Hunter for pre-reqs?

Tallulahbelle · Feb 17, 2010

I did all of my pre-reqs aside from Organic Chem at BMCC and I highly recommend BMCC. I had some excellent science professors there. The classes were small and it felt like interactive learning.

I am now in Hunter doing Organic Chem and wow, what a horrific difference. Lecture hall of many people, terrible professor (and only ONE professor so there is no choice) and I have heard over the last few weeks that many of the science pre-req classes are like that at Hunter. I really dont recommend Hunter for that. Don't get me wrong, Hunter is a great school in a lot of other respects but as far as their science classes, no prize. I am sure maybe other people have had different experiences but considering that this is my first impression and I have heard nothing but horror stories in my lab from people who have done the bulk of their pre-reqs at Hunter and as well as the horror stories on Ratemyprofessor, you are better off somewhere else.

(No really, I still cannot get over how atrocious the O-Chem professor is and that he is the only person you can take, unreal.)

kika72 · Feb 17, 2010

Thank you so much for your reply Tallulahbelle!

Wow...I thought Hunter was much better than that! I've heard Org Chem is no easy cake to digest, so best of luck to you and thanks for the info.

Kika

guiltysins · Feb 19, 2010

Many CUNY schools with the exception of the community colleges have science classes that are overcrowded. I don't see how anyone can do a lecture hall like science class. I went to Lehman College and the chem class had 75 people in it. There is also usually a poor choice when it comes to scheduling and you have to fight to get a seat in these classes.

As far as Hunter's nursing program. You would need a GPA of about a 3.7 or higher. My friend that was at Hunter recently transferred out because she didn't get accepted with her 3.6. Also Hunter changed it so starting in Fall of 09 I think, all of the nursing classes are lecture halls. So there's only 1 or 2 classes with the entire nursing student body in them. Again, I'm not one for lecture hall classes so for me it was a no go but then again I've heard that NYU has big nursing classes as well lol.

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 19, 2010

Unless things have changed, last I heard many of Hunter/Bellevue's pre-nursing classes are the same as other health science majors. This means one is not only going up against those students for a seat, but that the classes may be taught to, well shall we say a "higher level" than elsewhere.

Hunter's undergrad BSN program has always been difficult to get into, much less graduate from, but word on the street is that things are getting a bit absurd. I mean applicants with GPAs 3.8 to 4.0 not making the cut for admission. Now that the NLN exam has been added, maybe things will get better or simply get worse.

My take is that with so few affordable BSN programs in Manhattan, many students choose Hunter because CUNY is much cheaper than say NYU.

kika72 · Feb 19, 2010

Yes, I totally agree!

NYU is SOOOOOOO expensive and If I get in I will be in debt for a very long time, but this is what is down to in NYC!

I know Hunter is absurd about GPA and stuff. I went to their open house a couple of years ago and basically the advisors said that it was easier to get into medical school then the nursing program lol! That's why I got discouraged and waited until now. At this point I'm just gonna do it and see what happens! So far I'm doing pretty good in school (first semester though!), I really like it and we'll see what my GPA is gonna be.

Cuny seems also pretty much the same. Went to the open house at BMCC and they said admission is up to 3.7-4.0 GPA....that's crazy!

Kika

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 19, 2010

It seems *all* CUNY nursing programs are tightening things up. I attended the College of Staten Island, which now requires the NLN exam along with other changes.

Have said this before, and it is often over looked, but if one graduates from a NYC high school, you are entitled to attend CUNY. The only thing that makes a difference is one's high school average; you need 80, IIRC to attened a four year college (City, Hunter, Brooklyn, etc), everyone else goes to a community college. This means pre-nursing at CUNY is pretty much open to everyone, regardless of if they can handle the work or not.

Given the history of New York's City Universtiy system, changes for admission not only to the colleges, but particular programs is viewed under a microscope.

The sad reality is that many NYC high school students graduate without strong math, science, english and a few other skills that are becoming more important than ever in nursing programs.

Problem for CUNY nursing progams is they must keep up a high NCLEX passing rate (which not all always did), and as we see else where in nursing programs, this often means dropping "poor" performing students in favor of those near or at the top.

Another problem is, again there are so few undergrad RN nursing programs left in Manhattan, much less BSN schools. Off the top of my head can only name Hunter/Bellevue,Beth Israel, BMCC, and perhaps a few others.

