I am an applicant who applied to UT Health Science center for the Fall of 2017. I found the allnurses forum so useful for all of the students that were currently going through the same process was.
I wanted to start another forum for the next year for all the applicants so they were able to share ideas, stats, background etc.
So i'll start:
HESI A2:
A&P 80
Math 98
Grammar 94
Reading 92
Vocab 96
I have a previous degree from Texas State University in Psychology (Bachelors).
Science GPA: 3.812
Nursing Pre-req: 3.512
Cumulative (155hrs): 3.2
I hope this helps and you get as much out of this as I did. I met some really awesome people on here who are all on the journey to becoming great nurses. Don't hesitate to say hi!
You sound like you are in a really similar place that I'm in. I have like 155 credit hours (161 after this summer) with grades that range from W-A's. I want a career path that is lucrative and stable. I work in a clinic now and really enjoy what I do. But I want to be more on the medical side of things. Plus I hate sitting at a desk all day. I need a job that keeps me on my feet and active.
You'll get in man. I've been working on this about as long as you have and I think it gets to a point where you need to take a step back, collect your thoughts, and figure out how to go about this realistically and practically. I got to a point where I didn't want to take anymore entrance exams or retake anymore classes because people with even lower GPA's and stats were getting in. I thought if they could then there is no need for me to. BUT, our transcripts show our academic history (good/bad) as opposed to some who have literally only taken pre-req hours to get into this program. So retaking our classes and retaking our entrance exams are where our opportunity is going to be for us to shine. Otherwise, we either won't stand out or our transcripts will make us appear as inconsistent (mine at least with all of the W's). So keep pushing through. If this is what we want we will find a way :)
I feel a little stuck in the same rut at the moment. But like you, @jdskaggs88, I really want to get rooted in the medical field because of both stability and passion, so I have a little more patience and drive to try a few more times (if I have to). Plus, this will only be my second time applying to nursing school. I have a ridiculous amount of college hours accumulated since '05 -- I think over 200! I always imagine admissions glancing at all my transcripts from 4 different colleges and scoffing and shaking their heads in dismay LOL. I also have a BS in Psychology from UH, and I almost continued with a masters in counseling until I realized that it was something I really didn't want to do. I also get those "I could have been a [insert profession here] by now," but I have to remind myself that these years weren't so much of a waste since I spent it growing and raising a family. Now that the time is right, I've decided to take this route, but I'm crossing my fingers and praying it won't take too long since so much precious time has already gone by. I can tell you it's definitely reassuring and comforting to know that I'm not completely alone in this!
Hi everyone! I know that it was discussed on the Fall 2017 thread about how there's no rhyme or reason to their selection criteria, so I was hoping to get your opinion on retaking some classes. Which ones would be worth retaking? Should I even bother at all, and just save my time and money instead? (FYI, I plan on also applying to TWU which goes by a more clear-cut point system regarding GPA and test scores.)
Microbiology = B: Taken 8 years ago, and if I could bump that up to an A, that'll give me a "more competitive" 4.0 science prereq GPA.
U.S. Govt = C: Taken many years ago, also.
TX Govt = C: Same as U.S. Govt.
Thanks so much! Good luck to everyone for this next application round!
Honestly I would start with the courses you got C's in. There were people who got accepted for the fall with science GPA's below a 3.5 but had high prereq GPAs. Plus GOVT isn't as draining and time consuming as Micro and you would be going from two C's to two A's compared to just a B to an A. Also you could probably knock those out at the same time as opposed to Micro which you would probably want to focus on by itself. AND the GOVT courses at HCC can be taken online and are possibly less expensive together than Micro by itself (and micro you would have to take in person. I don't know how much free time you have). Those are just my suggestions but then again you should do what you believe is best for yourself!
Hi everyone! I know that it was discussed on the Fall 2017 thread about how there's no rhyme or reason to their selection criteria, so I was hoping to get your opinion on retaking some classes. Which ones would be worth retaking? Should I even bother at all, and just save my time and money instead? (FYI, I plan on also applying to TWU which goes by a more clear-cut point system regarding GPA and test scores.)
Microbiology = B: Taken 8 years ago, and if I could bump that up to an A, that'll give me a "more competitive" 4.0 science prereq GPA.
U.S. Govt = C: Taken many years ago, also.
TX Govt = C: Same as U.S. Govt.
Thanks so much! Good luck to everyone for this next application round!
I have several classes that I was seriously considering re-taking this Summer, but after looking at the numbers I can't justify the time or money. When people with lesser GPA's are getting accepted at UTHealth I'm not sure it matters. I also am adding TWU to my list and when replacing 4 of my B's with A's it made absolutely no difference in points according to their spreadsheet. The two things that made a huge impact on TWU's point system was a bachelor's degree and a high TEAS score.
@jdskaggs88 @Brandon_Hare Thank you for your feedback! Really great points. I have until tomorrow to decide because I have to enroll in this first summer session in order for the grades to be in by the application deadlines... aaah!
@Brandon_Hare I plugged in some hypothetical numbers, too, and you're right, the grade improvements didn't make the points budge at all. So I'll definitely be hyper-focused on the TEAS this summer. Do you mind me asking how many points you have so far? Crossing fingers, guys. In the meanwhile, I'll be looking at more backup options!
@jdskaggs88 @Brandon_Hare Thank you for your feedback! Really great points. I have until tomorrow to decide because I have to enroll in this first summer session in order for the grades to be in by the application deadlines... aaah!
@Brandon_Hare I plugged in some hypothetical numbers, too, and you're right, the grade improvements didn't make the points budge at all. So I'll definitely be hyper-focused on the TEAS this summer. Do you mind me asking how many points you have so far? Crossing fingers, guys. In the meanwhile, I'll be looking at more backup options!
My point total was only a 39....so pretty crappy. I have a 3.75 science GPA and around a 3.5 nursing pre-requisite GPA. I'm not sure if there's a limit on how many times you can take the TEAS, but I'm not sure k want to re-take and risk doing worse. I currently have an 83.1 on the TEAS.
@Brandon_Hare Our GPAs are pretty similar. Looks like our only hopes are our degrees and TEAS. If you're interested, ldickerson gave some great study tips and insight on the Fall 2017 thread since she literally just took it, and it's all still fresh in her mind. I plan to purchase the same book she used to prep for it. I think it's pretty nuts how they only allow you two tries PERIOD for the HESI. I'm not sure if it's the same for the TEAS, but if you have only one more try, you def have to tackle it super prepared. Good luck!!
Hello :) I will be taking my HESI A2 next month ( July 13 ), and I really hope and Pray that I will be accepted into the program.
I was a college undergrad about 14 yrs ago ( Philippines ), and didn't really do well ( all C's in the class ). When I came here to the US almost 9 yrs ago (petitioned by my US Citizen husband), I realized that it was hard to get a job that can sustain a family. My husband was the only one working, and as family grows, the income is not enough anymore. I worked, and tried to help him. Applied to different places, but unfortunately, since I don't have any working experience, it was hard for me to get a job.
So, I decided to go back to school, but prior to this decision, I thought about it thoroughly. I want to go to school for something that I really love to do. Something that I'm passionate with. That is when I decided that I want to be a nurse. So I applied for ASN (Associates of Science in Nursing). Took care of all neccessary requirements including my transcript from the Philippines. I started last year in the Fall Semester, and so far, I got all A's on the pre-req's for the program. I will be taking my Microbiology this coming Fall Semester.
In my school, the courses evaluated for competitive admissions are BIOL 2113/Lab and Lecture Anatomy and Physiology I, PSYCH 1101 Introductory to Psych, MATH 1111 College Algebra, and ENGL 1101 Composition and Rhetoric. From what I was told, if you make a "B" in BIOL, you are not going to get admitted to the program. So, it's best to retake it once you learned that you got a "B" because my school will take the highest grade. Before I enrolled for the ASN, I really had to make sure that overall GPA is not calculated to get in the program. They guaranteed that only the 4 courses that will be evaluated to get in the program.
When all this work out, and with God's grace and prayers, I will be in the program by Spring 2018 :)
@jdskaggs88 By the way, do you mind telling me what you used to study for the HESI A2? I bought HESI book, and also some online resources. Your HESI result for each tests are really good!
Hello :) I will be taking my HESI A2 next month ( July 13 ), and I really hope and Pray that I will be accepted into the program.
I was a college undergrad about 14 yrs ago ( Philippines ), and didn't really do well ( all C's in the class ). When I came here to the US almost 9 yrs ago (petitioned by my US Citizen husband), I realized that it was hard to get a job that can sustain a family. My husband was the only one working, and as family grows, the income is not enough anymore. I worked, and tried to help him. Applied to different places, but unfortunately, since I don't have any working experience, it was hard for me to get a job.
So, I decided to go back to school, but prior to this decision, I thought about it thoroughly. I want to go to school for something that I really love to do. Something that I'm passionate with. That is when I decided that I want to be a nurse. So I applied for ASN (Associates of Science in Nursing). Took care of all neccessary requirements including my transcript from the Philippines. I started last year in the Fall Semester, and so far, I got all A's on the pre-req's for the program. I will be taking my Microbiology this coming Fall Semester.
