Which of these schools (or others) should I apply to in CA based on my GPA etc?

perioddrama · Jan 28, 2013

Hello everyone! I'm new here :) I've been reading a lot on the forums but decided I might get better answers if I asked the question myself. I'm currently in my last semester of pre-nursing at my community college in Northern California (North Bay). I have a 3.7 total GPA and have straight As for the last 3 semesters (31 units) including Anatomy, Physiology, Intro Chem, and I am currently taking Microbiology and Organic/Bio Chem. I'm also planning on taking a CNA course when this semester is finished and possibly working as a CNA until I get into a nursing program. I'm going to apply to the ASN program at my community college in a few days but they have the lottery system and I'm not counting on getting in there so I am expecting to apply to several schools. I've already done a ton of research on the Board of Registered Nursing website to determine nearby schools with good NCLEX pass rates. I am willing to do either an ASN program OR a BSN program. The schools I've so far picked out to apply to are: CSU Chico, CSU East Bay, Chabot College, College of Marin, Ohlone College, Samuel Merritt University, Santa Rosa Junior College, Solano Community College, Sonoma State, and possibly Napa Valley College and Pacific Union College (those two have below 90% NCLEX pass rate so I'm a little wary). I realize that applying to ALL of these colleges will cost me a great deal in application fees so if anyone has any experience or knowledge to offer about any of these colleges it would be greatly appreciated!! PS I hate writing block paragraphs but the enter key does not work! (maybe that's just a forum thing...) PSS I also have an AA in Business (don't know if that matters!)

Honestly, you have to apply to a lot of them to up your chances.

A lot of the colleges are based on merit, lottery, or a combination of. Make sure you stand out (CNA course is a good start).

Good luck!

cjr2619 · Jan 29, 2013

Solano and Napa are wait list schools. As of right now, Solano's list is closed until September. I am not sure about Napa's though...

I live in Sacramento and got on Solano's wait list right before they closed it last October. I would apply everywhere, especially the CSUs because with your grades you should have no trouble getting in. Have you taken your TEAS yet? Make sure you study to get as high a score as possible. That will help you with the CSUs as well.

I have also been applying to sac city and American River Colleges lotteries. Hopefully I will get lucky soon!!!

Good luck!!

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Jan 30, 2013

If you are willing to go a little more north your GPA qualifies you for Mendocino College (I'm there). It's a weighted lottery. Also, did you lost Domincan or SSU?

Aurora333 · Jan 31, 2013

I didn't know I had any replies yet! Thanks for the answers. I think I want to focus on schools that accept students based on merit and I guess that might mean I have to go out of state...which I AM okay with as long as it's not like South Dakota or something... I will apply to places with waitlists but I am not going to sit around and wait like I'm supposed to lol. And I just found out today after meeting with my counselor that an interpersonal communication class I took does not count for area A for CSU transfer and I don't have enough time or energy to add another class this semester. So it looks like I can't apply to the CSUs this year because all of the GE classes must be finished in the spring semester prior to applying :/ hmph ... Alison, funny you should mention Mendocino College... I go there! Do I know you? lol Are you already in the nursing program? I WILL be applying there in a few days!

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Feb 2, 2013

Hi I'm pre-nursing still, planning to go first choice to SSU. I'm on track to apply next spring! I'm applying Mendo, SSU, SRJC and Domincan at that time... And you could lol... I've got Anatomy with Sue and Chem with Marcus currently and stupid CDV 125 currently. I had nutrition with Hicks, Speech with Alto and Math 55 last semester. Totally possible! Good luck with the lottery btw!!!!!

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Feb 2, 2013

I also thought of Pacific Union but their pass rate sux lol... And I'm wary of the drive as I'm based in Ukiah. Where are you taking your CNA? I'm going to do SRJC's

Aurora333 · Feb 2, 2013

I wish I could go to SSU but I can't apply to any CSUs until I take a speech class, I just found out.

