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Discussion

Do I have any chances of getting into a nursing school?

I'm an aspiring nursing student who currently attends a community college. I'm interested in applying to UCLA's nursing program. I am aware that it is a very competitive program to get into (I believe less than 10% of the applicants get accepted?) and I am ready to do anything in order to get into that school. CSUs (chico, east bay, long beach, and san marcos) and my CC's nursing programs are also on my list but the problem is this:

I failed college. I was kicked out due to bad grades. I was an engineering major (freshmen) when I fell into a depression (which I am not going into detail due to personal reasons) during my second quarter and I just stopped caring. Before I realized, I was failing my classes and going to receive the boot anytime sooner. I can always blame my dismissal to my depression but as an adult, it was still my responsibility to maintain my grades. The whole experience made me mature and woke me up. Time is ticking and I'm not getting any younger. I guess it takes that kind of beating for some people to wake up.

As you've guessed, I ended up enrolling in my nearby community college. Last semester was my first semester. I was (and still am) afraid of failing so I studied as hard as I can, and ended up getting straight As. This semester, I applied for the honors program and got accepted. I started doing community services: I volunteer at a housing for low-income families and assist their children during after school program by tutoring them. I am also going to volunteer at Red Cross' blood drive on campus twice a month where I will assist donors registering or handing them food after their donation. I am also up for an interview for a volunteer position at a private hospital. I am also trying to be active in the college: I am a member of Psychology club and I'm trying to get into the Rotaract club.

As for my classes, I have yet to take my prerequisites. I took biology 101 (introductory biology, a prereq for Anatomy), Sociology, Psychology and a history class (a prereq for transferring). I am currently taking Chemistry, Developmental Psychology (Lifespan Development), Communications, Ethics and Morality, and Political Science. Both Communications and Ethics are CC's nursing program prerequisites and also transferrable. So far, I am doing well this semester. I am also comfortable taking Anatomy because I took it during high school.

I am aware that my first semester grades aren't sufficient to show the signs of my maturity but I am willing and determined to prove it to the universities by participating in all ECs that I can and earning all As that I must have. So in theory, if I straighten up all my act, do I have a shot on getting into a university nursing program despite the fact that I have a stigma (the bad academic year will be baggage that I have to carry forever I suppose)?

My apologies if it's too long. I need straightforward answers.

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    • Experts

    Simple answer: don't bother sending transcripts from the university where you failed. Only use the credits at your community college when applying. You may have to re-take courses you've already had, but then you wouldn't have the failing grades & poor transcript follow you.

    Good luck and keep maintaining a positive attitude, seems like you're doing really well so far :)

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    • Author

    The thing is, you can't do that. You have to send the transcript or else, if they find out that you didn't send the transcript (which they will), it would be worse. You won't get accepted to that university and you will have an academic dishonesty in your transcript

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    • Experts

    Actually, that's not the case. It depends on the college. If they state you must send all transcripts, then you must, of course! I'm certainly not recommending dishonesty!!! However, not all colleges require that you provide transcripts from other schools. So, check with the college you're planning on applying to and see if this is a must. Usually, divulging previous transcripts only comes into play when financial aid is involved.

    My step-daughter struggled her first year of college and thought her hopes were gone of ever getting accepted elsewhere. She was able to apply as if she was a new student at a college that didn't require transcripts from previous institutions. It was a fresh start for her.

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    Be aware that A&P in high school is absolutely NOT the same as taking it college! Its 10x harder and goes into GREAT detail. You have to take time out of every day to study so you don't fall behind or get overwhelmed when you study for tests. This is one class you can't study the night before a test. It takes time to lean it all. But from what you have said about your grades from your first semester back in college, you should do fine :) Good luck!

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    Check with the programs you're interested in and have your transcripts evaluated by the school's nursing program advisor. The Accelerated BSN program (for students who already have a non-nursing BA) I'm considering looks at prereq grades and the last 60 hours the student has taken.

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    How long ago did you fail out of college? I saw somewhere that you can petition to have the failing semesters removed from your transcript if a certain amount of time has passed.

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    • Author

    Thanks for the advice guys :)

    @maddiem Thanks for the heads up but I'm prepared to do what I have to do in order to get a good grade in that class. I don't have a job (although I have volunteer hours every week) so I invest all my time reading my textbooks (sometimes I read ahead).

    @jt43 I would like to petition that but this is only my second year as a college student.

    @SopranoKris wow, I have never thought of that! I'll make sure to research some nursing universities that does not require *all of your transcripts.

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    Best of luck! I know Cali schools are harder to get into but judging by your screen name, I bet you can do it.

    -fellow Asian-

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    I can relate to your story so much. I've been there, done that, wrote the book. All you can do from here on out is to focus on your abilities today and what you are capable of now. You can't undo your past and it will always lurk. But it doesn't mean that the rest of your life is marred. You had a bad year. Make the next few years your best. Take all the pre-reqs and all your GE courses before transferring. That way you'll have more course work to show and a better overall GPA (plus it's more affordable at a CC).

    I think you still have a chance to get into a nursing program if you get A's in your prereqs, get all your GE's done with good grades, and knock the socks off the TEAS. It's definitely not over.

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    Here's my advice, petition the registrar at the college where you failed. Ask to have the semesters expunged from your record. State the reason/s you fell into depression and that you were depressed. Get a letter from your physician and/or therapist to confirm that you were indeed depressed and that it affected your ability to perform well academically. If you don't have a physician or therapist to back you up, it will be harder. You have nothing to lose by doing this. The worst that can happen is they say no.

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