Hi everyone! Just thought I'd start a thread for those who are applying to UTMB for Fall 2011. There are some really great (and long!) threads out there for Spring 2011 and earlier...but as I'm sure y'all know, the application process can change from cycle to cycle, plus it's just nice to have a new thread for us. :) So feel free to post questions, comments, or anything related to applications!
I'm applying as a second-degree student to UTMB, UTHSC, TWU (Houston), UT Arlington and A&M, plus maybe the new Texas State program. Whew! I keep hearing great things about UTMB so that might be my #1....
A question to start us off: so we can now use either the centralized NursingCAS application, or the application through UTMB, right? What are you all going to do? I'm thinking of just doing UTMB's direct application....if you do NursingCAS, I think you'll have to do a supplemental UTMB application+fee anyway, so you might as well just do it all once...thoughts?
Punky- if you don't get in (I'm still praying for ya!) where are you going to apply for the spring? I'm thinking UTH (wonder how good the chances are there if UTMB doesn't take me?), UTMB again (and not hold my breath), TWU and possibly PVAM (though I will need to retake college algebra *ug!* and possibly another speech class as it looks like they might not accept my Interpersonal Communications class for it)... I'm also thinking I'll apply to COM and maybe Lee as back ups.
I'm not sure. Probably try UTMB again, because who doesn't like being strung along?? And maybe HBU? I don't have the grades for TWU or UTHSC. I think I have everything I need for PVAM, but maybe the patience for that commute - but beggars can't be choosers, right?
The other school I applied to was Alvin transition, which is where I received my LVN. I looked at COM, but their admission process was too frustrating, so I just went with UTMB and ACC. I could also try San Jac South or Central, and HCC - but ehhh. I already have 122 college hours, why not just go for my Bachelor degree??? Lee may be worth looking in to - I had a clinical rotation @ Baytown Methodist, and the drive really wasn't bad.
I'm just really jaded by all of this. I even skipped my patho test this week because I've been so frustrated. It is nice to already be a nurse - but I hate being "just an LVN". I can't work were I want to and the pay is... well, not fabulous. I know I can do better. Never really thought I'd be pushed into a place where I'd begin regretting life decisions....
And MJ, if we both get denied or get in, maybe we should meet up and have coffee - celebrate or mope :)
How will you end up deciding what school to attend steponme?
Do you live in Houston?
How many people will commute from Houston? I'm wondering about carpooling (if I even get in)
i really dont know because everyone says both schools are good.. but TWU is really competitive to get into in comparison to UTMB. honestly i think i have like a 3.5 - 3.6 and TEAS score was 78 and i got accepted so i was surprised....
I live in houston about 20 - 30 min away from TWU but.. im still planning to move to either.. i jus dont know where to go. i have till Next Friday to decide.
Coffee sounds good Punky- we can start the UTMB BSN Rejects Coffee Club! Did you know PVA&M has nursing campus in the Medical Center?
What grades does TWU take and why don't you think you have the grades?
Really?? I didn't know that about PVAM - I need to research them!! I met with an advisor last year at TWU, before I even got my LVN and she told me that my 5 F's - with two of those being Chem & A&P II would probably kill my chances, having a prior D in A&P I wouldn't exactly help. I blew off my 1st year of college. Transferred @ year three and didn't withdraw, and that is the school that I'm so anxious about wiping off my transcript. Dollars to Donuts that is what is holding me back anywhere I apply. For LVN it didn't matter, the only requirement was an ACT score less than 5 years old - so I simply retook it, and bam, applied and was accepted.
ETA: This is from TWU FAQ for admission consideration: grades received on first attempt for Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, and Statistics. My 1st attempts are D, F, B, A.
Are you applying for straight BSN or an LVN-BSN bridge? I would thinking being an LVN would give you a leg up- or at least trump your first semester mishaps! How unforgiving. I have an F on my transcript for College Algebra and two C's (General Bio 1 & Comp 2).. and LOTS of Ws.. I'm pretty sure that is going to hold me back..
Are you applying for straight BSN or an LVN-BSN bridge? I would thinking being an LVN would give you a leg up- or at least trump your first semester mishaps! How unforgiving. I have an F on my transcript for College Algebra and two C's (General Bio 1 & Comp 2).. and LOTS of Ws.. I'm pretty sure that is going to hold me back..
@ UTMB, straight BSN and the pre-admissions advisor made it clear that that was unusual. I could see how they may not want a current nurse in their generic track, but I would be quitting work and JUST be a student, and plan to make that clear in the interview, should I ever get one. Maybe I was foolish to think that it would help, I mean, passing one program and NCLEX and working for one year as a nurse doesn't show that I'm not a total buffoon?? Besides, those grades were 11 years ago
For Alvin, it's the LVN to RN transition. Not my first choice, but an RN is a RN, and better than an LVN.
