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Hello to all! I wanted to start this thread specifically for those who were planning on applying to the various Lone Star College transition programs starting in 2019. I have seen and posted in the thread for the traditional ADN applicants, but I think the LVN-RN warrants it's own thread.
So, my plans are to apply to both North Harris and Kingwood campuses. I wanted to apply to Montgomery as well, but won't be able to attend there due to their 5-day a week, heavily loaded Summer semester. Just won't work with my work schedule.
Also, I think it's worth mentioning that I have sort of a unique perspective as I was previously enrolled in Kingwood's transition program in 2016, but was forced to leave after the first semester due to an unexpected family emergency. So feel free to ask any questions!
I took the HESI on August 30th and my application score will be 7.71. When I was accepted to Kingwood's program, my app score was 7.74, for any who are wondering.
Hello all, I applied back in January and have been patiently waiting. I didn't get anxious until recently. A friend of mine applied to the Basic Track program at cyfair and already got her acceptance letter. I know it's a different program, however, they haven't even met the deadline for apps at Cyfair. All of a sudden I became anxious wondering if the transition program will also send letters out early??? ?
I scored a 6.608 on my score sheet. I don't know if that will be high enough for entrance but I am hopeful seeing as how my ap1 expires this summer. If I don't get in I'll have to retake ap1 and my hesi. As far as my choice order it's:
1.North Harris
2.Tomball
3. Montgomery
**Fingers crossed ?**
13 minutes ago, jenny002900 said:Hello all, I applied back in January and have been patiently waiting. I didn't get anxious until recently. A friend of mine applied to the Basic Track program at cyfair and already got her acceptance letter. I know it's a different program, however, they haven't even met the deadline for apps at Cyfair. All of a sudden I became anxious wondering if the transition program will also send letters out early??? ?
I scored a 6.608 on my score sheet. I don't know if that will be high enough for entrance but I am hopeful seeing as how my ap1 expires this summer. If I don't get in I'll have to retake ap1 and my hesi. As far as my choice order it's:
1.North Harris
2.Tomball
3. Montgomery
**Fingers crossed ?**
I got my acceptance letter for the Transition track at North Harris last year the first week of April. I spent the whole time in low-level panic and was constantly refreshing my email. Hang in there!!!
On 3/13/2019 at 1:47 PM, danielg_84 said:I got my acceptance letter for the Transition track at North Harris last year the first week of April. I spent the whole time in low-level panic and was constantly refreshing my email. Hang in there!!!
Do you know of any other students that got in with my score of 6.6? ?
2 hours ago, jenny002900 said:Do you know of any other students that got in with my score of 6.6? ?
I honestly don't know...it's one of those things that no one really talks about once they're in it, and I don't even remember what mine was. BUT, I can tell you there were people who assumed their scores were nowhere near good enough who still got in.
On 3/13/2019 at 1:32 PM, jenny002900 said:All of a sudden I became anxious wondering if the transition program will also send letters out early??? ?
Expect acceptances to go to your LSC email the first week of next month for North Harris. All the schools are different but from what I've heard from current and former students, that's pretty much golden for NH. So, two weeks and counting.
On 3/8/2019 at 4:21 PM, danielg_84 said:Hey everyone. I made an account just to comment on this thread.
I am currently in my last semester of the transition program at North Harris. As stated, classes are usually Wed and Thurs, 11-1:30 for N1-N4 semesters. For the Summer session for transition students, the hours fluctuated a lot, but were generally close to that. That said, plan on being there M-F 8-5 for the first 2 weeks of the summer session, and keep M-F clear for the first 2 weeks of each semester. They COULD get everything done during the regular Wed/Thurs, but they like to throw in things like clinical site orientations, calendar reviews, etc. It will drive you crazy if you're not ready for it. If you're like me, you've moved heaven and Earth to get your schedule set up around your clinical day and the classroom schedule, so those first 2 weeks each semester can be a pain. Tests are held on Wed mornings at 8. If you get below a 75, you will be required to attend a remediation session. This is usually the Wed morning the next week.
Like most college programs/courses, you can get MUCH better deals on the books if you hunt around, rent books from online sources, etc. However, there are a LOT of books, and hunting down deals on each one individually is a pain. So, if you're paying with financial aid or aren't tight for money, go ahead and buy the bundle from the bookstore for sake of ease.
START GETTING YOUR TITERS AND VACCINES DONE NOW. Check with someone from the school for a full list. It's a long list; and if your titers are negative for something like HepB, getting the immunizations done properly can take months.
The school suggests that you don't work or work part time while attending. I'm 34 with a house and a family, so for me (and many of my classmates) that's just not an option. If that is an option for you, work as little as you can.
