CCAC Jan 23rd PAX resuls are in!

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I'm so relieved to say that I received my scores today and passed! I took the test on January 23rd at CCAC North Campus. Anyone else heard yet??

I'm probably applying to the Allegheny campus simply because it is the most convenient for me. I live close to that area and that is where I'm currently taking courses, so I have familiarity and comfort there. I'm applying for spring admission. I'm also taking the PSB nursing entrance exam at UPMC St. Margaret in July, and plan on applying to UPMC Shadyside. CCAC has a good program from what I hear and is a lot cheaper than UPMC Shadyside (especially now that Shayside is rolling back the amount they cover in their tuition forgiveness program) but one thing I don't like about CCAC is the way the students always want to be spoon-fed the information. There is such an entitlement mentality of a LOT of the students who go there, and it's really aggravating.

How do I know "so much" about CCAC? Everything I've acquired about CCAC, I either got by going to ccac.edu and doing searches for information, or by reading posts on this board. To be honest, it amazes me how LITTLE people know about the programs they are applying to. It amazes me especially how people can score high on a test and not even have wherewithall to know what their scores mean.

As far as the application date for spring 2011, I got that information by calling the nursing office at CCAC-Allegheny. This information is not hard to find; it just takes the initiative to look it up.

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RoseannaMartin: yeah, I don't know much about the fast-track program either. Does sound nice, though, to be able to finish up in a year and a half instead of two.

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See-I've spent a ton of time (hours amounting to probably days) looking and researching CCAC's Fast Track program (and other programs of course) but was still left with many question marks. CCAC has had different info in several spots and I've found that the advisors are just professors that are required to work one night a week and have no clue about the program except for requirements. I've written CCAC's nursing dept. secretary and left several voicemails over the course of several months and never received a response. I did receive a response from the nursing program director when I got tired of waiting and went straight to the top. And when you mentioned what you did about interpreting PAX scores, I was unsure of how well my score would be received because I've read posts from students at other colleges that were much more competitive than CCAC...

I'm also taking the PSB test at St. Margarets in 2 weeks. I researched all the accredited nursing schools in the area and that one turned out to be the most affordable school that offered a spring start. I'm trying to become a nurse practitioner for the least $$ and most flexibilty to have a family. I have an undergrad degree from Grove City, but a 2nd degree BSN program was just too much $$ compared to CCAC. Besides, UPMC would be willing to pay for some of the RN-to BSN coursework....so why pay for it myself? I already have a massive undergrad loan to pay off.

I live on the North Side so Allegehney would be closer for me, but I've found that many posters on this site only have negative things to say about the program there (some very shocking). I've been thinking about Boyce since I heard through the grapevine they offer a day fast track program-but you cant find any info online about it...frustrating.

And as for North campus kids being spoon-fed information...I cant speak for the nursing program, but I have taken several classes there and they are much easier than Grove City, but very typical of community colleges from my experience...maybe not yours though.

Good luck to you.

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Wow, it really sounds like you have done your research! I take the PSB I think July 21st. And as far as your scores, seriously I'm sure they are really good. You got a 96th percentile overall; highest possible is 99th. So yours are near perfect. There is so much heresay on these forums that sometimes its hard to know what is true and what is not. I wish I could give you more info about the fast-track program, but I don't have any either. That was something that appealed to me too but I can't find much info on it, but i think it amounts to you having to take nursing classes during the summer. I heard you finish the program in 1.5 years.

Wish I could help you with more info :( Maybe we will see each other in spring at Allegheny?

TTYL

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what do you want to know about the fast trak program?

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I was initially going to apply with Boyce as my first choice, but the hospital affiliations with Allegheny are so much better. Does anyone know if this makes the program anymore beneficial? I am planning on transfering to obtain my BSN and then pursue a masters in Midwifery or perhaps become a nurse practitioner with a focus in women's health. I just want to get the most out of this experience.

Jasoninpa, I know what you mean about the spoon-fed thing. Motivation should be a deciding factor in admission. Though, I don't particularly agree with CCAC's incredibly unhelpful approach, (when I call to ask questions, they always seem annoyed) people should take the initiative to educate themselves, if they take their study seriously. Two people actually showed up to the PAX late when I took it (at the North Campus). Maybe it's insensitive, but I was angry that she let them take the test.

Anyway, waiting for the results of my PAX, and I am pretty sure I will have nervous break down before they arrive.

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No---as far as the hospital location for your clinical..... it all depends on what floor you are on and how hard your clinical instructor works to get you a patient to coincide with what you are currently learning in class...

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Haha, I know what you mean about being annoyed that they let late entries in to take the test. :)

As far as waiting on your scores, I know how that feels. I got mine back three weeks plus a couple days after my testing date. I knew I did well on the verbal and math, but wasn't so sure about science. I came home and was trying to find the answers from the tricky ones that I could still remember. It turned out well, though, because I still got 49/60, which was top 2 percent (98th percentile). It seems common actually that people think they did poorly on the science and end up actually doing well. Thank goodness for percentiles :) I think a lot of the harder science questions aren't even used in our scores.

I'm applying for the Allegheny campus too! I currently take summer classes there, so I am familiar and comfortable there

Have you been calling the Allegheny office of nursing division when you ask for info? The times I have called the lady who answered was really nice and tried to help as much she could. Sorry I don't know her name.

Anyway, I can't believe the application is still not out! They were trying to get it out by June, and here we are at almost July and it's still not out? I heard the deadline is going to be end of August.

Well, best of luck to everyone!

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If you're planning on going to Allegheny, I strongly suggest applying to the evening/weekend program. The staff is far superior to the day staff.

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I didn't finish the math, about 6 that I just filled in circles on. Ugh, I don't even want to think about it.

I have called Boyce since that is the campus I've been attending. The lady who answers there is SO rude! She told me that the application will be available July 1 and is due July 31. She acted like this was definitive. Now I have been hearing that everything is up in the air. So I am confused. Of course. I am going to just assume it's due the 31st and if it ends up being later, it will be a nice surprise.

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I'd suggest against Boyce. Take a look in this forum on what some students are saying and consider it the truth. There is a huge difference among the different campuses (not just faculty - different books are used, tests are completely different, how lab is run, etc.).

Do some research and try to find out which campus people consider the best one. Trust me, it's not about being "spoon fed", it's about being treated and tested fairly, which unfortunately, doesn't happen at all of the campuses.

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I got my scores today, suprisingly early.

Composite of 127, 88th percentile. I am not thrilled, but it could be worse. Hopefully it's good enough!

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