Kaplan college in San Diego RN program

LVN/RNBridge · Mar 28, 2012

I am also a Kaplan Grad '11 for the VN program. Kaplan is expensive as all "for profit" colleges are. Believe me, I had an extremely bitter taste in my mouth from the very beginning of the program. My counselor was very sweet, but disorganized and did not reply to e-mails. This went on to the financial aid dept. as well and then once I started the program, the assistant don for the VN program was also less than professional. Luckily; going into term 2-3, things improved drastically. Kaplan replaced some staff and really started getting on the ball. My attitude of course then changed as things started to improve. Initially, I was scared to death of the low pass rate showing only 63% in 2009-2010, but I plugged away anyway and did all Kaplan NCLEX review sessions and continued even once we graduated. I took and passed NCLEX first try thanks to the support and dedication of the Kaplan nursing dept. In the end, Kaplan turned out to be a great choice for me personally and in fact I had such a great experience toward the end of my program, that I intend on going back for the step up program. I hope this will help any/all that are considering Kaplan College. Best of luck to all and happy nursing!

ascalilung · Apr 10, 2012

Don't over think the test. Just study the packet that they gave. There is an LVN to RN program. It is 20 months long. I am an LVN and it is a plus because we have our own pool of candidates. I just found out that I am an alternate for the May 2012 class but if I don't get in I will definitely be part of the Sept. class. Hope this helps.

mjmagtanong · Apr 19, 2012

I just took the tour at Kaplan in San Diego today, and had a sit down with one of their reps. Requirements to get into the ADN program are

1) 6 months prior direct health care training or Bachelors Degree. If you ask about what the 6 months is and what can be accepted, they'll tell you.

2) Take the Wonderlic/SLE. Get a 12 out of 50. Don't be nervous, it's not hard but time your questions wisely. First you take a 8 minute 30 questions practice, which I got a 24/30. And secondly you take the real test, 12 minutes, 50 questions. I got a 29 :)

3) Take the KTP. It's their own assessment for you, and you must pass with a 61% Math and 64% English minimum. (The percentages might be mixed up.)

Next, apply into the ADN program. You must have a score of 24 or higher on the Wonderlic/SLE test. If you already took it prior, there is no need to take it again.

It is a 24 month program UNLESS you are coming from LVN. In which case it is 20 months long, no need for the 6 months training, but you still need to get 24/50 on the SLE because the minimum for LVN's is 21/50, that is if you got 21,22, or 23.

There is a total of 60 seats open at every start of the program. There are 3 starts per year. LVN's have 25 seats RESERVED for them in the program, but that does NOT mean LVN's are guaranteed a spot. You're still competing with other LVN's, however you still have a greater chance because if you do not get in with the 25 seats, there are 35 more.

Hope this helps!

Emilynn09 · Apr 26, 2012

I am attending Kaplan right now going through the PCAT program as a step up to the RN program. I had planned to apply for the Sept 09 session and thought that going through PCAT it would give me an advantage, but from what I hear...it may not. They only accept 50 students and it all depends on your TEAS score AND past experience in the medical field. They require that you have at least 6 months hospital/medical experience, but the more the better.
My question to any RN Kaplan students, do you think staying in PCAT will help? I already have the required experience and I already passed the entrance test (not TEAS)so I was told that I could apply, but as I mentioned, I thought PCAT would give me a better foundation for the RN program. Now I am thinking about dropping out of PCAT and focusing all my energy on getting into the next RN Program. Can you give me any suggestions on this? Is the RN program extremely more difficult than PCAT? I am breezing through PCAT right now with a 3.98 GPA, so I really feel I can go right into RN. What do you think? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.:thankya:

I'm a Kaplan graduate- don't do the PCAT. It's a waste of $20k or whatever they charge. You are better off doing a CNA course and starting to work, you can do a CNA course at a community college and save yourself some money. While I think it's a good school, some of those counselors want to make sure they hook you in, hence trying to get you to enroll in PCAT. I, too, chose Kaplan because I wanted to avoid the wait list. I got in on the first try, I made it through in one shot, and passed my NCLEX on the first try. Not everyone gets in on the first try, it's not a free for all type of application system like it is for the MA, DA, or PCAT programs. The RN program admission is different. It is competitive, and I hear it's getting more competitive.

Something the admissions reps don't tell everyone is that if you have a Bachelor's degree of higher in another field, they will waive the medical experience requirement. I was never a CNA or had any medical experience, but I hold a non-nursing Bachelor's degree.

