I am so frustrated and confused with application requirements (socal)

[givemeadvicepls]

I'm applying to CSULA, CSULB, CSUF, and CSUSM next year after finishing my prerequisites. I have a C in Anatomy and the rest of my classes are A's. Every time I try to find out all the requirements for applying to each of these schools, they're all so different. Some of them consider classes expired after a certain number of years, others demand I finish Microbio after a certain date while others don't, some won't take my C in Anatomy, and others will take only the C even if I retake it and get a higher grade, etc. Every time I start looking for transfer information I just end up getting beat down again. I just can't win. Every time I click on a program there's always something that makes me ineligible to apply and I get so beat down. I finally hit my breaking point tonight and I cried for a good hour. Please, any words of encouragement? Any advice on how to get through this state of confusion and rejection?

[Sour Lemon]

18 hours ago, givemeadvicepls said:

I'm applying to CSULA, CSULB, CSUF, and CSUSM next year after finishing my prerequisites. I have a C in Anatomy and the rest of my classes are A's. Every time I try to find out all the requirements for applying to each of these schools, they're all so different. Some of them consider classes expired after a certain number of years, others demand I finish Microbio after a certain date while others don't, some won't take my C in Anatomy, and others will take only the C even if I retake it and get a higher grade, etc. Every time I start looking for transfer information I just end up getting beat down again. I just can't win. Every time I click on a program there's always something that makes me ineligible to apply and I get so beat down. I finally hit my breaking point tonight and I cried for a good hour. Please, any words of encouragement? Any advice on how to get through this state of confusion and rejection?

Perhaps you should narrow your focus, meet the requirements to apply at ONE school, and THEN look at others.

[caliotter3]

Use Sour Lemon's approach to apply to one program at a time. Then work on the different requirement(s) for another program and apply there and so on, until you are accepted. I've recommended in the past that people make a chart or list of programs and their requirements. Meet the requirements demanded everywhere first. Then, while you are still in "apply" mode, meet the next most sought after requirement until you reach the final requirement that may be unique to your last choice. Anatomy is going to be required for all (most likely) while underwater basket weaving may only be required at your last choice. So don't waste time with the basket weaving if you haven't taken anatomy. At some point in this process, a program is going to send you the letter, email, or phone call you are looking for.

So, you are not spinning your wheels, consider taking one at a time, those "extras" for a) a minor area of study; b) a personal interest (you want to develop fluency in Spanish; c) special co- or prerequisites for a grad degree interest (say you are interested in a grad degree that requires a course in statistics, but none of your prelicensure programs require statistics to apply). Use the added time to bulk up your healthcare work resume with paid CNA, phlebotomist, or lab tech experience. Look around. There are ways to make yourself more attractive to a program or a future employer that you can attend to while you are in the "apply" mode that will help you feel that you are helping your future self rather than stagnating and getting behind the power curve.