How to get into competitive BSN program

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I am going to be starting at a community college in a few weeks, beginning my pre-reqs so that I can apply to a BSN program after completing my pre-reqs. The programs I want to attend are VERY competitive(UCLA, UC Irvine, and San Francisco State). I currently volunteer 10 hours a week in the med-surgical unit at a hospital and I plan on becoming a CNA in the spring. Also, I am in the Honors Program at my college.What else should I do to make sure I get into these programs?(Any advice would be great)

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

My program was SUPER competitive as well. I actually wrote a letter outlining the reason why I wanted to be a a nurse and gave it to the admission (the letter probably had no influence on the admission but it was something I just did).

Really there isn't much to do besides get realllllly high marks so study hard! :)

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Its all in grades, nothing less than an A will compete. I know northern california is taking in upwards of 3.8 GPA. Good luck! Also expand your horizons when you do apply... if nursing is something you really want to do fill out multiple apps to other places.

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Excellent grades! Preferably straight A's! That was the only way to get into our program.

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Specializes in Med/Surg and ANCC RN-BC.

Really make yourself stand out. Having the volunteer experience is a plus. having good grades also really good. Have you done any research projects or thesis? What about any school groups or activities that you may be apart of?

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To answer your question Lizzie21, I will be joining the Red Cross Club on campus, the statewide honors society, and I run cross-country and track.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Wow... straight A's??? I would have never made it into my program if that were the case. Most schools do not just look at grades, actually grades are only alotted a certain number of points. They also look at volunteer (which you have talked about), as well in my case was an in class essay on why you wanted to be a nurse and what characteristics that you hold that would make you a good nurse. Plus an interview.

But for me I only had a B+/A Average out of highschool, with some volunteer work as well. I had an amazing interview and I felt great about it. I got a letter in the mail saying that I had not been accepted and that I needed to raise my GPA for a better chance. Literally 4 days before school started I got a phone call saying that they opened 10 more spots and that I was in.

ANYWAYS, what I am trying to say is that people think grades are everything. I am doing JUST as good as anyone else in my class. I am holding a 3.5 GPA, and yes I may not be their star A student, but I will make a DAMN good nurse. :)

Sorry, I had to vent. lol. :) Just be you, you will get in! It sounds like you have everything you need :)

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I still believe the most important thing to get into a nursing program is a high GPA, and doing well on the entrance exam (if there is one). I could be wrong, but I think MOST nursing programs in community colleges are based on points for grades. They do not even look at volunteer work, past employment, essays, etc., because it would be impossible to assign points. Some are more competitive than others. Four year programs are a different story. Just my :twocents:

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Another idea is, since you know which schools you would like to attend, call the Director of the nursing program and find out their requirements to get into the program. They are usually very forthcoming. Some colleges even offer informational seminars about their program.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

Seriously, as far as grades go anything less than an A is not an option, along with as high a score as you can get on an entrance test ... it's THAT competitive out there. If you put your mind to it, you can do it. Last spring I took the hardest professor at my school for microbiology and I was terrified. I worked my butt off (along with a full time job) but I pulled an A. In addition to everything you're doing, some good recommendations will also be a plus.

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Specializes in NICU.

It always depends on the schools, so definitely look into requirements for all the schools you plan to apply to.

Like others have said, in most BSN programs it comes down to gpa. It's great that you're already looking for advice because it is crucial that you know how important grades are. When I started at a community college, I had no idea how competitive BSN programs were so I wasted a lot of time. I was accepted for fall 2010 at a very competitive school with a 3.875 gpa and I'm thankful that I was able to turn my grades around, but I wish that they were always high.

I think volunteer/CNA experience is great and will help you in school, but not all programs consider it for admissions. That's something else you should look at when you research the schools.

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ANYWAYS, what I am trying to say is that people think grades are everything. I am doing JUST as good as anyone else in my class. I am holding a 3.5 GPA, and yes I may not be their star A student, but I will make a DAMN good nurse.

Grades ARE everything when you're trying to get into a nursing program! The OP was asking about getting into a program. Once you're in it, it's a different story--don't necessarily have to be a "star A student" but you still have to do well. Don't know why you feel the need to vent, but the fact remains grades mean the most.

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