Fall 2010 Lonestar ADN Hopefuls

lilag02 · Dec 28, 2009

Hi Elco Girl!

Since there are probably other people looking too, I'll see if I can explain the ranking system based on what I've heard at the info sessions and from past applicants. Obviously, since I'm just a student, there may be something off in here, but after two years of researching and reading everything I can about LSC nursing, this is what I've gleaned.

Lone Star uses a point system, broken down into three sections of four points each, with the highest possible score of 12. All applicants from all Lone Star colleges are put together in order of ranking (highest to lowest), and they go down the list placing people until all spots are full. If your first choice college still has available seats, you'll get in there; if not, you'll be accepted to your second or third choice, or placed as an alternate. There is no definite cutoff score for any one college; it all depends on what the scores are that semester when you apply. For instance, if Cy-Fair accepts 40 students, the 40 applicants with the highest score and Cy-Fair as a choice will get those spots. The cutoff could be 11.5 one semester and 11.3 the next. Looking at past cutoffs is just a general guideline to judge where you might be in the ranks.

The three sections are broken down as follows-

1. GPA in ENGL 1301, PSYC 2301, and BIOL 2401 (or 2402 if your grade is higher). While the required minimum is 2.5, past scores of accepted applicants pretty much dictate that a 4.0 is neccessary. If you don't have the four points here, you would likely need to complete all of your hours (see #2) and score near perfect on the HESI.

2. Total number of gen. ed. hours completed. These are all of the non-nursing classes that are required to graduate from the RN program. There are a total of 31 hours, and to get the full four points, you need to have finished (with grade recorded) at least 27 hours. Again, like the classes above you must have a 'C' or better in these classes. This is why the co-reqs have unofficially become pre-reqs; history dictates that you pretty much need to finish all but one class before applying. This is probably the easiest of the three but most irritating, since it leaves some of us hanging for a semester with only one class (or even no classes) to take.

3. HESI reading score. To find your score out of four, just divide your reading score by 25. Also you must pass the math section with a 70 or higher. I read that your math score will be only be used for ranking if you and another student have the same score out of 12, and there is only one spot. They would then rank you based on your math score.

The HESI seems to be the wild card. It can only be taken once per application period, and for those who take it more than once, the most recent score will be used, regardless of which is higher. So unless you have taken it before and are happy with your score, you have no idea what your score for this will be until the time comes. Not to mention that if you're not happy with it, you're still stuck with it until the next application period. This is where I'm kicking myself. I've waited until the semester that I'm applying to take it, and I have no idea what to expect. I am wishing that I would have taken it in the past, if only so that I'd know what I'm up against now.

As far as how hard it is, it's seems to be relative, and believe me, I have asked everyone I know that has taken it, and read countless threads on here. Some say it's really hard, and others say it's just another standardized test. Math is supposedly mostly ratios and conversions. The reading seems to trip some people up, but from what I understand is that if you go slow and don't overthink it, you'll do fine. Most people say just read the passages, the answers are in there.

I hope that helps, Elco Girl (and any lurkers looking for info). Two years ago, I had just started taking classes and had no idea what was going on. I just started reading everything I could on it, including all of the threads for applicants applying each semester, and went to a couple of info sessions (which are also a requirement, by the way). Like I said, I might be wrong on some of this, but it's what I've been able to get from all of my research.

On another note, is anyone else starting to get really antsy? While I'm enjoying my break, I kind of want classes to start again just because that means that the application period is open. All of the hustle and bustle of Christmas kept me distracted for a while, but with that over now, I'm getting impatient again. I'm just so anxious to get it done that I know I'm going to get everything in early and have that much longer to wait. Kind of wishing that my typical procrastination would kick in here...lol!

Good luck, everyone!

-Laura

Mz.Eboni · Dec 29, 2009

Yesss I am super antsy! Im also really nervous, Im taking my Hesi at a different campus next week and then I'm going to submit the results to Lonestar! Im so ready to just get my application off already!

