Oakland University 2nd degree Wait list

SusanKathleen, RN · Jun 14, 2008

Have you looked into U of M's second degree program? They now have rolling admissions, and their wait isn't too long.

malenurse734 · Jun 14, 2008

Best thing to do is go to an information meeting to each school you are looking into, they will give you the best and most up to date info there... I applied to both OU and WSU, and got into both. I applied to OU last December and was accepted into the Jan 09' start, they have three programs a year and is a good bet if you have a good GPA that you will get in there.... I am thinking that they allready 2009 programs full there so it would be quite a while before you got in. There is no "waitlist" anywhere for second degree programs, you either get into a program or you don't.... Wayne state takes application every July 1st and they have one program that starts every Fall semester. But seriously my advice is go to the information sessions, these things change a lot from semester to semester and you would never want to think you are on tract for applying and find out someone on here told you how it was done years ago and have it be bad info... GOOD LUCK, If I can do it I know anyone can! Just get A's or A-'s in those pre-reqs and you will get in somewhere.

WayneStateKatie · Jun 14, 2008

Wayne state takes application every July 1st and they have one program that starts every Fall semester.

Actually all the prereqs have to have grades submitted by JUNE 1 not July but the actual application to Wayne's college of nursing has to be done by march 31 for the fall class, but they will tell you all this at the info session. Male nurse is right talk to people at different schools to figure out what's best for you.:loveya:

Wayne does give "preference" to students who do all prereqs there and preference for some courses done at Wayne so that is also something to consider if you are planning to apply there. You can probably have a slightly lower GPA and still get in if you do them all at Wayne vs needing an exceedingly competitive GPA if you do all prereqs elsewhere (and if they have lots of applicants who did some/ all prereqs at Wayne you'd have a much slimmer chance at acceptance) Although this probably doesn't apply as much for the CD2 program as it does for the traditional it still does come into play and there were several in my classes at Wayne doing prereqs for CD2. Again this is something to consider before starting prereqs-- go to an info session (next one for CD2 is July 15 from 10-11) and read school's websites thoroughly. The wayne website clearly lists admissions group criteria.

Good luck with your decisions and let us know what you decide!

katie1234 · Jun 14, 2008

Thank you guys. I have gone to the info session for Wayne and UofM, but haven't gone for OU yet. I liked Wayne because admission is based on GPA only which I can control. Also I thought 60% plus admission rate is quite high.

I did not get a quite good information at UofM as far as the admission criteria goes. They said they will see everything from Pre-req GPA to essays, resume, but did not say which one was weighed most.

>There is no "waitlist" anywhere for second degree programs, you either >get into a program or you don't....

If you meet their bottom equirement, I thought anybody is accepted in OU. Do they reject students if they have lower GPA?

I am still working, so if I go with OU, I still can keep my job till I get in, but to apply for Wayne for '09, I have to quite my job to finish my pre-reqs. This is my dilenma. Because Wayne has a clear admission criteria, there's something I might be able to do. But with OU, I may have more chances to get in with less effort and money, but I will not know "when" I can start. I am already in mid 30's, so I don't want to wait too long.

WayneStateKatie · Jun 14, 2008

If you meet their bottom equirement, I thought anybody is accepted in OU. Do they reject students if they have lower GPA?

I'm sure you probably got that idea from me-- which I got from one of their counselors at an information meeting who told me that they "didn't turn away qualified applicants like wayne did" (which she basically told me if you did all prereqs with the minimum requirements they would take you)

BUT

That was 2 years ago and I have absolutely no idea if they have changed their policies on how they admit students. You should check with them and attend their info session to see what their CURRENT policies are if you are considering applying there (which it sounds like that's the way you're leaning). Nursing programs aren't able to take many students even with high GPAs (all As and a few Bs) because of faculty restrictions.

In fact it has looked like they have changed their policy because I looked at Oakland's second degree flyer and it now says "Note that completion of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the Accelerated Second Degree BSN program. "

Either way I would keep my GPA up-- you should want to be sure you have a place in a program by attaining the highest GPA you possibly can versus feeling like you can slack off because Oakland should let you in even with all Bs and maybe a few Cs (again this may no longer be their policy you need to be sure of what they require before you start doing any prereqs). If you're capable of achieving higher grades you should always strive for them-- they will be very important if you ever want to go to graduate school or go back to school at any point in any capacity. With high grades you will have your choice of schools versus hoping one MAY accept you.

Good luck sorting through your personal priorities-- it can be very scary to quit your job to go back to school but sometimes we have to make sacrifices to make our dreams come true:redpinkhe

malenurse734 · Jun 16, 2008

HA I meant June 1st!!!!! Thats exactly why I say don't believe anyone on here and get your info from the university!!! :)

katie1234 · Jun 18, 2008

Thank you, WayneStateKatie.

