HELP! Nursing Programs in Illinois. HELP!

Moving to Illinois Programs Discussion to elicit more responses.

Western Illinois University has a new, accredited BSN program. I don't know if WIU has an ABSN program but since you are looking at a variety of schools, from LPN to DE-MSN, you might want to consider a traditional BSN program like at WIU as well.

You might want to check Illinois State as well.I've heard good things about Illinois State but I don't know if they have an ABSN or DE-MSN program.

Doing well on the GRE would be one way to overcome a low GPA in your past. I took the GRE last fall while taking a full load in my graduate courses. I didn't get to study as much as I would have liked and thought it was brutal! Give yourself time to study---maybe even take a prep course---if you need to take the GRE. Keep in mind, too, that the GRE is changing in August. I don't know if the current books and prep courses are geared toward the old or new versions. Just make sure that you get the right prep books and/or courses for the version that you would take.

Good luck to you on whatever you decide!

Thanks for your advice!!

Honestly I would say that UIC is not an option. I heard an interview with their dean on the radio last year and he said that they had over 16,000 applications for that programa and 4000 of the applicants were "perfect" --his words.

It can't hurt to try, but I think it might be a long shot. Do you speak another language? It says on their website that they pretty much expect the masters entry candidates to be fluent in 2 languages.

I don't know much about the program at Loyola. I didn't want to go there because they require theology classes as part of the degree. Which is fine, but I wasn't willing to pay the astronomical cost to take those classes.

If I were you I would go through a program at the community college level and then go straight to a masters program at UIC once you are licensed. If you already have a BA, UIC does not require a BSN to pursue an MSN, they only require a current RN license. Also, hopefully when you are licensed you will find a job that will help pay for the expenses at UIC or a similar school.

Honestly I would say that UIC is not an option. I heard an interview with their dean on the radio last year and he said that they had over 16,000 applications for that programa and 4000 of the applicants were "perfect" --his words.

It can't hurt to try, but I think it might be a long shot. Do you speak another language? It says on their website that they pretty much expect the masters entry candidates to be fluent in 2 languages.

I don't know much about the program at Loyola. I didn't want to go there because they require theology classes as part of the degree. Which is fine, but I wasn't willing to pay the astronomical cost to take those classes.

If I were you I would go through a program at the community college level and then go straight to a masters program at UIC once you are licensed. If you already have a BA, UIC does not require a BSN to pursue an MSN, they only require a current RN license. Also, hopefully when you are licensed you will find a job that will help pay for the expenses at UIC or a similar school.

Was he referring to the Graduate Entry Program when he said that? If he was, that sounds extremely competitive! However, my undergrad counselor once told me that if I really wanted to do nursing, the GEP program was a bit less competitive than the traditional BSN program at UIC. I still want to try though, like you said it doesn't hurt to try. Oh and also for the GEP program, the website states that they look at your last 60 credit hours of your undergrad and determine your GPA from there, from what I understand. I did really well my last 2 years so maybe there is still hope? I wish I could find someone who was in a similar situation as me.

Yes, I am fluent in Spanish and I am a male, which I think would help me out. What do you think?

Thanks a lot for your feedback.

Yea, I mean all of that stuff certainly helps! It can't hurt!!

My bf graduated from UIC and he really liked it there.

The dean was referring to the graduate entry program. The national ranking for UIC's nursing school just went up to #6 so wow I am sure it will be hard for everyone!!! :)

Keep us posted!

I realize I'm commenting long after your original post. My response is mainly for the sake of other people finding this thread when looking for acceptance rate info on UIC's GEP / graduate entry program for nursing.

One of the users above makes a claim that there are some 16,000 applicants, of which 4,000 are purportedly highly qualified.

That's not accurate at all, so disregard that information.

The fact is that the acceptance rate for UIC's GEP is approximately 20% as of 2011, according to the Assistant Admissions Director, and the number of students in the program is a few hundred. (Some basic math will give you a general idea, then, of what the total applicant pool is.)

Good luck to all who apply.

Hey everyone,

I am new to the boards and have not found my answers in other threads so I decided to start my own. I am currently completing my pre-req's at a community college (chemistry, anatomy I & II, microbiology) to apply to nursing school and had a few questions. I have a B.S. in Advertising but had a somewhat low GPA in college, 2.95. I am striving to get A's and at the lowest B's in all my pre-req's and so far I am doing fine. I currently work as a CNA and have over 2 years of experience, I am planning on doing some volunteering and am looking for other ways to become more competitive. Any ideas on how I can achieve that?

I am interested in a few different programs, so I am keeping my options open. I am planning to apply for:

UIC Graduate Entry Program

Loyola University ABSN Program

Resurrection University ABSN Program

DePaul Masters Entry to Nursing Practice Program

Truman College Associate Degree in Nursing

Wright College LPN program

Ideally, I am interested in going to UIC or Loyola but I am not sure if these schools will even look at my application because of my GPA. What do you guys think? Would it be impossible to get accepted into any of the programs I mentioned with my GPA??

Keep in mind that UIC also looks at pre-req courses, GRE, letters of recommendation, resume and interview.

ANY advice would be greatly appreciated. Don't be afraid to comment! ha.