LVN-RN Application Process, TEAS -- Tips, Strategies, Advice?

Hello All,

After two years of attending community college part-time while working full-time as an LVN, I am officially DONE (!!!) with all of my LVN-RN pre-req's! Now that I've passed that hurdle, I need to start submitting applications -- but even this seems like a complicated process (each school wanting something different, constantly changing what's required, TEAS testing, etc).

I have made a list of schools near me that accept the pre-req's I currently have and would like to apply to all of them in order to increase my chances of getting in somewhere... These schools are:

Cypress

Santa Ana

Saddleback

El Camino

LA Harbor

LA Southwest

LA Trade Tech

I hope this doesn't sound dumb, but how do I go about applying? Do I just print off the applications from their websites and mail them in, along with official transcripts, during their application filing periods? Or should I first schedule appointments with counselors at these schools to double-check that I meet the minimum standards to apply? Should I apply in person instead of through the mail? Then, once the application is submitted, do I follow-up with phone calls or just sit around and wait to hear something?

Also, most (if not all) of these schools require the TEAS test. Am I expected to have that done before applying, or is that done further along in the application process? I am already in the process of applying to another school (not listed) through my employer, and they require the TEAS, version 5 -- will this be accepted by all schools, or might they each want a different version?

If you've recently been through the application process, please advise! Thank you! :)