I got a 75% on my TEAS V test. I know I needed to get at least 85% on my Teas V score to be competitive on most BSN programs.
I found out that West Coast University is now accepting Teas V scores with a minimum score of 58%. So with a 75% score on the Teas V, I was a qualified applicant and I didn't have to take their HESI exam.
Once you're qualified based on taking their HESI or Teas V, the biggest qualifying factor you have is getting approved for Financial Aid or Private Student Loans. If you have all your finances straight, then that's when they secure your spot in their Nursing Program.
However, my biggest gripe right now and most of the students that I have spoken with is that they have a weird system of transferring credits. Each student I spoke to had different experiences on what classes transferred to that school and what didn't.
For example, WCU transfered all of my science classes that I took at Los Angeles Valley College:
Anatomy
Physiology
Microbiology
Psychology - Intro
Psychology - LifeSpan
BUT, they didn't transfer my General Chemistry.
They transfered my CAL STATE LA:
English 101/102 but they said that both my English 101/102 class that I took only transfers over to their English 140 Written Communication I, but not to their English 140 Written Communication II.
They also didn't transfer the following G.E. classes that I took in CAL STATE LA:
Philosophy
College Mathematics
Public Speaking
Their reason is that CAL STATE LA is a Quarter system and WCU is a Semester system. This is how they calculate it: 1 quarter unit = 0.67 semester unit
In addition, if they don't think your class is equivalent to their class they won't accept it as transfer credit.
My biggest advice is to go to their transfer credit website: 4
160,000 loan with piling interest..... cup of noodles while living with mom and dad for the next 30 years....financial burden does not outweigh getting a degree 2 years more soon.
I live in my own apartment. I'm paying my loans. Paying rent. And definitely not starving. Able to manage it. Don't generalize
160,000 loan with piling interest..... cup of noodles while living with mom and dad for the next 30 years....financial burden does not outweigh getting a degree 2 years more soon.
I'd say if you have other options than West Coast, you should take them.
160,000 loan with piling interest..... cup of noodles while living with mom and dad for the next 30 years....financial burden does not outweigh getting a degree 2 years more soon.
Please keep in mind that the number quoted online isn't always the number you end up paying. If you have a Bachelor's degree & prerequisites completed, the price is SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. At that point it is more equivalent to a private institution. WCU is a WONDERFUL university. Along with no wait listing, it is a fast paced schedule - done quicker.
Please keep in mind that the number quoted online isn't always the number you end up paying. If you have a Bachelor's degree & prerequisites completed, the price is SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. At that point it is more equivalent to a private institution. WCU is a WONDERFUL university. Along with no wait listing, it is a fast paced schedule - done quicker.
I think though, for those who have nothing done, the cost is likely an astronomical burden. I think the goal should always to be to do as little of the required education from these programs as possible to reduce cost. I did all my GEs at public institutes and did just the nursing portion at a private institute for my RN and then returned to the public university for my RN to BSN. I think most would recommend doing it that way.
Otherwise I would imagine you'd have to work multiple jobs/tons of OT to work on paying these loans off.
I think though, for those who have nothing done, the cost is likely an astronomical burden. I think the goal should always to be to do as little of the required education from these programs as possible to reduce cost. I did all my GEs at public institutes and did just the nursing portion at a private institute for my RN and then returned to the public university for my RN to BSN. I think most would recommend doing it that way.
Otherwise I would imagine you'd have to work multiple jobs/tons of OT to work on paying these loans off.
I suppose it depends on where you are in life and what amount of schooling you've already completed. For me personally, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biology/Psychology with attempts to go apply to graduate school to become an Occupational Therapist. However, I then chose to pursue nursing. I did not have to do the back and forth between schooling; however, there is NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! I chose to go straight for the BSN program, which WCU offers, as well.
Not all schools are meant for all people, it is important to find what is best for you. I just chose to voice the importance of not solely basing opinions on WCU due to rough estimates online because they are deceiving and not accurate. WCU is a WONDERFUL school and houses a WONDERFUL program.
I apologize for not being active on this for a long time. But I just wanted to update everyone that I graduate West Coast University with my BSN in January 2016, passed my NCLEX in March 2016, and actively working an RN in a hospital and clinic. The monthly payment I'm going to make for my student loans are less than $1,000 a month. I'm making way more than that working and paying the minimum. Going to do the 10 year loan forgiveness route. I'm happy with the results that WCU has helped me achieve and will be doing my MSN-FNP program in the near future.
Good luck to everyone and I pray you achieve your dream.
Hello, I was wondering if those of you who attended WC could please offer feedback. I am hoping to enroll for October but truly need some helpful reviews from current students or grads.
Hello, I was wondering if those of you who attended WC could please offer feedback. I am hoping to enroll for October but truly need some helpful reviews from current students or grads.
Thanks!
I am attending in October. I have 2 prereq's classes that I will do through West Coast. Everything else I had transferred over. My debt is wayyyyy less than 100,000. Mine will only be about 30-40k and that's because with financial aid, choosing to pay for my books on my own (instead of through WCU) and taking majority of my pre-nursing classes at community college level, I saved a ton of money.
SimpleNewGrad
40 Posts
I live in my own apartment. I'm paying my loans. Paying rent. And definitely not starving. Able to manage it. Don't generalize