On Alternate List for Nursing School

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2005

I've heard of it happening, but it's probably rare. I'm not sure about your school, though.

Good luck! :)

youknowho · Apr 9, 2005

I hear of alot of people being on the alternate list and then being offered a spot. Try and find out where on the list you are. Many people apply for multiple programs so if they get in somewhere , they have to give up those spaces at the other schools thus opening up space. DO I make sense? Heres hoping you are near the top. :cheers:

smile123 · Apr 9, 2005

I posted this on another forum, but I think this would be the correct board to post this.
Hello Board -

I had a question for people who have or know of people that have been placed on the alternate list for 4 year nursing degrees. I received my letter this week from the University of Oklahoma that I was not accepted but was placed on the alternate list in case other people have to drop, etc.

I think it is a great compliment to even be on an alt. list even though I was not admitted.

My question is this; has anyone out there been put on an alternate list or know anyone that held an alternate position and actually got the call offering admissions?

My Stats:

Current GPA - 3.50
Science GPA - 3.76

Thanks for reading my post

As YouKnowWho said, it depends on the school. I would contact the school and find out where you are on the list. Then ask how many people got pulled off the list last year. That might give you some idea.

People tend to apply to more than one school. They hold slots in their "safety" schools while they are waiting for their #1 choice. After they hear, there a major shuffling of slots among the various schools. So if you just got your waiting list letter, chances are the school has given the accepted candidates 2 or 3 weeks to decide. Then you'll hear a month afterwards depending on your ranking. Late April and early May are the shuffle times for some schools.

I got accepted into places straight away and I was also on the alternate list. Then I got pulled from the alternate list as an accepted candidate! (I decided not to go to that school because another one was more appealing to me.) So don't give up hope! It does happen!

Smile123

Nrs_angie, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2005

I applied late... February... hehehe. ( Most applied the previous summer )

I was accepted but placed on the waiting list because my school only accepts 40 students each fall. Boy was I bummed! But I knew that it was my own fault for not applying sooner. So I waited a few months and I got kind of impatient. Hehehe....

Here's what I did... and I'm not sure if it helped my chances or not... you decide for yourself.

I would call the school every so often, and politely ask if there was any changes in the wait list. I was very polite and showed alot of interest and initiative. I would ask them questions about the cirriculum ect. After about the 3rd phone call... they told me that I was #2 on the wait list... Then just when I was getting my hopes up................... They called about a week later ( by this time it was August, and I applied in February ) to tell me that I was admitted for the class starting that fall. YaY!

But by this time, I never applied for financial aid because I didnt expect to get in that year... So my advice is apply for any aid you can get and if you dont need it, just dont accept it. But you'll have it just incase you get in.

smile123 · Apr 9, 2005

I applied late... February... hehehe. ( Most applied the previous summer )
I was accepted but placed on the waiting list because my school only accepts 40 students each fall. Boy was I bummed! But I knew that it was my own fault for not applying sooner. So I waited a few months and I got kind of impatient. Hehehe....
Here's what I did... and I'm not sure if it helped my chances or not... you decide for yourself.
I would call the school every so often, and politely ask if there was any changes in the wait list. I was very polite and showed alot of interest and initiative. I would ask them questions about the cirriculum ect. After about the 3rd phone call... they told me that I was #2 on the wait list... Then just when I was getting my hopes up................... They called about a week later ( by this time it was August, and I applied in February ) to tell me that I was admitted for the class starting that fall. YaY!
But by this time, I never applied for financial aid because I didnt expect to get in that year... So my advice is apply for any aid you can get and if you dont need it, just dont accept it. But you'll have it just incase you get in.

Good for you! Were you able to do some creative financing? Good advice about applying for financial aid even though you don't know if you'll get in. Nice story! It just goes to show even though you might be late in applying (hehehe), persistence and polite inquiries can go a long way!

Smile123

Nrs_angie, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2005

Good for you! Were you able to do some creative financing? Good advice about applying for financial aid even though you don't know if you'll get in. Nice story! It just goes to show even though you might be late in applying (hehehe), persistence and polite inquiries can go a long way!
Smile123

Well, my income would have allowed me to get grants... But all the grants were given out by this time. So i had to go for loans which I had no problem getting. The grants would have been nice to have... but i was just glad to not have to wait another year.

smile123 · Apr 9, 2005

Well, my income would have allowed me to get grants... But all the grants were given out by this time. So i had to go for loans which I had no problem getting. The grants would have been nice to have... but i was just glad to not have to wait another year.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I will qualify for loans but not grants. Remember the time value of money and you! It's far better to be school now than to wait another year!!! Thanks for sharing!

Smile123