What else can I do to help my chances?

[soxgirl2008]

I'm currently in a pre-nursing program for a very competitive BSN program. I still have a year of pre-reqs to take, however I really really want to get into their program because it's a state school so it's a lot cheaper than it would be to transfer to a less competitive but more expensive school. They pick you based on GPA, a written essay, and volunteer and work experience. I'm hoping to have around a 3.6 or 3.7 gpa, maybe a little higher, and as of right now I volunteer at a LTC facility twice a week and I'm also taking CNA classes in the summer. I'm just wondering what else I could possibly do to improve my chances and help me stand out?

I also have one more question, how complicated/hard is it to do your pre-reqs at one university and then transfer to another for the actual nursing program? Has anyone done this? I don't know anyone who has but I've heard of people doing it, so I don't really have anyone to ask. If I don't get into this program I will certainly apply to other programs however I'm not sure how hard it is to just transfer into a nursing school and if pre-reqs are different for different universities.

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

Not all pre-reqs were transfer laterally between schools. Always check with the program(s) you are interested in applying for to make sure they will accept it.

As for making yourself more competitive, sounds like you are off to a good start! Have you contacted the school to find out what their typical GPA range for acceptance usually is? What the average amount of volunteer hours are and in what areas? I think only the school can really expand on what they are looking for. Other than writing a killer essay, it looks like you've done a lot already to improve your chances. Good luck!

[Saysfaa]

You listed volunteer and work experience seperately. It could be the work experience is exposure to nursing, which might be covered by your volunteering, depending on what you do when you volunteer. It could also be wanting to see a work history. Working is a different relationship than volunteering, even if you do the same things in the same facility so they might be looking for a work history as a seperate thing than volunteering.

Sounds like you are are doing well, but since you asked if there was anything else you might consider doing....

[itsmejuli]

You need to contact the university you wish to attend and find out what their pre-reqs are. If its within driving distance, take your transcripts with you and find out where you stand.

[MesaRN]

itsmejuli is very correct is stating that you need to speak directly to the program you are applying to. Each program has its own criteria. The program I graduated from did not take any life or work experience into account. They awarded "points" based mainly off science GPA, the overall GPA, then a few other objective criteria. Nursing programs receive a lot of applications and the program directors can tell you exactly how they choose among the applicants.