I'm sure that it's probably waaaay to early for this thread, but I figured what the heck. I have all of my application documents just about ready for submission. Just need to add the self addressed postcard and my check.
My main concern though is my Eng I credit. I already have a BS in Biology. The school I attended rewarded me with the Eng I credit based solely on my ACT score. I was originally going to apply for the Spring 2009 class and as I was reviewing my transcripts, I notice that HCC had not given me credit for Eng I. I contacted the Dean of Student Services at the DM campus about it and he referred me to the Asst Dean. From there it pretty much got ugly. My transcript originally had it listed as CLEP credit but I didn't have any CLEP scores of course. I had transferred several times and was given credit every where I went with no questions asked. Not to mention that I actually already have a BS so you would think that I wouldn't have to worry about any of the general education courses. I told all of this to the Asst Dean and the reply that I got was that the original "college awarded the credit in an unorthodox manner and that it wasn't her fault that HCC had higher standards than the other institutions that I had transferred to." Her email pretty much told me to f off in a not so nice way. It didn't help that I gave her a piece of my mind after receiving such a response. *sigh*
I managed to get my original transcript updated so that it no longer says CLEP. It says "ACT score 28" instead. I had an updated copy sent to HCC along with a letter explaining the change, however HCC has yet to update anything. That was last August. Sooooooo, I will be trotting my happy butt in to see an advisor on Friday and praying like heck that they make the change and accept the credit. Because I already have my BS, I absolutely refuse to go back and take Eng I. I'm not happy at all with HCC's administrative staff, but because I can't find another true evening nursing program that doesn't cost an arm and a leg....I'm pretty much stuck with them. I can't afford to quit my job and go to school full time...if I could I would be doing USF's accelerated program instead. :)
I got a C in sociology 15 years ago that I can't re-take. I have A's in all the supporting courses, but A's and B's in pre reqs. So from what I saw on a post on how to calculate your pre req GPA, I will have a 3.38 IF I get an A in Algebra.
In the science classes I got a B in micro lab and AP1 lecture; The rest are A's. English B. Its that darn C in sociology.
I am taking algebra this fall and applying in Jan. for Fall enrollment. If the cut off is 3.4, am I wasting my time?
Heck No...Don't give up. The cut off goes up and down depending on the top 140 applicants...Bust your butt in Algebra, get your A, and never but your eggs all in one basket. There are some other very fine nursing schools around. Apply, apply, apply to all of them. And if you don't get in the first time, apply again next semester.
Personally, I think it takes more than a GPA to predict a good nurse, and HCC is letting so many slip away by only taking the GPA into consideration. I mean book smarts is one thing, but common sense, compassion, attitude, integrity, and heart mean more to the patients, families, co-workers, and Drs. than your GPA in school. If you want to be a nurse look at all your options and don't psych yourself out of trying.
So many new nurses consider it a job, and don't realize that it takes so much more than a degree to practice nursing. It's almost like a religious calling, you have to want to help people. Just put forth your best effort, and don't let go of your dream.
Forgot to mention... Look into LPN programs as well. Just Get that degree, and most hospitals will pay for or suppliment the fees for LPN to RN course work and it can be done on-line. A lot of nurses do it that way so as to keep money coming in while they advance themselves.
well it's comfirmed, received an email from MF today,
Thank you for your email. The Health Sciences Committee will not be meeting until the middle of September for selection of applicants, and I will mail out letters once they meet.
Studenthope...I have some advice from one stressed student to another. ALWAYS apply to multiple programs if you can. We live in a large enough area where you can have several possible acceptances into Nursing Schools should you apply. I, for example, applied to St. Pete College (SPC), Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC), and Hillsborough Community College (HCC). Out of all of them, HCC requires the most prerequisite courses to enter their program. They want 21 credit hours. PHCC on the other hand, only requires only 13 credit hours, but you also have to take an entrance exam that you don't have to take at SPC or HCC. Here is Pasco's link: Registered nursing, generic. SPC only requires 11 credit hours and NO entrance exam. Here is their link: Degree Program - Nursing R.N. - NURSE-AS. As far as waits to begin the program, SPC claims it takes 2 YEARS to begin once you're accepted. HCC makes you apply a full semester in advance. And finally, PHCC admits you to the program the VERY NEXT semester. My other bit of advice, and somewhat a personal opinion, try to apply at ACCREDITED programs FIRST. These are your public universities and community colleges. Schools like Galen, Concorde, Rasmussen, ect. MAY be "approved," but are not accredited and may not transfer over to a 4-year university. That, and some have said they are designed to drain your money and, in some cases, actually fail you (personal opinion!). You can view which programs are accredited and which are approved, as well as Nursing Board (NCLEX) pass rates of their graduates at this link: SearchCriteria
. Hope this helps and provides you some options! Good luck! Feel free to private message me if you wish!
thank you :) I appreciate your encouragement. Do you know if the federal Pell grant covers the specialized programs?
