've been really anxious about it.