Good Luck to you also!

mocoguy · Jan 4, 2010

Hi All Fall 2010 Hopefuls,

I've been taking and retaking the prereqs for ADN the past 2 years. This is what I can tell you so you can realistically expect what you need to get in. First of all, all of the Lone Star colleges with the exception of Kingwood's deadline for Fall 2010 semester start on Jan 20, 2010 and go for about a month. If you do not have the necessary prereqs and a HESI completed BEFORE you apply during this period then you will NOT be admitted. You need to have them all done with a grade. If you have under an 11.0 your chances will be harder. The advisor at MoCo told me the cutoff for North Harris is around 11.1-11.2 as they accept more applicants (around 100). While MoCo and the others will be around 11.4 since they accept less (around 40).

HESI info--First, don't freak out, its a actually a VERY easy test. However, please don't put all your eggs in a basket on the fact that you can make a perfect score as i've been told it has only happened once or twice in the past decade. Make sure to sign up asap to take it as spots fill quickly. There is no real way to study for it with the exception of looking at the study guide at the reserve desk which wasn't all that helpful but will give you an idea of what to expect. There is NOTHING online to use to study and you'd be wasting your money if you bought any materials available online to study for it. Its basically reading comprehension at high school level and freshman level math. You can use a calculator so you will do fine. One tip, make sure you know ratios and proportions and how to divide them correctly with calculator. I got a 93 on both the math and the writing sections and I have a Bachelor's degree in English. Just brush up on your math skills and read the passages carefully and don't overanalyze. Usually the most obvious answer is just that.

I have been at this a while and know what I'm talking about. I had to go back and retake classes to get A's in English and Psych, and I have B's in both AP 1 and 2. I will be applying with around an 11.4 and I'm fairly confident this is finally my time to be accepted. Don't be discouraged, just keep plugging away and getting those points up and eventually you'll reach your final goal. I just wrote this cuz i know how confusing and discouraging this process can be and I hope I clarified some questions and erased some doubts. To be honest, with the program becoming this competitive with the nursing shortage, your best bet is to have all A's in the main three classes: Psych, English, and AP series courses, have at least a 90 or better on the HESI, and have already taken all the other courses that add up to the 27-30? point scale for another 4 points.

In short, you must have EVERYTHING done by JAN 20, 2010 with point score at 11.1 or higher to have a strong chance of getting into the Fall Programs at all the Lone Star schools starting in August 2010. Even though the program starts in August you need to have recorded grades from end of Fall semester 2009. Acceptance letters usually go out about 2 months into Spring semester so you will know where you stand come March/April 2010. Good luck to you all!

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RN2B-2012? · Jan 11, 2010

I'm in the same boat as you...I had to retake Psych to get an A and though I clepped out of English 1301 10 yrs ago they would not give me any pts for it so I had to take it in a mini mester during Christmas and thankfully made an A. I took the Hesi blind and scored 85.11 on the English and with the exception of the PE (for which I am taking Golf now) I will have all co-reqs completed. I'm retaking the HESI and am hoping to score 95 or higher (studying like mad) so I can get 11.4 pts. Hopefully this will be mine time as well! Good Luck!!!

RENEE1982 · Jan 11, 2010

Hi, I have everything I need, I will just be taking ap 1 and psyc over again to get an A.

Candy_82 · Jan 14, 2010

Im in the same boat as a few of you are as well. I have been trying to get into a nursing program for quite some time now. I was able to raise my B's in english and psychology to A's, and have decided to retake A&P 2 over to get an A. I used to think B's were great, up until I realized they don't get you anywhere when trying to apply to Nursing school. I have an Associate of Science degree from Lone Star Cy-Fair which puts my credit hours up there so I get the 4 points for that. I did take the HESI, blind, as well and scored an 82 on the reading and 93 on the math. I do plan to retake that when it opens up in January. I went out on a limb and also applied to UT Houston, since they include an interview. I found this thread and thought I would jump on! We all need all the support and encouragement that we can get. I am beginning to feel discourage and starting to question if it's even worth all this effort and money. But, then I remember I love my job and would love to have a career as a Registered Nurse. :nurse: Hope to hear from some of ya'll soon.

