University of South Alabama

mdferit · Mar 13, 2009

Hey Man,

Yeah sorry to say but that's all they look at but here's the deal: they only look at your 'pre-req' gpa. My overall when I applied last year was like a 3.15, BUT, when the counselor (her name is ***** *****, or ***** something like that) calculated my pre-req gpa in - the requirements list is on the requirement sheet that you can get on the usa school of nursing site - my gpa came out to like ~3.3-3.4. So here's the deal: there's about 400-450 people that apply for the fall for about 90-100 spots (60 at Mobile campus and 40 at Fairhope), so anything under a 3.2 -3.3 pre-req gpa would be a longshot, so don't do what I did - and make sure you apply to more schools than just South. Give yourself a better shot at being accepted and make sure that you check the box on the 15 page application that says you are willing to attend the Baldwin County campus in fairhope (25 minutes away) if you don't get accepted to the Mobile campus - I'm not kidding, I may not have been accepted had I not checked that box. I BARELY got in. Gotta say though, I really wish I would have went to another BSN program though, these people really don't care about students. Not to be a drag though. Oh, you need to make sure you see ***** to get her to certify your admissions counseling pre-req gpa, and if it's under a 3.1 or so, save yourself the 50 bucks adm fee. Good luck.

markuskristian · Apr 1, 2009

When you say they don't care about the students, do you just mean on the basis that it's a big college? I've heard the same thing about going to UAB. When I apply, my gpa will probably only be about 3.3 MAYBE 3.4. I will also have volunteer hospital experience? Do they allow a cover letter with your resume? I can't lie, I'm pretty concerned now thinking that South will be a crappy experience. I've sort of had my heart set on the place.

mdferit · Jun 7, 2009

Hey

They don't care about students on the basis that they don't care about students, other schools I've heard have much friendlier/helpful instructors. The faculty are almost bent on giving C's in clinical. Any nursing school is going to be difficult, but I could fill this email up with examples of the way that their faculty go out of their way to make things more difficult. (No one in the past 6 years has graduated with a Nursing 4.0 - and that's graduating 3 classes (fall/spring/summer) per year, and lot's of students start the program with a 4.0) I'm not joking, it's just pre-requesite gpa that matters, that is all...not letters of recomendation, not work experience, not anything. Also, you don't do a resume, pull up the application online. Good luck guys

anya16 · Jun 9, 2009

hello,

i agree with mdferit. i would not tell anyone to go to this school including my worst enemy. i moved out of state to attend this school in 2006 and i regret going there to this day. the teachers really don't care about the students at all. back then, the teachers wouldn't teach. they would read off the powerpoint slides word for word everyday. that is something that could be done at home not come to school to heard something verbatim. and don't even bother asking for help. i have so many horror stories to tell about this school including the dorms at the mobile campus. so if this school is the same as it was back in 2006, then look elsewhere and save your time and money because it's not worth it. :nono:

prereqheq · Jul 10, 2009

You're lucky you got to talk to ***** -- I emailed her twice and called 3 times -- never heard back from her. It was some student asst. who called me back and then only to tell me I was rejected for the accel. prog. (they never sent me a letter and it was a month before the prog. was supposed to start!).

markuskristian · Jul 11, 2009

You're lucky you got to talk to ***** -- I emailed her twice and called 3 times -- never heard back from her. It was some student asst. who called me back and then only to tell me I was rejected for the accel. prog. (they never sent me a letter and it was a month before the prog. was supposed to start!).

That's odd, over this summer, I've spoke with ***** over the phone twice and also twice in email. She seems quite available... but again, this is summer.

Well, I'm now locked in at South (more or less). I'm signing a lease on an apart. and new job in one week. I finally stopped stressing about trying to get through college ASAP... so I'll make do. ******* professors or not, I've heard from a few people in management at the hospital system here that a degree from South is quite formidable. Plus, as of August, they have one of the largest and most advanced nursing facilities in the country

shortlittleRN · Aug 11, 2009

, I've heard from a few people in management at the hospial system here that a degree from South is quite formidable. Plus, as of August, they have one of the largest and most advanced nursing facilities in the country

Well, I'm glad to hear that. I graduated in the accelerated program at end of 07 and currently in the FNP clinical portion this fall. I was told by my instructor that South has the 2nd best accelerated program in the country, though I can't confirm it on the net anywhere. I had a 4.0 coming in, and left with a 3.2. Favoritism is played heavily in clinical, so be careful. The instructors decide early on who is going to get A's and who is getting B's, C's. Sucks... I know but I hear that is the norm in nursing school. So welcome to your first experience to 'nurses eat their youngs' adage.

Needless to say, if you get accepted to the accelerated program, it is better than their traditional program. My instructors by far, were definitely of higher caliber. They really teach you. Furthermore, 5 classes are bridging master courses that are transferable to all the MSN programs. Thus, you will be able to knock off 2 semesters with any MSN programs if you chose to continue your education further.

imwilson · Dec 4, 2009

Hi ShortlittleRN! Im starting the accelerated program in January. Any advice? Any books or materials for sale? (or do you know of anywhere I can get them for a cheaper price?)

andpentons · Dec 4, 2009

I graduated from South in 2007. They mainly look at GPA and if you have failed/re-taken any classes etc. Tuff school but great education. I can say that I was very advanced as to some other new nurses. Good Luck.

usagirl · Apr 23, 2010

What nursing school would you all recommend in the Mobile, AL area?? I have heard the same things about USA.

Grow_a_Soul · May 2, 2010

I am a 2005 USA grad and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. I have a good friend who actually went to Faulker State in its infancy for an ADN and she seemed so much more prepared and confident as a new nurse. Of course on a resume' BSN wins every time. Im just saying.....

My main complaint was that they seemed to focus much more on students passing boards than on students learning any real nursing skills. I dont know how that stacks up to other nursing programs but I do know every single person I kept up with in my class passed boards the first time.

Nonetheless, Good luck to you!