In my school, the courses evaluated for competitive admissions are BIOL 2113/Lab and Lecture Anatomy and Physiology I, PSYCH 1101 Introductory to Psych, MATH 1111 College Algebra, and ENGL 1101 Composition and Rhetoric. From what I was told, if you make a "B" in BIOL, you are not going to get admitted to the program. So, it's best to retake it once you learned that you got a "B" because my school will take the highest grade. Before I enrolled for the ASN, I really had to make sure that overall GPA is not calculated to get in the program. They guaranteed that only the 4 courses that will be evaluated to get in the program.
When all this work out, and with God's grace and prayers, I will be in the program by Spring 2018 :)
@jdskaggs88 By the way, do you mind telling me what you used to study for the HESI A2? I bought HESI book, and also some online resources. Your HESI result for each tests are really good!
Hi! Welcome to the forum! :)
Yes, of course. I bought the Elsevier book. You can buy it on the website or on amazon. There is a new edition out that is really helpful. I would say that the reading, math, grammar and vocab are all really similar to what you will be expected to know for the test. I would just suggest brushing up on A&P because the book only skims the surface on what you need to know. I think the questions I missed were the questions that were more specific. I hadn't taken A&P for a year and a half so a lot of the information I forgot. I hope this helps!
Hey, guys. By any chance, is the following thread referring to the same program as this one? https://allnurses.com/online-nursing-schools/ut-health-pacesetter-1093908.html (Search: "UT Health Pacesetter BSN Spring 2018"). Also, I can't remember if someone answered this question previously, but if we already submitted transcripts for a previous application cycle, do we have to resubmit them again? Thanks!
Hey, guys. By any chance, is the following thread referring to the same program as this one? https://allnurses.com/online-nursing-schools/ut-health-pacesetter-1093908.html (Search: "UT Health Pacesetter BSN Spring 2018"). Also, I can't remember if someone answered this question previously, but if we already submitted transcripts for a previous application cycle, do we have to resubmit them again? Thanks!
No on the transcripts. Once they have them you're fine unless you've taken additional classes since the last time you submitted them.
Hey, guys. By any chance, is the following thread referring to the same program as this one? https://allnurses.com/online-nursing-schools/ut-health-pacesetter-1093908.html (Search: "UT Health Pacesetter BSN Spring 2018"). Also, I can't remember if someone answered this question previously, but if we already submitted transcripts for a previous application cycle, do we have to resubmit them again? Thanks!
Yes! They are both the same. I know people from the last application cycle have been using this one because we were all following one another pretty closely and discussing stats and stuff. But I am sure posting on either or works! :)
Yes! They are both the same. I know people from the last application cycle have been using this one because we were all following one another pretty closely and discussing stats and stuff. But I am sure posting on either or works! :)
Ok awesome. I just happened to run across the other one when I was looking for this one. I'll keep posting on this one though, since we've already gotten cozy here lol. Sooo... I finally submitted my application last week. Here we go! I just need to submit one more transcript after I finish this last class. For Fall 2017, I still had AP2 lecture and lab pending. So hopefully, those grades can give my app a boost this time around. Who knows?!
I'm hoping to guarantee a Spring 2018 start for my nursing career, so I started my NursingCAS apps to TWU and UH also. I'll be taking my TEAS mid-July for those. I'm also retaking microbio in Summer 2 for a few ADN programs also (not kidding about starting in Spring 2018!) since I took it over 5 years ago. It's funny how these ADN progroms put an expiration date on those courses, but these BSN programs don't. Where is everyone else applying besides UTHealth?
nrvhy, BSN
64 Posts
I feel a little stuck in the same rut at the moment. But like you, @jdskaggs88, I really want to get rooted in the medical field because of both stability and passion, so I have a little more patience and drive to try a few more times (if I have to). Plus, this will only be my second time applying to nursing school. I have a ridiculous amount of college hours accumulated since '05 -- I think over 200! I always imagine admissions glancing at all my transcripts from 4 different colleges and scoffing and shaking their heads in dismay LOL. I also have a BS in Psychology from UH, and I almost continued with a masters in counseling until I realized that it was something I really didn't want to do. I also get those "I could have been a [insert profession here] by now," but I have to remind myself that these years weren't so much of a waste since I spent it growing and raising a family. Now that the time is right, I've decided to take this route, but I'm crossing my fingers and praying it won't take too long since so much precious time has already gone by. I can tell you it's definitely reassuring and comforting to know that I'm not completely alone in this!