From what my advisor told me, the Pell DOES cover the nursing program but you still have some out-of-pocket expenses that you can't get at the bookstore such as stethoscope (and other tools you need) uniforms, shoes, things like that. Also, the Pell considers "full-time" to be 12 credit hours/semester but the nursing program is only 10 credit hours, so the funds paid by the Pell Grant will be pro-rated.
thanks :) The problem with applying to different colleges is that the pre reqs are different. For St.Pete College, I already have the pre reqs completed and can apply for the spring program (awesome). PHCC reqs a computer course and Human Nutrition. Both of which I did not take. HCC wants Eng 2 as a supporting course; SPC wants statistics. Had I known wanted to be a nurse a year ago, I would have completed all of these classes.
thanks :) The problem with applying to different colleges is that the pre reqs are different. For St.Pete College, I already have the pre reqs completed and can apply for the spring program (awesome). PHCC reqs a computer course and Human Nutrition. Both of which I did not take. HCC wants Eng 2 as a supporting course; SPC wants statistics. Had I known wanted to be a nurse a year ago, I would have completed all of these classes.
I plan on transferring to SPC for my RN to BSN degree. They do require a computer course (but I'm not sure if that's for the Associate's degree or just the Bachelors).
My documents are still not rec'd. I wish it would change just to prove that they're doing something down at HCC. lol I wish I was starting this Fall....ugh.
i am so glad to hear yall feel the same way. it seems as though previous classes started their reading soon after they found out if they were excepted. i read on other threads that there is a med calc. test over 8 chapters that is pretty much self study soon after you start. do any of you plan to start that once you get your confirmation in september? i look forward to reading how the fall class of 2010 is doing once they start. i read their posts in the spring as they waited to hear and i felt as anxious for them. i remember reading some of them were alternates and you could just read how crushed they were. soon after i saw where they were finally chosen. whew, what a roller coaster ride.
please excuse my wrong spelling. i am glad they aren't "accepting" us based on our writing skills:
My documents are still not rec'd. i hate this whole thing being out of my hands now, i wish there were something more i could do(i will be heart broken if i dont get in)! huuhhh, i have no motivation to start classes in aug but im going ahead and getting enc 2 out of the way as i heard this was a good idea. (i hate english) id rather be taking something "relevant". i really feel this coorifice is just an additional money getter. but i am getting my moneys worth by going ahead and getting a few other classes i will eventually need anyway for my bsn out of the way...its just frustrating how i told everyone over a year ago about starting this two year program, so naturally everyone expects me to be have way done- ugh what a lengthy explaination when i have to explain why i havent even started yet or how i dont even know if im in-......hopefully only 6-8 weeks longer!
-studenthope- i would say apply anyway just so you know! yes the cut off was 3.4 but im almost sure that didnt include alternates(a friend of mine applied for the radiology program and lost hope when she had only been accepted as an alternate, as that program only has 20 spots, but a few weeks later she got a "IN" letter!) our program has alot more spots and alot more chances for people not to accept there positions (as lots of people apply to more than one program)so dont lose hope!... and also i know you were applying for fall but i had heard that often less people apply for spring entry; if youre like me i know i wouldnt want to wait that long(the wait is long enough as it is)but it is something to keep in mind just incase. GOOD LUCK! keep your head up and get that A in algebra!
studenthope
11 Posts
Sigh. I think im gonna be sick about my GPA.
I got a C in sociology 15 years ago that I can't re-take. I have A's in all the supporting courses, but A's and B's in pre reqs. So from what I saw on a post on how to calculate your pre req GPA, I will have a 3.38 IF I get an A in Algebra.
In the science classes I got a B in micro lab and AP1 lecture; The rest are A's. English B. Its that darn C in sociology.
I am taking algebra this fall and applying in Jan. for Fall enrollment. If the cut off is 3.4, am I wasting my time?