DATC, OWATC, and Weber State Nursing Applications: My Experience

[Happygirl78]

I'm doing this for the pre-nursing students who have no idea what they are doing. The nursing application process can be overwhelming and discouraging when you have no insight into the process and acceptance details.

* Some background info:

I chose to only apply to 3 programs in the end because:

1-They are not programs associated with for-profit organizations. You don't buy your way in, you earn it.

2-They are all connected. DATC and OWATC funnel there students into the weber state RN program after educating us as LPN's. You will get first consideration over any other application when applying to the RN program...you pretty much are guaranteed a spot to put it shortly.

3-These are smaller programs. Less students in the class which means more focus on individual education. They are some of the most sought after programs because of the type of students they pump out. Prepared ones.

In the end I was only accepted to 1 program: DATC.

I applied a total of 4X to the DATC specifically. I believe I only applied 3 to the OWATC and 2 to Weber State.

I technically only applied 2X where I actually had any chance of getting in. I wanted those extra points for re-application so I applied before even having everything done.

My info:

3.64 CUM.

3.32 pre-requisites

Associate Degree

No actual healthcare experience for my first 2 applications (I did receive half a point for being employed as a caretaker, but not specifically a CNA) I THINK THIS IS GOOD TO NOTE.

I did gain experience for 6 months and received a full point by my last 2 applications.

I basically had every point you could get by my 4th application and the rest was left up to my GPA's and where I stood in line of application.

So as you can tell I wasn't anything special. A little above average grades, some experience, and lots of persistence. I wasn't perfect though. I cannot tell you how discouraging it was to see people with 4.0 and everything done who got in and feeling like that was the only way I would get in. Seeing students who hadn't put in as much work as you who had got in was even worse.

A little program description:

-Weber State: PURELY GRADES.

-DATC: Grades, experience, references, NPAX score, pre-requisites finished, having an associate degree, and essay.

-OWATC: I believe there process is very similar to DATC but I cant remember the specifics.

If I am being honest, I think I got in because I had gained every point I could have and I was one of the first to turn my application in. I seriously had it ready to go the second day after the application was available. So don't overlook those little things. GOOD references, a GOOD essay, turning it in EARLY.

If there is any questions ask away. I tried to include as much as I thought of.

[cna143]

I'm applying to DATC and OWATC currently. I meet all the requirements, I have good grades, and along with two and a half years of experience as a CNA. I really hope I get in because I'm definitely feeling discouraged after applying twice to the Dixie State University nursing program and getting turned away both times. All while watching students that don't meet the requirements are getting accepted into the program. Pretty frustrating none the less.. But I love nursing and I don't want to give up because I know one day I will be a great nurse if I keep working hard at it!