I'm just curious how many others worry about not getting accepted. I'm still finishing up my prerequisites and should have been applying this spring but for various family reasons have to put it off until next spring. I don't know how things look for the schools you have in your area, but here, the waiting lists are 3 years minimum for the community colleges. For the universities and the community colleges that use point systems, the competition is stiff. One CC has over 2,000 applicants for 160 spots. That's more spots than the other schools have. Most only have 60-80 spots available per year.
I see many here have received acceptance letters and I think that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you! I'm just afraid I may be one of the ones who receives a "We regret to inform you..." letter. I don't think I've seen anyone post about that.
I'm doing what I can to maximize my chances because I want this with all of my heart and soul. If I end up not getting in, I don't know what I'll do. I really believe nursing is what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm taking a phlebotomy class right now and it's actually been really fun so far. I'm considering taking a nurse's assistant class this summer so I can get some more experience.
Are you worried? Do you have a backup plan? Will you continue to reapply until you get in?
yes well, I finally got my letter today and I was denied. I thought I would be devastated , but I am doing OK. I am going to take this as a sign that I need to spend a little more time with my kids (three daughters ages 5,3,1)
I'm sorry you didn't get in, and I know that feeling all too well. I wish you the best in your future, whatever you decide to do.
yeah, just like everyone else.. i too, am worried.. however, i have thought long and hard for a back up plan. my plan is to apply into the adn program and while waiting, take an lpn program, and if i do get accepted to the adn program before i finish lpn, then i will back out of the lpn and of course do the adn program... but if.. sadly i still haven't been accepted to the adn program, then i will finish my lpn and do an lpn to rn bridge program, which has no waiting periods, points systems, lottery, etc. etc. and is easier and faster! plus i will be getting credit for the pre-req classes i finished at the community college.
does anyone else think this is a smart idea??? or is there anyone else who is planning on doing this too or is in a similar situation as mine?? need input...
I'm not worried, but only because most of the colleges around me don't have waiting lists. They go by a point system (classes) which is what it should be. As long as I keep getting A's I'll be fine.
I remember seeing a CC a few hours from here that operated on a point system based on different factors: GPA, Volunteer, Work, Certification, etc. I think this is a really good idea.
Wow.....I guess I should consider myself lucky that the CC's here put you on a waitlist and it's first-come, first-served after you complete the prereqs with a "C" average. I actually considered that a disappointment for a long time because my GPA is about a 3.7 and I felt I would have had an advantage. But they also don't require a NET, or other tests for entrance and perhaps they would have had to add something like that if they had a point system.
I had never heard of someone have to take the ACT so long after high school....it's been 30 years; I can't even imagine!
hello all, my heart goes out to you all. i know exactly what your all going through. i was there myself just 2 years. here is some words of wisdom and suggestions. (some your most likely doing already)
1. apply, apply, apply - apply to as many schools as possible. i applied to 9 schools when i was trying. in the end i had 2 cc and 1 university to choose from. appy to schools that have similliar pre-req's, and constantly up date you applications to all of them; i.e. transcipts, etc.
2. don't assume - call admissions, and make sure you meet requirments, entrance exams taken, yes they do have your transcripts. i don't know how many fellow students, didn't make it, because they found out an old math they took, didn't receive credit, etc.
3. letter of intent - most schools require it, if so, some where in the letter, explain, you have made a comitment in all areas of your life to accomidate school, so your able and willing to except any clinical rotation. found this out after i was accepted. most nursing programs, have a lack of rotation sites, many have to plan for night and weekend shifts, which not all students can do, esp. those with children, jobs and family. seeing that in a letter is def. a plus.
4. letters - if your program asks for letters of rec. start with your professors, (found this out after as well), come to find out my a&p teacher, knew the prof.'s. and those making the ultimate decision of acceptance, and she loved me, maybe having a letter from her, could of made things easier.
5. know what & who your dealing with - many times, there are rumors and what not, of who and why some get in. know the facts, in my program, what some do not know (again, found out later). is that there is 2 steps to acceptance. the nursing facility themselves choose about 100 applicants, and then our admissions department makes the final cut, and ultimate choice. why is that important, b/c many address there letter and or rec.'s on pleasing "nursing" facility. well, thats nice, but admissions may be looking at you differently. so include things that may look good for both. many nursing programs demand upto date shots (hep b. varicella, mmr, and tb), cpr cert., cori, proof of health insurance. i made 9 copies of everything i had including my lic. and ss. card, and included it in my application. showing them, that was one less thing, they didn't have to worry about if i were choosen. another thing is waiting lists etc. i can't tell you how many times, i heard ppl, saying that our school had a waiting list. not true, our schools waiting lists applied only to lpn's waiting to join 2nd year. there was no waiting lists, for first year. know what is expected, do you have an entrance exam, if so, what is the passing rate, and what do they want. did you meet it, if not, take it again. schedule, things like this early, so you have time to re-take it. i know a girl who did so badly she took it twice - and got in.
