University of Texas (Houston)

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2008

Did you ever get a letter for an interview? It seems that many people are talking about getting letters for interviews in the past 3 weeks so I'm getting a little worried because I've received nothing. I have been checking online everyday and it still says "Pending status will be updated upon admissions committee decision". Is this what yours said? What does it actually say once you are accepted?
What semester are you in now and is it as hard as they say?

Yes, I got a letter for an interview. I had the interview, which was a very basic interview, then had to wait for a letter of acceptance. While I was waiting for an acceptance letter, I happened to check my status online and is said something like "conditional acceptance" or something like that. It means you're accepted, but not officially until you hand in all or your paperwork and get CPR certified, etc.

I did not think I was going to get accepted because I did not get accepted the year before, but I did. So, do not give up. If you do not get in, call and tell the school that you want to renew your application for next year. I asked them to renew my application and then, honestly, I forgot about it. So, you can imagine how stunned I was when I received an interview letter the following year! :eek: I interviewed, then forgot about it because I had been accepted to another program (but not my first choice). One day, I thought....."Oh, for the heck of it, I'm going to go online and see what it says about my acceptance status." It had changed to accepted. Again, I was stunned. :yeah:

As for school being hard. It is alot of work, but doable. You have to be willing to give up most of your social life, etc. You have to want your degree more than anything, because it gets very stressful. Especially, the second semester. It is kicking my behind, but I keep telling myself....after this semester.....I'm a senior baby!! One year to go!!

Good luck and feel free to ask questions. I have seen people coming in to interview and I think about how scared I was when I interviewed.

debramccord · Feb 15, 2008

Thanks for helping me understand the process. I did apply last year but failed to take the NET test in time so I got a rejection letter. I am so much older than most applying so I hope my age will not be a factor. I noticed you were 41 but I'm 47 so you can see that the more time I have to wait the less time I get to do what I really have always wanted to do and thats be a nurse to the elderly. I love old people. I have taken all the pre-reqs and am even taking two of them over this semester while I wait to boost my GPA to 3.7. Not sure if I have to wait until January 2009 what I'll do with myself. I read where you applied to HCC ADN program. Maybe I can do that because they won't let you take Pharmacology if you are not accepted into their ADN program. At least I can get some knowledge in the nursing industry while I wait. I just have too many hours accumulated already to settle for ADN. The unfortunate part also is I'm a single parent and have a full time job that pays well so I can't really afford to take huge cut to work in the medical industry unless I can bring home close to the same pay. Any suggestions?

alicia09 · Feb 15, 2008

hello Becca,

You mentioned that you applied for accelerated program, I am thinking of applying to the accelerated program as well. I have BS in Biology, but my GPA isnt that great, so wasnt too sure if UT will accept me. I do have substantial work experience working as a CNA and with DD. How much of a factor would the low GPA be in a selection criteria? do you know any other schools that is not so competitive for accelerated programs in Dallas area or Houston area?

Becca76 · Feb 15, 2008

Alicia - Well, I def. don't consider myself an expert since I don't even know if I've been accepted, but I can tell you what I've heard. I would def. apply b/c your work experience would count in a big way. I'm sure GPA is important but they also want to be sure that you are committed 100% to finishing the program, and if you have medical field work experience, you've got the background to know that you enjoy the field. Also, they mentioned that prereq's can be taken anywhere, but they do like to see university credits (rather than just comm. college).....maybe that'll help. The only other acclelerated program I've heard of in HOuston is TWU, and I think GPA is SUPER important for admittance there. Best of luck to you! Let us know what you decide!

alicia09 · Feb 15, 2008

Thanks for the reply Becca. I sure will look further into UTH accelerated program. I think I missed the deadline for this Fall, think it was on Feb 1.I will still need to take A&P I and II, and also History and Political science pre-req required in Texas, so am shooting for next academic year ( hopefully).

Would it be a good idea to get the ADN degree in a community college and then go for the MSN later on? The tuition will be lot cheaper that way, and I am assuming lower GPA will not affect much as CCs are less competitive??).Any good ADN programs in Houston area? For some reason, I dont seem to find any community college that offers ADN program in Houston.

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2008

Thanks for helping me understand the process. I did apply last year but failed to take the NET test in time so I got a rejection letter. I am so much older than most applying so I hope my age will not be a factor. I noticed you were 41 but I'm 47 so you can see that the more time I have to wait the less time I get to do what I really have always wanted to do and thats be a nurse to the elderly. I love old people. I have taken all the pre-reqs and am even taking two of them over this semester while I wait to boost my GPA to 3.7. Not sure if I have to wait until January 2009 what I'll do with myself. I read where you applied to HCC ADN program. Maybe I can do that because they won't let you take Pharmacology if you are not accepted into their ADN program. At least I can get some knowledge in the nursing industry while I wait. I just have too many hours accumulated already to settle for ADN. The unfortunate part also is I'm a single parent and have a full time job that pays well so I can't really afford to take huge cut to work in the medical industry unless I can bring home close to the same pay. Any suggestions?

