Schools in Philly TOO competitive?

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Hi everyone,

I'll be getting out of the military and moving to Philadelphia in the beginning of next year with hopes of getting into nursing school. I've completed my prereqs, but my grades aren't stellar. I have a 3.2 GPA, but reading through the forums and various school sites, its seems as though nursing school is EXTREMELY hard to get into.

I guess my question is, how many tries did it take for you to get into a program? I've narrowed down the schools I want to apply to (Temple, Frankford, Jefferson). I'd rather go for my BSN since I already have so many credits done aside from my prereqs, but its alittle discouraging to hear about how difficult it is to get into programs! For those that made it, what was your GPA and how much do they actually factor in how well you did in your prereqs as opposed to your overall GPA? Also, would volunteer hours in a hospital setting improve my chances?

Also, would it be better to just apply to private schools as well? I read somewhere that the number of applicants are lower because its so much more expensive. Is this true?

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi, don't get to down, I just graduated from LaSalle a year ago, and one of the good things about Philadelphia is there are SOOO many schools you can apply too...there are over 7 or 8 schools available....Honestly, i would scratch temple off the list...many people transfer from Temple to LaSalle because they could not get into Temples program....let me explain....

You can take the prereqs at temple, have the GPA required for entry, but not get into the "nursing school" itself......if students who are already enrolled at Temple don't even get accepted into the actualy nursing program, I don't know what your chances are of being excepted....

LaSalle has a great program, very reputable, high NCLEX pass rate, and overall I really liked the program....no complains, and I know they do not have a waiting list...so def. check out LaSalle

Also, GO FOR YOUR BSN, it is 100% worth it, just do it all at once....

I don't think "volunteer hours" would make a diff. and don't worry about it, you get everything in clinical they would want you to see.....plus you have the military hours....let me know how it works out....if you want to PM I can give the name of the RIGHT person to contact at LaSalle to get you started....trust me, she is the NICEST person in the world, so caring and helpful....would be more than willing to help you out....

Brooke

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Hi Brooke!

Thanks for responding to my question! I saw that there are a bunch of schools in the area, which is really good because if I didn't get into my preferences, i'd definitely apply to all of them until I got in somewhere lol. I agree with you on the BSN, thats the path I want to take, but if I was unable to get into a 4 year program I have no qualms about just going for an associates and transfering to a BSN bridge program right after.. anything as long as i'm moving toward the goal. I can't believe they don't have a wait list.. Hearing that alone has sparked my interest. I'll go check out there website right now. Please PM me the name of your contact at LaSalle!

And also, although I have military experience, none if it applies to medical/health.. aside from self aid and buddy care training lol..

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Specializes in ER.

I am about to be a Senior at Jefferson now.. when i applied to the school i had a 3.4 GPA.. nothing to spectacular.. I think as long as you atleast got B's in your science classes, write a good essay and have good recommendations you should be good... I know it is very stressful applying to schools.. I know i was stressed worrying if i got in or not... but apply to as many as Possible. I would def recommend Jeff and Drexel, they would be my top choices when compared to the others ones you named.... GOOD LUCK!!!:)

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