If you are a transfer student to a 4 year BSN program...

[Autymn]

Are those who started at a four year university/college as freshman given more consideration when applying just before the junior year to the Nursing School there?

I have 36 s.h. with University of Maryland from several centuries ago ;o) So....I am a non-trad, in the midst of retaking many pre reqs. I initially thought I'd get as many pre req's as possible done at the community college, then when I had two remaining pre-reqs I'd apply as a transfer student at the state college nearby with a great BSN program, and then apply at that Nursing program.

Someone recently told me that I would be 'scored' lower being a transfer student than other students with appx the same pre req gpa, volunteer/work experience, testing scores etc when the committee began looking at the NS apps for that upcoming year.

Anyone have info concerning this sort of situation? I intend to apply simultaneously to the AN program at the community college as well, but have my heart set on the BSN if I get that opportunity.

Thanks ahead of time,

Glass-half-full,

Autymn

[Inori, BSN, RN]

@Autymn - yes many schools reserve as much as 75% of thier nursing seats for thier own students and then the 25% is for outside applicants. Given that info... it is definitely to your benefit to take the prereqs at the same school where you intend to apply.

I did the prerequs at community college, applied got in and finished ADN and now will start the rn-bsn in summer. SUffice to say had i applied to these schools back then i'd not have qualified. Now after the ADN I had my pick of 2 schools with one of them my dream school so do consider the alternate paths to RN and such. Just make sure to continue the BSN because many places are requiring the bsn. ADN = can work 2 years earlier than bsn yay for pay check! GOOD LUCK!

[Autymn]

That is the more specific info I was wondering about. I've met a couple of non-trads who decided to do their pre reqs at the four year university. Cost is an important consideration for me, however, time is money and possibility of getting into the NS program if all other things are equal as far as grades, etc is making me reconsider.

So, now I'm thinking more possibly along the lines of trying to find some sort of shiftwork - ie 3-11 shift in retail (*ugh) or anything which I could then work day classes around even during my pre-reqs. Guess I will continue on with this first year at the community college and then transfer to the other university. I'll save at least this year, but do the rest of the pre-reqs at the university one year before applying to officially be a pre-Nursing major, and then applying to the BSN nursing school program there. Ramen-noodle and jello diet it is then for a bit longer!

Thanks so much Inori.

[ixchel]

I don't know how similar the Maryland universities are but at Salisbury, I've been accepted as a transfer student with 1 C in a pre-req (the rest As). Salisbury University does appear to prioritize based on residency, not transfer status. Get in touch with an advisor in the nursing department. They're usually pretty good at telling you the selection criteria.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Ugh... My school guarantees spots to students who took all the prereqs there and met the minimum qualifications. Those students can't earn a D or F at all to walk into the program. I wish I had went there as a freshmen, but hindsight is 20/20. The college is tiny relative to its nursing program. It's a catholic, hospital-founded school, and most of the programs are medical in nature with nursing being dominant. It doesn't offer the traditional college experience appeal that most high school seniors are looking for, and the average age of the students is in the mid-20s. There are no dorms and it is more expensive than the CC, so thankfully, it isn't very popular with first time freshmen and the walk-ins only make up about 30-40% of the admitted class each semester.

For everyone else, they won't consider you haven't taken 9 hours with them.