Texas Tech 2nd degree BSN program 2015

duffel0521 · Jun 23, 2014

Hi, I just found this thread. I'm applying to the Austin program too - just took my TEAS V yesterday, apart from that my application is complete and submitted. I've been looking at the other threads and am starting to wonder exactly how tough this program is to get into - @kaseyroo do you have any insight as to what value they place on work experience, research, volunteering, TEAS scores or an advanced degree? I feel like my undergrad GPA is lower than most who have talked about getting accepted. Thanks.

Flyonn · Jun 23, 2014

Hi everyone. I'm currently in the Dallas cohort and used allnurses quite a bit during my application process so I figured I'd try to give back a little. I haven't read through all the posts, but from what I did read, Kasey seems to be doing a great job answering your questions.

Just a bit about what my application looked like since I'm sure many of you are interested in that.

-3.2 overall GPA, 3.6ish in sciences.

-94ish on TEAS V

-No clinical experience other than what I had earning my CNA certificate.

- 9 years experience in multi-unit restaurant management (nearly all the faculty I've spoken with love people with restaurant experience because it's in the service industry)

-3 of my prereqs hadn't been completed by application due date (patho, texas history, nutrition)

The Dallas cohort is new this year. We only have 10 students right now but next year they are increasing it to 15. Within the next few years their goal is to have 40 students. The clinicals are all done at Dallas Presbyterian and done on either a med-surg floor or an ortho floor (other than our specialty rotations like OB, mental health, etc). From what I've gathered from being in the program, Austin seems to offer a more diverse set of choices for where to complete your rotations (ICU, step down units, cardio, etc) which is pretty cool. The neat thing about Dallas is that we don't have to do any night rotations. All of ours are day shifts (7a-7p) which, if you're like me and have kids, I think is a huge benefit.

That's it for now. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best at responding.

kaseyroo · Jun 24, 2014

@duffel0521- This is my own personal sneaking suspicion that hasn't been backed up yet, but I have reasons to believe that they barely even look at your first degree's overall GPA as long as it is over the minimum requirement of a 3.0. They are more concerned with your pre-requisite GPA, which includes all of your science courses. My cohort's average pre-requisite GPA was a 3.5 and TEAS V score was an 80%. I would say that those are good numbers to shoot for. In terms of your clinical experience, if you have it, it will greatly increase your chances of getting into the program and being successful in the program. There are a handful of people like @Flyonn who don't have any clinical experience and are doing well, but they are just not as common. Usually, those individuals either had really good grades, went to Texas Tech for their first degree, or saved a village in Africa. Ha, kidding. But you catch my drift.

@Flyonn, it's good to see you on here. I remember you from our last thread! And yes, all of our faculty here love people who have been in the restaurant biz too. Hope all is well. :)

Please don't hesitate to ask questions. We remember what the admissions process was like. I just finished three 12's in a row, so I'm enjoying a day off. :)

hopefulprayers1 · Jun 26, 2014

Im wanting to apply to for the next application cycle next year. How important is it to have all of your sciences completed by the app deadline? I believe i will have 4/5 sciences completed. And do all the science courses need a b or better?

Flyonn · Jun 27, 2014

Hopeful, I can't say for sure how the admissions team views the importance of having the prereqs completed, but I can tell you that of the 10 Dallas students, at least 3 of us (myself included) did not have all of them completed by the application deadline. Hope that helps.

hopefulprayers1 · Jun 27, 2014

Yes it does thank you!

kaseyroo · Jul 1, 2014

@hopefulprayers1,

I didn't have physiology done before the application deadline. I mean, physiology! That's a super important class in the list of pre-requisites. I still got in! Having your courses completed will given you an advantage, but it will not make or break you.

hopefulprayers1 · Jul 1, 2014

Ok thanks!

misslo84 · Jul 3, 2014

Does anyone know when they'll be sending out interview invites? Based on previous threads I'm hoping to hear sometime in August, given interviews are around September, but I'm still not sure when the cutoff is. I have all but two prerequisites finished. I just completed my CNA class and am waiting to test. Definitely on pins and needles, but I know there is nothing more to do at this point. Is anyone applying to the A&M program too?

hopefulprayers1 · Jul 5, 2014

Does anyone know the total of tuition and fees for the program? I was researching and found nothing except to call the school.Thanks

Flyonn · Jul 6, 2014

Hopeful, tuition and fees are about 7,000-8,000 per semester, so around 21-24k total. Again, that's just tuition and fees; it does not include room and board, transportation, etc.

hopefulprayers1 · Jul 6, 2014

Thanks. If you dont mind me asking. What does everyone use for financial assistance? Do they take out private loans or just use federal loans?