For the accepted students!

sumdae · Apr 7, 2006

Don't be too discouraged if you're a "b" student.

I got accepted to two tough programs in the Boston Area - Simmons and Curry Accelerated BSN programs. My G.P.A. for my first degree was 3.29 which concerned me, although I did have A's in the prereqs I've taken recently - A&ps, Micro, Stats, Human Growth. From before, I had a B in Chemistry.

For Simmons, I wrote a 2 pg. essay, had two letters of rec. One from employer and one from instructor. My employer is a Harvard Med prof and Children's Boston oncologist, so I think this helped a lot. I also have experience working in a group home with adults with developmental disabilities and a few years of nannying.

For Curry, they required grades and a letter of intent. I threw in a recomendation from employer, too. The program had hundreds of applicants and 30 got in. I know of someone who has experience at Mass General hospital in phys therapy., has a MS, and 3.85 G.P.A. She hadn't completed Micro, so she is on the wait list. I believe that must be the reason she didn't get straight into the program.

I recommend working hard to convey who you really are in your essay. Don't just say "i've always wanted to help people."

Dont know if this will help, but it's been my experience thus far. I'm EXTREMELY thankful to have gotten in and wish you all luck!

bsugaRN2b · Apr 8, 2006

Thanks everyone for sharing that info. but after viewing this web site I have become discourage because I see you guys are doing very well(keep up the good work). Instead of me being that "A" student, I am a "B" student and we do have less students who are trying to get into our philadelphia schools, for example, the school I am waiting for has 25 seats with 100 applicants which they prefer you have all pre-reqs done, essay, 2 letters of recommendation, resume and the TEAS test which they have no certain criteria for. So I was just wondering how much of a chance I had, but I see that the harder you work, the better your chances are.
Thanks again all!

Don't get discouraged, I'm a "B" student too...

3.1 GPA, 4 recommendation letters (2 A&P professors, 1 chem professor, and the exec director of my volunteer work), resume, 1 pre-req in progress, and essay...my school's one of the few that doesn't need a TEAS/NET test...

...And got into Emory's BSN program, ~100 spots, at least 300 applicants, and probably more, 'cause that's the stats from 2003, and it was apparently really competitive this year, as people w/high 3's didn't get in...so it can be done...

My advice? Work on that essay!

Good luck! :balloons:

Annabelle57 · Apr 8, 2006

i got accepted to university of central florida's Accelerated BSN program, and i was told there were over 300 applicants for 60 seats. they looked at prereq gpas (mine was 3.88) as well as undergrad gpas (mine was probably on the low end at 3.25). they also did an "interview", which consisted of handing out a piece of paper with 4 questions on it at the information session and letting us answer in writing. fortunately for me, writing (not speaking) is my strong point, so i felt like i was able to express myself well to them. i don't know how much the paper interview counted in their eyes, though. i don't have a science degree for my first ba, but it was a music performance degree - maybe that was quirky and different enough for them to take notice. plus, i have hospital volunteer experience and, for the past month, actual patient care tech experience, though at the time i applied, i hadn't yet started working as a pct. after talking with one of the program's professors, i thought i was never going to get in - he was kind but seemed to indicate most of the applicants had higher overall gpas than mine. at best, i thought i would be waitlisted... so i was shocked when i got the acceptance letter the other day! shocked, but relieved and happy :lol2:

one of our local adn programs is one of the best around, and though the waiting list is pretty long, i know that you don't have to be a perfect 4.0 student to get in - i think you had to have all your prereqs done, have a 2.8 gpa, take the net (had to have a passing score), and then get put on the list. so it's different at every school. some schools go strictly by gpa, nothing else... and other schools look at the whole person and consider different factors.

good luck!

sumdae · Apr 8, 2006

Get the TEAS study guide and know the info. If you have questions or are confused, use the internet to further study the topics. I took the TEAS as a backup plan for an ADN program and got a 99%. I reviewed the math, knew how to do ALL of them, and studied and took the practice tests many times for all of the sciences and reading comp. (photocopy the answer sheet so you can take the test multiple times) I'd say it will definitely help you if you score very high on the TEAS.

here's a link to the site where you can buy the guide if you don't have access to it already:

http://www.atitesting.com/onlinestore/productpage.aspx?code=61&isproduct=1

looks like it's 29.95. i wouldn't bother with the extras.

