College options - HELP!

NewSN13 · Dec 21, 2010

Hi! I'm currently a student at Boise State and will be applying to the nursing program next month!

Ok, so since "bang for your buck" is one requirement, I would cross ITT Tech and Carrington off of you list. Both are for profit and are pretty expensive. ITT Tech is not accredited by the NLNAC which would pose a problem for continuing on, too.

BSU offers an online bridge program so if getting a degree and getting a job quick are important, an Associates from either TVCC or CWI would be a good choice. I have been told (but don't quote me on it since I have no firsthand knowledge) that CWI's admission is on a lottery. Of course, you could take pre reqs at CWI (lower cost and more convenient location for you than BSU) and decide whether to pursue an ADN or transfer the credits and apply to BSU's BSN program. Or you can always go straight to BSU for all of your pre-reqs and then apply.

I don't think I've really offered any options that you haven't already considered! If you have any questions about BSU's pre-reqs or the limited experience I've had with advising or anything else BSU specific, I'm more than glad to answer!

Sbullington · Dec 22, 2010

Hello! Thanks for responding!

I have applied to BSU twice this year and both times the classes I needed for their curriculum have been completely full. I also have noticed that they are very impersonal. When I have asked them questions, whether it be by email or phone, I always recieve the run-around and my questions arent answered. I've heard that their is an approximate 3 year waiting list on BSU's nursing program because of how competetive it is, is this true?

NewSN13 · Dec 22, 2010

The thing to keep in mind with BSU is that EVERYONE is pre-nursing (or so it seems) so classes fill up fast and the advisor for undergrad nursing fields a lot of inquiries. I already have a Bachelor's so I get priority when it comes to registering so I haven't had those problems but I have a lot of classmates that have. And my first advising appointment was kind of disasterous because the student advisor had no idea what, if anything, was different for a second degree seeking student. I think the best option is to try to get on campus for a face to face meeting with an advisor. I think if you're actually there, it's easier to make sure that your individual questions are addressed.

As far as their admissions, it's done strictly on GPA ranking. Once all of the required pre-reqs are done, they take your GPA from both semesters of anatomy and physiology, chemistry (either 101 & 102, 111 & 112, or 105) and math (124 or higher) and make a list. The top 50-60 candidates on the list get in and a wait list is made from applicants below the cut-off. The wait list doesn't carry over to a new semester, though, so if you don't get in during a given semester, you can re-apply. If you have a 4.0 in the defined pre-reqs and the minimums in the other pre-reqs, you should get in on the first try. If not, you may have to retake classes or hope that the next semester's applicant pool has a lower average GPA.

Have you looked at CWI? All of the classes there will transfer directly to BSU. It might be a bit easier to get into some of the classes, like anatomy and physiology, that fill up quickly at BSU.