Pre-nursing (BSN) Student admission competition?

[zackdesot]

Hi everyone!

My name's Zack, and I recently applied and was accepted to Shepherd University starting in January, 2013. According to the school website, I will be designated as a pre-nursing major and will receive eligibility to apply for the nursing major in my sophomore year--after the completion of all the required prerequisites.

While I consider myself to be well motivated, hard working, and intelligent, I'm still--like many people--worried about admissions to the program. I've heard talk that nursing programs are extremely competitive, but the definition of what constitutes "competitive" seems to remain ambiguous in most of these conversations, and I'd really like to seek some clarification.

My cumulative high school GPA (before I dropped out) was a 3.2/4.0. I didn't really put much effort in during my high school career--although I learned a great deal, as is reflected in my SAT scores and relatively high GPA. I went to a rather difficult private, college prep school for 3.5/4 years. I dropped out due to problems at home.

On my GED test, I scored in the 99th percentile for 4/5 subjects. The 5th subject, science, placed me in the 96th percentile.

My SAT scores were, respectively: 690 (critical reading), 700 (writing), 620 (mathematics).

Suspending any prejudices or pre-conceived notions regarding my somewhat atypical academic history, and given what my that academic history says about my intellectual and academic capacities, how competitive does "competitive" mean? Am I going to have difficulty with admission to the program with good grades for my prerequisites (A's and B's), or do I need to look like a Harvard applicant to even stand a chance (straight A's, tons of extra-curricular activities and not so much as a blemish on my academic record with community services hours to boot)?

I'm very motivated and have good reasons for pursuing a career in nursing, and regardless of what your answers to my question may be, I intend to pursue this career without hesitation. I just want to know what to expect.

Thank you for your time!

Zack

[nguyency77, CNA]

Hi Zack! I heard from many people before I applied to my BSN program that it would be highly competitive. The advisers kept insisting that the minimum GPA to get in is a 3.8.

I applied with a 4.1 overall GPA, and was accepted. However, to the best of my knowledge... There were only a handful of 4.0s and the lowest accepted GPA was reportedly a 3.4. We had no interviews, no essays, and no HESI. The school only looked at GPA.

I'm not sure what kind of things your program looks at, but I think finding out the requirements may answer your question. The more things they look at, the more chances you have to outdo or be outdone. Having A's and B's in all the pre-requisite courses will definitely give you an edge. If the school looks at volunteer experience, you may want to try volunteering at a local hospital.

Based on your post and SAT scores, I would say that you test very well. That will be an advantage for you whether or not you have to take an entrance exam! I'm sorry I don't have a better answer for you! Let us know how it goes. :)

[Shorty11, BSN, RN]

Bottom line: how competitive your school's nursing school admission standards are. Every school is different and some schools definitely have higher admission standards than others. i.e. A person who did well enough to get into school A, may not have even come close to getting into school B. I would try and talk to other people who go to you school who got accepted to the program already and see how you compare. Academic advisors are also there to answer your questions.

[zoe92]

I agree with the above posters. It really depends on your school. I am not a perfect student and have a 3.5 GPA. But I made sure to have a lot of volunteering, work experience, academic awards, an awesome essay & high TEAs scores on my resume to make me more well rounded. you have to try to appeal to whatever the school will look at the most. I am applying to BSN programs that look at everything so I want to have a little bit of everything on there.

[rubato, ASN, RN]

I would make an appointment with an adviser/counselor at the school who knows his/her stuff about the nursing program. Ask them what it takes, on average to get in. I did this and received the answer that the average GPA applying was a 3.5 and the lowest GPA accepted was a 3.7, but they had high test scores. It was nice to know exactly what it had taken the year before I applied, but wasn't a guarantee that it would be the same my year.

While you don't have a perfect 4.0, your test scores are really good and your writing shows that you are very articulate. Plus, the school is really going to be looking at your prerequisite GPA.

Good luck with everything.

[queserasera, RN]

I also have an nontrad path to my BSN. I scored 98th percentile on my GED and have since been able to maintain a 3.7 GPA through the pre reqs I've taken thus far.

Competitiveness varies from school to school, my top choice college has a 40% acceptance rate for spring, 30% for fall. This school looks at all aspects of your application. GPA, TEAS scores, Volunteer work (which I need to get cracking on personally), and essay. There have been people accepted to said program with GPA's as low as 3.2, I'm assuming they had a kick ass essay and great TEAS scores/ volunteer work. I think it's all about making yourself a well rounded applicant.