can you apply for nursing school while finishing prereq classes? GCU hopeful

[J89Mike]

That may have sounded worse than intended regarding the title (haha), but my academic prereqs placed me in that situation.

I plan on applying into Grand Canyon University either for the spring '15, or the summer '15, whichever gives me a better chance. The application for spring is due by September 15, and they want TEAS score (have yet to take.... probably do it sometime in August so can have more time to study), clean background, fingerprint, etc... and obviously prereqs done.

I have all of them done, minus Pathophysiology which is already signed up for the fall of this year (fall 2014). The plan was, take TEAS in August, then apply for the spring if possible. My GPA is about 3.6 for all prereqs, science GPA is about 3.5, and I am a hospital employee which is what they also "look at" when applications are turned in.

I wouldn't want to wait a full semester to get into the nursing program (if I could even be accepted *crosses fingers*) just because of 1 prereq class I still need to finish. My problem is, by the time the application would be due Sept 15 for the spring start, I would be done with Patho 2 months later. I'm just not sure if thats allowed or recommended to apply with prereqs not fully completed even though they will be before semester's end.

I talked with my academic adviser and he didn't say much regarding it. He said we (the students) could apply with them not 100% finished yet and just put on the application that the remaining classes are currently being finished, but unsure what outcomes are as far as acceptance. I mean if I did get in for the Spring 2015 start, they would be done long before the spring start. Just not done by the application date.

I would like to apply, and if I can't get in because of that or whatnot due to the high # of students who are more qualified, thats fine because I would reapply for summer 15 since all the classes would definitely be done by that application date. I just would feel dumb for waiting a whole semester to start because of 1 prereq class that wasn't finished by the application date. Thank you all for reading!

[RunBabyRN]

Go through the program's website, FAQs, application, etc. You may find your answer there. Most programs will allow you to have 1 or 2 outstanding prereqs, and as long as they're completed before the nursing program starts, will accept you with the stipulation that you do well in the courses still in progress, but you'll have to do your research and find out for sure about each specific program.

[bear94, BSN, RN]

When I applied for school, I applied in September of 2013 for the Fall 2014 semester. I had a whole year left of outstanding pre reqs and I still got accepted, also all of the other schools I applied for didn't have a problem with me still having to take my pre reqs either. They didn't care as long as they were completed before I started the program. Most schools are like mine and the ones I applied to. I bet you can find some information about it on the admissions section of your desired schools website.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

As PP's have pointed out, each program has it's own rules in this area. Just be aware that if they accept applications prior to completing your pre-reqs, there is a high likelihood that they would only grant a "conditional" acceptance in these cases ... which would be withdrawn if you don't meeting specific outcomes in those classes.

[CNASuzy]

I would recommend getting your prereqs done before going into nursing school. It's suicide to be studying for nursing classes and your prereq classes. I don't know about any other schools but the one I attend states and will happen that if you fail your prereq/Coreq class you will be dropped from the nursing program.

[desertlady]

Come over to the AZ part of this site and you will find lots of good info over there. Maybe a moderator can move this over to AZ? Anyway, I am a GCU Fall 2014 hopeful, and although I am done with all my pre-reqs, MOST of the fall hopefuls are still completing pre-reqs this summer while waiting on the decision of their application. The situation you are in is very typical for GCU applicants and you should still be able to go ahead and apply for Spring 2015.

[desertlady]

Also, GCU just changed over from TEAS to HESI for entrance exam. So be sure to study accordingly. :)

[claritasd]

Just seconding (seventhing?) everyone else - you probably can, but check on the website. I applied to a school in January (for the following September) with 4 prereqs not even started yet! It's a little different - it's an accelerated 2nd bachelors, and only had - but I had only completed 2 out of 6 prereqs! And I still got in on the condition I get Bs in all four before classes start. So just check with the school! I think most people apply before they finish; schools expect that unless they specifically say not to do it.