Newbie here, just taking prereqs

marachne · Jul 7, 2008

I did all of my prereqs at PCC and was accepted at OHSU, UoP, and Linfield (this was in 2001, but even then, OHSU had about 500 applicants for 90 spots). (This was a second bachelor's for me too)

To my mind it doesn't make any sense to pay the extra money to do prereqs at PSU, plus PCC has the advantage of having several campuses so you have flexibility of scheduling (although I hope no one has the situation I did of having courses on 3 campuses on one day). I would say that they don't look at where you take the prereqs as long as it is an accredited program -- just the grades (and any essays, etc you have to write).

I would suggest you get in some volunteer experience as that does seem to make a difference.

Good luck!

CuriousMe · Jul 7, 2008

I agree with marachne, I was just accepted to OHSU, OCNE and I did all my prereqs at a community college. I even called their admissions office before I started school and asked if they weight different schools differently in terms of prereq classes and they said no (as long as it's at an acredited school).

UoP and Linfield might reward volunteer work on your application, but OHSU doesn't even have a spot to note it on the application. So, volunteer for experience if you'd like, but I don't know if it will strengthen your application.

Best of luck with your classes!!!!!

Peace,

CuriousMe

marachne · Jul 7, 2008

I agree with marachne, I was just accepted to OHSU, OCNE and I did all my prereqs at a community college. I even called their admissions office before I started school and asked if they weight different schools differently in terms of prereq classes and they said no (as long as it's at an acredited school).
UoP and Linfield might reward volunteer work on your application, but OHSU doesn't even have a spot to note it on the application. So, volunteer for experience if you'd like, but I don't know if it will strengthen your application.
Best of luck with your classes!!!!!
Peace,
CuriousMe

I'm curious (sorry ), you say that OHSU didn't have any place on their form for volunteer work, did you have to do an essay? I should clarify, it doesn't have to be volunteer work, but I think healthcare related work is given weight. I'm not talking necessarily in terms of technical skills but exposure to the context -- it gives one a better idea what to expect, including how you'll react to the work. It's one thing to say "I want to help people," another to be able to talk about how you've worked with people and how it has impacted you.

CuriousMe · Jul 7, 2008

I'm curious (sorry ), you say that OHSU didn't have any place on their form for volunteer work, did you have to do an essay? I should clarify, it doesn't have to be volunteer work, but I think healthcare related work is given weight. I'm not talking necessarily in terms of technical skills but exposure to the context -- it gives one a better idea what to expect, including how you'll react to the work. It's one thing to say "I want to help people," another to be able to talk about how you've worked with people and how it has impacted you.

LOL it's all good, I don't corner the market on being Curious :chuckle

We did have to write a proctored essay. I had no real health care experience to speak of, but wrote of other life experiences in my essay. I was accepted to LCC and OHSU in Ashland, and neither even mentioned healthcare experience in their admissions information. I'm not saying volunteer or health care experience is bad obviously.....just that between grades and health care experience, it's the grades that will put an applicant over the top IMHO.

Peace,

CuriousMe

lilikoi · Jul 8, 2008

I agree with the group here. I took all of my prereqs at PCC and was accepted to OHSU, Linfield and UofP as well. And I guess I was lucky because I took all my classes at one campus(Sylvania):) Anyway, the universities view the courses the same so why pay extra for the same thing? The only thing you will miss out on with A&P at PCC vs. PSU is PSU uses cadivers and PCC does not. But I feel like I more than learned what I needed to and got the desired results. Good luck to you!

BSN2010 · Jul 9, 2008

Hey there, welcome!

I took pre-reqs, including the entire A&P series at PCC. I applied to Linfield and OHSU accelerated programs and Mt.Hood and Clackamas community college. I was invited to interviews at the community colleges and accepted at Linfield's accelerated program. Denied from OHSU but that was because my 1st bachelor's GPA wasn't high enough (OHSU looks at cumulative GPA of all college courses, other schools look at pre-req GPA only.) Here's another thread you might find interesting: https://allnurses.com/forums/f169/oregon-2008-how-i-earn-my-acceptance-letter-308916.html

I would suggest downloading the application packet for the community colleges you want to apply to and look at their point system, work on earning those points. For the accelerated programs, start thinking about how you would answer the question of "why nursing"; beyond the GPA, a strong essay is key. Good luck with the pre-reqs, they go faster than you think!!

NewPathforKJ · Jul 9, 2008

Thank you all! I think my decision is made now for sure. That will save lots of cash... Now I've just got to figure out if Clackamas or PCC is more convenient. Anyone think either of those colleges matter?

BSN2010 · Jul 12, 2008

I don't think any particular CC would be better than another, just whatever one is most convenient to you. Some of the CC give you extra acceptance points for taking your pre-reqs there but I can't remember which ones those were. Maybe look at that in the application packets.