waiting lists at community colleges

anonymousstudent · Apr 2, 2012

Here, the CC I'm at has a ridiculous waiting list - only for their typical program. They also have a fast track program if you already have a degree, and they don't retain a waiting list for that, you just have to apply until you get in. I was shocked to get in on my first try.

The wait is probably very much worth it...CC is a good education, it usually transfers with no issues, it's cheap, and they are likely to not lose their accreditation.

allnurses Guide · Apr 3, 2012

Yes, most have a significant waiting list. It is the individual schools that determine how those lists come about (by lottery? by admission criteria/competitive admission?) and how they are managed/pulled from. The school I attended starts the list over every single semester. Others carry a continual list. You will want to talk directly to the schools you are hoping to apply to in order to find out how they work their waiting list and what their admission statistics are. Historically there are waiting lists for pretty much every nursing school, whether a community college, four year college or university. The ones without waiting lists are, frankly, the ones you need to be wary of, either due to expense, lack of accreditation or both.

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 3, 2012

Depends on your school. The CC near me is a points-based admission process, no waiting lists.

Pneumothorax, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2012

if i stayed in FL and put myself on the waiting list for the local CC's id just be getting in and not even done. (one was 2 yrs long) effing ridiculous

coco.nut · Apr 3, 2012

Mine is also points based. I appreciate this criteria as it means we have a grade standard for admission that increases every year (based on applicant GPAs). This allows for a high NCLEX pass rate and a low failure rate. We haven't had more than a few people who dropped becuase they outright failed a class.

Don't freak out though, call and ask! Also check the NCLEX pass rate (it's on your states Board of Nursing site) & try to talk to students in case you get accepted into both and have to choose. Quicker is not always the best way to go, some schools are great and some are horror stories. Go for the best experience you can get, you do not need the added stress of a bad school, nor the below par education.

Qtip · Apr 4, 2012

ADN is becoming a waste of time and money especially if you already have Bachelor's. Get into an accelerated program, be out in 1 year with a BSN. Hospitals are really getting anal about hiring only BSNs now, you will be hired sooner and not have to spend time or money going back for your BSN either.