Waiting List VS. Actual Time Wait

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The school I am applying to has a 3 year waiting list, but I was told it probably won't actually take 3 years.

At your school, how long were you told the waiting list was vs. how long you actually had to wait to get it?

With my program here in Orlando, Florida, once you complete the prereqs, you apply, and then get a letter a few weeks later stating when you will start, which is about one year and that was all completely true.

I have a friend in Wisconsin who is going to apply at Kettle Moraine because the wait is shorter than MATC, I don't know what the wait is there, just shorter is all I know. Good Luck!!

When I applied to the CC schools in my area, the waitlist for two of the schools was also 3 years (as I was told.) That was in the summer of 06. I applied anyway because it was better to be on a list that I knew I would eventually get in and at the same time I still kept applying to the other CC's. I wanted to go to a CC versus the 4 year /private schools because I already have a degree and can't afford to pay the tuition. I didn't want to take out loans and so opted to buy my time on the waitinglist and keep trying to get into apply to the other CC's to get in but even though you meet the reqs, it's still lottery and I kept losing:no:. So now after two years of waiting I am offically accepted into the RN program for both schools starting this fall. A year sooner than was told. I suggest you apply anyway and use it as a backup to whatever other schools you apply to. That's what I did and I'm glad because the lottery thing sucks:madface: and you know at least you'll get in eventually to you waitlist school. That's my :twocents:. Good luck to you.

I am still not in, but I was told the wait was 3 years at a couple of different ADN programs I applied. It looks like it will actually "only" be 2 years. I think it depends how many schools are in the area. There are several in my area and it is not uncommon for people to apply to 5 schools. Also, they may get their name on waitlists and then get into a lottery, private or 4 year school right away, but leave their name on the list, "just in case." So the waits can look really long. Sometimes the list goes down a 100 slots even if the school takes only 60 people. Also, people move, change their mind, become disqualified, etc. I think they have to tell you it could be x number of years, just in case everyone who is on that list actually takes a slot, but I am finding that even though the wait is long, it isn't as long as it looks.

Specializes in Intensive medical care.

At my CC in college I was told there was a 2.5 -3 year waiting list, that was last May. I got my acceptance letter in the end of June stating I was accepted for Jan 09. They make you confirm your desire every semester and in November I got bumped up to August 08. Hang in there and get on the waiting list, you never know what could happen. :nurse:

Specializes in Critical Care.
When I applied to the CC schools in my area, the waitlist for two of the schools was also 3 years (as I was told.) That was in the summer of 06. I applied anyway because it was better to be on a list that I knew I would eventually get in and at the same time I still kept applying to the other CC's. I wanted to go to a CC versus the 4 year /private schools because I already have a degree and can't afford to pay the tuition. I didn't want to take out loans and so opted to buy my time on the waitinglist and keep trying to get into apply to the other CC's to get in but even though you meet the reqs, it's still lottery and I kept losing:no:. So now after two years of waiting I am offically accepted into the RN program for both schools starting this fall. A year sooner than was told. I suggest you apply anyway and use it as a backup to whatever other schools you apply to. That's what I did and I'm glad because the lottery thing sucks:madface: and you know at least you'll get in eventually to you waitlist school. That's my :twocents:. Good luck to you.

I am here in CA (SAC) and I applied for 3 semesters to the local CC's that are lotto and also Yuba which is waitlist. I have 257 in front of me and they said the wait is about 2 years. I am still applying to the Lotto schools to see if 4th time is a charm (I am not getting my hopes up) but I know that I will be getting in somewhere.

It is good to see others that are in my situation getting somewhere.

I hope that they bump me up on the list so I can start... I am so ready for it!

Hi MedicalNerd,

I'm in the Sacramento area and will be applying after I finish Micro and A&P II in the Fall. I'm getting ready to apply and then wait. It's frustrating to know you can apply to so many programs and not get in. I talked to a counselor at Sac City and she said last semester 900+ applied for the RN program. And they take, what, 30 students? Even if they admit 40 your odds are astronomical that you'll get in. I'm definitely going to apply to Yuba and Solano and get waitlisted.

Thanks for everyone posting. We'll be nurses eventually! Just have to be VERY patient and determined. Good luck to everyone and hope you get in a program soon.

~ Kim

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