6. speak up ! - i know if your like me, you didn't want to burn bridges, so you accepted what was handed to you. don't - i applied to the school i really wanted to get into, and after busting my bum to get in, i was denied. i demanded an interview with admissions to know why. and not a week later, or a month, but within days (do this asap). after we spoke, i got in! not only that, many students did this, and many actually continued to do this, all summer and even through the first week of class. many students drop the first week, and many knew this and called and begged for their seat, and got it. i can't tell you how many students we got, as late as 2 weeks into class.
some of these suggestions will apply to your school and some will not. in the end, keep your head up. getting in, or not getting in, doesn't prove your worth. if this is what you want, then it will happen. don't let those around you get to you either. your going to meet, many who tell you half truths to feel better about them selves, run your own race. don't look at those on the side of you, behind or even ahead. good luck all, and keep strong -
yeah, just like everyone else.. i too, am worried.. however, i have thought long and hard for a back up plan. my plan is to apply into the adn program and while waiting, take an lpn program, and if i do get accepted to the adn program before i finish lpn, then i will back out of the lpn and of course do the adn program... but if.. sadly i still haven't been accepted to the adn program, then i will finish my lpn and do an lpn to rn bridge program, which has no waiting periods, points systems, lottery, etc. etc. and is easier and faster! plus i will be getting credit for the pre-req classes i finished at the community college.
does anyone else think this is a smart idea??? or is there anyone else who is planning on doing this too or is in a similar situation as mine?? need input...
soontobe - i don't know how your school works, but here is my opin.
if your school works that admissions for the rn program are once a year. you could start taking pre-req's, while your waiting, (i assume you have). if for some reason you don't get accepted, you could finish your pre req's if you haven't. by the time you finish, it maybe time to apply again. another option is to start taking pre-req's that are needed for a bsn program. i just feel if your goal is rn, by the time your done, you may have invested 2 years waiting, and then 2 more years for the rn. and yes there maybe no waiting lists, or point system for the bridge lpn, but i know many ilpn's our class, had the same problems as non lpn's. only so many seats and to many applications. most lpn bridge classes, start there and then join 2nd year rn classes. in my class we could only accept 5 lpn's due to seats and clinical rotation, out of 50 who applied. so, having your lpn, may not nec. secure you a seat. see what i mean....
my best advice is to apply to as many rn schools as possible, trying to meet all the requirments and pre-req's. some one will accept you, and if not then you can finish bsn pre-req's, and then apply to bsn schools. if that happens, you can move right into nursing, b/c your done with all the gen. ed. classes. in the end, you still have to do 2 years of nursing, if you have to wait 1-2 years to do that, it might as well be completing all the non-nursing, so then you can dedicate your studies strickly on nursing when you get in. you could get your lpn first, but don't assume, you can then walk into an rn program, you may still have hurdles to jump. you may also still have pre-req's. all our lpn's still had to take a&p, mic, english, psych, etc.
There are several nursing programs available around here. That's great, but the hard thing is they all have different prerequisite courses, and A&P at one school isn't necessarily A&P at another. The same goes with any other class. It sucks that you can take classes and they won't transfer and fill the requirements at a school in the same area. It limits those who can't afford to take the same class 5 times to apply to all the nursing programs. How do you pick which to apply to at that point?
I have two living children, ages 7 (almost 8) and 12 months, so while I'm anxious to get in NOW, I keep telling myself it would be okay to wait, since that way my youngest will be a little older and hopefully we'll have a better idea if he's going to have any long term residual problems associated with his prematurity.
Hello all, my heart goes out to you all. I know exactly what your all going through. I was there myself just 2 years. Here is some words of wisdom and suggestions.
What terrific insights and observations from someone who's been there! You spent a lot of time outlining that info and it looks like it will be very helpful to many here.
soontobe - I don't know how your school works, but here is my opin.
If your school works that admissions for the RN program are once a year. You could start taking pre-req's, while your waiting, (i assume you have). If for some reason you don't get accepted, you could finish your pre req's if you haven't. by the time you finish, it maybe time to apply again. Another option is to start taking pre-req's that are needed for a BSN program. I just feel if your goal is RN, by the time your done, you may have invested 2 years waiting, and then 2 more years for the RN. And yes there maybe no waiting lists, or point system for the bridge LPN, but I know many iLpn's our class, had the same problems as non LPN's. Only so many seats and to many applications. Most lpn bridge classes, start there and then join 2nd year RN classes. In my class we could only accept 5 Lpn's due to seats and clinical rotation, out of 50 who applied. So, having your LPN, may not nec. secure you a seat. See what I mean....
my best advice is to apply to as many RN schools as possible, trying to meet all the requirments and pre-req's. Some one will accept you, and if not then you can finish BSN pre-req's, and then apply to BSN schools. If that happens, you can move right into nursing, b/c your done with all the gen. ed. classes. In the end, you still have to do 2 years of nursing, if you have to wait 1-2 years to do that, it might as well be completing all the non-nursing, so then you can dedicate your studies strickly on nursing when you get in. You could get your Lpn first, but don't assume, you can then walk into an RN program, you may still have hurdles to jump. You may also still have pre-req's. All our Lpn's still had to take A&P, mic, english, psych, etc.
