Gwinnett Tech or Athens Tech?

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Specializes in OR.

First, I wanted to thank everybody on these forums -- you have all been such a wealth of information and entertainment, and it's because of you I finally decided to "go for it." I haven't started school yet, but I've applied to do my pre-nursing reqs at both ATC and GTC. Once those are done, I'm hoping to one of those two nursing programs.

I've gone to the general info sessions at both schools, and am preparing to go to both their Nursing Program info sessions. As it stands now, though, I'm pretty evenly split between the two schools. They're both about the same distance from my house, and they both seem like good schools. Does anybody have any insight that might point me one way or the other? I'm asking for both the pre-reqs and the Nursing Programs. Experiences? I appreciate anything you can give me.

Lynn

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I am finishing my pre-reqs at ATC. I live in Gwinnett, but just inside Gwinnett and next to Barrow. Via 316 my drive is 45 minutes to the campus.

ATC just built a new Health Sciences building (which also contains most hard science lecture/labs - chemistry and microbiology). The building is really nice.

The staff offer a lot of support and I have really enjoyed my classes.

I have taken online, evening, and Saturday classes since Summer 2010. I have been impressed with the online courses I have taken (Algebra and SCT100) - they are really organized. Without the flexibility of non-traditional scheduling, I would not have been able to attend, while working full-time.

They do have tutors available. Parking is adequate, but I have only seen that during evening/Saturday classes.

If you are considering ATC, the clinicals in the nursing program (I have heard) are in/around Athens and some in Gainesville. So if you are set on clinicals closer to Gwinnett, that may be a consideration for you.

I have heard that some students are enrolled in more than one school (say UGA and ATC) and schedule courses as they see fit. So this may be an option for you as well (at least to try classes at both schools, although AP1 and AP2 will need to taken at the same school).

IMHO, one factor for me was driving "in" to Lawrenceville - traffic can be worse that way than "out" via 316 to Athens. At least more tightly packed going in to L'ville during certain times of the day.

Good luck in your choice and good luck in your classes.

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Specializes in OR.

Thanks for the response! That drive is one of the things that was factoring in. I'm actually in Barrow, and the drive to ATC (no 316 at all!) for me is much more pleasant than the one to GTC. I appreciate your input.

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I'm interested in both of these schools as well, and have been leaning more towards ATC because of the driving situation. Does anyone know if ATC will be a 3, 4, or 5 day a week program? I know things might change some when they switch to the semester system in the fall, but I'm curious to know how many days I would need to be on campus and/or in clinicals?

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Specializes in OR.

I just attended yesterday's info session for the nursing program at ATC, and that wasn't even discussed. There was a lot of talk about Anatomy & Physiology I, since one of the instructors happened to be in the room. I'll bet you could contact the school and find out, though.

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I just attended yesterday's info session for the nursing program at ATC, and that wasn't even discussed. There was a lot of talk about Anatomy & Physiology I, since one of the instructors happened to be in the room. I'll bet you could contact the school and find out, though.

I'd love to hear more about the info session since I won't be able to attend one for a while.

I just finished up an 8 week A&P 1 and am currently in A&P 2 (another 8 week session). Lots of interesting stuff!

I called and left a message last week and have sent 2 emails, but haven't heard back from anyone yet.

I am hoping to find out soon.

I'm guessing they did discuss the entrance exam? I am wondering if I can go ahead and register with ATC to take it now - or if it's like GTC where you don't take it until they invite you? If you know, I'd love your help in answering that.

Thanks!!!

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Specializes in OR.

:: opening my notes from the session: As I mentioned, a lot of the session was talking about A&P, A&PI in particular, since one of the instructors was there. But as far as the entrance exam, the advisor said it was the NLN RN Pre-Admission Exam (red study guide). She didn't say anything about needing to be invited. She did say you have to take the exam before January of the year you want to enter the program, and the cost is $60. It's best to reserve your seat for the exam by Thanksgiving, and you do that with Miss Beatty in the 700 Bldg (her office is right by Admissions). You're also required to file a Letter of Intent in Admissions. They have a pre-printed letter there, you just fill in your info, sign it, and turn it in. No interview is required.

::referring back to my notes::

Oh, and she said Chemistry and Physics are not required for the exam.

Some of the numbers she gave us -- Last year they had 400 applicants for 50 spots. But the advisor said not to pay attention to those numbers, as many of those applicants weren't competitive. Competitive was a word that was used quite a bit during the session -- both sessions actually, since I attended the general healthcare session as well. By competitive...she said the last class had -- I wrote average, but I think it was actually minimum -- a 3.8 GPA in the five required core courses (A&P I&II, Microbiology, English Composition & Rhetoric, & Math Modeling) and a score in the 97th percentile on the entrance exam. It was also pointed out that last year they had students who made a perfect score on the entrance exam.

The advisor said to really be competitive, you should have A's in all five core courses.

She also gave us some deadline dates, but I hesitate to pass those along since like all the other tech schools, they're making the switch from a quarter system to a semester system starting this fall.

It was also mentioned ATC's program was recently rated #1 in the state with a 100% pass rate on the Nursing Boards.

FYI -- GTC has their Nursing info session coming up on Friday, April 8th at 2pm.

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Ladylynn6 -- thank you SO much for this information! It is very helpful!!!

I truly appreciate you taking the time to type that info out for me!!!

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Specializes in OR.

You're very welcome. I'm glad I could help.

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You're very welcome. I'm glad I could help.

It definitely helped! It sure is hard choosing a school. I'm going to apply to 3 just in case, but I keep getting worried "what if I get accepted to more than 1, or all, then how would I choose".

I'm not very good at making a big decision like that!

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Specializes in OR.

What's the third school you're looking at? Right now, I only have two in mind, but I have to get through the pre-requisites first. I've been talking to my husband about it: "If it were a perfect world and I were accepted to both schools..." No clear answer yet, but I also don't want to put all my eggs into one basket.

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What's the third school you're looking at? Right now, I only have two in mind, but I have to get through the pre-requisites first. I've been talking to my husband about it: "If it were a perfect world and I were accepted to both schools..." No clear answer yet, but I also don't want to put all my eggs into one basket.

North GA is the other school. My A&P professor doesn't think too highly of them, but it would be SUPER convenient for me to go there....so I'm confused. I just want to go to a great supportive school.

I still need Microbiology, and unfortunately my school doesn't have a good micro professor...so I'm looking at other schools to take 1 course as a transient student.

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