How competitive is nursing school?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

What kind of GPA do I need to be accepted into a nursing program? Are there any programs in my area that are easier to get into than others? I am in Chicago.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Each school is somewhat different. At our school, they are starting to look at other things besides just grades. They are going to do interviewing as well as grades and points. Check with an advisor at your school. Good luck.

What kind of GPA do I need to be accepted into a nursing program? Are there any programs in my area that are easier to get into than others? I am in Chicago.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
What kind of GPA do I need to be accepted into a nursing program? Are there any programs in my area that are easier to get into than others? I am in Chicago.

Here is the deal at my school in San Antonio, TX....at least a 3.5 GPA in prenursing courses, no repeats or previous failures in prenursing courses.

:smackingf

Good luck :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Here's the stats for the school I am applying to:

Last year: 1675 applicants, over 1100 WELL qualified, 140 4.0 GPA's, only 130 spots in the program.

This school also factors in entrance exams and interviews, but if they were solely GPA, even the 4.0's would be in trouble!!!! :(

I think over a 3.5 is the across the board standard, but in this day and age, it seems you need to be as close to perfect as humanly possible! But check around you area. You state should have a board of nursing website with all the schools in your area. I would meet with the advisors of the schools you are interested in to get the best answer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have heard that even with my 4.0 I might still be waiting a year...if I get a B in my last pre-req, I will be waiting a year and a half.. and that is for schools that have a waiting list.. some don't (meaning I would have to apply every semester) I am applying in December (after my last pre-req.. they have to be all completed for the schools I am applying to) so only time will tell... bottom line.. do your best...maybe you can call around to local schools and ask how long the list is and how to avoid the waiting list.

I will be applying to 4 different schools in my area. (I am hoping to get into the program with night clinicals)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have heard that even with my 4.0 I might still be waiting a year...if I get a B in my last pre-req, I will be waiting a year and a half.. and that is for schools that have a waiting list.. some don't (meaning I would have to apply every semester) I am applying in December (after my last pre-req.. they have to be all completed for the schools I am applying to) so only time will tell... bottom line.. do your best...maybe you can call around to local schools and ask how long the list is and how to avoid the waiting list.

I will be applying to 4 different schools in my area. (I am hoping to get into the program with night clinicals)

It also depends on how many schools near you or whats a feesable distance for you to travel, if your able to apply to more then one school then you will increase your chances alot more.

Where I live there are only two ADN programs close by and even they will be hard with practicals as we have no real hospitals close to us in order to get in the proper clinicals we will often have a 60 mile commute. So that said our 2 schools one opperates on a weight list only but its at a 6-8 semester wait at this time, my school has no waitlist you don't get in one semester you have to re aply each time. The last workshop I attended (I go every year because they change things constantly) they said the GPA average for exceptance has been 3.8 ofcourse though you only need a 2.5 to qualify and they do have 2 lottery spots each semester.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It also depends on how many schools near you or whats a feesable distance for you to travel, if your able to apply to more then one school then you will increase your chances alot more.

Where I live there are only two ADN programs close by and even they will be hard with practicals as we have no real hospitals close to us in order to get in the proper clinicals we will often have a 60 mile commute. So that said our 2 schools one opperates on a weight list only but its at a 6-8 semester wait at this time, my school has no waitlist you don't get in one semester you have to re aply each time. The last workshop I attended (I go every year because they change things constantly) they said the GPA average for exceptance has been 3.8 ofcourse though you only need a 2.5 to qualify and they do have 2 lottery spots each semester.

catzy what's the college with no waiting list?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
catzy what's the college with no waiting list?

Its in Menefee Ca, no waiting list which makes it pretty much top scores only. Last semester the director said nothing below a 3.8 got in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Its in Menefee Ca, no waiting list which makes it pretty much top scores only. Last semester the director said nothing below a 3.8 got in.

oh ya and I should also add there are only 12 spots available in the fall and 24 in the spring.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in Chicago.

For the accelerated BSN program, I know Loyola received 900 applications for 60 spots. Rush also receives a lot.

Oakton Community College in Des Plaines turns down a lot of applicants. Fall is better to apply since they take 80. In the Spring they only accept 28 students. (Unlike the other schools, Oakton ranks applicants by NLN scores only as long as your have their minimum GPA requirement. Only about two pre-reqs even need to be completed before they consider you!! You can take the others while in the nursing program.)

In Chicago, as elsewhere, it's very difficult. Think twice before redoing any classes. Many community colleges want you to have a minimum 2.8 GPA.

Good luck. Let me know if you need more specific school info. I've been researching Chicago programs for a couple of years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm in Chicago.

For the accelerated BSN program, I know Loyola received 900 applications for 60 spots. Rush also receives a lot.

Oakton Community College in Des Plaines turns down a lot of applicants. Fall is better to apply since they take 80. In the Spring they only accept 28 students. (Unlike the other schools, Oakton ranks applicants by NLN scores only as long as your have their minimum GPA requirement. Only about two pre-reqs even need to be completed before they consider you!! You can take the others while in the nursing program.)

In Chicago, as elsewhere, it's very difficult. Think twice before redoing any classes. Many community colleges want you to have a minimum 2.8 GPA.

Good luck. Let me know if you need more specific school info. I've been researching Chicago programs for a couple of years.

Here at our community college's ADN program you won't stand a chance if you don't have at least a 3.5 GPA!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

For my university, there are 100+ pre-nursing students.

There are 50 spots.

They are looking solely at GPA. I know one person that got accepted

a spot with a GPA of 3.6

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment