This thread is dedicated to the applicants of UT Houston's Spring 2012 application period. I've seen various threads posted throughout the discussion forum regarding the upcoming application period, but they are scattered and hard to keep track of. Maybe if we keep our discussion in one place it will be easier for us all to follow :)
I'm applying with the following stats:
Pre-req GPA: 3.21
Science GPA: 3.66
Overall GPA: 2.81
I know my chances of getting in aren't great with my overall GPA, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed anyway! Please post your stats, your thoughts, your experiences, ideas and opinions here:)
UTH sends your transcript evaluation automatically; you don't have to request it. I ended up getting 3 total:
#1- After I sent my 1st set of transcripts, while I was still taking classes. I found an error- they hadn't counted a prereq class for one of the requirements- so I called to to let them know.
#2- The corrected transcript evaluation
#3- After I completed my prereqs and sent in my final set of transcripts.
The transcript evaluation is so that you know what they're counting and not counting. If you see an error, contact them ASAP so you can get it straightened out.
Also, the transcript evaluation process and admissions process are entirely separate. Getting a transcript evaluation doesn't mean you're any closer to knowing whether you've been admitted.
Hi everyone! I'm applying for the spring 2012 semester program at UT Houston. Here are my stats:
Nursing/Science/Overall pre-reqs: 4.000
Hesi Scores: Overall- 92.63%
Math: 100%
Reading Comp: 89.13%
Vocab and General Knowledge: 92%
Grammar: 94%
Anatomy and Physiology: 88%
***Critical Thinking: 750
Learning Style: Kinesthetic/Global
Personality Style: Creative/Leader
The only score I'm worried about is my critical thinking score. I'm hoping that my 4.0 gpa, other HESI scores, having all pre-reqs completed, and my associates degree will cover that up someway though.
If anyone knows how big of an impact that the critical thinking score has on your chances of getting in, please let me know! I also read somewhere that they look at HESI scores first before GPA. If that is the case, does anyone think I have a reasonable chance of getting in?
Also, on my UTLink it says that they have received everything except for my academic transcripts. My application fee, HESI scores, TSI Test/Exempt Group have been received. It's just confusing because it also shows under the My Transcript section listed as saying "Trans has in-prog courses" and under the My Degrees section as saying "Complete and transcript received". Is the normal for everyone else?
Thanks to everyone for the help and I hope we all get in!
Your scores are great. Your GPAs are pretty awesome. I don't think you should even worry about it, you're gonna get in.
Thanks alot :) I wish the best of luck to you. I can tell that the people on this thread are really dedicated to becoming nurses and everyone is hungry to get in (including myself). I hope we all get in!
First of all, thank you rocket surgery. You provided such details and clarity. I know that you are probably really swamped with work right now so I really, really appreciate it -talk about passing it on!
By the way, you have probably improved my marriage too. In our household, despite my working from home and going to school full time and telling my husband that I would be gone a lot next semester, not much changed around here from when I was a stay-at-home mom. Yesterday, I showed my husband your posts and last night he, with a stunned expression, said, "You are going to be gone a lot. You have a lot on your plate already." Tonight, I came home from class to find the dishes done and him helping my oldest with geometry proofs (far worse than toilet cleaning to my mind). So, you have not only improved my life but our family's too (including the kids). Honestly, changes really needed to happen. Who would guess someone from the internet would do what no one else could? Thank you, thank you.
As for the transcript evaluation, I got one at the beginning of summer and e-mailed requesting credit for some classes that I had at Rice (Rice not being listed on that prereq sheet they give you at the information sessions). They e-mailed right back so I would guess that e-mail is the form they would like you to use with your questions. I haven't received a new transcript evaluation since. I imagine they are swamped so I'm trying not to bug them. I'm still nervous.
Anyone else compulsively checking their holds several times a day -even knowing that they won't get an answer before at least mid-October? I can't seem to help myself. A sign of addiction? Desperation (oh, yeah)?
My stats:
No health care experience, and spotty work history (that time as a stay-at-home mom). I do have some knowledge of health care law (EMTALA especially. However, there is no way you could get that from my application).
Also, my overall GPA is 3.6. Plus, I'm an attorney and they might worry that I don't want to actually be a working nurse. Some of my relatives can't believe it either, but I've dreamed of nothing else for the last decade. Yes, I want to practice - hands on, actual human contact. I want to feel that everyday I, if not making people better, have probably at least not make them worse. I'm not saying that I don't get to do that, but the cases are in the minority (and pro bono). In case of national disaster, I want to have some useful skills. Right now, when the hurricane is coming, I would be happy to write you a free will. Somehow, people don't find that comforting. My sister is on a DMAT team that goes to Haiti. I'm jealous. On a good day, I get to represent a child in state custody or a church that wants to open its playground to the public. Usually, I get involved in horizontal drilling contracts. Rant over.
On the other hand, nursing prereq of 3.92, Science of 4.o, HESEI composite of 95 (includes 92 in Bio & Chem), A&P of 100, Math of 98, and I graduated from UT Law. Do you think they will care that it is in the UT system?
I really think that I should have applied to other schools (Coleman, TWU), but they require micro before applying and I'm just now taking it. I took anatomy and nutrition since UT requires those before applying.
I'm trying to remain calm, but it is hard - as I imagine we are all finding it.
If anyone knows how big of an impact that the critical thinking score has on your chances of getting in, please let me know! I also read somewhere that they look at HESI scores first before GPA. If that is the case, does anyone think I have a reasonable chance of getting in?
I think you do. Obviously I'm not on the Admission committee, but all your other scores are pretty good. The main thing with critical thinking is they want to see what you're bringing to the table, so to speak. Nursing is all about critical thinking, and while it's a skill that can be taught, you need at least a minimum proficiency to begin with. I'd be a lot more concerned if you score was 500, but I think 750 is a good start.
Also, on my UTLink it says that they have received everything except for my academic transcripts. My application fee, HESI scores, TSI Test/Exempt Group have been received. It's just confusing because it also shows under the My Transcript section listed as saying "Trans has in-prog courses" and under the My Degrees section as saying "Complete and transcript received". Is the normal for everyone else?
Totally normal. It will continue to say that until they receive your final transcript after you finish all your prereqs. It means that your *final* transcript hasn't been received because you still have courses *in progress.*
First of all, thank you rocket surgery. You provided such details and clarity. I know that you are probably really swamped with work right now so I really, really appreciate it -talk about passing it on!
You are very welcome! Right now is only "mostly busy," but I expect it to pick up to "crazy busy" next week. Our 1st Pharm test is the 15th!
Yesterday, I showed my husband your posts and last night he, with a stunned expression, said, "You are going to be gone a lot. You have a lot on your plate already."
Well now you can tell him this: All that info was just the scheduled classes. I didn't mention anything about how much time I spend studying outside of class, or the fact that the didactic portion of Health Assessment is entirely online. All those class hours on Monday are just for practicing skills- you're responsible for learning the content on your own. So add a *minimum* of 2 hours a day for studying outside of class. I'm sure it will get closer to 4 hours a day when the semester picks up. Right now, I spend more time studying on my off days than on days when I have class, but 2-3 hours/day is about the average. I'm single with no kids; I can't imagine what it's like juggling family responsibilities. We have a lot of single mothers in our class and I just don't know how they do it.
But I salute your husband for making an effort to help out; you will definitely need it! Remember, if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! But it sounds like you picked yourself a good dude!
As for the transcript evaluation, I got one at the beginning of summer and e-mailed requesting credit for some classes that I had at Rice (Rice not being listed on that prereq sheet they give you at the information sessions). They e-mailed right back so I would guess that e-mail is the form they would like you to use with your questions. I haven't received a new transcript evaluation since. I imagine they are swamped so I'm trying not to bug them. I'm still nervous.
Personally, I think email is the best method for inquiring about transcript evaluations. Yes, they are absolutely swamped, and phone calls can be very interrupting with you're trying to get through a lot of work. Plus, with an email, you can give a lot of detail if you have a complicated problem, which is hard to do if you get sent to voicemail. So I always email first, follow up about a week later with another email if I haven't heard anything, and then call after another week if I still haven't heard anything. I'm pretty easy-going though. A lot of people will keep calling until they get an answer, and if that works for you, go for it.
Financial aid is a different story. #1 Start early. #2 Check in often, on the phone. By often I mean every week or so once you're admitted; if you still haven't heard anything by 1 month before classes start, every day or 2 until you get your stuff arranged.
Anyone else compulsively checking their holds several times a day -even knowing that they won't get an answer before at least mid-October? I can't seem to help myself. A sign of addiction? Desperation (oh, yeah)?
I checked mine compulsively for months. Refresh, refresh, refresh. The bad news is that most of the UTlink system is on a batch update schedule- they run all the updates overnight, and you see the changes the next day. It's not real time. Now, don't quote me on this, but I think the holds might be real time. Mine changed mid-afternoon, but I'm sure I checked them that morning and they hadn't changed yet. So definitely check your holds a few times a day.
My stats: No health care experience, and spotty work history (that time as a stay-at-home mom).
No worries. AFAIK, it's all HESI and GPA. I had no medical/volunteer experience either, and I was concerned that would be an issue if it came up in the interviews. Since there were no interviews, it wasn't an issue. Unfortunately, the people it hurts are the ones with tons of experience but who may not be the best at school.
Also, my overall GPA is 3.6. Plus, I'm an attorney and they might worry that I don't want to actually be a working nurse.
I believe there are a few attorneys in the Bacc2 class. UTH gets 2nd degree / 2nd career students all the time. My 1st degree was in Finance, and I spent several years working in institutional investments before switching over to nursing. No, they won't judge you negatively for being an attorney, and having a 1st degree is a huge plus.
On the other hand, nursing prereq of 3.92, Science of 4.o, HESEI composite of 95 (includes 92 in Bio & Chem), A&P of 100, Math of 98, and I graduated from UT Law. Do you think they will care that it is in the UT system?
Nope!
I really think that I should have applied to other schools (Coleman, TWU), but they require micro before applying and I'm just now taking it. I took anatomy and nutrition since UT requires those before applying.
I applied to TWU as my backup school. I was accepted to both, and it was nice to have a safety net. Personally, I think you're sure to get in, so I wouldn't worry too much about only applying to 1 school. I know a few people in our class who did that. It's a gamble, but it worked out for them. I also remember a few people from our AN thread who only applied to UT but didn't get accepted. I don't think you'll have that problem.
I really think that I should have applied to other schools (Coleman, TWU), but they require micro before applying and I'm just now taking it. I took anatomy and nutrition since UT requires those before applying.
I was also worried about putting all my eggs in one basket, but I chose the safer route and applied to several ADN/BSN programs. It's a difficult position to be in knowing its an all or nothing deal.
rocket surgery
137 Posts
UTH sends your transcript evaluation automatically; you don't have to request it. I ended up getting 3 total:
#1- After I sent my 1st set of transcripts, while I was still taking classes. I found an error- they hadn't counted a prereq class for one of the requirements- so I called to to let them know.
#2- The corrected transcript evaluation
#3- After I completed my prereqs and sent in my final set of transcripts.
The transcript evaluation is so that you know what they're counting and not counting. If you see an error, contact them ASAP so you can get it straightened out.
Also, the transcript evaluation process and admissions process are entirely separate. Getting a transcript evaluation doesn't mean you're any closer to knowing whether you've been admitted.