Can I go to community college and transfer into a BSN program?

EaglesWings21, ASN, RN · Aug 9, 2013

The only people that can answer this are the colleges in your community. Go to the 4 year University that you want to attend and ask them what credits transfer from local community colleges.

barcode120x, RN, NP · Aug 9, 2013

** Can I go to a CC for 2-3 years for my general education/prereqs, then transfer to a university and complete their BSN program? Is this possible?

Of course!!!!!!!! Many students that don't go to a university right away choose a JC first, then transfer (smarter option imo). However, you need to find out what classes are transferable to certain UCs

twss2323 · Aug 10, 2013

Yes! This is a very common occurrence around here. If I didn't get a scholarship to go to University, I would've spent my first two years at CC and then transferred to the University for nursing. It saves A LOT of money. One thing to look into though, some nursing programs take number of credits taken at their school into admission decisions. Make sure that's the not case with the program you're interested in!

queserasera, RN · Aug 10, 2013

Yes! I encourage this route! Talk about saving $!

its.jess.duh · Aug 10, 2013

You absolutely can! I went this route and saved a ton of money. You just have to figure out your prospective BSN schools and find out what their requirements are because every school is different. You just apply to the nursing program when you have met the requirements just like a student attending their college would have to do.

ambitiousBSN · Aug 10, 2013

Absolutely! I transferred into a university last fall and will be starting my BSN program later this month. The community college route saves a lot of money and will help you establish a competitive GPA that will help your chances of being accepted into a BSN program. The best advice I can give you is to research your local colleges and universities to determine which courses you need in order to transfer into their specific BSN program. Keep in mind though that just because you are admitted into a college/university doesn't mean that you will be accepted into their nursing program- nursing admissions are separate from the college/university admissions process. But, if you are finished with your pre-requisites and have completed their requirements such as GPA, nursing entrance exams (if they're required), etc., you have a good chance of being accepted.

Good luck! :-)

mama.RN · Aug 10, 2013

Yes, absolutely an option. But, apply to many CCs. Don't assume that will be an easy way in. Still very competitive for nursing programs. At the community college I went to there were 32 slots and several hundred people applied.

mama.RN · Aug 10, 2013

Oops, re-read your post. CC is perfect option for pre-reqs. My prior post applies if you want to obtain ADN at CC then go on to obtain your BSN after that.

claritasd · Aug 10, 2013

Absolutely. But as someone previously said, make sure the classes you take are UC/CSU compatible (if you plan to transfer to one of those systems). I've already got a BA, but I'm taking classes online through a California community college to transfer to an Accelerated BSN. There's usually no reason they wouldn't transfer.

missind33 · Aug 10, 2013

I currently go to a university and looking to apply to the ABSN. From my experience here's what I saw.

I had friends who took pre-req classes at the community college and applied directly to the BSN programs, they were rejected. This is because the admissions know the difficulty level difference between community college and the university level. Universities prefer that you take the pre-reqs at the university. This fact applies to any program you apply to (ex PA, Medical, etc). They all prefer the classes to be taken at the university. Admissions know you're taking the easy way out by taking the pre-reqs at the community college.

To get your ADN and then apply to the university to transfer to a BSN, thats a smart choice. I would recommend this route.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 10, 2013

I currently go to a university and looking to apply to the ABSN. From my experience here's what I saw.
I had friends who took pre-req classes at the community college and applied directly to the BSN programs, they were rejected. This is because the admissions know the difficulty level difference between community college and the university level. Universities prefer that you take the pre-reqs at the university. This fact applies to any program you apply to (ex PA, Medical, etc). They all prefer the classes to be taken at the university. Admissions know you're taking the easy way out by taking the pre-reqs at the community college.

^This is not accurate...if that were the case, the ALL universities across America would not accept transfer students...Going to a community college is NOT an easy way out. It is the gateway to a Bachelors degree, and access to an education at a reasonable price.

There are many reasons why your friends may have not been accepted to nursing school the first time...they may have had enough candidates that met their profile...but don't state in accurate information when that is CERTAINLY not the case. :no:

Let's not misdirect the OP, especially if she has a chance to get into a program going this route.

Most universities have a transfer agreement with CCs...so what's an easy way out, if they are taking the bulk of the classes at a CC, then transferring into the major courses (which for a university and a university nursing program, the BULK of which their money is made??)

OP, as many have stated, it IS possible...makes sure you speak to the universities DIRECTLY for clarification...Most universities have variants of "required university courses," but most have similar, requirements. Research, research, the universities and the CCs. Best wishes.