Tired of the wait... considering the private school route

U.S.A. Arizona

Published

Hello Board,

As you can see, this is my first post on this board. I've learned quite a bit from reading this board the past few months... so I thought that I would ask for some advice.

I am a former paramedic, have my BS in Psych/Bio, have all of my prereqs, and have been on the waiting list for an MCC program for about six months. I've considered the Banner program and have been to the info session... but it really doesn't seem like something I want to do.

After reading this board, I'm convinced that I'm going to be waiting another year at least before I get in. So now I'm considering the private route. Of course, the money is an issue but not working at that salary point for another year or more is an even bigger issue. I do realize the predatory nature of these schools and also of their subpar reputations... but I'm still going to look into them.

For the most part, I've ruled out EBSN from reading this board alone... but any comments are still welcome. I spoke with PIMA on the phone a few weeks ago and literally laughed out loud when they told me the tuition... so they're out also.

So, I'm down to Everest and Apollo. I haven't yet been to either one of these schools but will probably go in the next week. At least Everest would talk with me on the phone and give me details about the program. With Apollo, I haven't been able to get anything from them... it seems you have to go to their info session before they'll give you any info.

So, I turn to this board for advice... Apollo vs Everest?... can anyone compare/contrast these two schools for me???

thanks for reading...

massage,

it sounds like we have a difference of opinion about some things... but that's ok... i still appreciate the info.

- can you answer a few questions about this program?

- I'm unclear, are you in the Apollo program or just work there?

- You mentioned with pre-reqs a student could transfer into block 3?... how many more blocks are there?

- and the cost of this would be around 23k?

- do they accept the NET that most of us have taken or do they require us to take the HESI?

- what about schedule for class and clinicals???

and anything else you could add would be great... depending on the answers, this may be a viable option.

thanks for the replies...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey Boru,

No I don't teach nursing, Massage Therapy actually. I don't tell people where I work, but I am not in that program, just looked into it. If I remember correctly there are 5 or 6 blocks, its a 2 year full time program (I think, its been awhile). Yes, if you skip taking their pre-reqs then the cost is $23k (this was as of last Sept when I checked them out). They tell you to be available from 6a to 6p as clinical rotations change. Because they aren't a traditional school, all the trade schools get the "leftovers" of choices of clinical locations. There is a link this board somewhere where you can see the sites and times for each location and block. They use 2 tests. The first I can't remember the name, but its education related, making sure that you are ready to be a student, its not nursing specific. The other is the NET, you can use your test taken at any location. The 1st test qualifies you to apply and the NET score is used for placement. You can pay for and take the NET as many times as you want. I would highly recommend going to the info session. I think they start another block in March or July.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hey Boru,

No I don't teach nursing, Massage Therapy actually. I don't tell people where I work, but I am not in that program, just looked into it. If I remember correctly there are 5 or 6 blocks, its a 2 year full time program (I think, its been awhile). Yes, if you skip taking their pre-reqs then the cost is $23k (this was as of last Sept when I checked them out). They tell you to be available from 6a to 6p as clinical rotations change. Because they aren't a traditional school, all the trade schools get the "leftovers" of choices of clinical locations. There is a link this board somewhere where you can see the sites and times for each location and block. They use 2 tests. The first I can't remember the name, but its education related, making sure that you are ready to be a student, its not nursing specific. The other is the NET, you can use your test taken at any location. The 1st test qualifies you to apply and the NET score is used for placement. You can pay for and take the NET as many times as you want. I would highly recommend going to the info session. I think they start another block in March or July.

Massage,

Are you considering Apollo yourself? I know my girlfriend's husband works at ASU and that is her first choice with the tuition being free. Does Apollo offer tuition discounts for their employees? Thanks for your reply.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, I am trying for ASU, or the Banner program. I don't know about employees.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Boru,

I would say Everest is a better choice than any of the other private schools out there at the moment. Why you may ask? They are accreditated by HLC, Higher Learning Commission, regional accreditation. ASU is also accredited by HLC. Everest is the only private school right now in AZ to be regionally accredited. This means your credits have more opportunities to transfer than to just UofP. The director of the Everest program is very professional and genuine. I met with her personally and she impressed me a lot. She started up and used to be the director of the Pima program and as you can research they have a high pass rate of 90% and above for all their graduating classes thus far. They tell you to be flexible with your schedule but their classes are not Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. The director wants most classes to be held in the mornings. Its true that clinicals may be anytime, nights/weekends, etc. but thats what happens with all the schools competing for clinical space. I am currently on the Maricopa waiting list but am considering Everest. Right now they are a well kept secret but soon they will have a waiting list just like the rest of the schools. Plus they have a clinical contract with Banner hospital which most private schools do not have. I hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Military,

great post!... and after my research, I believe I agree with you. I actually was at apollo on tues and I have crossed them off of my list. The class schedule info you have is interesting... are you sure about most classes will be in the morning?

I only talked with a "sales" person there and not the director... she didn't have a lot of answers to my questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Boru,

I spoke with the director at Everest and she understands how it is to be in school all day long. She wants classes to be in the morning only with lab skills practice in the afternoon if need be. Or she would like classes to be limited to only a couple days a week, say Tuesday & Thursday for most all day. Either way works pretty nice. I would rather have 2 full days of classes then have to come everyday.

Also, I took the HESI entrance test for another school and it is easy. They have a HESI study guide you can get online for like $30 and I highly recommend it. I studied it a lot and I passed the HESI exam easily. It is just basic algebra, reading, grammar, and vocabulary.

I hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Boru,

I spoke with the director at Everest and she understands how it is to be in school all day long. She wants classes to be in the morning only with lab skills practice in the afternoon if need be. Or she would like classes to be limited to only a couple days a week, say Tuesday & Thursday for most all day. Either way works pretty nice. I would rather have 2 full days of classes then have to come everyday.

Also, I took the HESI entrance test for another school and it is easy. They have a HESI study guide you can get online for like $30 and I highly recommend it. I studied it a lot and I passed the HESI exam easily. It is just basic algebra, reading, grammar, and vocabulary.

I hope this helps!

Quick question. Did they say how many classes they are enrolling each year? Thanks for the information.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

knit1,

again, I only talked with the admission person, not the director like military did but they told me 2 per year... I may post a inquiry thread for the Everest students to see if we can get some straight answers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Boru,

They are enrolling two classes per year, in July and again in October!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Boru,

They are enrolling two classes per year, in July and again in October!

This first class however, began this month I believe. But, it will be two classes a year from here on out. I really like this school and once my little one gets into kindergarten, Im strongly considering this option! Hope the wait won't be too long then.......

Militarywife.....can you elaborate on the HESI? PM me if you'd like......

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Boru,

They are enrolling two classes per year, in July and again in October!

Were you able to get the classes for the 1st and 2nd blocks? I was only able to get the information on yes the CC's classes transfer over, but which ones was not answered.

Thanks for your reply.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment