Nursing School Selection Process???

[adampricecna]

Soooo its taken me forever to pass the entrance test to nursing school. Most of you know that to be even considered for nursing school you have to pass a entrance test, so I did. The test is 3 parts: Reading/Writing and Math. You have to make a 80 on Reading/Writing....I made a 82. You have to make a 50 on Math...I made a 72. So you would think I did pretty good. Well I submitted the application which included an essay question. And I think that my essay was very good. Plus I've been a CNA for 4years so there goes experience. So I've been waiting on my acceptance or non-acceptance letter for about 2 months, so about a week ago I got my letter.....DENIED!!!! Due to "limited space" per what the letter said. I was so upset to the point of tears. So immediately I jumped into my car a sped to the school to speak personally to the coordinator of the program, to discuss with her the "selection process" and to see where I fell short. She explained to me that they had to cut down at least 7 students, 32 to 25 students because of clinical issues that occured that previous year. Anywho so I asked her how she chose those 25 students....she simply stated "test scores" She said that the 25 highest test scores were choosen, which led me to my next question. I asked her if the only thing they went by were scores then why had I stressed myself out with the extensive application. Why had I stressed myself over the essay. They claimed they read essays, took into consideration experience and volunteer work, passion, and heart for this field...But she simply stated "test scores". I mean most serial killers have excellent IQs. I thought the tests were supposed to make sure you are academically capable of entering the program, I proved that I was, but it still wasn't good enough. I really want to be a nurse. I bet most of the people that got accepted dont want to be nurses or even care about nursing....it just doesn't seem fair, but then again life isnt far. Does this seem right to you all or am I just being overdramatic.

[summerrose_10]

Don't give up. One of the hardest parts of nursing school is getting in.

I took the entrance test 3 years in a row. Finally accepted when all of my scores were 89 and/or above that. All my prereqs were complete with the most recent 2 year GPA 4.0, been in health care field over 9 years.

It was frustrating and I shed many tears and wanted to give up applying. Been a nurse now for over 3 years and am so thankful I kept trying. It helped to prepare me for nursing school, very intense.

You can do this :)

[Southern Magnolia]

I'm anxiously awaiting my letter. Everyone says I should get in but I'm still nervous . . . my lowest score on the entrance exam I had to take was a 92. Programs are tightening up everywhere. Hang in there. Once you've had time to cool down talk to your program and see if you can get suggestions on how to better your scores/ application for next time.

[Rabid Response]

Are you sure that by "scores" she meant only the entrance exam scores? Most academic programs give scores for every part of an application. You could get 4/5 possible points for an essay, 4/5 points for previous experience, 2/5 points for interview etc... Maybe what she was trying to say was that they took the overall scores into consideration.

Or maybe the original 35 were selected using broad criteria, but the admitting committee only used test scores to eliminate the final 7. Since it happened late in the process, they might have been pressed for time and just used what they felt to be the most objective measure.

I realize that you are upset, but you seem to imply in your post that intelligent people are more likely to be serial killers (!) And it's ridiculous and unfair for you to state that "most of the people that got accepted dont want to be nurses or even care about nursing" when you have no idea how many times some of them have applied or how much work the accepted students put into their applications. You are not the first well-qualified applicant to be turned down on her first try.

I hope that you didn't get as confrontational with the admissions coordinator as your post makes it sound. Perhaps your stated intention was to find out what was lacking in your application, but it sounds like you lashed out in anger at the coordinator, and the impression you left her with could pretty much have ruined your future chances at that school.

So, in answer to your final question--you are certainly being overdramatic.

[aabbccdd]

I understand that you are upset and frustrated but nursing school has become very competitive. At my school the minimum requirement to apply is a GPA of 2.5 in core science classes. Realistically, unless you have a GPA 4.0 there is no chance of getting in. It's unfair and it doesn't mean you are a better nurse just because your GPA is 4.0 but it is an easy way to screen 600 applicants if you only have 60 spots to fill. You probably won't get into any (affordable) program with anything less than GPA 4.0 and top 10% of test scores. Sorry.

[an2on, BSN, RN]

Thats why u you have to apply to more than 1 school. I assume you didnt.

[MrWarmHearted]

perhaps you can try applying at a different school. some schools heavily weigh volunteer and work experiences whereas others just look solely at test scores (no essays, no GPAs examined) - just depends on the school

[adampricecna]

Honey I didn't ask for all that...I asked did you all think it was right for them to only consider test scores for admission standards.

[adampricecna]

I hope you have better luck

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Just because you were over the accepted range of test scores dosn't mean you were at the "accepted" range. Like my nursing school said that you must pass all pre-reqs with a C or better, with a 3pt GPA. That is what they have listed.

Now that was the min requirment, those who actually got into the program have at least a 3.75 - 4. and A's in A&B, and even for a community college there were applicants who had a previous masters degrees in other fields.

Nursing is competitve, welcome

It took me 3 years of applying and I did not get into my first choice school, but I finally got in and I loved my program.

Cast a wider net and apply again.

[GM2RN]

Where are the schools that have this entrance exam? I applied to NS in 2004 after looking at five different programs in my area and none required an entrance exam.

As for choosing based on test scores, I seriously doubt that the coordinator meant that test scores were the only criterion used to choose those 25 applicants. Much more likely is that all criteria were considered, but test scores were used to break ties and choose between applicants who were otherwise equally qualified.

Now, although you don't say, I'm assuming that the top score possible is 100. If that's the case, even though you may have only needed 50 in math, 72 is not a great score, and 82, which is barely more than the minimum, would only be a B- or C+ at most nursing schools. Are you aware that many/most nursing programs require a B or B- in each class to pass?

Many people are quick to point out that higher scores don't equate to better nurses, but there's no way to know who those "good nurses" will be until they are in the program and instructors have an opportunity to observe them.

Test scores DO give an indication of who will be able to withstand the rigors of nursing school and pass the classes. Schools have to have some way of choosing when there are more applicants than openings, so if applicants are getting only average or just above minimum scores on an entrance exam those are the ones who will be cut. I think it's fair, but even if it isn't, I can't think of a better way to do it.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I am sorry you are disappointed, but yes, you are being extremely dramatic. I hope you didn't go off like this to the individual at school that you spoke to or any future attempts are sure to be denied.

Your scores on the testing met the MINIMUM requirement. It is very likely others who tested scored higher than you. It is likely the essay is utilized as a measure for breaking ties on people who had the same scores.

I am sure it feels unfair now, but in fact it is extremely fair. Everyone takes the same exam. Those who prepare for it best and score the highest are judged as those most likely able to handle the considerable demands of nursing school. And I have found MOST people who go into nursing school have a passion for nursing. Not too many of us are serial killers either.

Take a deep breath, wash your face, pull up your big people panties and start on plan B.