So the moral of the story is, don't spend any more money there than you have to. Get your CNA license somewhere else and start working, get the experience you need and then apply. Unless you are rich, then sure, do the PCAT. :)

missellamae · May 9, 2012

I just took the tour at Kaplan in San Diego today, and had a sit down with one of their reps. Requirements to get into the ADN program are
1) 6 months prior direct health care training or Bachelors Degree. If you ask about what the 6 months is and what can be accepted, they'll tell you.
2) Take the Wonderlic/SLE. Get a 12 out of 50. Don't be nervous, it's not hard but time your questions wisely. First you take a 8 minute 30 questions practice, which I got a 24/30. And secondly you take the real test, 12 minutes, 50 questions. I got a 29 :)
3) Take the KTP. It's their own assessment for you, and you must pass with a 61% Math and 64% English minimum. (The percentages might be mixed up.)
Next, apply into the ADN program. You must have a score of 24 or higher on the Wonderlic/SLE test. If you already took it prior, there is no need to take it again.
It is a 24 month program UNLESS you are coming from LVN. In which case it is 20 months long, no need for the 6 months training, but you still need to get 24/50 on the SLE because the minimum for LVN's is 21/50, that is if you got 21,22, or 23.
There is a total of 60 seats open at every start of the program. There are 3 starts per year. LVN's have 25 seats RESERVED for them in the program, but that does NOT mean LVN's are guaranteed a spot. You're still competing with other LVN's, however you still have a greater chance because if you do not get in with the 25 seats, there are 35 more.
Hope this helps!

Thank you for the info! Do you happen to know what the schedule for the RN program is at kaplan? I am an LVN and I do need to work during the day - I'm hoping I can work around the schedule and work at the same time.

Emilynn09 · May 13, 2012

Thank you for the info! Do you happen to know what the schedule for the RN program is at kaplan? I am an LVN and I do need to work during the day - I'm hoping I can work around the schedule and work at the same time.

The RN, and LVN to RN stepup is a day time and full time program. When I did the program, a lot of people held jobs- even some of the LVNs that were doing step up worked during the program as well. It's possible to work while going there if you work your schedule around classes. I did the straight RN program, and the LVN step up students did classes with us they did the GE courses with the students who needed GEs, and then they did Med/Surg I, II, III & Advanced with us as well as Leadership, Geri, and Psych. All the Med/Surg courses are AM classes and the clinicals are day time as well, some can be weekends. The other courses are afternoon- and the clinicals are day time. Hope that helps.

missellamae · May 19, 2012

The RN, and LVN to RN stepup is a day time and full time program. When I did the program, a lot of people held jobs- even some of the LVNs that were doing step up worked during the program as well. It's possible to work while going there if you work your schedule around classes. I did the straight RN program, and the LVN step up students did classes with us they did the GE courses with the students who needed GEs, and then they did Med/Surg I, II, III & Advanced with us as well as Leadership, Geri, and Psych. All the Med/Surg courses are AM classes and the clinicals are day time as well, some can be weekends. The other courses are afternoon- and the clinicals are day time. Hope that helps.

Thanks for your response! You helped a lot! I took the writing, reading and math tests today the math score I wasn't too happy with but I'm hoping I get into the program still. They're supposed to let me know on July 27th. Do the classes ever go past 7 or 8pm?

missellamae · May 19, 2012

Also, do they actually reject students? Or do they just make them alternates?

Emilynn09 · May 20, 2012

Also, do they actually reject students? Or do they just make them alternates?

They accept 60 students each term and get about 200 applicants, only 5 are made to be alternates. I graduated with a girl who had to apply twice. If you don't get chosen at the time you apply, you have to reapply.

I think it's a common misconception that Kaplan accepts just anyone, and that most certainly is not the case. It's a rigorous program, and not just anyone can do it. It's just as rough as any other nursing program so their selection process is just about the same. They use a point system based on experience in the field, prior degrees, GPA, scores on admissions exams, and you do an interview with the DON before your admission is made to be 100% official. I was conditionally accepted pending my interview with the DON when I went there, and they did group interviews. 3 of us went in spoke with the DON, talked about what brought us to nursing, our past experiences, and what our goals were. I don't think that particular meeting is necessarily that serious, but the other things like GPA, other degrees and medical experience do count quite a bit.

& I think the latest class I ever had ended at 8pm. It was Psych in my last semester.

missellamae · May 20, 2012

Is the meeting with the DON really formal? You have to dress up and everything? I went to kaplan for my LVN and at the time it seemed like they would let just anyone in. The RN program is probably way different.

Emilynn09 · May 20, 2012

Is the meeting with the DON really formal? You have to dress up and everything? I went to kaplan for my LVN and at the time it seemed like they would let just anyone in. The RN program is probably way different.

Oh yes, they are a bit more selective with the RN program than with any of the other programs at the school. It's much easier to get into the LVN, MA, or whatever else... most anyone is accepted to those as long as they pass the assessment.

The meeting with the DON is business casual- it's not a huge deal, but it doesn't mean nothing. You will just meet with her, and touch base, she'll go over some things. I've never heard of anyone not being offered admission once they've received conditional acceptance upon her meeting. She's a super sweet lady and unless you really, and I mean REALLY just screw it up, once you get to her office, you are IN without a doubt.

missellamae · May 20, 2012

Aw man now I'm really nervous I have plenty of medical experience but I didn't have the best scores when it came to the ktp so I'm a little worried..my rep said that I'd be competing against other LVNs that may apply so I might have a better chance /: