Question about CUNY schools

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I was under the impression that the tuition was the same at all the CUNY schools (Hunter, LaGuardia, etc.). As a non-degree student at LaGuardia I am paying $160 per credit. A non-degree student at Hunter is $250 per credit. I should be registered as a non-degree student, correct? I am there to complete my prereqs but I plan on going to nursing school somewhere else.

Any advice or input would be appreciated!

thanks

ali

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I must agree with everyone else. Become a matriculated student, save money, lose stress. If you want to transfer, transfer. It's that simple.

I must say though, LaGuardia has an excellent nursing program. The least expensive school per credit in NYC and the highest NCLEX passing rate in NYS for the year of 2007. If you're already a student at LaGcc and have a good GPA, why leave? Apply and see how it goes. All CUNY schools have limited seats, so they are all competitive.

I hope everything works out for you.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I must agree with everyone else. Become a matriculated student, save money, lose stress. If you want to transfer, transfer. It's that simple. Of course, the school's representatives won't tell you that, retention of students= more money.

I must say though. Laguardia has an excellent nursing program. The cheapest in NYC and the highest NCLEX passing rate in New York State for the year of 2007. If you're already a student there and have a good GPA, why leave? Apply for candidacy and see how it goes.

I hope everything works out for you.

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Can anyone advise me what school to take Chem and Micro? I have a BA from Hunter College, but I was looking at a community college to take those two classes. I would surely have to register as a non degree student since I graduated from their CUNY system, right?

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Hi, I am surprised to hear that you are having problems with CUNY. It was so easy for me!:wink2: Before anything, I got the CUNY's majors and LaGuardia’s catalog and read it ALL. Non-degree students can register for classes if there are seats available. They are like visitors who come and go. They don’t “belong” to the school; therefore they pay more and don’t have the same rights.

The nursing program in Lagcc is very competitive (~ 60 seats p/semester) and the minimum GPA to get in to the clinical phase was 3.8 for the Fall’08 semester. As somebody mention before, all you need is to concentrate (get an A) in the KEY Courses (Eng 101, Found. Of Chem, Psy 101 and A&P 1) and you are definitely in. I was working 9-5, weekends and late nights sometimes. I was a part-time student, taking the key classes only (1 or 2 at a time) at night. I got A in all of them, so I got in. This is my first clinical semester.

It is really not that hard, but you need to devote yourself if you want to get in. Once you are in you can relax (all you need is C to pass). I suggest you to check Lagcc’s catalog on-line or go to their department, or even talk to a counselor in that school.

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Hi, I am surprised to hear that you are having problems with CUNY. It was so easy for me!:wink2: Before anything, I got the CUNY's majors and LaGuardia's catalog and read it ALL. Non-degree students can register for classes if there are seats available. They are like visitors who come and go. They don't "belong" to the school; therefore they pay more and don't have the same rights.

The nursing program in Lagcc is very competitive (~ 60 seats p/semester) and the minimum GPA to get in to the clinical phase was 3.8 for the Fall'08 semester. As somebody mention before, all you need is to concentrate (get an A) in the KEY Courses (Eng 101, Found. Of Chem, Psy 101 and A&P 1) and you are definitely in. I was working 9-5, weekends and late nights sometimes. I was a part-time student, taking the key classes only (1 or 2 at a time) at night. I got A in all of them, so I got in. This is my first clinical semester.

It is really not that hard, but you need to devote yourself if you want to get in. Once you are in you can relax (all you need is C to pass). I suggest you to check Lagcc's catalog on-line or go to their department, or even talk to a counselor in that school.

Biblia- It's great to hear that it wasn't as challenging for you to get into the program! I have been researching on pursuing a 2nd degree in Nursing and it seemed impossible! I work full time as well and need to attend a school with weekend and night classes...for Laguardia, are there many night and any weekend classes for all the pre-req's you've mentioned? I actually started the admission process with bmcc but laguardia would be closer for me to commute after work.

