Saddleback/Santa Ana Programs?

CaffeinePRN · May 19, 2009

just yesterday i got my real acceptance letter to sac, start in the fall.

i got onto the list in early feb of 2008. for the pre-reqs i got 35 of the 40 pts possible.

sac apparently has two lists...one based on the chronological order of the applications as they're received and another based on your pre-req points (and maybe gpa?). the latter they don't make public.

when i got onto the wait list i was number 460 something...then by october of 2008 i was 350ish. so then i get a letter telling me to take rn 112 and rn 103 (rn 112 is cake, rn 103 not so much). next thing i know i got my letter telling me my name came up as possible candidates for fall 2009 and i should take the teas.

but be careful, sac loves to send out those enticing "you may get in...." imo they do this to keep people holding out hoping they'll get into sac rather than just going to cypress/goldenwest/etc. speaking of which...i've heard that cypress, at least, has done away with their wait list altogether. you may be able to just get right in if your grades are good enough. i will say this tho...i did hear from a classmate that someone had a bad experience once and got yelled at by an instructor. no doubt that all of us at some point will get yelled at by some douche-bag with a chip on their shoulder but for what it's worth, that's what i was told. or so the story went...i take everything with a grain of salt.

ryqu · May 19, 2009

Thank you so much for the info and congrats on getting in!

I've been on the list for about 6 months. gpa is not very competitive so I guess I'll just have to wait. I'm applying to concordia too - hopefully I'll be accepted!

Good luck and thanks again!

CaffeinePRN · May 19, 2009

Good luck on getting in! Whatever school you decide on, just make sure they'll accredited with the CA Nursing Board...

http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/rnprograms.shtml

SoCaliGirl · May 19, 2009

Heads up, though on Cypress. They do have a chronological waitlist as well as points stuff. They take 30 people each semester based on points and 10 from the chronological waitlist. Of course, the people who are getting in from the waitlist right now applied back in Fall 2005/Spring 2006.

ryqu · May 19, 2009

Thank you (both) for the info and heads up! I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

PackersFan · May 20, 2009

lamqmal,

Just to let you know...I received my acceptance letter from Saddleback on May 11th.

I first started applying into Saddleback's program in 2005, so all I have to say is that it takes a LOT of patience & a little luck!

Good luck! :)

amelie2006 · May 20, 2009

Hi there! I will finally be graduating from Santa Ana this June! yey! But I know it can get frustrating when you're waiting. I waited a year before I got into the program and I was in the 300's or so and so when they mailed me my acceptance letter, you can imagine the shock and excitement at the same time.

Santa Ana RN program will stop accepting applications starting June 2009. This will allow them to go through the list, weed some people out that are already in another program or not interested, etc. and so its only a matter of time before you get in! :)

My advice to you (and other students waiting) is to KEEP BUSY! Meaning take a job as a CNA in a hospital in med/surg floors or ER. or volunteer or be a medical assistant,etc. Not only will you get familiar with the hospital and its workings (and possible future employment) BUT you will learn so much and help you A LOT in nursing school. Save up when you're working at these places because once you get in, you will need to cut back on your work hours. Believe me, it's so hard to work full time and be in nursing school at the same time.

So let me know if you have more questions. Good luck! and remember: Keep Busy!

P.S. SAC Nursing Program is Board of RN Accredited

ryqu · May 20, 2009

congrats Aanderson and Amelie2006 for getting into the program and finishing the program! Thanks for the tips - I really do need to learn patience and I'll try to keep busy while I do so =).

Amelie2006, will you be going straight to work as an RN? or are you planning on transferring into BSN or MSN?

scns1733 · May 21, 2009

I am applying to Saddleback and Santa Ana for spring 2010. I have A's in all prereqs except a B in micro and a 3.7 gpa in my last 12 units. I'm hoping I am a competitive applicant but have heard that you have to have a 4.0 to bypass the waitlist. Does anyone have any info about this?

PackersFan · May 21, 2009

SCNS:

I don't know if I can be of any help, but I had 2 C's and 1 A in my pre-req sciences. I had around a 3.6-3.7 GPA my last semester at Long Beach State (I have my BS in Health Care Administration.) My overall GPA is around a 3.2 (which is what happens when I work full-time & go to school full-time.)

I would think that you definitely be considered a competitive applicant for Saddleback. I'm not sure if I was accepted based on my GPA or if I was one of the lottery picks...

I don't know any information about Santa Ana. Honestly, I didn't even know there was a Santa Ana College until a few months ago.

ryqu · May 21, 2009

I've never heard of having a 4.0 bypasses the waitlist at santa ana, but it might be possible. I think the higher your grades are = higher chance of getting in sooner? too bad for me, so I just have to wait my turn hopefully i'll be able to start spring 2010 also!

This is what santa ana's website says regarding how students are chosen:

"a- First-Come, First-Serve for half of the admitting class (minus half of an ECP group).

b- Priority ranking system of grades in prerequisite classes for half of the admitting class (minus half of an ECP group).

A= 10 points

B= 5 points

C= 1 point."

here is the link: http://www.sac.edu/faculty_staff/academic_progs/departments/nursing/waitlist_info.htm

Saddleback takes 75% of their applications based on grades and 25% based on lottery. last week i got my rejection letter stating that I'm eligible but just wasnt chosen, no space. over400 applicants and only 60 were chosen. so it's pretty competitive.

hope that helps - good luck!