My sister-in-law is in the same boat. She wants to be a nurse; however, she's been working at the same place for many years so she would take a slight paycut as a new grad nurse. In her situation she has no where to advance to really and there isn't a chance to explore subspecialties, etc. You have to do what is best for you.

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2008

hello Becca,
You mentioned that you applied for accelerated program, I am thinking of applying to the accelerated program as well. I have BS in Biology, but my GPA isnt that great, so wasnt too sure if UT will accept me. I do have substantial work experience working as a CNA and with DD. How much of a factor would the low GPA be in a selection criteria? do you know any other schools that is not so competitive for accelerated programs in Dallas area or Houston area?

They are all very competitive. EVEN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES. Especially the Bacc2 program. When I finished my prerequisets, I litterally applied to every school in the area and waited to see who called me. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.

Here's an example of how competitive it is: When I applied to UT, they had around 1000+ applications, but only 120 openings. You have to really plan and apply to all of the schools you can.

ballerbooboo · Feb 28, 2008

hey i was wondering if anyone at ut Houston or anybody know from previous history if ut houston nursing accept any transfer nursing credits. I'm currently at UThsc in sa in my first semester and I recently got an interview at ut houston again. I got interviewed last fall 07 but did get a spot so i went ahead and applied for uthscsa and got it. Now Ut houston sent me a interview letter so i was thinking i would go if they accept transfer nursing credits. So i was wondering if anyone got any information about it. I would love to moved back home to houston and go to ut houston because I REALLY WANTED TO GO THERE BC IT WAS MY FIRST AND ONLY OPTION I WANTED. Hopefully someone can get me some information because there no point in me transfering at all if my nursing credits dont transfer at all.

BrittRN2b · Feb 28, 2008

hey i was wondering if anyone at ut Houston or anybody know from previous history if ut houston nursing accept any transfer nursing credits. I'm currently at UThsc in sa in my first semester and I recently got an interview at ut houston again. I got interviewed last fall 07 but did get a spot so i went ahead and applied for uthscsa and got it. Now Ut houston sent me a interview letter so i was thinking i would go if they accept transfer nursing credits. So i was wondering if anyone got any information about it. I would love to moved back home to houston and go to ut houston because I REALLY WANTED TO GO THERE BC IT WAS MY FIRST AND ONLY OPTION I WANTED. Hopefully someone can get me some information because there no point in me transfering at all if my nursing credits dont transfer at all.

The only way to get accurate answers to whether they will accept transfer credits is to call the registrar or admissions office. I think I read on their website they will evaluate your nursing courses on a case by case basis, but that could be wrong. I've learned the hard way not to ask these kinds of questions on a message board as people frequently have incorrect information even though they mean well. UT has really nice staff and each time I've called I've been able to get answers fairly easily. Good luck!

debramccord · Feb 28, 2008

I'm still patiently waiting for a letter in the mail for an interview. I've heard through the grapevine that several people that have applied for the Fall 2008 BSN program have received letters to come in for an interview. I'm hoping they are going alphabetically and they just haven't gotten to my last name yet. I know that one of the girls they called in had a much lower GPA than I did so I just don't get it. Her NET score was better than mine so maybe they really do go by NET scores even though in the information session they said they don't but they just want to make sure you have taken the test.

Is anyone else out there still waiting?

BrittRN2b · Feb 28, 2008

I've also heard from previous students that they don't really put much weight into the NET scores. My guess is that they basically use it to weed out those who may have a really high GPA but severely low NET.

Studies have shown that a higher reading score in the NET correlates to success in nursing school since there is so much reading, especially in the accelerated program. Don't give up hope - it takes a long time for them to do all the interviews and I bet they are still calling people.

I'm in the same boat as you but I'm waiting for an interview call for the UTMB 2 year program.

Has anyone else begun to stalk the mail person? :)

ballerbooboo · Feb 28, 2008

thanks brittn..

I'll do that and also you think by being in a nursing program already will hurt my chance of getting into ut houston. I've called and one girl that picked for the admission counselour told me it would defintitely help in a positive way in my admission if i mention that im in a nursing program already but i have to be making decent passing grade which i am currently am. BUt for some reason, i think its not gonna be an advantage if im in a nursing program already. They might say why should we accept this student when they in a program already. So i was wondering if anyone know being a program will hurt your chance of transfering or help it? Thanks hope someone can help me.