It looks like there's no easy way to get to nursing school. I will go to the OU info session, so hopefully I will get a good information there.

Thank you again!

logique · Jun 23, 2008

If you meet all of the requirements to get into the Accelerated Program at OU, you will get in...eventually. If you were to apply right now (with all the required pre-req's completed with the OU standard grades to be accepted), you would not start the program until at least Fall 2009 (this is what I heard when I went to the informational meeting at OU back in April), if not Winter 2010.

Firehawk734 · Jun 23, 2008

I applied this summer to Oakland, while starting my pre-requisites. I actually applied for Jan of 2010 but they felt the need to move me into the Fall of 09 (i doubt I'll be ready to go judging the layout of my prereqs).

thyme39 · Jun 25, 2008

Thank you guys. I have gone to the info session for Wayne and UofM, but haven't gone for OU yet. I liked Wayne because admission is based on GPA only which I can control. Also I thought 60% plus admission rate is quite high.
I did not get a quite good information at UofM as far as the admission criteria goes. They said they will see everything from Pre-req GPA to essays, resume, but did not say which one was weighed most.
>There is no "waitlist" anywhere for second degree programs, you either >get into a program or you don't....
If you meet their bottom equirement, I thought anybody is accepted in OU. Do they reject students if they have lower GPA?
I am still working, so if I go with OU, I still can keep my job till I get in, but to apply for Wayne for '09, I have to quite my job to finish my pre-reqs. This is my dilenma. Because Wayne has a clear admission criteria, there's something I might be able to do. But with OU, I may have more chances to get in with less effort and money, but I will not know "when" I can start. I am already in mid 30's, so I don't want to wait too long.

I just graduated from OU's in May. They do 3 sessions a year and as far as I know still have rolling enrollment (which means you don't have to reapply each time just like a new person). The wait times are estimates. People who apply usually apply to other schools too. I applied to UofM and was in the process of applying to Wayne when OU called. So, some of those on their wait list may drop out to go to other programs, may not have their prereqs done as they hoped, etc. For whatever reason some do drop, so lots of times you may get a chance to get in before they told you. But , like everything there is no guarantees. so they can't tell you this (that you could get in sooner).

This is what I remember. You can apply anytime but they will only consider you when you START your last semester of prereqs. Why apply early? I did it so I would know exactly what I needed to finish and so I would be familiar to them. Each semester of prereqs I sent the grades to OU and they updated what I needed to finish. They also run 3 programs a year. Take around 55 people each. So, the wait may be less if you were on their wait list than a school that does 1 session a year. I also like the fact that I could work until the day I started school. (I quit on a friday and started school on a monday). Wayne's is also 1 semester longer. I think the money is compatible with OU's but it was another semester that I would be in school and wouldn't be making money. OU's is based a lot on GPA. You do have to write something for them but I think unless you blow it or the interview, if you have the grades, you will get in. I just didn't like the idea of having to apply year after year someplace and maybe never get in. They do make you take 3 classes from OU. For me it was $2000. However, you can loans that apply to these pre-req classes (pharm, patho, nutrition). They were all online and you take them before you start. I took them all in the semester before I started and worked full time. I would suggest not doing it this way if you have a choice since it is stressful and a lot of work. But I DID do it and got 3.7,3.8,3.9, So it can be done. Also, try to get high grades in these because they are part of your nursing GPA so if you want to go on to more schooling (masters) you want to keep your grades as high as possible.

30's is not too old for the 2nd degree pgm. Lots of people are 30's and older. Also, I liked the program at OU. Like any other it can have it's problems. Just remain flexible, don't get too upset at last minute changes and hang in there and you will do fine. I think each class they try to do it better. They hire an outside company to talk to the students to find out what they should do differently. But I think you would get a good education in any of the 2nd degree pgms in MI. Good luck in whatever you decide.

blue1018 · Jul 28, 2008

Okay....You best bet is not to apply to Wayne because they do not have rolling admissions and they only have one start date which means if you do not get in this fall you have to reapply and then compete with all the new people. Now if you have all your pre-reqs done and you took them at Wayne and also graduated from Wayne and have a 4.0GPA then go for it, but they have a priority system.

As for Oakland they have 3 start dates, you need more than 5 pre-reqs so go and talk to the advisor.....You have to finish certain sections of their application then you will be asked to have a formal interview. Her is when you should learn about the wait list.

They are very informative and kind and lets be real....Wayne has a number of problems while Oaklands program is prospering and they have made a number of affiliations with hospitals in the area. I hope this helps