I'm new here, I'm seeking opinions on the best strategy for me to go about getting into a good Nursing school now that I'm finishing up prerequisites and seem to not be getting into any choice schools. I'm an adult student with no previous degree and 85 credits at a cc. It's been a long, hard road and I'm just tired of wasting time. The application process to transfer into a traditional BSN has been a nightmare for me so far and I'm starting to become extremely frustrated. Everything has gone wrong during this process and my chances of starting nursing school Fall 2015 are slipping through my fingers.
Apparently my current 3.31 GPA isn't getting me far, my A in Chem, B in Chem II, B in AP and B+ in APII isn't good enough in this competitive Philly market. I'm being held back by a bad second transcript from 10-15 years ago, a repeated College Algebra class (back then F and current C+) and my current Chem I was repeated once but I ended up with an A! (Also have a C in Statistics.). I just thought they focused on sciences when determining what type of student you are.
I'm starting to wonder if I should apply to some schools, (such as Penn State) as a regular transfer student-general studies and then once I'm in apply to the Nursing program?
It seems that when certain schools recalculate my GPA they claim I'm not a 3.0. Im at a loss and losing hope. I'm applying quickly to some diploma programs but only one admits for Spring. Im missing deadlines left and right. It's just all falling apart. I don't want to wait another year.
Also, any suggestions on schools that allow entry in the Spring?
Drexel was the first to say no. They said even though I have a cumulative 3.3 GPA at my current school, when they factor in whatever classes they are looking at from the 15 year old transcript it drags it down. All of my prereqs are from my current school, so I don't get it. I was very disappointed with how Drexel handled my situation. A girl (10yrs younger and who had $$ from her parents) had lower grades than me and was accepted, we compared transcripts and the only difference was I re-took College Algebra several times but I had higher Chem grades. I also requested the Application Fee waiver through The Common App and was snapped at by admissions who said that they do not wave app fees. I don't have any income. I was told by more than one person that I can't afford Drexel and that is factored into it as well. So, moving on to the next.
I just applied to Gwynedd and didn't try Holy Family. That's a good idea, I will apply there ASAP. Thanks!
Have you tried getting into an ADN program or diploma program? Some diploma programs also award the ADN degree.
Just an FYI, Penn State is a great school. I'm from PA so I know how good it is. If I still lived there that is where I would go. Most BSN programs though use the HESI as an entrance exam. You can't apply to these programs without a score. I'm almost wondering if that was part of the issue also that you didn't have an entrance exam done. Also, most general advisors know nothing about nursing program admissions. I would call each school you are interested in and talk to a nursing advisor. Ask them what is required and look at your stuff and see what you need to do. Most BSN programs will do a cumulative GPA, while ADN programs do a points system. You could also look at the school's websites and see what they need you to do.
Heathermaizy you might be right about the Hesi, I was under the impression that some of the schools offered the Hesi testing but I definitely didn't ask about it at the meeting. The one school I'm applying to now offers testing once they receive your application but I guess they aren't all like that. I agree about Penn State, I'm very interested in speaking with them. Also Aria Health Hospital's School of Nursing diploma program has a partnership with Penn State so their graduates can receive a BSN approximately 9 months after graduation. I'm very interested in that.
First off I really congratulate you for doing excellent in your prereq classes! You are sound like you are very intelligent and determined. I'm not sure if it works the same way at your school but at my school if you just get into college and you want to go straight for your BSN, its a very competitive program and they require you to have a 3.8 GPA or higher. I'm currently a freshman in college and I'm going for my associate degree in nursing, and then once I have my associates then I'm going to keep continuing on to my BSN.
What I recommend what you could do is apply for the associate degree in nursing program first, earn your associates and once you are an RN then you can keep continuing on with your education for your BSN. At my school while you are taking classes for your ADN in nursing you could also take prereq classes for your BSN at the same time you are in the ADN program. Going straight for your BSN would be very competitive and would be a lot more difficult on someone if they never had nursing experience, usually its best for people who want to go for their BSNS to earn their ADN first.
I recommend that you apply at Kent State University or one of Kent States regional campuses. Kent State has an amazing nursing program! I go to one of the regional Kent campuses and I know that you can apply for the nursing program for fall semester or spring semester. If you want to stay on campus I would recommend you going to the Kent main campus.
First off I really congratulate you for doing excellent in your prereq classes! You are sound like you are very intelligent and determined. I'm not sure if it works the same way at your school but at my school if you just get into college and you want to go straight for your BSN, its a very competitive program and they require you to have a 3.8 GPA or higher. I'm currently a freshman in college and I'm going for my associate degree in nursing, and then once I have my associates then I'm going to keep continuing on to my BSN.
What I recommend what you could do is apply for the associate degree in nursing program first, earn your associates and once you are an RN then you can keep continuing on with your education for your BSN. At my school while you are taking classes for your ADN in nursing you could also take prereq classes for your BSN at the same time you are in the ADN program. Going straight for your BSN would be very competitive and would be a lot more difficult on someone if they never had nursing experience, usually its best for people who want to go for their BSNS to earn their ADN first.
I recommend that you apply at Kent State University or one of Kent States regional campuses. Kent State has an amazing nursing program! I go to one of the regional Kent campuses and I know that you can apply for the nursing program for fall semester or spring semester. If you want to stay on campus I would recommend you going to the Kent main campus.
I hope this helps!
You are absolutely right, transferring directly into a BSN is challenging and extremely competitive. I believe that's what the Transfer specialist at my current school was trying to say, that I need to consider different routes. So, I;m starting to seek out alternative ways. Today I just called my current school ( a local community college) and asked about the ADN program. I'm checking out a ton of schools actually. I will add Kent to the list, thanks!
I would not transfer to General Studies to another college. I'd stay at your current university for applying bc you know their teaching style and curriculum. Since the other college is In-State and close it may be similar to your current college, but it's easier to continue at the same college. I once transferred to finish pre-reqs at an O-O-S college after being accepted to a BSN program near it, but the teaching was horrible and curriculum awful. They gave many pop-q's, some classes no textbooks or power-points (although supposedly "ranked" on USN), and no depth of Q's and good teaching at my prev college... aside from that, I ended up returning to my home state and not doing that O-O-S BSN program. But I do remember that awful teaching/curriculum for the 2 weeks I went to that other O-O-S school for finishing pre-reqs. Getting straight A's would be hard bc of the transition from moving and associated probs, and the awful classes/curriculum/instruction...
So I'd stay at your current college as my recommendation and finish your classes there instead of transferring, which requires adjusting to a totally different structure possibly. It's easier to stay at your current college while applying.
NCLEX Exam Pass Rates of Prelicensure Programs: RN Programs
Several diploma programs remain with Abington and Aria having strong articulation agreements with BSN completion programs--just need a few credits post graduation.
I definitely missed the deadline for Temple and Abington. Holy Family is an option because I emailed them already. I will definitely look into the rest.
Update: Villanova reached out to me and is giving me an extension/opportunity to get my documents submitted even after I stopped the application process half way. (I had a hiccup with tracking down SAT scores and HS transcripts from 15yrs ago, so gave up on Nova) so hoping for the best.
QuietRiot
292 Posts
Have you tried getting into an ADN program or diploma program? Some diploma programs also award the ADN degree.