Houston Baptist University information

Mochachild · May 30, 2011

@OpheliasWings

I'm also considering applying for Spring 2012...one of many schools that I have on my list. HBU is very competitive to get into. Approx. 30-35 students are selected per term out of an average of 500-700 applicants. However, they consistently do well on the NCLEX, have smaller classes for more instructor guidance and have an awesome reputation in this area. I have not heard that HBU's program focuses primarily on critical care/pediatrics. They do focus more on the holistic theory. The application deadline for Spring 2012 is September 15th. The HESI A2 is required and a minimum cumulative score of 80% must be attained to apply. In addition, an overall 3.0 GPA is also required to apply. Go to their FAQ section for more info. HBU has an open house on June 9th from 2p-3p at the CON. No need to register-just show up. This will give you more insight to the process and maybe any other info not currently expressed on their website. I plan on being there! Good luck!

OpheliasWings · May 30, 2011

Hi Mochachild,

Thanks so much for your reply! I happened to find their website a few nights back when I was looking into alternative options for bachelor's programs in the Houston area, but I wasn't able to find a way to contact them on the nursing webpage other than the link to the dean's email address. I really appreciate the information about the open house. I may have to look into that.

As far as the Peds/ICU emphasis that's just something that I had seen on another thread here on the forums so I have no clue how true that actually is. I'm really wanting to get into a school where I know I will get an extrodinary education and that I will know that when I come out of the program I'll be well prepared and will have a good shot of getting into the area of nursing I want to be in.

Thanks for letting me know about the application deadline as well. Do you happen to know if all of the required pre reqs have to be completed prior to applying? I know some schools will allow you to be taking courses during the application period and others won't.

Thanks so much! You've been incredibly helpful!

Good luck to you as well!

Take Care,

Sonseria

Mochachild · May 31, 2011

You're quite welcome! We're all here trying to achieve the same goal- to get into somebody's program! You don't have to go through the process alone. :) To answer your last question...yes. This school does not play. Here's what it says on their site:

*How do I apply to the program?

To apply to the program, the following must be met:

Accepted to HBU through the undergraduate admission process
Attended a mandatory Nursing Information Session (details listed further below)
Transcripts reflect no more than two grades of "D" or "F" in the required science courses (if more, not eligible for admission)
Minimum 3.0 GPA (Overall GPA, Science GPA, HBU GPA)
Completed all nursing prerequisite courses
Completed all HBU Proficiencies: Reading, Writing, Math, & Computer
Completed the HESI A2 entrance exam (details listed below)
Met with a nursing faculty advisor to review the hard copy checklist and receive an application

OpheliasWings · May 31, 2011

Hi Again!

Thanks so much for the additional information. Exactly! I'm trying to keep all of my options open. I went back to the website and did some digging around and was able to find more information than I did the first time I visited their website. I do have a question though, not sure if you might know, I'm a bit curious about the 18 hours of humanities and 9 hours of Christian studies courses that are required. Are these part of the pre reqs that have to be completed prior to applying or are they added in with the nursing curriculum?

Thanks again!

Sonseria

earthcrosser · Jun 2, 2011

Those courses are not built into the nursing curriculumn. I had everything done before I started nursing school, but you may be able to complete some of the classes after acceptance (I don't reccomend this...HBU nursing classes have lots of reading and projects/work to do, so adding other classes on top is not the best idea.)

I had no issues getting in, but I was there under the old dean, so I am aware that quite a few changes have been made to the way things are done (especially as far as applications go.)

I know when I went there (2006-2008), there definitely was a heavy emphasis on ICU - that was the juggernaut class, but I learned a ton in it. It was incredibly difficult, but fun at the same time. It was one of the classes that many people did not do well on, but it is very much possible to get through the program without failing,

It is very expensive, but I do feel I did happen to get a good education from there.

OpheliasWings · Jun 2, 2011

Hi Earthcrosser,

Thanks so much for your reply about HBU. I was able to get in touch with the dean's assistant and she was very helpful in answering some of the questions that I had.

