So only speaking for LATTC,for the waiting lists, they do not choose people with the highest GPA, to give you an example, my overall GPA was 3.0 but my sciences GPA was around a 2.5 , with that in mind I had a classmate or several classmates who got in with a 2.5 overall GPA and a sciences GPA of 2.5., we all still got in . They go by first come first served, so the sooner you apply the sooner you'll get in. Im not sure how long the waiting list is now, but it varies, your luck might be different than everybody else. I say this because I had a few classmates who waited about 2-3 semesters(1-1 1/2 years),even with high GPA's like 3.5 to get in meanwhile I only waited about 4 months with a lower GPA. You just have to meet the minimum requirements, attend a mandatory orientation and then they'll put you on the wait list. If people who are on the wait list get accepted into other schools they cut those people off and make space for the rest who are on the wait list. Again everyone's time varies, but if your name is destined to be picked earlier or later it is what it is. Don't give up hope, I know when I was looking for RN programs I was depressed thinking I would never get into one or that ti seemed like it was taking for ever , but you never really know what this life has in store for you. Do your part and the rest will be taken care of when your time comes, it just requires a lot of patience. I know my opinion wasn't asked but if I can offer my two cents, Its better to exhaust all options that are available to you rather than to just stick to lottery based CC's. , in the meantime while you wait, start to look for hospitals to volunteer or get a hospital job that has opening for any position, this will help you get your foot in the door once you're done with nursing school, they never say this to us but its hard getting a job as a new grad, this state is super impacted.