Georgia State University, Fall 2011 Application

CocoM411 · Mar 2, 2011

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the site (well I've been reading posts on the site for months now, but first time posting).

Since it is finally March my nerves are beginning to really set in. I am a second degree student and applied for the ACE track, since I've already spent 4 years getting one degree. I need to get in an out as quickly as possible and I've heard such great things about GA state!

My teas score was a 91 and program gpa is 3.82, but it seems like alot of you I am also worried about the amount of pre-reqs I am still completing. This semester I am taking A&P 2 and Microbiology. I also have to take Nurs 2010 this summer, since it was already full when I registered for this semester. Has anyone heard anything else about the number of pre-reqs we have done affecting acceptance??

As of right now, I've only applied to GSU but as a backup I am applying to Mercer(if I don't hear back from GSU by April). But the price tag and time will be a killer. Excited to hear from everyone and good luck!

Kel3 · Mar 3, 2011

Glad you are here with us, CocoM411! Yep, we are definitely concerned about the same issue...and I sure hope it isn't much of a problem for us. Like Gsu11 said, there will be tons of other applicants who are also finishing up prereqs. I try not to worry too much, but it's tough!! :rolleyes: I wish we could zip past the first 2 or 3 weeks of March--waiting is so hard to do!

I'm putting all my eggs in one basket the first time around. I REALLY want to attend GSU. If I don't get in my first time, I'll apply to others for spring. I sure hope it doesn't come to that. GSU is close to my home, I've already been going there the past few semesters, and I know a couple of people who've attended and spoke highly of the program.

But, Mercer is definitely my 2nd choice--it's an awesome program!!

How are a&p and micro treating you this semester?

Mirashu · Mar 3, 2011

Hi everyone!

I know this can be a very exciting and anxious time for all applicants so I thought I would try and offer any advice I can for all of you. I am currently a first semester ACE student and really wished I had someone to guide me through the first few weeks. I’m here to help so if you have any questions please ask and I will try to respond quickly.

The first letters sent out for Spring 2011 applicants were for people with a TEAS of 90 and above and a GPA of 3.7 and above. Of course, that can change depending on the number of applicants and how high their scores are this semester. I was told that the essay is evaluated mostly for style and grammar. As long as you have good recommendations, then you get all the points for that area.

If you are accepted into the ACE program, be prepared to work hard. There is a lot of information to read in a short amount of time. To give you an idea, we have to buy roughly 15 books (none shorter than 200 pages) for the first semester and are expected to read all of it. It’s almost impossible to read all of the material in the allotted time. I suggest that you strategize and find out which classes to read the book for and which classes to stick to the power points and use the books as references. If you are really concerned about getting A’s your first semester, then I highly recommend buying the textbooks and start reading before classes begin. I do not mean to scare you, but the first 7 weeks are rough and I wish someone had told me this information so that I could plan better before being thrown into the wolves.

I’m not too familiar with the Traditional program, but from what I know the work load is not as bad and a motivated student can complete all the reading material in a timely manner.

I hope that helps some of you out a little. If you have any questions, please let me know.

gentlerain · Mar 3, 2011

This is a very helpful topic! :)

I am currently a junior in high school and am very confused.

Do you apply to get into the GSU nursing program senior year of high school?

Or do you apply after you attend a few years at GSU?

Sorry for this question, I am pretty clueless at the moment..

Mirashu · Mar 4, 2011

Hi gentlerain,

As a student in high school, you do not need to worry about applying to the nursing program yet. Just apply to Georgia State University, get accepted, and start taking the pre-requisite courses for the nursing program. Make sure that you work hard and get A's in all of your science pre-requisite courses and very few B's. At the moment, a program GPA of 3.7-3.8 is competitive enough to get into the program.

This link (http://chhs.gsu.edu/nursing/falltraditionalplan1.htm) will tell you which prerequisite courses you need before you can apply to the Traditional nursing program that lasts 3 years. Your counselor at the university should be very helpful in planning your schedule for the year. The school of nursing also offers an Accelerated program that requires a few more prerequisites, takes 1.5 years to complete, but is very demanding. If you are in no hurry to graduate from college, then I highly suggest the traditional program. This will give you time to read at a regular pace, have time to volunteer at hospitals, and have time to gain leadership positions in nursing groups at GSU.

Study to learn and not just memorize because you will need all of the information from your pre-requisite courses in order to pass the nursing entrance exam (TEAS) with a score of 90 or above. If you are a good student and make A's and B's in your pre-requisite classes, then you will think the exam is easy. The questions are not tough and pretty straight forward.

The nursing program is very possible to get into if you know how to manage your time wisely, keep up with all your reading, and are motivated to learn.

I hope that helps. :-)

Mirashu · Mar 4, 2011

Hi CocoM411,

As far as I know, the acceptance committee only looks at the GPA you have based on what is on the nursing program transcript (in your case your 3.82 GPA) when you turn in your application. If your application is competitive enough for acceptance, then you should get a letter. However, you will still need to turn in your final transcript that says you have completed all of the prerequisite courses with good grades. I believe you need to pass the courses with at least a "C".

