Looking for some advice on getting accepted into MCG

[Compassion4Others]

I'm a student from NYC and would like to apply to Georgia Health Sciences University. Currently, I am working towards finishing my B.A. in Biology with a minor in psychology; I will have a degree by Fall 2011. I've been noticing a trend in which many, if not all, programs are becoming exceedingly more difficult and competitive to get into. Since I plan on applying this summer, for the next program cycle, I'm starting to get worried that I might not be considered a good applicant for this school; since its mean GPA was 3.5 and I am unfamiliar with what their ideal applicant looks like. So, I was wondering if there was anything extra that I could do in order to make myself a better applicant. It's kind of late for me to boost my GPA any further since I will be graduating and applying soon, but so far my overall GPA is a 3.439 and my GPA for science and math is 3.528. Most of my grades are of the A to B+ range, but the lowest grades on my transcript are:

Music in Civilization- D

Pre-calculus- C+

Applied Calculus- C

General Physics 1- F (However, was retaken and I earned a B+.)

My SAT scores are from 2006 and are:

First Attempt:

550 Reading 530 Math 530 Writing

Second Attempt:

510 Reading 490 Math 520 Writing

I'm currently taking Human Physiology, and plan on taking Human Development during the summer; this just about rounds up the last of the prerequisite requirements of the program. In addition, I also have over 160+ volunteer hours (working with patients directly) and I plan on continuing to volunteer until I submit my application and even after. I can speak Cantonese fluently and I have basic knowledge of conversational Spanish and French. I'm also planning on getting certification for CPR and AED from the American Heart Association.

So, some question and concerns that I have are:

This is probably a really stupid question, but from reading through some of the other forum posts, I saw that some people had to take the TEAs. Does MCG have this requirement as well? I would assume not since I didn't see it as a prerequisite requirement.

Does being an out of state, second degree seeking student, make me a less desirable candidate?

Does anyone have any suggestions that would make me a better applicant?

If it doesn't bother anyone, would you mind telling me about your experience applying? What things you had on your application when you applied? What things would you have done anything differently?

Thanks so much for reading my extremely long post.

[sharzaejones]

You should apply to the CNL program at MCG instead.

[Compassion4Others]

Hi Sharzae,

Isn't that a Masters program? I know it would also result in me becoming a RN, but can I still specialize later on? I also thought that a CNL had a different role from a RN. From the description, it seems as though there is less patient care involved, and more paperwork. The role of a CNL doesn't quite agree with my idea on the kind of care I would like to give to patients.

[Compassion4Others]

Just bumping this thread back up; I'm still looking for some advice.