Sacramento City College/American River College: How many times did you apply?

U.S.A. California

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I'm really looking for people currently in one of the above RN programs or former students of them. How many times did you apply before you got in? Also, did you ever know how many times your fellow students applied and/or what their grades were (I ask because I wonder if the computer takes grades into account at all, like picking the highest qualified applicants, or minimum qualified, or a good mix of all, that sort of thing)? Is the lottery really that "random"? I have heard/read that it's very rare someone gets in on their first try. I'm about to turn in my app packets, I'm just very nervous about the possibility of waiting 3,4, 5, etc semesters. I talked to someone who says she waited 6 semesters!

Hi Calliegurl, congrats on becoming an alternate! I'd be excited to get that far. Regarding the TEAS, most schools are switching to version 5 even though a couple are offering version 4 still. I'd call the nursing department to be sure. Did the tell you what your alternate number is? Crossing my fingers you'll get in!!

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I didnt know there were different versions of the test....what is the difference? Anyone know?

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I didn't even think to ask about alternate ranking, thanks for bringing it up. I handed in my acceptance letter today and signed up to take the TEAS on 12/2. They are giving everyone until Tues. the 16th to accept. The clerk gave me a study guide and I was on my way. I'm a little stressed out about the test, but if I can't get a composite score of 67%, then I deserve whatever happens next. Also, I'm just focusing on entering next fall, that way I won't be too disappointed if I'm not given the opportunity to start in January. After over 3 years of applying, I'm happy just to have a set starting date, even if it is 9 months away.

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I'm only 16 and after seeing this, I'm scared ********......

To end up getting in the first time, what should I do, get a 3.8-4.0 in my prereqs?

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I FINALLY GOT IN!!! :monkeydance: Aquarius30, thank you for your words, you were right!

I got into ARC's program. Here's my insight, this was my 8th time applying = 4 years of waiting. I think with ARC and probably most nursing programs, they must be giving word to the people they've accepted first then who ever doesn't get in, the rest of the applicants get to know last... wah, wahhh, wahhhhhhhh... Which sucks, I was just there... Oh and ARC will tell you by email! The torture of not knowing is enough to drive you to insanity!

The application deadline was Oct 15th, I just found out today so in a little less than a month, they already told me I got in whereas the website says everyone will find out in about 8 weeks. It's weird how life works, I just got a job as a housekeeper @ Sutter roseville and I've been pouring a lot of my energy into my EMT class. I wasn't even thinking about my nursing application and BLAM, I get in. Weird! I literally have to keep say I'm a nursing student over and over and read my acceptance email... I still have time to let it sink in before class starts... OMG :eek: I'm gonna be an RN in two years... gaaahhhH!!!

If you don't mind me asking, what was your GPA for the pre-reqs

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Hey Cerda,

Sacramento City College uses the lottery system to pick students. GPA, extracurricular activites, honors, etc. do not help you here. It's a completely random computerized selection system. That's why it can take 6, 7 even 8 semesters of continually applying before you are chosen. Some people get lucky, but many have long waits. I talked to an employee in the Nursing dept. and she told me once you start applying 7 or 8 times they flag your application. She assured me no one waits longer than that, and sure enough on my 7th try, I became an alternate. From what I have heard, they have no intentions of changing the selection process. An instructor told me this summer, that they want to give everyone an opportunity to attend nursing school, not just the elite students. The only thing you must have is the minimum GPA's for your science prerequisites (I think it was a 3.0) and an average a little lower for your other prerequisites (2.5) in order to qualify for admission, but that's it. If I were you, I'd speak with the school guidance counselor and see what they can tell you. Good luck!

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Hey Cerda,

Sacramento City College uses the lottery system to pick students. GPA, extracurricular activites, honors, etc. do not help you here. It's a completely random computerized selection system. That's why it can take 6, 7 even 8 semesters of continually applying before you are chosen. Some people get lucky, but many have long waits. I talked to an employee in the Nursing dept. and she told me once you start applying 7 or 8 times they flag your application. She assured me no one waits longer than that, and sure enough on my 7th try, I became an alternate. From what I have heard, they have no intentions of changing the selection process. An instructor told me this summer, that they want to give everyone an opportunity to attend nursing school, not just the elite students. The only thing you must have is the minimum GPA's for your science prerequisites (I think it was a 3.0) and an average a little lower for your other prerequisites (2.5) in order to qualify for admission, but that's it. If I were you, I'd speak with the school guidance counselor and see what they can tell you. Good luck!

Thanks very much!!! Now I just need to know how I will be able to pass nursing school!!! LOL! :smackingf

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Specializes in General Surgery.
If you don't mind me asking, what was your GPA for the pre-reqs

Nope, don't mind but just to preface, I believe most ADN schools in California want an overall GPA in ALL of your classes to be anywhere from at least 2.5-3.0 and core bio GPA (that is your Anatomy, Microbiology and Physiology) to be I'd say around 2.8-3.0. In my experience trying to apply everywhere, Northern CA is more strict on the GPA than down in the LA area.

