GoZags

Zia- Thanks for the helpful information. I had a 3.2 undergrad overall gpa, so I'll try really hard in my science pre-reqs to become a stronger candidate. Nonetheless, it always seems like people embellish their GPAs when speaking to fellow students in their program... If the cutoff for undergrad gpa is 3.0, is it safe to assume that Villanova rejects a good amount of people that have GPAs below the 3.3 plus average? Are there many men in the program? Just curious as I am a male. Thanks for your help Zia.

I'd like to find roommates in the BSN express program as well, but I'm guessing there aren't that many men in the program?

Glacers- I'll definitely have to send you an email asking you some quick questions about where to live in the West Chester area and perhaps you know some general greater Philadelphia areas to live as I'm also applying to Villanova? It's my understanding that places along the Main Line (bryn mawr, etc.) could be quite expensive? My email address is [email protected] if you see it. I see that you specialize in psychiatric nursing- how did you feel the WCU four year program prepared you for this speciality? I'm considering psychiatric nursing as I have my degree in Psychology and worked at a psychiatric hospital in Baltimore. Thanks for the info Glacers!

Zia- Thanks a lot for the information. How many students are accepted into the BSN Express program? I'm planning on entering May '11. Also, I want to have a "safety school" so I don't just apply to Nova. I'm thinking of West Chester, but the reauirements seem to be more difficult for admission (undergrad gpa they want 3.5 and cutoff for science pre-reqs is a 2.75). Why is this?

On a similar vein of discussion about grades/ acceptance into clinicals, has anyone had Dr. Earl Beyer at HACC Lebanon/Harrisburg for Micro? I'm taking him currently for Micro and the first test had an average of 65%. Is this normal for Microbiology classes in general at HACC or is Dr. Beyer just that hard? He's a great professor so far for anyone considering him... Good luck to all trying to get into clinicals. I'm trying to get into an accelerated BSN program, so I'm just focusing on getting the best grades I can.

Djames- That's what I thought as well. You have to be more selective/competitive with more applications naturally if you're only selecting 35-40 people per cohort. Anyone know how many credits per semester you have to take at West Chester's program? I understand it's 17 months, but I am a bit hesitant if it's like 19-20 credits per semester. Villanova is more expensive ($35k for tuition), but it's three months shorter... I'd really like to go to Villanova, but I don't want to apply to only one school too. For those applying to West Chester's program, what other schools have you applied to for alternative options/backup schools? Thanks everyone.

Congrats to those who just received their acceptance to the accelerated program. I have a quick question for those in the planning stages of finding places to rent around West Chester University. Anyone know generally what I can expect to pay for rent and some good places to live? I'm currently trying to decide between West Chester's accelerated program and Villanova's program. Also, I have a quick question as far as acceptance requirements in undergrad and pre-reqs. Why does West Chester require a 2.75 GPA (B-) in pre-req science classes and a 3.5 overall GPA in undergrad, while Villanova only requires a 2.0 GPA © or better in science pre-reqs and a 3.0 overall undergrad GPA? Essentially, why does West Chester seem to be so much more competitive than Villanova? Thanks!

Good luck getting an answer to your question. I've posed the question of how many students get accepted into the BSN Express program awhile back, and my reaction is that it must just be Mona and Jackie. Seems like this post has been taken over by accepted students of the 2010 BSN Express program. Mona and Jackie, try to look at housing farther away from VU on the Main Line. Villanova is essentially single family, upper class homes and the farther away from VU you look will likely yield more affordable housing results. I know some people that lived in Bryn Mawr, but my feeling is that this area is very expensive. I'd even live in West Chester if it's cheaper. There has to be cheaper housing there because of West Chester University. I mean with tuition being $35k alone, finding rent $100-200 cheaper/month will add up! For those who have already been accepted into the BSN Express/ Alt. sequence program, are the grades in your prerequisite science classes very important factors to your admission? I'm just wondering whether I should break my butt to get as close to a 4.0 as I can, or can throttle back a bit and shoot for a 3.5.:) P.S. I like these emitcons.:redbeathe

Does anyone know a rough acceptance percentage for the BSN Express program at Villanova? I'm interested in the May 2011 start. After reading the helpful details on this post I'm a bit concerned that acceptance is more difficult than I first figured. Thanks for any feedback!