Is this true?????

sciencer · May 6, 2009

I don't know how most schools work, but I am in an ADN program, and they do not do this. I took most of my pre-req science courses by themselves so that I would do well in them, and I am doing just fine so far in the nursing program. To get into our program, they based it on your rubric score composed of many things like your GPA, your ACT score, how many credits you've completed, etc. They then accept the highest scores into the program.

SoCaliGirl · May 6, 2009

That's ridiculous. I already have a degree, so I only have to take the sciences. I just registered and only got ONE class because the other ones were full. Why would I take other classes that I don't need?

monkeykiss · May 6, 2009

Thanks for your input guys...

A lot of people in our class, including myself thought it was ridiculous as well.

So when our professor came in the class, we actually brought it up and she didn't say much besides "it could be, it's possible they look at that as well given that nursing program is rigoruous and seeing that an applicant was able to get through a heavy work load might be appealing, but of course they will still consider our test scores and what not" She advise us to talk to someone from the nursing department at our school to get more idea.

god-is-love · May 6, 2009

very interesting, i have never heard of this happening, but then again there r people that get into the nursing programs everyday that have lower g.p.a.'s & we all wonder how the heck did they get in & i have a 4.0 we hear this all the time. if this is what they do it doesn't suprise me. :idea:

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · May 6, 2009

That's ridiculous. I already have a degree, so I only have to take the sciences. I just registered and only got ONE class because the other ones were full. Why would I take other classes that I don't need?

I have to agree with you - that is just ridiculous! Never heard of such. It seems like some kind of rumor is always circulating about 1 thing or another.

I could be wrong, but I just feel like that's a load of poop.

Anne, RNC

libnat · May 6, 2009

i know at my school they give extra points on your gpa for doing your pre-reqs at the school vs community college but never heard of what you are describing. the way we get it they don't even look at full transcripts, just a summarized list of mandatory classes taken and your grade beside it.

rn/writer, RN · May 6, 2009

Some schools have so many applicants they use a lottery system that includes everyone over a certain GPA. If that GPA threshold is, say, 3.5, there could conceivably be folks with a 4.0 who still wouldn't get in. That would drive me bonkers.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 6, 2009

My school, for now at least, gives everyone a chance that meets the requirements, as long as you have the Min. GPA in your Pre Reqs class and meet the other requirements, you get a chance, you are put on a wait list. I know a lot of other school that do it strictly on the GPA of the classes which would disprove the theory you heard.

BellasMommyOBRN · May 7, 2009

due to the massive applicants, nursing admission policies are constantly changing. i know for a fact that binghamton university (it's in ny, a major public university) does do this. they state on their website,

"must provide evidence of at least one semester with a full-time course load"

i'm not saying that it is fair, nor am i suggesting that every school does this but, it shouldn't surprise us that some schools might use this type of measure for their process.

just to throw that out there :)

monkeykiss · May 7, 2009

Hi again to everyone.

I made a few phone calls to schools which I am interested in applying after I am done with my pre-reqs. Of course, most of them directed me to the school/department websites, but some were kind enough to say a few words.

According to SOME, all school have different ways of evaluating transcripts; if a given scenario where a straight A student with a 4.0 GPA who took 1 class per semester vs. an ok student with a 3.0 who took a full load semester were to apply for a last spot, they will be more interested in the 3.0 student, because the chances of that person success in the program is greater.

Another scenario is if both student were to be interviewed and asked why did they take the class pattern they did; if 4.0 student gives an answer that she wanted to secure an A and can't handle more than 1 class to get that grade, they will definitely consider picking 3.0 student, just because the nursing program is comparable to a full load if not much more complicated.

So I guess, what my classmate said is true; but then again, it doesn't mean it's always the case in all school.

libnat · May 7, 2009

I can see there point. Some people do take a really low course load because they would have trouble passing with acceptable grades if they did otherwise. The school can't assume that will change once your accepted.