Good Luck!

Nurse-To-Be-Joy · Apr 8, 2006

I don't think my college factors in every class you have taken, just the pre- and co-reqs. With those, I have all As and Bs, except for a C in College Algebra. I took the NET and scored in the 97th percentile. Lastly, all of my pre-reqs were done, and I am currently finishing my last 2 co-reqs right now. This is a factor in considering admission. I guess so many people drop out/fail/have a really rough time when they are taking the Nursing PLUS all the co-reqs alongside.

butterfly80 · Apr 8, 2006

I go to a community college and they use a point system....I have heard that the range of applicants accepted is about 150 to 250 points, I had a 167 points and was accepted--I am a B student, you just got to think that there are many A students but there are probably more B students. I think at my school for every 3 applicants 1 gets accepted.

Good Luck!!

BlaineCM · Apr 8, 2006

I was accepted to University of Florida's Accelerated BSN program. I had a 3.6 overall GPA from undergrad (BS in Psychology from UF) and a 4.0 in my 3 pre-reqs: Human A&P I and 2, and Microbiology. 570 Verbal and 510 Quantitative on the GRE exam. I had a letter of recommendation from my Medical Terminolgy professor (from UF) and a LOR from a friend of mine who is a RN. I didn't have any medical experience (paid or volunteer) and that worried me. I also had to write a Statement of Goals (which I had an editorial assistant friend proofread).

Nightingale Apolonia · Apr 10, 2006

I was accepted to Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing in Connecticut. :balloons: We took the TEAS test, not sure what my numerical score was...but I know that the test said I scored in the top 3% of the nation. I applied with a 4.0 GPA. All I really did to get in was study, study, and then study some more. I've changed majors a *couple* of times, but thankfully I kept my GPA high. I think that's what got me in, I also wrote them a letter in addition to the admission requirements that explained a little about me and why I want to get into nursing. Melanie

It is really hard to get in a nursing program here as there's a long line of waiting list. Lucky are the A students eversince. But what can you say about their admission procedures and the ranking limited enrollment program, giving exams like pre-NLN or TEAS that they need to score high in -- percentiles - ( these are the limiting factors ). Do they still need to give these exams? Students can't get into College if they haven't fulfilled previous exams already - why more ? why don't they accept students who have the calling as nurses and wants to serve - as we need more nurses in the future? GPA focused and --Why do they need to give so many Pre-admission exams and got long waiting lists for applicants in community colleges? ( few teachers???)- as these may change the minds of those who wanted to be future nurses...Why make it difficult for them when we need them? Anyway, if they don't pass the NCLEX licensure- they can't be called Licensed Nurses? :uhoh3: - this is the exam US Nurses need to be concerned about- and not to limit them to Acceptance.Wish there were more like you --A students and chose Nursing as your degree.

droopy1592 · Apr 10, 2006

No test

3.95

Nightingale Apolonia · Apr 13, 2006

I go to a community college and they use a point system....I have heard that the range of applicants accepted is about 150 to 250 points, I had a 167 points and was accepted--I am a B student, you just got to think that there are many A students but there are probably more B students. I think at my school for every 3 applicants 1 gets accepted.
Good Luck!!

More power!

TRINI_RN · Apr 13, 2006

My school is hospital based. They require the NET, prereqs completed, 2.5 gpa (minimum) and at least a C or better on prereqs. Of course who knows what the "real" gpa and prereq cutoffs are, Its really about how the other applicants did. They used to do interviews, but they don't anymore (so much for selling them with personality eh?). I have a 4.0 gpa, with a 4.0 in prereqs (crossing my fingers for micro), and for the net 83 percent overall, 96th percentile.

caremom · Apr 13, 2006

I got accepted to 2 hospital programs and Community College of Phila. I have a 3.5 GPA. Chynado1 what school did you apply to?