Candice

lilag02 · Jan 20, 2010

Tomorrow's the big day!!!! I wanted to take the HESI tomorrow, but I have class, so it'll have to be Thursday. For anyone who's not applying yet, but lurking to pick up any bits of info, take the HESI now. Don't wait like I did. I have my eight points for pre-req GPA and co-reqs, and I just have to take the HESI. I have one shot to nail that reading section, and if I don't, I'll have a semeter with which I'll have no more ADN classes to take. As it is, I'm taking college algebra just to have enough hours for my loan. Sure it goes toward a BSN, but I can't fork over that kind of money until after working for a little while. Anyway, my point is that you can take it now, and if you're happy with your score, great, and if not, at least you know what to expect the next time around.

To all of you who are retaking classes- you have more patience than I!!! Kudos to all of you for sticking to it! And again, to any lurkers, listen to them, they're not kidding. It's that competitive. Once I decided to go for nursing, I read everything that I could find about getting into LSC (gotta love Allnurses for that!), so thank goodness I went into it knowing that I had to get A's. But my pre-reqs, especially A&P II for some reason, were full of people retaking them to get A's because they didn't get in. It's sad, because B's are still great, but unfortunately it's the reality. Frustration with that situation may lead me to nursing education one day.

noni79- Thanks for the link, I'm going to check it out. I don't think I need scrubs until spring though; from what I understand CyFair doesn't start clinicals until second semester. Of course, that's provided that I get into CyFair, or even at all. Speaking of which...

Anyone hear anything about Tomball? There isn't much on here about it, other than that there is some disorganization due to a change in directors. I'm thinking that Tomball will be my second choice and North Harris, my third, so I'm wondering if the issues have been cleared up there.

Good luck, everyone! :)

lilag02 · Jan 20, 2010

Yesss I am super antsy! Im also really nervous, Im taking my Hesi at a different campus next week and then I'm going to submit the results to Lonestar! Im so ready to just get my application off already!
Good Luck to you also!

I don't know how I missed this the first time. Did you take it? How did it go??? Lucky duck, you'll be done tomorrow!

RN2B1DAY · Jan 22, 2010

Hey there!

I've been reading all the posts and feel so discouraged!! I want to apply for the fall but I don't think my points are high enough as of now I have a 10.57 do you guys think I have any chance ? Or even chance by way of waitlist? When I started taking pre-reqs in 07' I did not realize how competetive it would be to get into a program. I have 3 B's for pre-req's, I get 4 points for other classes complete (I have them all but speech ) and on my HESI I scored 76 in math (not my favorite subject) and an 89 on the reading. I know I really need to re-take my 3 pre-reqs but I really don't want to but will if that's what it takes. Any advice is helpful! My first choice would be Cy-fair since I just moved out to Katy, second North Harris, third Tomball then Montgomery.

lilag02 · Jan 23, 2010

Hey RN2B-

Your story sounds like a lot of others, as far a not realizing how competitive it is. Unfortunately, it seems that it still is that competive. There were at least three people in my A&P II class that were re-taking it to get an A. I know that two of those three had applied previously and not been accepted, probably because of those grades. It's sad because B's are great, but they accept so few students that it becomes that much more competitive.

From what I can tell (from threads on here), Cyfair's cutoff is usually around 11.49. I haven't paid much attention to the other colleges, because like you, I would prefer to get into Cyfair, but I think the cutoff for North Harris is usually around an 11.1. Obviously, the cutoffs are going to be different every semester, depending on the pool of applicants.

If I were in your shoes I would go ahead and apply, since there's always a chance as long as you meet the minimum requirements, and really? What's it going to hurt? However, I would go ahead and start re-taking classes, particularly A&P I or II, whichever I had a better chance of receiving an A in, since they affect your GPA more. Just think, if you had an A in the three pre-reqs and did not re-take the HESI, your points would be 11.57, a very competitive score.

Good luck!!!!:)

lilag02 · Jan 23, 2010

Does anyone have any idea how long it usually takes for them to get the HESI scores input for the score sheet? I took it on Thursday and was told that they should be updated that day, but they still aren't. I'd like to avoid 'bugging' them about anything, since they are probably very busy right now, but I really want to get my app signed, sealed and delivered.