Improving chances to be accepted

It really depends on the place where you are applying, as to what will increase your chances of getting in. Volunteer experience in the medical world, however, usually is looked upon pretty positively across the board, from what I can gather. A lot of community college programs have "points" systems and really spell out for you what will increase your chances, but that isn't the case for the accelerated BSN programs. I would suggest contacting the school you are interested in directly, and asking. You never know what information they might give you, and it also might not hurt if that particular individual remembers your name, and your level of interest, when they come across your application in the application process.

Good luck!

Thanks, I will do that. I forgot to mention that I did volunteer in a hospital for a year when I was in high school. I hope that wasn't too long ago to count. Also volunteered in a vet hospital but that probably isn't relevant.

Does any one know whether a BA or BS is preferred? I can e done quicker with a BA and possibly have time to do more volunteering or get a small job if I go that rate but I want a BS if that will help me. Any advice???

Does any one know whether a BA or BS is preferred? I can e done quicker with a BA and possibly have time to do more volunteering or get a small job if I go that rate but I want a BS if that will help me. Any advice???

I don't think there's a preference for BS over BA. What's very important is to have completed all school/program prerequisites for nursing schools as soon as you can so that you can get your application in as soon as you can. Some schools will take your application before all of your prereqs and give provisional acceptance pending completion of prereqs but the people who have completed all the prereqs at the time they apply and can get full acceptance have somewhat of an edge.

Prereqs vary from school to school so go to websites of the schools that you're interested in, find out what their requirements are and take it from there. It's also a good idea when considering a school to get your transcript evaluated by that school so that you know exactly what courses you need to take.

I really don't think it matters if you get a BA or a BS. I also just graduated this past June from a UC with a BA in psychology. I debated if I should get a BS but what really mattered were my grades in the prereqs. I also thought of switching to be a bio major, but I realized I still needed to take the most of the prereqs somewhere else because my school didn't have these classes. I recently was accepted to Hopkins and I really think getting a good gpa in prereqs is what helped me.

I think high school may be too long ago (applications will mostly ask you about your college experience), but you should do some volunteer work that really stands out. I went to Honduras over spring break and it really helped. I got three recommendations from two doctors and a nurse from the trip and two out of my three essays had to do with my experience there. Going to Mexico will help I think. Maybe you can go back and do something more hand on :)

Thanks for all the advice. I'm so glad to hear that a BA might be enough! haha. I am ready to be done with that degree and start applying! I won't finish my pre-reqs until next fall so I can't apply til next April.

I am thinking about doing a shadowing type program in Ecuador because they allow you to participate doing sutures and such in a hospital. Hopefully that will give me a little edge. The letter of recommendation is a great idea. Do you still turn one in with the application if they don't require one??

Some schools will allow you to apply for their school before you even finish your prereqs as long as you finish them before you start their program begins. So maybe you can apply even earlier.

Going to abroad will be a great experience! I'm not sure about the recommendation thing, but you should call and ask the school. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt. I actually turned in five even they only requested three.