Questions about Cypress College ADN program

AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 7, 2008

Can you apply for the program while you are still completing your pre-req's?

No. You have to complete Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, English Comp, and Microbiology before applying all with a minimum of 'C' or better before applying.

Is the program impacted, or is there a good chance of getting in on the first try?

They are all impacted. There are more than 800 on the waiting list. They have a point system, so the more points you have the higher you rank. They will take 40 per semester; 30 based on the points and 10 based on their date of application.

Are there any classes other than A&P, Microbiology, and Chem that I could take to help me prepare?

For Cypress ADN you also need General Psychology, Public Speaking, Intro to Sociology, a Phys Ed class, a humanities (CSU transfer category C2), an arts (CSU transfer category C1), elementary algebra, and "cultural pluralism and reading proficiency" (though I didn't note what that was because the other option is English Lit/critical thinking and I have that). You get up to 10 points for having that completed by the time you apply as well. With a BA you probably have met most if not all of these requirements. (Go to CSUmentor.com to look up the categories for anyone else wondering.)

You don't need chemistry for this program (though it is "strongly recommended") but you do if you would consider a BSN. With a BA you can do the prerequisites and apply to an entry-level MSN. These are somewhat crowded too but the wait will not be nearly as long.

They require you go to one of their info sessions as part of the greater orientation into it. They accept applications in February for Fall and September for Spring.

Good luck!

NurseK222 · Jul 7, 2008

Thanks so much.

They are all impacted. There are more than 800 on the waiting list.

There are 800 on the wait list just at Cypress? Wow...are there any other colleges that are easier to get into?

AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 7, 2008

Thanks so much.
There are 800 on the wait list just at Cypress? Wow...are there any other colleges that are easier to get into?

Not really. They all have some sort of entrance game they play with points, lotteries, just plain waiting in line, or any combination of the three. Those 800 people are probably also on the waiting list at the 5 schools that surround them and every college encourages you to apply to as many as you can drive to reasonably because they know they are impacted. Here are all the approved schools: http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/rnprograms.shtml. Investigate them all and be aware of private vocational/technical schools which have limited accreditation because while you will indeed earn a nursing education and license, further degrees following may be restricted due to accreditation.

If you've had any thoughts at all about a long-term future in nursing that might include management, nurse practitioner certificates, or advanced practice nursing, think about an entry-level master's program. The prerequisites are practically the same PLUS the bachelor's degree you will soon have. The pool of people trying to enter those programs is a lot lower than the ADN/BSN programs. Look around the Student forums for other EL-MSN student threads for some ideas about that route.

NurseK222 · Jul 7, 2008

Awesome, thank you so much. I actually already have my bachelor's and the EL-MSN program seemed a little daunting with the time it would take, but if I'm going to be waitlisted everywhere, I guess it's a good thing to look into.

AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 7, 2008

Awesome, thank you so much. I actually already have my bachelor's and the EL-MSN program seemed a little daunting with the time it would take, but if I'm going to be waitlisted everywhere, I guess it's a good thing to look into.

What I am doing is what I know a lot of others are doing as well... I completed all the ADN prerequisites while working on a lot of the general education required of both the ADN and BSN. You don't have to commit your thoughts this second to an EL-MSN, but keep it in mind as you hack away at prerequisites you can just make sure every extra bit you do works for both programs. Either you'll be waiting with nothing to do or you'll be waiting while you learn more Good luck either way!

AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 7, 2008

ps: I forgot to mention (because that's not on my radar) there are accelerated BSN programs out there too for people who already have BA/BS in another field of study. So there is that too... you really have a lot of options, it's yours for the picking (and waiting, lol)!

ooothatgiirl · Jul 8, 2008

How about the lvn-adn bridge program? would anyone know anything about it.. is it easy to get into? is there a higher chance of getting in if people drop out? thanks! any help would be greatly appreciated:redpinkhe

VolFan · Aug 7, 2008

Hey NurseK!

There seem to be waiting lists just about everywhere. It's the same here on the East Coast. If you're not tied to one area, you might want to check out a program I just found at http://www.nursesinternational.us A friend of mine at Greenville Tech told me about them, and after talking on the phone, I'm seriously thinking about applying. From what I understand, you take your pre-req classes wherever you want to, and if you've got the grades, you can transfer into their program instead of sitting on a waiting list. You go to their school in Europe for three semesters, get your ADN, and then come home. The program is just for American students, and since they're working with a couple of SC universities and teaching their curriculum, it's basically the same thing I'd get if I could get in here, plus I get to go on a foreign study. Cool, huh? On top of that, they've got agreements with US schools so that once you graduate and pass the NCLEX, you can go into an RN-BSN program. I like that idea, since I might decide to go for a Masters degree somewhere down the road.

Just thought I'd share.

rgaa44 · Aug 29, 2008

Hello everyone! I'm currently taking my prereqs and finishing my general education at Cypress College. I will complete my last 2 prereqs (Bio 220 and Bio 241) in Spring 2009. I know it was mentioned about not being able to get on the wait list until the prereqs are done..but any chance they let you if you're in that last semester of finishing them up? Or does no mean no. Any advice from current Cypress College nurses or those in my same situation would be greatly appreciated. I really want to go to nursing school and that wait list doesn't make it any easier!! Thanks all and have a great night!

Sincerely,

Ashley

CaGuy · Oct 27, 2008

REMEMBER: Cypress is a points system based mostly on your three science grades. The elusive "800" on the waiting list are there because they don't have enough competitive points. If you get two A's and a B in your three sciences and complete all G.E. requirements you'll have 23 points. That's enough to get you in without waiting. Good Luck.

finnelzki · May 12, 2009

I appplied to cypress earlier this year, like march or something (cnt really remember) and they sent me a letter saying that my points arent competitive enough but will put me in the waiting list ... i got an A in anatomy and physiology and a B in micro .. unfortunately i only had 22 points ( i still need to do arts requirement) I wasnt expecting to get admitted for fall (with 22 points) but planned to update my application for spring'10 hopefully with 23 points ( doing the arts requirement right now) but i took my chances anyway i figured the worst thing that could happen to me is be in a waiting list... which isnt really bad cuz at least im in something lol... I'm still ouching over this cypress things hehe... but it doesnt really matter cuz i got accepted somewhere else.

And i think that the best thing to REALLY do is apply to a lot of colleges around the area... i applied to 4 colleges (3 are 2 hours away from me including cypress), got accepted in 1 ( obviously not cypress hehe) and starting in fall'09. I really didnt really "waste time" bec. im taking my last bunch of general ed. whheew! good luck guys!