Gulf Coast State College | Fall 2016

JackieHouse, LPN, EMT-B · Jan 25, 2016

Yay, I'm so stinkin' excited to find this thread!

I applied for the Fall semester 2016 back in September of 2015. I had just missed the HESI testing by 3 days for submitting for the Spring 2016 semester, but I'm ok with that because I'm able to get back in the groove.

I'm taking A&P2/Lab and Intro to Pharm (again, I took the class 10 years ago but it doesn't count now). This summer will be Micro/Lab and Nutrition and I'm completely done besides core classes. Took the HESI 3 days ago and got a 93, which seemed to be kind of the average of those I 'polled' as the came out of the test room. I have a 3.12GPA, however I am toting some bad grades (read "several D's and two or three F's") from my very first go around with college about 12 years ago.

I was told by my advisor that the two things I have against me are having to repeat A&P1 twice (first was a D in Georgia, second time made a B at GCSC), A&P1 Lab THREE times (first again was a D in Georgia, second time was a D at GCSC-I think most of the class failed that lab being that our teacher was fired halfway through the semester for being drunk in class repeatedly..., and third time made an A), and finally the fact that I will be taking Micro this summer. I'm not sure what the last part means, because I'm a hard working student but was told it would 'count against me' as classes I haven't finished yet.

I have an A.S. in Legal Studies (straight A student for 2 1/2 years) and an A.A. in General Studies with a concentration in Engineering (made 3 C's in that year and a half stint). I realized the calling and pay for paralegals in this area is not exactly what I'd pictured, and also decided not to pursue the engineering degree after having a come to Jesus meeting with myself about some things (things like a friend of mine spending 52 hours in the engineering lab in ONE WEEK on ONE PROJECT, not including his regularly scheduled classes and homework). It has not been an easy decision to restart college again, much less tell anyone, because I feel that I'm essentially a career-student loser in their eyes. Of course it's not between them and I, it's between myself and my husband. As long as I'm paying my own tuition and taking care of my responsibilities at home, I guess no one has a right to say anything about how I live. :)

I'm going to scour to try and find someone that was accepted into the nursing program with similar issues that I've been told I have with my possible non-acceptance. I'm very concerned at this point that I will not be accepted simply because of things out of my control.

anurseinthemaking, did you mean you applied to the nursing program in Spring 2016? or to the college to finish up your Micro and Psych classes for entrance in the Fall?

anurseinthemaking · Jan 26, 2016

dixie67stang,

Hold on strong! Many of those that I've talked to in passing all have said that they didn't get into the program the first time around. So, if that does happen, just keep your head up!

I applied for the Spring 2015 class and was denied. After meeting with my adviser, she stated it was primarily due to that fact that I was still taking Microbiology, Microbiology Lab, Developmental Psychology, and Introduction to Pharmacology. However, I now have completed those classes. At this point, there isn't anything else I can do, but to wait.

You're right, regarding that classes that you have yet to take do not 'hurt' you, but rather, they do not add to your total score. Of course, the more prerequisites that you've completed, the higher your score becomes, and the greater your odds are in getting into the program.

P.S. Rumor has it, that since the deadline for the Fall 2016 program is the last working day in February, letters of acceptance/denial should be sent out mid-March.

Good luck! Although, I'm sure you don't need it.

JackieHouse, LPN, EMT-B · Jan 26, 2016

Mid-March sounds a whole lot better than mid-April to me!

I do realize that all colleges want to accept the students that are most persistent about their degree, but I have to wonder with everyone talking about a nursing shortage why make students who are ready to go wait and reapply several times thus wasting semesters with nothing to do. Just frustrating I guess.

Is it an option to apply to any other colleges for you? I am applying at Chipola in Marianna as well. I live halfway between Gulf Coast and Chipola, so either one would be ok for me; plus Chipola's program is only 18 months long (they do summers). I realize their college is also selective, but I don't think it's as highly competitive as GCSC due to it's size. Their application process is a little more extensive up front however, requiring shot records, physicals, a medical history, and notarized medical release as well as the TB test. I've also heard good things about Tallahassee Community College (TCC), but that's too far of a drive for me and I've heard it's quite competitive there too.

I'm not trying to be impatient, but with two children that aren't of school age quite yet childcare situations change, family situations change, etc. Just trying to get my hustle on, no time to waste. :)

And if you've finished everything, you definitely shouldn't have a problem getting in this Fall, esp with those scores and that GPA! Good luck to you too!

anurseinthemaking · Mar 2, 2016

Dixie,

Did you turn in your Nursing program application for the Fall semester?

JackieHouse, LPN, EMT-B · Mar 6, 2016

Yes, I did. The same day I took the HESI on Jan 22nd, I spoke to my advisor and she told me she would turn it in for the Fall semester, but wasn't looking for me to get a spot. She earmarked it to be rolled over to the Spring 2017 if I wasn't admitted in the Fall.

anurseinthemaking · Mar 6, 2016

Dixie,

Well, since we're both applying for the Fall, I'll definitely keep my fingers crossed for us! Did she mention when the letters would be sent out, exactly?

JackieHouse, LPN, EMT-B · Mar 23, 2016

I'm sorry, I don't check this forum often enough!

I have no idea. It's the 23rd today and the mail has run so I'm thinking mid-March is not going to happen? Within the next few weeks I'm sure we'll know something.

I'm already finishing up my application to Chipola as well, I have to complete one more piece of paper and I'm done and can send that off as well. Their deadline for application for the fall isn't until June 20th or so, they announce soon after that but I'd like to have mine in before that.

Fingers still crossed but I'm not thinking I will get in at GCSC this fall. :) I'm not complaining though.

anurseinthemaking · Mar 23, 2016

Dixie,

The letters were mailed on Tuesday. So, ideally, they should be received by later this week or early next week (at the latest). Good luck!

JackieHouse, LPN, EMT-B · Mar 24, 2016

Oh wow! You are on top of it!! Good luck to you too, you'll have no problems getting in!! I'll be looking forward to your good news!

JackieHouse, LPN, EMT-B · Mar 24, 2016

I got the letter today, I did not get in. Strangely I'm not totally disappointed though. I'm hoping to get in at Chipola more than GCSC, so I'm going to finish up that application and get it in. Hope you got good news on your end!!!

JenniferM.Faircloth · Mar 25, 2016

I had a 4.0 GPA, a 98 on my HESI, and all pre/co requisites done except for Micro and Micro Lab and got denied on my 1st attempt for Spring of 2016. I am taking Micro and Micro Lab this semester. I reapplied and got my acceptance letter yesterday for Fall 2016.