How to get into competitive BSN program

[AL1992]

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)

[HeartsOpenWide, RN]

Get a letter from one of the doctors you work with writing a letter of recommendation for you. I graduated with honors at my JC, had volunteer experience, and past medical experience. Although it was not required, I included a letter from an FNP that I worked for that said why they should accept me into the program and that I was nursing material, ect ect.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

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.

Unless of course you're looking to pursue a graduate program, in which case the cycle resumes all over again ... ... but it's worth repeating, grades are everything, unfortunately. At some schools, it speaks volumes over any letter of recommendation - a cruel reality.

[CA_BSN_Student]

Speaking a 2nd language & experience with underserved population will come in handy with SFSU application.

You might already know this, but I believe both UCs require more & higher level chemistry and biology courses than CSUs.

[Brighten]

for SF state you need to have most of the supplemental requirements or they'll reject you. It doesn't matter if you have a 4.0 or volunteer hours (which I had and I still was waitlisted)....you will need to have job experience and to speak fluently in second language lol. Thank god SF State requires the teas test now so it evens out the application pool.

[soxgirl2008]

Look at the programs requirements. Some look only at GPA and some look at GPA/work experience/volunteering. The BSN program I'm applying to i know people with a 3.5 who got in over someone with a 3.8 or 3.9 because they had more work or volunteer experience, but like everyone has been saying your best bet is to have a high GPA especially in the sciences/pre reqs