Tips for getting into CSULB's BSN program

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I figure this would be helpful for current and future applicants for CSULB's BSN program. I am currently applying for the program for spring '10, and I wish to share with you some of the tips I have done to boost my chances of getting in. Please, feel free to share your tips for future applicants--and myself. :up: Special Thanks to, manongpatrick ,your advice will help raise my overall points to 9.34.

1. They do not consider your overall gpa for the BSN program. I took a lot of extra classes that I did not need to take in order to raise my overall GPA because i thought that "GE" GPA mean overall GPA. Ge GPA is just your core general prerequisite classes. (Critical thinking, Oral Communications, Quantitative Reasoning, College Composition. If you got lower than an A letter grade in any one of these categories, it might be a good idea to take another class to replace the lower grade in the same category. For example, if you got a C letter grade in Public Speaking ( Oral Communications) you can take another class in the Oral Communications category to replace Public speaking.

Here are the articulate GE classes that CSULB accepts. If you do bad in one class, just replace it for another--easy! clip_image001.gif

Quantitative Reasoning: Mathematics 103, 108, 109, 112, 114, 115, 117, 119A, 122, 123, & Mathematics Education 110

Oral Communication: Communication Studies 110, 130, 132, 171, 335, 441I

College Composition: Asian American Studies 100, Black Studies 100, Chicano & Latino Studies 104, English 100

Critical Thinking: Asian Studies 190, Black Studies 150, Communication Studies 131, 131W, ETEC 171, English 102, Comparative World Literature 161, CECS 100, History 101, Philosophy 170, Political Science 105, Psychology 130, University Honors Program 100

FYI: These classes cannot be in progress when you apply, so get them out of the way first

2. Get good grades in your science prerequisite classes. Considering that CSULB allocates 4 points (out of 10) solely on your science GPA, it is a good idea to study extra hard on these classes.

3. Do not take the Teas Test blindly. Remember, if you fail to prepare, then you plan to fail. You can find study questions off of the Teas Here is the website: http://www.testprepreview.com/teas_practice.htm

You can also purchase the Teas study guide book on amazon.com. Take the Exam early, so if you do not do well, you can retake the exam.

4. Take Pharm and Patho in advance if you can. I'll be taking it at Goldenwest this summer.

Good luck everyone! :D

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Thanks for the tips! I was unsure that taking another foundation class could replace a grade. Used to think that the new grade would only get factored into the GPA alongside the old grade. Good to know that a B can be replaced with an A by taking another class in the same category :D

Your overall points is very impressive! I'm also planning on applying for Spring '10. I hope to raise my current 8.697 to at least a 9 if not more (the more the better of course, lol).

Btw, do you know of any other colleges in the area that are offering Pharm and Patho?

And I agree, manongpatrick has been a BIG help (and so have you) :)

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No i do not know if any other schools other than Goldenwest Colllege that offer Patho and Pharm. However, i think assist.org may be of some use in finding the articulated nursing classes that would be transferable for csulb.

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Thanks again.

Just wondering, are you taking both Pharm and Patho? Or just Patho? And if you're just taking Pharmacology, did you already take Pathophysiology (or vice versa)?

My mom (a nurse) suggested I take Patho first...but do you know if it really makes a big difference to do that?

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I would take your mom's advice and take patho first in order to understand how the medications work on your body.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

fyi: the patho and pharm classes at GWC are taught by the same (and only) instructor. i took pharm and it's a very general course; you won't be at a disadvantage if you took patho without pharm.

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fyi: the patho and pharm classes at GWC are taught by the same (and only) instructor. i took pharm and it's a very general course; you won't be at a disadvantage if you took patho without pharm.

Thanks for the info. Just wondering...I went to assist.org (for CSULB and GWC), and I saw that Pharm from GWC counts for CSULB, but I did not see anything on Patho. Why can't I find it?

As of now Pharm is my only option to take over the summer since the school that I'll be going to only offers that in the summer (I checked other schools, too...only found a few that are offering Pharm). I'd really want to do Patho first, especially since it has been recommended to do so before Pharm. So I may have to just take those two classes in the nursing program.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
Thanks for the info. Just wondering...I went to assist.org (for CSULB and GWC), and I saw that Pharm from GWC counts for CSULB, but I did not see anything on Patho. Why can't I find it?

Double check with CSULB about pharm because assist.org says that pharm was under review for Fall '08. Don't take it if it's going to be worthless to your transfer credits or useless once you get there. The generic BSN includes pharm and patho (which probably explains why it doesn't articulate from GWC to CSULB).

As of now Pharm is my only option to take over the summer since the school that I'll be going to only offers that in the summer (I checked other schools, too...only found a few that are offering Pharm). I'd really want to do Patho first, especially since it has been recommended to do so before Pharm. So I may have to just take those two classes in the nursing program.

You should do it in whatever order you like but having done pharm last semester I can tell you there is NOTHING about the class that you need to know disease process in order to have any idea what you're learning. A general survey of anatomy and physiology knowledge for this particular class is enough. If you take it during Fall/Spring, it's one night a week for about 1.5 hours that basically reviews what you're learning on your own from her lectures online on your own time. There isn't even a pharm book, it's a spiral bound book of lecture notes from a previous instructor in the department. You need the online lecture and the one night class to put it together. You can sleep through it and get an A as long as you don't majorly screw up a test.

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You should do it in whatever order you like but having done pharm last semester I can tell you there is NOTHING about the class that you need to know disease process in order to have any idea what you're learning. A general survey of anatomy and physiology knowledge for this particular class is enough. If you take it during Fall/Spring, it's one night a week for about 1.5 hours that basically reviews what you're learning on your own from her lectures online on your own time. There isn't even a pharm book, it's a spiral bound book of lecture notes from a previous instructor in the department. You need the online lecture and the one night class to put it together. You can sleep through it and get an A as long as you don't majorly screw up a test.

Thank you, you've been very helpful! :)

I'll go talk to the department first, but I plan on taking the class this summer or fall.

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How do you calculate your overall points? Such as Daitrong said his/her overall points was 9.34...

Kind regards!

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