Also...since I have a BA already, if already took chem, eng and psych...do I have to transfer the grades over or can I just start new? The reason why I applied to BMCC was because they allow dropping classes when I transfer over. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated! :wink2:

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hi, kimmonixnurse2be, this is also my 2nd degree, i have a ba in education, so i have never taken chem, a&p, etc before. i enter lagcc as a transfer student and they accepted only 9 of my 160 ba credits. all pre-req. courses are offered at night and some on the weekends. i don't know if laguardia can let you retake or not the classes you already have, but my advice for you is that if your grades for the key courses are not great, re-take it. you have to make sure you have a high gpa to apply for the program.

go to www.lagcc.cuny.edu, click in i'm a student and look for the major catalog to see the courses you'll have to take and then go to class schedules and you can see the time for each class you'll have to take. if you are still not sure if you have all the info you need just go to lagcc, e-building, 3rd floor, (e-300 nursing department) and ask to talk to the coordinator or got to the school you can probably find a student that is ready to help...like me:d

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hi, kimmonixnurse2be, this is also my 2nd degree, i have a ba in education, so i have never taken chem, a&p, etc before. i enter lagcc as a transfer student and they accepted only 9 of my 160 ba credits. all pre-req. courses are offered at night and some on the weekends. i don't know if laguardia can let you retake or not the classes you already have, but my advice for you is that if your grades for the key courses are not great, re-take it. you have to make sure you have a high gpa to apply for the program.

go to www.lagcc.cuny.edu, click in i'm a student and look for the major catalog to see the courses you'll have to take and then go to class schedules and you can see the time for each class you'll have to take. if you are still not sure if you have all the info you need just go to lagcc, e-building, 3rd floor, (e-300 nursing department) and ask to talk to the coordinator or got to the school you can probably find a student that is ready to help...like me:d

thanks so much bibia!! :bow:

one more thing...since i am in similar situation like you...how long did take to take you 4 key classes? i understand that lagcc has 2 fall and 2 spring semesters..i rather and would go part time to a every class.

i appreciate all you help!:)

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It took me about 1 year to finish 4 classes. English is not my 1st language so I really took it slowly and besides I wasn't going for Nursing yet, I changed my mind along the way. I took Eng 101(3cred) and Psy 101(3cred) in a 12 weeks semester than I took only Chem(4cred) in a 6 weeks, then A&PI(4cred) in a 12 weeks. You can probably take 2 at a time and be done in 2 semesters, but just have in mind that to apply for the RN candidacy you have to do in the 12 weeks semester to start in the following 12 weeks semester. And I do advise taking the RN classes only. I have a friend who is in the program with me but she is taking RN I with A&P II and Math dosage that are not key courses but should be taken prior or with RN1. You need to organize your schedule very well. Good luck!

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HI Bibia,

I'm a bit confused, and I am looking into Leguardia myself, and also have another degree from another college. So you have to complete all of your pre-reqs, apply to the program, wait one 12 week semester, and then you'll get in? Meaning, say I take all of my pre-reqs in the Spring09/Summer09 semesters, I can only apply to the Spring 2010 for my clinicals? This seems to be a trend in all CUNY schools, and I just dont understand it.

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No,unlike BMCC at LaGuardia you don't have to wait that long.if you are expecting to finish your pre reqs in Spring 09 then,you can apply for candidacy the same semester and if you're accepted you will be able to start clinical the following semester i.e fall 09'.However,if you expect to get done with your pre-req only over summer,then you'll not be able to apply for candidacy in spring 09 .will have to wait till fall 09 to apply.This means if you do get accepted,you start in Spring '10.

Btw,that is when am graduating.I just realized that this question was not for me but any way hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Emille.

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Thank you so much! That was very helpful Emille! I hope to start soon!

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cuny schools all vary in their individual tuition rates.

i went to laguardia cc cuny & it was just absolutely ridiculous.

there is something highly disturbing about the educational system in nyc if you ask me.

for the first time in my life, i'm more stressed out about the college process (and the way they function in regards to that) than the actual classes/degree itself.i sometimes can't even believe these places are allowed to call themselves colleges or universities.

nothing is straight-forward & organized, the way it should be. instead,you must be overly aggressive and continue to harass the administration to receive answers to your simple questions.

just know that i feel your pain.

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