Good Luck -
Hi, thanks for your advice. But I have already finished all of my General Education (Engl, Math, Psyc, etc.) and actually, I know that there are usually a waiting lists also for LPN to RN bridge programs at community colleges, however, the LPN to RN Bridge program that I will be applying to is at a Vocational Nursing School, which requires you to take a&p, engl, math, etc. (which I have already taken) and after completion of the program, I will receive my ADN. The advantage is that it takes only a year for the LPN program and there is no waitlist for the LVN to RN bridge (only require pre-reqs to be completed before applying and 6-months of employment as an LPN) but the only disadvantage to this program, is that it is costly, but I am willing to get a loan.
Hi, thanks for your advice. But I have already finished all of my General Education (Engl, Math, Psyc, etc.) and actually, I know that there are usually a waiting lists also for LPN to RN bridge programs at community colleges, however, the LPN to RN Bridge program that I will be applying to is at a Vocational Nursing School, which requires you to take a&p, engl, math, etc. (which I have already taken) and after completion of the program, I will receive my ADN. The advantage is that it takes only a year for the LPN program and there is no waitlist for the LVN to RN bridge (only require pre-reqs to be completed before applying and 6-months of employment as an LPN) but the only disadvantage to this program, is that it is costly, but I am willing to get a loan.
Soon2b - It looks like you have covered all your bases, and thats what is important. It looks to me as you have a good plan, stick with it!
there are several nursing programs available around here. that's great, but the hard thing is they all have different prerequisite courses, and a&p at one school isn't necessarily a&p at another. the same goes with any other class. it sucks that you can take classes and they won't transfer and fill the requirements at a school in the same area. it limits those who can't afford to take the same class 5 times to apply to all the nursing programs. how do you pick which to apply to at that point?
first let me say, your in my prayers, (you all are) i hope you get in.
now you made an excellent point - not all schools have the same requirments, furthermore except credits. i had one college, after taking 30 credits, tell me, they will only accept an english worth 3 credits. i told them to kiss my behind. here is my advice:
1. research the areas schools, and pick which ones you think are reasonable and best suited for your life, i.e. close to home, best passing rate etc.
2. pick a school and do your classes. most schools do tend to stick together, you may notice that most c.c.'s have similliar pre-req's, and university's have similliar pre-req's that only differ by either adding or not needing a class. usually its the private school's (at least in my area) that tend to go off the beaten path. as for transferable credits, best way to know is to find out. take a copy of your schools course number and description from their course catalog, and speak to the other schools register's office. this is very time consuming, but you have to ask yourself, is it worth it. an example i can give you is, community college a, doesn't require chemistry, however, community college b does, in addition community college b, doesn't accept your sociology, from college a. okay, so you have some problems.....no big deal, if for some reason, you have to take a chemistry or another sociology, then you could do those over the summer, or with your nursing. now, if it were something major...like they don't accept, any of your classes, or some of the major sciences, then don't bother to apply....even if you were to get in, you would have to re-take those classes, and its just not worth it.
overall -
:) my biggest thing is, pick a school and do it, try to apply to those schools that meet the most of what you have already done.
:) plan out, do each school require entrance exams, interviews, etc. then make sure you carry a calendar, to book them etc., next, carry a few pre-signed letters to avoid paying fees. in my area and most, you don't have to pay entrance exams, admissions fees or paper costs. if you can show proof you already have, to another college in the district. lucky for me, my school was a lot cheaper than most, and did give me a letter, stating i already paid. so all my applications were free.
:) kissing bum - it never hurt anyone, to every admissions or nursing personel you speak with, send out a thank you card a few days later, thanking them for taking the time to speak with you. that works in 2 ways. 1. it keeps your name fresh in their mind, long after you've gone, and 2. your being nice.
good luck to you all and hugs and prayers to you -
my plan is to apply into the adn program and while waiting, take an lpn program, and if i do get accepted to the adn program before i finish lpn, then i will back out of the lpn and of course do the adn program... but if.. sadly 
i still haven't been accepted to the adn program, then i will finish my lpn and do an lpn to rn bridge program, which has no waiting periods, points systems, lottery, etc. etc. and is easier and faster! plus i will be getting credit for the pre-req classes i finished at the community college.
Fun2, BSN, RN
5,586 Posts
I'm sorry you didn't get in, and I know that feeling all too well. I wish you the best in your future, whatever you decide to do.