Why do some colleges have waitlists and others dont?

[DCtooRN]

Hi all. Im a chiropractor looking to move into nursing. Im noticing that some colleges have waitlists and others dont. Is this a sign of the quality of the program? Why do some have waitlists while others do not?

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

Just different ways of doing things. You'll find schools have varying admission criteria and GPA priorities and prerequisites too.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

In the USA each state sets its own standards for what is required to be licensed as a nurse, including minimum education requirements for the nursing schools. Schools have the option to exceed the standards, and many do. This school may be less expensive, have a good reputation, be close to the student's home --- all sorts of things. If you contact the Board of Nursing for your state you can learn what is the status of the schools that interest you. They will be able to share pass rates and if the school is under any disciplinary conditions. That might help. But most students just want to get thru a program the quickest and cheapest way possible. Whatever you decide, I hope you have a great career in nursing!

[Stephalump]

I think it's often just a sign of the school's policy.

There aren't many wait lists in my area. You get in or you don't. There's usually an alternate list of some sort in case accepted students decline their spot, but once the semester starts that's it. If you didn't make it you can reapply next cycle with everyone else. But still, that's only a small number of people who had competitive applications but didn't quite make it.

The only school I know of in my area thar has a true wait list is a for-profit school I wouldn't set foot in. They basically accept anyone, so you just get on a first come/first serve list and wait.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It all boils down to how the school wants to handle applications. Many schools simply wipe out all applications after they have decided on the admissions & alternates (a small number - who will get a place if one of the successful applicants decides not to attend). If you don't make it, you have to re-apply for the next term.

Other schools have decided to maintain a perpetual 'waiting list' .... has nothing to do with the quality of the school, although hyping the 'waiting list' seems to make people think that it is a really wonderful program that a lot of people want to attend. LOL, it tends to become a self-fulfilling prophecy.