Portland community college

Last year, there were 60 points possible to be accepted into the essay portion of the application process. This year, there are 70. Some things that look new are points for:

1) being a military vet [2 pts],

2) completing microbiology before the deadline [5pts],

3) B or better in A&P [2pts] and

4) seven points instead of six for prior health-care related experience.

The other points are for GPA, how many credits you've taken at PCC, completion of the A&P sequence, and a prior degree, if any.

Looks like they are seeking out a certain demographic considering the military experience and a prior degree. Makes things a little more difficult, I'd say...

And to this I'll say, best wishes and good luck! If you've got the grades, experience and the drive to attend nursing school... the application process will be nothing compared to actually being in the program.

- Says the gal in the PCC nursing program (haha)

I was told the same thing as well, that they didn't know how many points were considered competitive. But what i can tell is that the statistics for the current class is that they really seem to favor people with a prior degree. PCC Nursing homepage says of the 80 applicants admitted to the class of 2017, 60% had a a prior degree. Even though having a prior degree is only one point on the application, an overwhelming majority seem to have a degree. It sucks for those of us who don't have one, it makes us appear not as competitive in the application process.

I applied for PCC this year. I am curious when we hear that our application was accepted? I applied at Chemeketa as well and they sent e-mails.

Depends on when you applied. I applied as soon it opened back in October for the year I applied (this year), and received a notification email a couple days later. I also applied the previous year (didn't get in the first time that I applied) two days before the deadline date and received an email a week later. Think about the influx of applications they are receiving.

If you get accepted for the essay portion of the application process, you'll find out in late March. The essay should be about mid to late April, and you find out mid May if you get into the program.

Good luck!

Hey thank you for the feedback. I was trying to decide if I should apply this year, or wait until next time around (and have micro under my belt), and Melissa said they don't know how many points are competitive yet, so I wanted to know from the front lines lol.

Would love to hear about your experiences and thoughts on the program you are in!!

#1 thing. The OCNE Curriculum. I love that PCC and other programs follow the same curriculum as OHSU.

2. Great program for the financially savvy who pays two years for a community college education and only one year at OHSU- which is ONLINE. In all OCNE programs, you're "co-admitted" pending the completion of your nursing program and passing of the NCLEX.

3. PCC specifically has a "spiraling" curriculum and you're building on your learning term after term. I'm only in term 2, but I thoroughly enjoyed term 1 and seeing how much knowledge I'm already applying in term 2 on top of what we're currently learning.

4. Please be ready for the massive amount of studying you have to do. I've already witnessed a few people failing out after term 1. Take your studies seriously and manage your time well. Do keep in mind you have to maintain a 75% on average for all exams BEFORE any other project, paper, quiz, etc gets accounted for, and make sure you don't do something absolutely out of line in clinical that will fail you.

4b. I know some people who work full time, a lot of part timers, and a good handful who do not work. I am fortunate that my husband has an income to support the both of us, and I work on-call as a CNA to put extra cash in my pocket for personal expenses (gas, coffee, school supplies when needed) or if I would like to take my hubby on a date in gratitude of his love and support, haha. This second term, a LOT of folks cut their hours because second term is very involved and you're taking pathophysiology AND pharm, plus fundamentals, clinical and skills lab.

5. First term consists of long term care clinical situations and learning how to assess a person. Get comfortable with telling someone you're going to listen to their heart, lungs, and bowel sounds, feel their hands and toes for circulation and cap refill, and assist with ADLs. Also be ready for clinical paperwork and completing Clinical Based Learning Activities (CBLAs)... on top of your studying, projects, papers and homework.

6. We have student representatives in every advising group. If you have a complaint or concern about a project, exam, or paper, tell your student rep who will 'represent' you at the monthly meetings. Instructors are pretty good at getting together, compromising, and tailoring things to better our understanding and needs.

That's all for now :) I need to get back to my clinical paperwork!

Thanks for all the info !!Best of luck to you !!!

#1 thing. The OCNE Curriculum. I love that PCC and other programs follow the same curriculum as OHSU.

2. Great program for the financially savvy who pays two years for a community college education and only one year at OHSU- which is ONLINE. In all OCNE programs, you're "co-admitted" pending the completion of your nursing program and passing of the NCLEX.

3. PCC specifically has a "spiraling" curriculum and you're building on your learning term after term. I'm only in term 2, but I thoroughly enjoyed term 1 and seeing how much knowledge I'm already applying in term 2 on top of what we're currently learning.

4. Please be ready for the massive amount of studying you have to do. I've already witnessed a few people failing out after term 1. Take your studies seriously and manage your time well. Do keep in mind you have to maintain a 75% on average for all exams BEFORE any other project, paper, quiz, etc gets accounted for, and make sure you don't do something absolutely out of line in clinical that will fail you.

4b. I know some people who work full time, a lot of part timers, and a good handful who do not work. I am fortunate that my husband has an income to support the both of us, and I work on-call as a CNA to put extra cash in my pocket for personal expenses (gas, coffee, school supplies when needed) or if I would like to take my hubby on a date in gratitude of his love and support, haha. This second term, a LOT of folks cut their hours because second term is very involved and you're taking pathophysiology AND pharm, plus fundamentals, clinical and skills lab.

5. First term consists of long term care clinical situations and learning how to assess a person. Get comfortable with telling someone you're going to listen to their heart, lungs, and bowel sounds, feel their hands and toes for circulation and cap refill, and assist with ADLs. Also be ready for clinical paperwork and completing Clinical Based Learning Activities (CBLAs)... on top of your studying, projects, papers and homework.

6. We have student representatives in every advising group. If you have a complaint or concern about a project, exam, or paper, tell your student rep who will 'represent' you at the monthly meetings. Instructors are pretty good at getting together, compromising, and tailoring things to better our understanding and needs.

That's all for now :) I need to get back to my clinical paperwork!

Anyone heard from PCC?

Hey thank you for the feedback. I was trying to decide if I should apply this year, or wait until next time around (and have micro under my belt), and Melissa said they don't know how many points are competitive yet, so I wanted to know from the front lines lol.

Would love to hear about your experiences and thoughts on the program you are in!!

I just came across this and thought I would share my info with you in case it helps...I applied this year for the first time and I went into the first tier with 61/70 points. I was invited to the essay and I have no idea how I scored on the essay but I was offered a spot in the program! I do have a previous degree but no experience which is why I only had 61 points. I hope that helps!