I'm starting this topic for those who are applying to 2nd-entry programs, to start in 2014.
A bit about myself:
I'll be applying to University of Ottawa and University of Toronto.
Graduated with a Social Science degree from Ottawa U w/ 7.2 CGPA (aka 3.33 on 4.0 scale, or a B+)
A lot of community involvement in health promotion, youth counseling programs, women's health research..
Currently taking the prerequisites...
I'm kind of nervous about the applications because I know how competitive these programs are... Any advice from current 2-year BScN students would be great!
Nursing school is competitive no matter which avenue you take, and admission averages rise steadily year over year. While the cutoff averages may seem ridiculous to some, the reason they are so high is because of the grades of the applicants who apply.
My RPN-BScN program (McMaster) has only 48 spots. The website states that the minimum overall average to get into the program is 75%, however this years actual cut-off was 86% (and they stated it will be closer to 90% next year). Because there are so few spots, that 75% minimum increases substantially based on the averages of those who have applied. Unfortunate? Yes. Unfair? No.
For those waiting on acceptances, keep trying! If this isn't your year, do what you need to do to increase your averages and supplemental applications (if applicable) and retry! You will get there!
I would also recommend the Nipissing SPP program to anyone looking for entry next year. It is a really innovative new program that is very self directed. You are mentored one on one with a working nurse in hospital and you get a large amount of clinical hours but you do a lot of self learning. I also think that because it is new there is a bit less competition, they look at the 10 best grades from your Undergrad so its quite easy to have a high GPA. I was actually really set on going there and was trying to chose between U of T, UBC and Nipissing, but I think I will be going with U of T.
They never told me why, I had great references and application answers. I also have experience in the emergency room of a hospital volunteering and at a doctor's office where I live. That's all though. My GPA is 9.6 on 12-point scale. No idea what that is for 4-point scale as Laurier only does 12 point....maybe around a 3.6?
Hope15:
I applied to Western's collaborative program. I'm waitlisted and the cut-off for the university students waitlist is 80%. So I'm just below that with a B+. If I don't end up getting a spot though, I'm going to take some courses and re-apply to all the 4 year collaborative programs next year because it is much less competitive than the accelerated (although I will still apply to a few of those again).
Honestly everyone, if you haven't heard that's probably okay. No news is good news right? That means you're still being evaluated and considered. Good luck!!
I have a Kinesiology degree from McMaster, and my last 10 credits I averaged a 9.3 on the 12 Scale. I've been accepted to Queen's, but I live in Toronto so I was really hoping for U of T. Obviously, I'm really thankful I'm in somewhere, but it's still really hard waiting when others are hearing back--glad I'm not alone!
9.6 was my last 10 classes, 5 credits. sorry I should have specified. it was a bit lower for my last 10 full credits. you have a good chance it sounds like!
yeah hang on there, there is only less than 2 weeks to go. I emailed them yesterday inquiring about any update and they just said "all applicant will hear from us by June 30-th".
@A_Axelrod, I am planning to apply to the 2nd entry nursing programs in the coming fall. I have done research on the majority of the schools but would like more information on Nipissing's SPP program. Since it is a still a new program, I wasn't able to get a lot of info. Would you mind sharing your experience? So they take your best 20 grades from all 4 years of your undergrad right? For the prerequisites, do they only look at one half course of Physiology and Psychology or one FCE? How was the interview? And do you know the cut off gpa for this year's cohort? Thanks so much.
UoT got back to me and they said I have been placed in the second group of the waitlist. They also said that it is unlikely that any spots will become available in July. If any spots do become available, it wouldn't be until mid to late August for the second group. So, as mentioned previously, I'm guessing it's relatively unlikely for anyone to get in off of the waitlist unless they are in the first group.
Hope15
17 Posts
I just double checked, yes you're right. Whoops!