-Mirashu

Highschoolfuturenurs · Mar 4, 2011

hi mirashu!

i'm a senior right now and i being college at georgia state this fall. My orientation is in 3 months and thats where I will pick my classes. I want to take A&P 1 w/ lab, chem1 with lab, eng 1 and college algebra. Do you think thats a good courseload? Im striving for a 4.0 GPA and hopefully i'll get it. Is it possible to be accepted into the program with only 4/8 of the pre-requisites done? I'm applying for traditional btw.

Kel3 · Mar 4, 2011

Mirashu:

Thank you so much for stopping by with advice and help! I will definitely take you up on the offer. :)

I read your answer to CocoM411--were many of the people in your class still finishing up sciences? I'm in the same boat as CocoM411. I'm currently taking a&p 2, micro, micro lab, cultural diversity, and nutrition...with the exception of nutrition, all prereqs. My app is otherwise pretty good (3.71 overall, 4.0 program, 94 teas) but I can't help but be concerned over the number of prereqs that I'm finishing up this semester.

Also, how soon did people begin receiving letters--how many days/weeks past the app deadline? Any idea when denials went out?

Finally, in regards to the 1st semester, are you given the book list much in advance of the semester beginning?

Thanks again, Mirashu! It's really nice of you to offer your help. :)

Gsu11 · Mar 4, 2011

SO to clear things up I think that if you have yet to get a degree then they look at your overall GPA. If you have a degree already, I believe that they look at your program GPA.

When I applied last semester, it took almost two months to find out! That's because they were short ppl and were having problems. But typically we will find out by early April!

I'm soooo nervous! and now that I've seen everyones high scores and GPAs, I have decided to apply to Mercer for the fall too. Does anyone know how that works? Does Mercer start accepting people already and is it a first come basis? Thanks for any help!

Kel3 · Mar 4, 2011

Gsu11- My understanding is that Mercer accepts on a rolling basis and that they have already begun sending acceptance letters. Once they've filled all their spots then (of course) they'll stop reviewing apps. But it's still very early so they should have many open spaces.

However, I hope that it's all moot and that we'll be classmates at GSU next fall.

And yeah, I'm nervous too. I really just want to know one way or the other. Even though I've read all the old threads that say they don't change the status of Go Solar until well after letters are sent, I keep hoping they'll make a one-time exception in my case...so I'm checking many times a day. LOL On top of that, I'm checking my mailbox not once, but twice a day (I live in condos and typically get around to checking mail every week or two!) when I know good and well that there is ZERO chance that they've had time to select candidates, print letters, and mail them. The deadline was just 3 days ago! Can you say impatient and delusional?!? Forget wanting to be a nurse...I NEED a nurse. And a doctor!! LOL

Mirashu · Mar 4, 2011

Hi highschoolfuturenurs,

Yes, that is a good course load. Focus on grammar with English and use the writing center to help you learn how to edit your papers. College algebra is easy and it will cover everything you need to know for the TEAS. A&P and biology require reading the material before class, taking good lecture notes, and reviewing your book/lecture notes 3-5 times before an exam. Always talk with your professors about any questions you have. Sometimes they will drop hints about what areas are really important to them (i.e. test questions). Make a reading schedule that gives you enough time to read a chapter in detail and at a good pace (2-3 hours per chapter depending on the number of pages). If your professor speaks to quickly to take notes, then get a voice recorder and ask your professor if you can record the class.

Also, the nursing program gives you the option of taking the biology, chemistry, or physics sequence. Pick the sequence you are most comfortable with (which was easiest for you in high school?). I know they say that the chemistry sequence is strongly recommended, but when they evaluate your transcript, they give you “points” based on your grade and not which sequence you took. Thus, you don’t get more points for taking chemistry over biology.

You must have all of your prerequisites completed before you start the nursing program classes. However, you can apply to the nursing program before you complete all of the classes. There will be a place on your application where you can write which classes you will be completing before the start of the nursing program.

-Mirashu

Mirashu · Mar 4, 2011

Hi Kel3 and GSU11,

Let me see if I can clear up a few things people have been wondering about. When the nursing committee evaluates your application, they ONLY evaluate you based on your program GPA, not your overall GPA (it does not matter if you are a second degree student or not). Your program GPA includes all of the courses listed under your “Academic Evaluation”. The academic evaluation can be found when you sign into PAWS, click on the One-Stop-Shop tab, go to Student Records, and choose View Academic Evaluation. Also, Georgia State has this wonderful policy where they only look at the grade you made for the most recent class you took. So let’s say you are a second degree student and the first time you made a “C” in chemistry, but you decide to take it again at GSU and make an “A”. The academic evaluation only shows the “A” you made and the nursing committee will never know you made a “C” the first time.

I should also note that the nursing committee does see that you will need to finish prerequisites before the start of the nursing program. You may get an acceptance letter based on the prerequisites that you have already finished and what is currently on your academic evaluation, but they will be looking to make sure the you finish the rest of your prerequisites with good grades before you start the nursing program. So, no need to be worried/concerned…just finish the prerequisites on time and with good grades (C or higher I believe).

It typically takes about 2-3 weeks to send out the first batch of letters. This can vary depending on the number of applicants and if they are short-staffed.

The syllabus’ are not posted on ULEARN until about a week before classes begin, but if you contact your professors I am sure they will have no program e-mailing you the syllabus early. Also, the books don’t really change that frequently over the semesters…so whatever is at the bookstore now will more than likely be the same books you have. If you get into the nursing school, you can message me privately on here and I can e-mail you a list of the books you might have.

-Mirashu