How mant times have you applied?

Hotflashn · Mar 1, 2008

WARNING>>>>RANT: What is up with these lottery systems for nursing programs? Statistically they have the worse record for retaining students and pass rates on the NCLEX...here's a suggestion...how about actually PICKING the students that are the BEST FIT instead of pulling a name out of a hat...I mean we are talking health care here and as RN's we are responsible for the health and welfare of other human beings....maybe being a little picky is a good thing. I'm just saying.

Love your screen name!

I am not sure about lottery programs other than a couple ADN for the Bay Area. I know Los Medanos and Contra Costa have lotteries and they actually have better NCLEX pass rates and do better with their attrition rates than most (all?) of the other ADN waitlist programs in the area and many of the CSUs and some of the private schools. Though, they also have a higher bar set as far as GPA. The slightly higher standards than the waitlist programs and don't allow a name in the hat unless that standard is met. Additionally, they require that students have most other course work finished before applying, so that if accepted, there is no fooling around with GE classes, or outstanding prereqs. The way they have it set up they get students who are perhaps more prepared to succeed.

The waitlist programs seem to encourage students to go after only the core prereqs to get on the list and then take their time with GE and additional classes while waiting. All they have to be is patient enough to wait, not necessarily the cream of the crop. Then many get into the program and are left to scramble with nursing courses on top of the classes they put off. Or, perhaps they just don't have what it takes to get through the academics - but who knew, because all they had to do was get on that list and wait.

It is hard to know if GPA alone is necessarily the best indicator for a good fit or a great nurse. A hardship (or series of them) can really screw up a GPA and make a person appear less fit - when in fact maybe their experience gives them something special to offer. I have a friend that is a great nurse who almost didn't make it out of NS because she was pregnant and getting a divorce. On paper she looked marginal, at best!

But I hear ya, even this pre-process is a huge exercise in frustration.

Good luck with the SM interview!

dannibee · Mar 2, 2008

It looks like we are in the same boat. I have applied to ARC 4 times now, SCC 3 times, Sierra 3 times, SCC extended campus 2 times, SCC part time once and I am also on Yuba's wait list.
Just curious how many applicants are in front of you? I have 257 in front of me.
Maybe we need to get together and have a Sacramento nursing school bashing party!
I am crossing my fingers for you this semester!

Lol! I am right behind you on the list. I am #269. I hope you get in soon too. Where did you take your prereqs?

MedicalNerd · Mar 2, 2008

Lol! I am right behind you on the list. I am #269. I hope you get in soon too. Where did you take your prereqs?

All of my pre-req's I have done at ARC. What about you? Have you taken the additional classes for Yuba yet? Like the Algebra 2, Pharmacology and Pathophys?

I am taking my algebra 2 this semester (ugh...I hate algebra:yawn:) but I have taken my Pharm and I will be signing up for the Pathophys online through Yuba for fall 08... that is if I don't get accepted this semester.

jenleighs86 · Mar 2, 2008

I was going to GSU here in Atl but I found out that they don't do interviews for spots in the nursing program. I transferred to Clayton State, took one semester of classes and got into the nursing program the first application go round. My grades were Ok at GSU... maybe 3.1 GPA... But I knew that if that was all they were gonna be able to see that I wasn't getting in. The school I transferred to did 350 interviews the semester I got in and only 40 students were accepted. This school is smaller and less know than GSU but I am so glad I transferred! Not only because I got in but because I am in my 3rd semester now and I work at a hospital that GSU students do clinicals at and I have seen how much they know. Nothing compared to me!!! :) Just hang in there and possibly try applying to schools that do interviews on all their applicants. Good Luck!!!

dannibee · Mar 7, 2008

All of my pre-req's I have done at ARC. What about you? Have you taken the additional classes for Yuba yet? Like the Algebra 2, Pharmacology and Pathophys?

I already have those classes finished as a part of my BS from Fresno State thank goodness!

cobee · Mar 24, 2008

I still have two more pre-reqs to finish before I can apply anywhere and I plan to apply by Spring 09. I'm so discouraged by all of your experiences with Sacramento colleges! I would absolutely love to be accepted to SCC because its the school I go to now and I'm really comfortable with it, but just in case, I've gathered about 17 schools that I will apply to next spring. They're mostly in nor cal and the bay area, and two in so cal. I just need ONE to take me! I don't care where it is... this whole admissions thing is making me so nervous

lainith · Mar 24, 2008

Twice. The first time I applied I had only ONE of my pre-req classes done and was enrolled in three more. I was not accepted last year and did not expect or want to be in my CC's program until this year. I applied again and was happily surprised to be accepted. Our program only takes around 25 students so it's kind of cut-throat. Strangely, we don't take a NET for acceptance. I am finding out that this is not the norm but I am not enrolled in a BSN program, only ADN. Anyway, our acceptance is based on over-all GPA, pre-requisite courses completed, GPA in pre-req classes, and the date at which you declared your major.

I'm in Eastern Iowa and I start the LPN courses in August.

Bonjour · Apr 18, 2008

WARNING>>>>RANT: What is up with these lottery systems for nursing programs? Statistically they have the worse record for retaining students and pass rates on the NCLEX...here's a suggestion...how about actually PICKING the students that are the BEST FIT instead of pulling a name out of a hat...I mean we are talking health care here and as RN's we are responsible for the health and welfare of other human beings....maybe being a little picky is a good thing. I'm just saying.

Please check the following thread, great discussions.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f137/community-college-selection-process-what-joke-193191.html

benegesserit · Apr 19, 2008

I haven't applied yet, as I won't finish my prereq's until this summer session, but I'm watching this thread with interest (and discouragement ) as I'm another in the Sacramento area!

SCC extended campus is my first choice (really, who needs summer vacation anyways? Plus it's the most convenient geographically). Does anyone know what the GPA/TEAS test scores/etc. of those who get in generally are?

kittyn, MSN, NP · Apr 19, 2008

Out of the several schools I applied to, two schools placed me on a waiting list.

NICUplease · Apr 19, 2008

I applied to 2 central valley (Cali) schools last semester and was DENIED! This would be my second time applying but it's now out of state. Wish me luck! By the way... why dont you try schools in the Bay Area. Im from SF and I did a lot of research in RN schools there. There are a lot more choices there than Sac. Have you tried Sac City's RN program? I think that's where they do the open entry accelerated program -- only 18 mos! I think it's through Sutter. Check up on that. Good luck!

Gurmo · Apr 21, 2008

I applied to my community college nurse program in January 2007 but didn't score high enough on the test, so in March 2007 I applied to the school I go to now. I didn't make the fall 2007 class but was accepted into the January 2008 program. I applied in March and got my acceptance letter in July 2007.
I'm in Missouri

Which school in Missouri?