I heard that PVA&M had the LVN to BSN track, but just assumed that PV was the only campus. I'll have to look more into that now. I'm originally from the panhandle and have been begging my hubby to get a job in Amarillo so I could move back "home" and attend WTAMU's LVN to BSN program. But he wasn't able to find anything up there.
honestly if you guys had to choose, which school is better.. TWU OR UTMB?
I have been wondering the same thing...I got into TWU too! Either way I have to move from Austin...I think that UTMB is my preference (if I get in!). I'm going to ask more about this during my interview, but one of my reasons is that you get to do clinicals both in Galveston and in Houston at the med center. Plus I've just heard overwhelmingly positive things from past students about being there. Also, I do not like the idea of dealing with Houston traffic...can avoid that living on the island.
Downsides? Well, for one---will my poor little cat and I get bowled over by another hurricane? Lol Also, I don't know anyone in G-town. Obviously I'd expect to become close with classmates; still, it's just me, so it'd be nice to have more of a support system around. I have some friends in Houston though. And even though that's not super far away, we'll all be in med/nursing school, so not a ton of free time to drive back and forth.
@Punky---yes, definitely look into PVAMU too! They have really high NCLEX pass rates and are right in the med center. I do think they're a little bit strict on number of withdrawals/Fs if I remember correctly, but definitely worth looking into.
I have been wondering the same thing...I got into TWU too! Either way I have to move from Austin...I think that UTMB is my preference (if I get in!). I'm going to ask more about this during my interview, but one of my reasons is that you get to do clinicals both in Galveston and in Houston at the med center. Plus I've just heard overwhelmingly positive things from past students about being there. Also, I do not like the idea of dealing with Houston traffic...can avoid that living on the island.
Downsides? Well, for one---will my poor little cat and I get bowled over by another hurricane? Lol Also, I don't know anyone in G-town. Obviously I'd expect to become close with classmates; still, it's just me, so it'd be nice to have more of a support system around. I have some friends in Houston though. And even though that's not super far away, we'll all be in med/nursing school, so not a ton of free time to drive back and forth.
@Punky---yes, definitely look into PVAMU too! They have really high NCLEX pass rates and are right in the med center. I do think they're a little bit strict on number of withdrawals/Fs if I remember correctly, but definitely worth looking into.
Hey Chaos0058,
I got into TWU also but I am waiting to hear from UTMB, but my concern is that TWU wants an answer by next friday! Do you know how it works like can we let them know later or can we accept and decline an admission because obviously my application hasn't even been reviewed since I applied through nursingCas so I dont know what to do =/
I got into TWU also but I am waiting to hear from UTMB, but my concern is that TWU wants an answer by next friday! Do you know how it works like can we let them know later or can we accept and decline an admission because obviously my application hasn't even been reviewed since I applied through nursingCas so I dont know what to do =/
If UTMB isn't your absolute first choice and if you don't get an interview email by Friday, I would just accept TWU.
TWU (Houston) only takes the top 90 applicants, so unless you are super set on going to UTMB, I wouldn't risk an admission that you KNOW you have for sure. I hope I'm making sense.
I'm pretty sure you can accept TWU by the deadline, then cancel/decline later if need be. What are they gonna do...make you go there? And that's the point of the waitlist too...people change their minds, right up until classes start. Besides, we don't have to pay a fee or anything by the 15th, do we?
P.S. I'm going to call TWU tomorrow just to confirm that people can do this. :)
I keep hearing great things about UTMB so that might be my #1....
What are you all going to do? I'm thinking of just doing UTMB's direct application....if you do NursingCAS, I think you'll have to do a supplemental UTMB application+fee anyway, so you might as well just do it all once...thoughts?
Did you know PVA&M has nursing campus in the Medical Center? 
I have an F on my transcript for College Algebra and two C's (General Bio 1 & Comp 2).. and LOTS of Ws.. I'm pretty sure that is going to hold me back..
punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN
485 Posts
I'm not sure. Probably try UTMB again, because who doesn't like being strung along?? And maybe HBU? I don't have the grades for TWU or UTHSC. I think I have everything I need for PVAM, but maybe the patience for that commute - but beggars can't be choosers, right?
The other school I applied to was Alvin transition, which is where I received my LVN. I looked at COM, but their admission process was too frustrating, so I just went with UTMB and ACC. I could also try San Jac South or Central, and HCC - but ehhh. I already have 122 college hours, why not just go for my Bachelor degree??? Lee may be worth looking in to - I had a clinical rotation @ Baytown Methodist, and the drive really wasn't bad.
I'm just really jaded by all of this. I even skipped my patho test this week because I've been so frustrated. It is nice to already be a nurse - but I hate being "just an LVN". I can't work were I want to and the pay is... well, not fabulous. I know I can do better. Never really thought I'd be pushed into a place where I'd begin regretting life decisions....
And MJ, if we both get denied or get in, maybe we should meet up and have coffee - celebrate or mope :)