Don't be intimidated by what I'm about to say, because if you can get into the program, you can get THROUGH the program, but...
I am a paramedic with 12 years of experience on the ambulance, and 15 years total patient care experience, and this program has humbled me academically. The tests are no joke. I've maintained a low B average in lecture, but I'm definitely not used to that. Study often, study together, don't procrastinate, and find/use every youtube channel and pathophysiology-one-sheet from Pinterest that you can. Ask the paramedics and LVNs for help with skills. Don't be freaked out by the SIM days because it's just practice for your actual clinicals.
Ask me any other questions you have and I'd be happy to answer!
Hey Daniel, and welcome! First of all, thanks so much for all the info man. That is much appreciated. My cousin is actually in class with you right now, but she is on the basic track. If I'm not mistaken, y'alls graduation is coming up in May.
One thing I'm concerned about though is what you said regarding the first two weeks of the Summer semester being pretty much full-time. As you also mentioned working full-time, I am a full-time LVN working 3 12 hour shifts a week in an ER. There just isn't any possible way I could pull off being in school 5 days a week. That is the only reason I chose to not go to Montgomery, as their entire Summer session is 5x/week.
Is there any way you could elaborate a little more on that? What specifically is different about it and how you and others managed it? This is the first I've heard about it, including from past and current students and from program faculty. I feel like that is something they should better prepare us for as it could prove to be totally exclusionary for some. They can say all day that they recommend we not work during the program, but they all know full well 99% of the students work at least part time, if not full time, and are in the transition program BECAUSE of the easy scheduling.
On 3/19/2019 at 10:38 PM, CaseyT said:Hey Daniel, and welcome! First of all, thanks so much for all the info man. That is much appreciated. My cousin is actually in class with you right now, but she is on the basic track. If I'm not mistaken, y'alls graduation is coming up in May.
One thing I'm concerned about though is what you said regarding the first two weeks of the Summer semester being pretty much full-time. As you also mentioned working full-time, I am a full-time LVN working 3 12 hour shifts a week in an ER. There just isn't any possible way I could pull off being in school 5 days a week. That is the only reason I chose to not go to Montgomery, as their entire Summer session is 5x/week.
Is there any way you could elaborate a little more on that? What specifically is different about it and how you and others managed it? This is the first I've heard about it, including from past and current students and from program faculty. I feel like that is something they should better prepare us for as it could prove to be totally exclusionary for some. They can say all day that they recommend we not work during the program, but they all know full well 99% of the students work at least part time, if not full time, and are in the transition program BECAUSE of the easy scheduling.
We do graduate in may (thank GOD), and if your cousin is in the basic track, they've been in class with me since the Fall '18 semester started. At least at NH, the transition students get thrown in with the basic students at that point.
As to the first couple of weeks of each semester/summer session...
For the summer session, expect M-F, 8-5ish for the first 2 weeks. They cram A LOT into that time. I swapped shifts to weekends, and made arrangements with my boss to come in late. Others did similar. If you have PTO or sick time, use it there. Outside of testing days, that's probably the least flexible time in the whole program. You're getting skills testing done, hospital orientation, lots of mandatory stuff like that.
Each semester after that starts similarly, but less extreme. I also get the feeling it's a little different each semester/year/class. They kind of seem to have a list of stuff they need to get through, and kind of wing it during that time to get through everything. Organized chaos. Those periods are the only times I've been disappointed in the program...because (other than the summer session) they could really do everything they need to do during the normal class schedule.
My advice would be to do everything you can to keep your work schedule as flexible as possible during those times. Let your boss know about it now, and remind then as each new semester approaches. Start talking to people who can swap/cover shifts for you now. In spite of their rhetoric about not working, if you are TRULY in a bind, they will try to help you (the professors), unless it's something like a skills test where you really can't get out of it.
They also try and send a "first 2-4 weeks" calendar out to everyone about 6-8 weeks before each new semester starts. It helps, but I still felt like it was cutting it kind of close. That's why I just advise to plan on those first two weeks being difficult.
Hope that helps!
Thanks again, Daniel. We do self-scheduling in the ER, so putting myself on weekends is no problem. For the 3rd day, I can use PTO I suppose. My manager is a pretty cool dude so I think he'll understand. I know part of the reason they hired us LVNs in the ER was because we'd be great to work there as RNs once we've completed school. I'll give him a heads up about it next week.
But you're right. It sounds very inefficient and haphazard. I hope I get a chance to fill out a comment card. ?
Waka123
14 Posts
Hey y’all I think that if you have a score above 7 you should be fine! Last year I had a 6.45 and got waitlisted but this year I raised my score to a 7.152 by getting an A in pharmacology and English and an 88.8 on my hesi! I am applying to Montgomery as my first choice then north Harris then tomball is my third