So as I'm preparing to apply to BSN programs in the Southern California area for Spring 2014 admissions, I recently had an interview with West College's admissions and financial aid reps. So far, West Coast's program was on the bottom of my list because of all the negative information i had heard about the school, teachers, and that horrific price tag we have all seen associated with the school. But i'm so glad i met with the rep and got a lot of these rumors and facts verified because i can now make an informed decision. I wanted to share the details with you guys so you guys can have that opportunity as well......here it goes.
Timeframe (Bsn): 3.5 semesters pre-nursing, 4.5 semesters nursing (21.5 months). One academic year at West Coat is made up of 2.5 semesters. Total 8 semesters for the BSN degree. Classes are 10 weeks long and year round. Students are admitted each term so multiple times a year they will accept students into the program.
Pre-Requisites: About 16 classes and 3 of them are upper division (pathophysiology, English 2, Cultural Humanities) so those must be completed at West Coast or at a 4 year University. They have sort of an articulation agreement type thing on their website if you want to check and see if classes taken at a local community college transfer over.
Cost: Approximate numbers - 16,000 per semester, 2.5 semesters a year so about 37,000 per year. Complete your prerequisites at a community college! Most of that tuition ( what federal and grants won't cover) you pay via 2 options-pay monthly like a car payment or then get a private loan. My thoughts: 45,000 a year for a private school BSN-not as bad as I was thinking, especially if you knock out the prerequisites at a community college. I think Loma Linda has a similar price tag. Someone please clarify if I am wrong.
Students are doing clinical at Kaiser and Hoag Hospital, this I know for sure. I asked the west coast rep what the 6 month job placement rate was and his answer "we don't expect our students to come back and tell us"....ummm why aren't other colleges and universities using THAT excuse....SHADY. More like says a lot about the reputation of the program.
Admission requirements: getting approved for that private loan, if you have a minimum sat score then you don't have to take the HESI exam, and that's about it actually. No waiting list that I'm aware of but terms did fill up fast.
Accreditation: WASC regionally accredited, so state schools and future Masters programs will accept your degree!!
Hope this helps, I know it cleared up a lot of the concerns I had because of all the horror stories surrounding this school. If anyone can fill in the missing facts: Teacher/Class Quality, Job placement ( how hospitals are viewing the West Coast nurse, likely to hire?, ease in getting hired), and how well West Coast prepared you to be a nurse, this would be much appreciated by everyone seriously considering their BSN nursing options in SoCal.
