Dilemma - CLC & the entrance exam...

klf73241 · Jun 25, 2007

I know how you feel...Personally, I would wait and see if you get in for the fall and if you don't...then retake the exam in August. But you have to get through it without loosing your mind, so.....do what you feel is right for you....I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!

LMRN10 · Jun 25, 2007

I know how you feel...Personally, I would wait and see if you get in for the fall and if you don't...then retake the exam in August. But you have to get through it without loosing your mind, so.....do what you feel is right for you....I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!

Well, actually the score of 85% would be for the Spring '08 semester. Basically the next cut-off for the Nursing Program is the first Tuesday of September (have to have everything submitted by that day), so I won't find anything out before then (probably not til late Oct/early Nov)...so I am trying to figure out in my mind if I should stick with the 85%, or try again for a higher grade, but give up my chance to to try for NEXT Fall ('08). If I take it in August, I have to wait until the next "window" to take the entrance exam again, which would be Jan-June and that would only allow me to try for Spring '09.

The Nursing Department said the lowest % accepted for THIS Fall was 83%, so I feel SOOOO close, yet SOOOO far!!!!

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Jun 27, 2007

Hi

I would definitely re-take the exam if I were you. For Spring '07 Semester my friend was on the waiting list with an 88 (she did get in, by the way). My other friend got in on the Fall '07 with an 89. My other friend had a 99 - a shoe in.

At CLC they fill spots based on rank order as determined by the composite percentile score. Figuring how many took the exam (I took it, too, on the 19th), I think there will be a greater number applying for the Spring '08 program.

Call the nursing office and ask what the cutoff was for the past 3 semesters. This should give you a better idea what score you should aim for. It would be better to take it again and count on a spot in the Spring rather than not to take it again and find you don't have a spot.

Hope this helps and maybe we'll run into each other in January! I wish you the best.

clcstudent22307 · Jun 27, 2007

I got a 78 the first time then an 89 the second. After the first time I went in and asked Dr. Jezuit (it was summertime and I had a class there anyway and she was the only one in the Nursing office) what I could do to improve my score. She said to focus on the area in which I scored lowest (math of course) and practice/ study to improve. She said that generally when people improve their lowest score their composite goes up and WOW mine did. I did math problems for 2 weeks prior to the test (for about 1 -2 hours a day depending on my schedule). Put your mind to it like I did!!!! You'll do it and I agree with Bluewolf - take the NLN again in August.

LMRN10 · Jun 27, 2007

I got a 78 the first time then an 89 the second. After the first time I went in and asked Dr. Jezuit (it was summertime and I had a class there anyway and she was the only one in the Nursing office) what I could do to improve my score. She said to focus on the area in which I scored lowest (math of course) and practice/ study to improve. She said that generally when people improve their lowest score their composite goes up and WOW mine did. I did math problems for 2 weeks prior to the test (for about 1 -2 hours a day depending on my schedule). Put your mind to it like I did!!!! You'll do it and I agree with Bluewolf - take the NLN again in August.

Well, I did improve. From my last exam to this one, I went from a 71% to an 85%. I got a 93 on my Science and 88 on my math (so those are not my issues), but my vocabulary I got like a 77 or something (I'll have to check when I get home). So, I did improve dramatically on that, but I guess not enough.

How did you study for the vocab? I read it over and over and over and I still didn't do as good as I hoped! And that is what dragged my grad down last year!

I did talk to the nursing department...she said acceptance for Fall '07 was cut off at 83%. But she said it can go anywhere from there up to 87/88%. Generally it is in the mid 80's.

CLC172 · Jul 8, 2007

I think that you should re-take the exam in August. You are very borderline with your score, and last spring's cutoff was 88%. My friend ended up getting into our class with an 87%, after she had been on the waiting list. Chances are, your next score will improve, as long as you study for it. Whatever you choose, good luck!

clcstudent22307 · Jul 10, 2007

I agree, take the exam again. I didn't study for vocab., just math and I jumped pretty high in my score. Good luck.

LMRN10 · Jul 12, 2007

I agree, take the exam again. I didn't study for vocab., just math and I jumped pretty high in my score. Good luck.

Vocab is why my score is as low as it is. Am I missing something as far as how to pass that part? I just feel like I shouldn't be doing that horrible, but truthfully, is it luck for the most part? I just wish there was a switch that would turn on in my brain that says "oh, yes, duh", but it hasn't turned on yet. :lol2:

This will be the fourth time I'll be taking the test...the first one was like the "practice test". The last two I did great on science and math, but vocabulary is what is really determining my grade. Just drives me nuts!!!

j3yang21 · Dec 16, 2007

I live in Lake County and am in district of CLC. The Pre-RN Admission Exam (NLN) was the reason why I left the College, I had taken the NLN exam twice, and the first time I took it I got 90%, and second was 88% and was still not accepted in the program. Not to say I am also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society and received commendation certificates from the College for having been placed in the College Honor list twice in a row. College of Lake County does not consider your academic performance for admission, unlike Harper College and others.

I waited for almost two years, and got tired of it, so I applied at this LPN program in the Chicago area school. I finished the program, and passed NCLEX-PN. I now hold a license as an LPN and currently working as a Rehab/Medicare Nurse.

Consider your other options and don't be stuck with CLC Pre-RN Admission exam forever. It is easier to do LPN-RN Bridge so you can work and earn big bucks while pursuing RN degree, Good luck!

Ok, I just got off the phone with the Nursing Department at my school.
The way that CLC does the Pre-Entrance exam testing seems to be different than most. They actually have 6 month windows when you can take the test. You can take it once between January and June (which I just did...took it this past Tuesday, the 19th) and then you can take it again between July & December.
Ok...here is where it get's tricky for me. I got my scores back, 85%...ok. I checked with my school just to see what the lowest score was that got in for the Fall semester and they said 83% (and I know it is different every semester, but just wanted an idea). And then I had mentioned that I could take it again in August, but wasn't sure I wanted to because if I got a lower score, then I'd be stuck with that.
Well, the woman I spoke with said no. If I stuck to the 6 month rule (which I would be considering I took it in June), then they would take the higher of the two. So, if I did score less than this past one, then they would still take the 85%.
My biggest concern is if I do take it in August, then I can't take it again until January which means I wouldn't even have the opportunity to try for Fall '08 if necessary.
I am ready to cry here and just freaking out about this !!! What is your opinion? Do I take it again? My husband said what do you have to lose, but I feel like if I need that opportunity again to take it for the Fall, I want to save that, so I am unsure!!!
And to tell you the truth, the thought of taking this test again is getting to me!!!
Thanks everyone!!!
Lori

LMRN10 · Dec 16, 2007

Well, I did end up retaking it and got a 92% and did get in with that. I am surprised you didn't get in with those scores! When were you applying?

So, are you going to Harper College now? Best of luck!

j3yang21 · Dec 16, 2007

I applied in 2005 and 2006, I heard from the Nursing Dep't that the highest score then was 99%, I was really surprised how in the world can someone get that kind of score in the test, well I guess some of these students have been taking NLN multiple times, like a friend of mine that I met after I left the College, she took NLN 6 times and waited until she got accepted. I was told that if you're to retake NLN, some of questions are being repeated?

I applied at Harper with the same NLN scores and they sent me a letter that I am out of District and that they prioritize in-district students. Again, no luck.

I am now in the process of taking care of the paperworks needed for a University transfer (LPN to BSN), and prefer to do online classes and hope to start soon.

Good luck to both of us!

Well, I did end up retaking it and got a 92% and did get in with that. I am surprised you didn't get in with those scores! When were you applying?
So, are you going to Harper College now? Best of luck!