Should I apply ABSN Samuel Merritt sooner or later?

jum00 · Sep 19, 2017

I guess this is a question everyone asks; should i apply earlier or should i strengthen my application/experience and apply at a later date?

Can anyone who has applied, or know from reading threads, please answer my questions of concern :)

I am thinking of applying either by march 1st 2018 or august 1st 2018 for either fall 2018 or spring 2019 cohort (i know, seems like a long time from now, but I actually have to do a lot!)

These are the things i still have to do:

-finish my NPB 101L class in my last quarter as undergrad

-cna certification and working (start working as cna in feb.)

-gain a second or even third letter of recommendation from head nurse in nursing facility working as cna

-take HESI A2

-finish pharmacology/pathophysio (they will be in progress when I submit application if I go for spring 19)

-writing my essays / writing prompts

Theres a lot left to do between now and march 1st...and Im thinking I'll be really pressed for time...but at the same time I dont want to wait until Spring of 2019 to be admitted into nursing school because that'll be a whole year of just working, when I really just want to go to school! Haha...dont know, what do you guys think? Should I relax a little bit and apply for August instead? Ill be applying to ABSN in Sacramento as first choice, then Oakland...

I heard from other threads that many who were on waitlist, or even when decisions came out, they were offered a spot in a later cohort or offered at a different campus. How often is this and what is your experience? I am very skeptical about getting in because Ive never been too proud of my grades. My past 90 quarter units GPA has been 3.83, and science GPA is about 3.5 or something like that (Microbio + lab= A-, A+)(Anatomy + lab= A, B)(Chemistry + lab= B, B+)(Physiology + lab= A-, in progress FALL QUARTER 17)

I've worked as an in-home caregiver, volunteered in hospital settings, and plan to be certified in cna and working as such. I also work as a preschool teacher (leadership skills & also care) for the past 5 years, but only on a more professional level in the past year.

My letter of recs would be that preschool supervisor (through UCD university) and hopefully a head nurse in my CNA experience.

What is your experience? I'm not asking for chances, but more words of encouragement because I feel very lost XD

Sorry this thread is so long! but thank you in advance~