Also, if you're thinking about going to Sac State for your BSN, take a look at this:

http://www.csus.edu/HHS/NRS/undergraduate/traditional/docs/app_pool_stat_9-1-10.pdf

My overall GPA from ALLLLLL my college courses is a very horrid, embarrassing, uncompetitive 2.91 :down: and I had a C in Physio lol Although I probably won't get anyone from ARC to admit it since it's supposed to a "lottery," I think this is why I was denied 8 x's in a row or about 4 years. My nursing pre-req GPA is a little better @ 3.19 but not by much. Shoot, even Mount Saint Mary's College in LA wouldn't accept me and I was willing to pay them $40,000 or whatever it cost to get an ASSOCIATES DEGREE *smh*

When I graduated HS, all my friends and cousins got into all these UC's and CSU's and I was just done with school. My mom nagged and nagged and NAGGED me to death and said I had to take some college classes otherwise I wouldn't hear the end of it. So I took all these BS classes that I didn't really care about, that I wasn't paying for. I ended up not going to them and mostly either flunked them or got a W. I did this for about two years and I simply did not have the forethought of, "Hey, maybe I want to be an RN one day in the future, I should stop screwing up my GPA because it's gonna be a really important that I have a stellar transcript!" Noooope, stupid ol' me! Boy, it sure did cost me those four years of waiting to get accepted but you know what, I learned a LOT in that time. It made my acceptance that much sweeter and it made my hunger for nursing grow so that when classes start in January, I say bring it on!

So my word of advice to you since you're so young, green, new and fresh, do NOT screw up your college transcript! Repeats are bad and of course, always strive for A's, especially in your core bio classes. I am by no means trying to scare you but just tellin' it how it is. If you're still at that point in your life where you think partying and hanging out with your friends is more important than doing your homework and studying to get good grades in your classes, don't start yet, you are not ready.

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I have a 3.5 overall GPA and a 3.3 in my core science class and have been not won the "lottery" at ARC or SCC. I've applied to two other RN schools this semester that have a lottery program and also have been rejected. I thought I would open myself up to applying to two LVN programs and ARC's Respiratory therapy program and didn't win the so called "lottery" either. Out of the 6 programs I applied to this semester, I have been REJECTED from all of them. Talk about frustrating! I thought maybe one would pan out, but I guess I was wrong. I've decided that I will be applying out of state as I don't have the time to be waiting for 4+ years. I would feel better about the lottery if there was some kind of live drawing; at least I know then that it was truly random. Everyone I know is playing the waiting game when it comes to nursing. I think this year it's even more difficult as those who back to school for a new career almost always go for nursing. I had a friend that went out-of-state for her BSN, and with a blink of an eye she was back in Cali while everyone she knows is still applying to Adn and BSN programs. Good luck to everyone trying to get in an RN program, I wish you the best.

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To AKAT,

I applied numerous times in both schools ARC and Sac City. NO LUCK!!! this spring 2011 but, I applied in Resp. care program at ARC and I am in for 1st attempt. Tomorrow is our orientation (12/3) and i am quite excited. I am still waiting for San Joaquin delta college Nursing Program. I wish you all the best. One day we will be in Nursing program too.

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I FINALLY GOT IN!!! :monkeydance: Aquarius30, thank you for your words, you were right!

I got into ARC's program. Here's my insight, this was my 8th time applying = 4 years of waiting. I think with ARC and probably most nursing programs, they must be giving word to the people they've accepted first then who ever doesn't get in, the rest of the applicants get to know last... wah, wahhh, wahhhhhhhh... Which sucks, I was just there... Oh and ARC will tell you by email! The torture of not knowing is enough to drive you to insanity!

The application deadline was Oct 15th, I just found out today so in a little less than a month, they already told me I got in whereas the website says everyone will find out in about 8 weeks. It's weird how life works, I just got a job as a housekeeper @ Sutter roseville and I've been pouring a lot of my energy into my EMT class. I wasn't even thinking about my nursing application and BLAM, I get in. Weird! I literally have to keep say I'm a nursing student over and over and read my acceptance email... I still have time to let it sink in before class starts... OMG :eek: I'm gonna be an RN in two years... gaaahhhH!!!

I was just reading through the post and was so sad when I read your story! 4 years is a long time to wait. This whole app stuff really sucks and they need to make changes to our systems. I too have been applying to MJC and Sac City (I'm in Stockton) hadn't applied at Delta (which is my school) because of their points system (I was building points). I did apply this semester and was accepted, but not before they disqualified me and then I had to go fight my way in (paper processing problem)! I Just wanted to congratulate you and YES in 2 years we will be RN's!!! Wooo Hoo!:yeah: Good Luck to you in your first Semester

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I am a first time applicant to ARC and Sac City, I will let you know how it goes!! I think we are supposed to find out in May? I can't believe how impacted it is, I really wish they would expand the program or open another one! Good luck everybody! =)

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