I took Interpersonal Communication at another school and my counselor just told me it doesn't count for area A grrr. The same exact class at Mendo does. He said I'd have to take it this semester to be able to apply to CSUs in the fall (I guess they don't offer it in the summer?) but it's too late to add a class now. I guess if I don't get in anywhere else I can take that class and then apply to CSUs next fall but that means I wouldn't be going for another 2 1/2 years! Yuck.

I took Anatomy and Physiology with ------ last semester, she's tough but I like her. Just make sure you go to every class and do every assignment including extra credit...she grades on a curve (only upward) for anatomy so that helps a lot. I thought anatomy was easier than physiology as physio required so much writing and she didn't offer quite so much extra credit (I still got As in both classes though).

I took Chem with --------- 1 year ago, now I'm taking Organic/Bio Chem with --------...I LOVED ------------ he made Chem so easy to learn, I thought he was a great teacher. -----------, not so much, she's really confusing but hopefully she doesn't grade too hard.

What's CDV 125? I have to take CDV 200 over the summer. It seems like a lot of schools require Human Development.

How is -------- for speech? Did you take public speaking or the other class? I hate speaking in front of people, so mad I might have to take the same class again!

I'm also taking Microbiology and Cultural Anthropology this semester. Once I get that CDV class done I should be good to apply to a few schools! And maybe if I'm super lucky I'll get into Mendo right away, although I kind of want to leave Ukiah.

I was looking at Pacific Union but I read some stuff on Yelp about it being in the middle of nowhere, 30 minutes away from a grocery store and extremely boring....peaceful...but boring...so no thanks! I already live in the middle of nowhere lol.

Is SRJCs CNA program cheaper than here? I want to do mine through the Red Cross but it's like $1500!!! Actually the other one that's here that's not Red Cross is just as expensive! It's really ridiculous. But I guess it's worth it. Some colleges require it, plus it looks good, PLUS I can make sure I actually LIKE this line of work...and I better because I've put so much into it already and gave up my associate degree for transfer into Business Administration (guarantees admission into csu in the same major) that I was 3 units away from and my dreams to go to Japan (there are no study abroad programs in Nursing in Japan) :/

I am REALLY enjoying these classes way more than Business though so that is a good sign! Okay I think I wrote enough!

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Feb 2, 2013

---------- is teaching my Chem lab... Urgh she's not organized and treats us like we are three! I like ------------ she's through and I had a working knowledge of the human body and its many parts so I'm not finding the class as challenging as others (plus I'm good at memorization as well). I had ----------- for public speaking he's funny, he talks about himself a lot, he's actually a fairly tough grader, but I learned a lot about myself :). Do you have Anthro w/-----------? Lol if you don't get an A in that class you have to really be trying to fail.

Yes SRJC is around 1000, the adult school is 1200, Red Cross is 1500. If you are willing to work for pennies Redwood Cove runs a facility based training so you get paid to get it.

The only advantage to PUC is the Adventist hospital system actively hires their grads :). So if you go it's like guaranteeing an Adventist Healthcare West job I hear.

Aurora333 · Feb 3, 2013

Hmm...I guess we are not supposed to post names, woops! Well, I think I can guess who you were talking about! Lol... yeah I had a pretty easy time with Anatomy, the lecture portion was a bit harder than the lab but I'm good at memorizing things too. Good you already have a background knowledge, that helps! I'm taking Anthro online, it's kind of annoying because we have to post discussions weekly, comment on other's posts, and do a quiz and writing assignment every week. I miss Psychology last semester, we had no homework and I didn't even have to read the book and I got an A! :) Actually I didn't read any of my books last semester, but that probably wasn't the smartest idea even though I did well so this time I am. But I like learning about cultures so I'm hoping Anthro will be interesting at least! I will probably do the Red Cross program in Ukiah...driving to Santa Rosa every day would cost too much in gas and too much wear and tear on my car. Plus I think I saw that a couple of schools specifically require a Red Cross program.. The guaranteed job sounds great! I guess I will probably apply there if my other options aren't looking too good...