Is it good to apply to a lot of nursing schools?

[carissabest]

I will be attending Fresno State as a freshman this fall, and their nursing programs only takes in 50 applicants every semester, very few. They demand a 3.8 or higher in their prereqs to even have your application looked at. Are there any nursing programs around the country that are easier to get into? I'm really considering just doing my general education at fresno state and going somewhere else.

Thanks!

[caliotter3]

Most people apply to all of the local nursing programs and go with the one that accepts them. If more than one program accepts them, then they have to decide which program will work best. That beats applying to only one program having high hopes, and then having nowhere to go when that one program rejects the student. Good luck with finding a nursing program.

[Sowinsis]

You may not want to "apply" because of the application fee. But, you should research every one and read their student handbooks which are sometimes online. I applied to a few and paid the application fee. Each school has a different set of objectives to get through it seems. I applied to a $35,000 15 month program and stlll looked around. I am glad that I did not rush the hands on and book learning that you really need to develop before becoming a nurse. I ended up choosing the longer traditonal approach to nursing school, i.e., a hospital based nursing diploma. The community college is a good place to get the basic courses done. You hear so much from other students, it helps to make your decision easier.

[DanainOrlando]

What could it hurt to apply to numerous nursing schools? Especially if, as it sounds from your post, you can relocate anywhere.

It makes sense to research the schools that you are considering applying to so you don't waste an application fee on a school that wouldn't be right for you, but these days, with so many people trying to get into nursing school, I think that what DOESN'T make sense is to apply to only one school and risk waiting many years to get in.

[SnowRain7489]

I agree w/ everything everyone above said. They practically took the words right out of my mouth

[DanainOrlando]

I am taking pre-req's right now (well, starting in three weeks) and I can tell you, most of the local schools have many more people applying then they have slots. If I only applied to one school, I think I'd be waiting a long time, unfortunately.

You want to find out, at least six months in advance, what the deadline is for application for each school that you are interested, what information you will need to get in (transcripts - when do they need them?, letters of reference, etc.), and how many people are applying for how many slots, and whether they have a waiting list, or whether it's first-apply, first-get-in.

Here's a helpful hint - a lot of them not only look at grades, they look at previous health care experience, at least this is what the schools that i have called tell me. So I am planning on getting a part time job as as CNA before I apply to nursing school.

[jean36]

Apply to as many schools as possible so long as you can afford the application fee.