According to what I understand, they ask you to be an alternate. You have to accept it and then they put you on an alternate list. If someone who was accepted decides not to go (matbe they decide to go to a nursing program in another school) or don't show up for orientation, someone from the nursing program at hcc would contact you to fill in the spot. How many people are on this alternate list? I have no idea. I was hoping I would get a last minute call last year but nope.