I was told that their application process is based solely upon your GPA and HESI A2 scores. They do not require letters of recommendation or resumes. I think it's all just based upon your how well you've done in your courses. She did say that if you have completed at least 12 hrs at HBU that you are given priority. I looked into this and I just don't think I'll be able to afford it. Even with transfer scholarships it would be very expensive.

She gave me a basic run down of the pre reqs which are English I&II, College Alg. or equivilent, Govt. I&II, A&P I & II, Micro, Intro to Chem, Intro to Psych, and Lifespan growth and development. She did say that their "Smith College" is no longer applicable, unless you've set your degree plan by June. They're moving to a liberal arts core curriculum, which I'm just guessing is more like the other universities, but she didn't go into details what courses were included in this. She did say that many of these classes could be taken during the nursing portion. But I agree the more you can complete beforehand the better off you are.

She suggested that I go to one of the information sessions since they go over all of the pre reqs and the application process. And of course it is mandatory before they will even allow you to apply. But she also said that you have to have a 3.0 in both your overall and science. According to the website if you don't meet that minimum your application won't even be sent over to the nursing department.

I'm glad you shared your experience at HBU. I think that all of the programs are going to be difficult. I would be scared for the sake of the patients if nurses weren't expected to undergo rigorous schooling. However, I know that not all schools are the same.

If you don't mind sharing what type of GPA did you have when you applied? I'm hoping to keep my grades as high as possible so that I'll have a better shot of getting in. They only accept 35+/- students per application period so I've heard it's pretty competative to get in.

Thanks again for your post!

Take Care,

Sonseria

earthcrosser · Jun 4, 2011

I'd like to say it was a 3.4 to a 3.6...somewhere in that range. I wound up with a 3.4 by the end of the program, but that still netted me a job. I actually got in quickly because I opted to take a vacant ADN slot. Veeeery expensive ADN!

OpheliasWings · Jun 4, 2011

Hi there, thanks so much for sharing. I'm currently trying to finish everything out over the next couple semesters. I'm taking a full load this summer then part time in the fall in spring to give myself more time to ace my remaining science courses. So I plan to probably start applying next fall so I can take a little time off.

That definitly sounds like a very expensive ADN! When I originally thought about going into nursing I was planning to do the associates program at LoneStar, but I figured in the long run it would be better for me to go ahead and do the bachelors program. That way I can get into a masters program without having to go back and do a RN to BSN program.

I'm just praying I'll be able to get into some sort of internship or land a job after school. I want to work in pediatrics, so that's why I've tried really hard to keep my grades up. Hoping it will help out in the end.

Thanks again for the great information!

Take Care,

Sonseria

Mochachild · Jun 6, 2011

@OpheliasWings

I would recommend applying to several schools. The competition is wickedly fierce for only a few spots. I made that mistake last application period and have since learned my lesson. Be open to all avenues- LVN, ADN, BSN. Sure...it may take longer, but experience is a commodity and will not go unnoticed. Food for thought.

OpheliasWings · Jun 6, 2011

Hi MochaChild,

Thanks so much for the post. I totally agree. I've been trying to cover all of my bases with the courses that I am taking that way I know that I'll be able to apply to more than one program. I plan to apply to UT-Houston, TWU, HBU, and Texas A&M if I can manage to squeeze in the extra stats and chem course. I had planned to apply to Sam Houston as well, but they require that your Psych-growth and development course is taken at their college, they won't accept the community college level course. And I just don't know if I want to have to go to the extra trouble when I already have enough on my plate finishing out what I have to finish.

That's what I've been trying to tell my husband is that there are thousands upon thousands of applicants and only a few hundred spots available. I had originally planned to apply to the associates programs, however I really want to get my bachelors out of the way and I only have about another 2 semesters to go before I'm finished with all of my pre reqs to apply starting next fall most likely. I'd like to take a little time off and maybe get in some volunteer time next summer.

Thanks again for your post!

Mochachild · Jun 6, 2011

Sounds like you've been doing your homework! Those are some awesome choices. Keep pressing on, girl! Inform me on your progress and I'll do the same. God bless!