Prerequisite Grades

lauzzyb · Dec 9, 2011

Wow! How aptly you describe my life right now. I have a fantastic undergraduate GPA - which certainly helped me in landing a coveted research job at a hospital here in Boston. However, now I am working full-time and taking my prerequisites at Harvard Extension. I am really struggling to find the time and energy that is required of these classes. I have a C in Chemistry and will likely have a C in A & P I when I finish this semester. I too am feeling extremely discouraged.

I was told by a former admissions officer at MGH that having a C in Chemistry is perfectly understandable, as many people struggle with the subject and it is not necessarily a predictor of who will make a good nurse. A & P is a whole other story. With a C in Chemistry and A & P, I was told my chances of getting into MGH would be greatly reduced. When I inquired as to whether the fact that I was working full-time or taking the classes at Harvard Extension (notoriously more difficult than a community college) she said the admissions officers would likely not have the time to consider these factors with so many applicants. She did suggest, of course, to include in as many places as possible in my application that I was working full-time in a healthcare job. I'm sorry this is not terribly uplifting, but I felt I should share. Of course this is just one former admissions officer at one school. Not all may feel the same way. And she did not say that I definitely wouldn't get in - only that my chances would be reduced. All the more reason to continue building my resume!

CiaMia, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 9, 2011

Oh, I'm so glad someone can relate!!!! It's so discouraging, for sure That's amazing you're taking classes through Harvard Extension, for sure it must be more difficult (but you'll have a really thorough understanding -- I'm getting very frustrated with CC "professors" who are disorganized, don't know/care how to teach effectively so that students actually gain UNDERSTANDING rather than spit back questions and random assignements, assess on material that they haven't even covered yet... etc etc I could go on!!).

I really wanted to apply to MGH too. I volunteer/ed there, and it's a dream of mine to work there. I'd love to go to MCPHS also. *sigh*

I'm crossing my fingers for you and sending good chem/A&P vibes!!!

lauzzyb · Dec 9, 2011

Thank you! I'll take all the help I can get! But trust me - the Harvard Extension professors are no dream!! I'm sure my friends and family are tired of me complaining about how much I hate my professor. I'm not certain I'll be completing the rest of my prerequisites there - I might try somewhere else. Any suggestions?

SailorVee93, ASN, RN · Dec 12, 2011

CiaMia, I can understand how you feel about community colleges, but they really do save you a lot of money in the long run. I've been taking classes with one since I graduated from college in 2010 and I have no regrets. They are affordable and not all of the professors are the way you think they are. In fact, a large majority of the teachers I've had have been very helpful and forced me to learn the material. I used to give them such a bad rap, but after my own experience I take it all back and only wanna praise them for what they offer to the areas and people around them.

Lauzzyb if you want my opinion, go with a community college instead of a college or university. It's cheaper and should be able to work well with whatever schedule you currently have.