Gone are: Saint Vincent's, Flower and Fifth, Lenox Hill, City College, Columbia University (undergrad,still has nursing graduate programs), to name a few.

speedingticket · Feb 20, 2010

LOL,kika72, it's def easier to get in Hunter's nursing than MED SCHOOL!!!

melloyello13 · Feb 21, 2010

I've made a post about Hunter somewhere else, but I will repeat what I said to the other person. Hunter is cheap, and has a reputable nursing program. But, administration is horrible and their nursing department does not care about its students. They are overwhelmed with applicants this semester and don't know what to do. I know Hunter very well (have worked there/been a student since 2004). I decided to get my AAS in nursing from Laguardia but still took classes at Hunter over the years, even till now. You can take the pre-reqs at Hunter without declaring your major (you typically have to declare your major by the time you have 60 credits), but you can also take classes at Hunter as a non-degree student and not have to worry about the major thing- though tuition will be slightly higher. Getting into Hunter's Nursing program is fairly difficult. I believe the average GPA USED to be 3.5 and now i'm sure it's higher than that. For Laguardia, you pretty much needed a 3.8 and I think Hunter might be around that as well. I got into Hunter's RN Pathway Program (for those who are already RNs), which is easier to get into. I will not be attending though, because the Nursing department sucks. I've heard bad things about other nursing programs in other schools, but Hunter is not the great school it advertises itself to be. If it's a money issue, Hunter is worth it definitely. But if you want the luxury of a smooth education , NYU might be a better choice. As a side note, I have taken organic chem at Hunter twice and both times I had to withdraw because the professors were HORRIBLE.

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2010

To be honest with you I have friends right now with an NYU BSN degree looking for a new grad nurse job a year after graduation. A name does not always equate with a job.

I am presently a student at Lehman and I understand how difficult it is to get into a CUNY program. However, it is the best place to do pre-reqs.

I am actually looking at attending an ABSN program Fall 2011 after I graduate however if I were you I would look at other options within the tri-state area.

LIU-Brooklyn, College of Mt. St. Vincent, College of New Rochelle, SUNY stonybrook are within reach. The only thing is they require more pre-reqs than NYU.

However, NYU is a real hefty price tag. Going another route may be a but longer but much cheaper in the long run.

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 21, 2010

College of Mount St.V offers Manhattan locations for their "second degree" BSN program There was talk about adding more clinical and or class space in the brough, but IIRC that plan has been withdrawn.

If one could swing taking pre-reqs at any CUNY school, or anyplace else that offers them at a decent price, then go to MStV, you could still say in "Manhattan" if that is important.

Really is a shame there are so few nursing programs left, even fewer BSN pathways in NYC, and no on is going to open any school anytime soon. I've run into people going to New Jersey of all places to get around the maddness.

Regarding the comment about the NYU BSN grad not being able to find work, don't think it is the degree and or school, just that few NYC hospitals are hiring at the moment. Those that are if the nationwide trend holds, are looking for seasoned RNs, not new grads or newly licensed nurses.

To add even more uncertainity to the mix, you have the two more NYC hospitals on the brink; Lenox Hill and St. Vinny's . If one or both goes, it just means more experienced nurses hitting the streets looking for work in direct competition with new grads being turned out once or twice a year.

AccelCNL, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2010

To answer the above quote the issue is that no one is hiring. Concerning my new grad friends ( a few who came from NYU, one from UPENN, and some from College of Mt. St. Vincent) where you get hired depends on where you are looking. Some did find jobs in the city ( and they were not the ones from UPENN or NYU)) and one moved for a position in North Carolina.

The fact is there really is a nursing shortage.......on paper. Most hospitals today do have a high patient ratio to nurses (depending of course on the unit). The sad thing is instead of hiring new nurses overtime is preferred.

The fact is that once our time comes ( which I please hope things are different when I graduate from the ABSN I have faith I will get into --- Dec '12) we may have to think outside the tri-state area box where the salaries are smaller. The fact is everyone wants to work in the city/tri-state area because salaries are bigger than other parts of the country.

Right now I am volunteering at a hospital in Northern Westchester and I plan on staying there till I graduate from a nursing program because I am using it as a jumping board for a job there.

If you want to become a nurse by all means go ahead. The big names really used to mean something however in this time of 6m-1yr passing between graduation and the first job it is best to be financially smart.

My whole thought on the situation is that I plan on becoming an neonatal NP or a Pediatric NP. I plan on going to the big names for that. As long I get my BSN from a school I enjoy that has a great program, close to home, and that has a preceptorship ( which my hopeful ABSN has!!) that is where I am going.