wondering about my chances of getting in

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hey there - I've been at UCA studying Sociology for the last 4 semesters, but since the summer I've been thinking about doing nursing instead.

I think I'm going to apply to UALR's ADN program here in the next week and a half when they start taking applications. can anyone tell me how competitive they are? I have a 3.467 GPA, 42 credit hours in liberal arts, and a 32 on the ACT. I ended up withdrawing from last semester late so I'm not sure how good my transcript is going to look...though the 3.467 is *after* withdrawing, so I hope I might still have a shot. (if it helps at all I could write out a lengthy explanation of how my withdrawl was predicated by a room mate with a personality disorder, a death in the family, and the double murder on campus...). I've managed to wriggle my way into liberal arts programs in the past but I've heard that nursing school can have very competitive admissions.

how competitive is UALR's nursing admissions process? should I apply to Baptist Health too? if I get in to both, which would you recommend? I've had one nurse tell me I wouldn't like Baptist and another tell I'd be better trained if I went there - but also I think I could graduate in 18 months from UALR, which is much more attractive...

advice? suggestions? thanks!

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I am also applying to UALR's program. Do you have all the pre-reqs done? I think they look at that when looking at applications. Also, they are the only one I know of that makes you come in and talk to them before putting in an application so if you haven't done that you probably will want to call and make an appointment soon. The last few years (from what I have heard) UAMS has been also fairly easy to get into. For their program though you have to have all your pre-reqs done, and it takes a semester longer than UALR's acclelrated progam.

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I am also applying to UALR's program. Do you have all the pre-reqs done? I think they look at that when looking at applications. Also, they are the only one I know of that makes you come in and talk to them before putting in an application so if you haven't done that you probably will want to call and make an appointment soon. The last few years (from what I have heard) UAMS has been also fairly easy to get into. For their program though you have to have all your pre-reqs done, and it takes a semester longer than UALR's acclelrated progam.
I can't figure out which are the pre-reqs and which are just part of the program. do they want you to have taken all of the "support curriculum" courses before you apply? some of the nursing classes say that the "support curriculum" classes can be done as co-reqs too. I have 42 credit hours in humanities and social sciences, only 12 of them count towards the nursing support curriculum though. I think I could knock out the rest before fall if I had to. I've got 42 credits total already, but most are in sociology, anthropology, and such. I left a message with the nursing advising office on friday but I don't think they were back from the holiday yet. I guess if I don't hear from them by monday I'll give them a call.
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the support curriculum classes (from the sheet they gave me at the appt) are Freshman English 1&2, College algebra, A&P 1 and 2 -it does say that A & P 1 is required bfore you enter, Chem 1, U. S. History, a intro to sociology course or psy-the human experience, and Micro. It looks like the only one you have to have to get in is A&P 1 but I think the more of them you have completed the better chance you have to get in. Also is says their program starts in the fall but you have to take Nursing 1300 in the summer. I think it is offered at two different times. You might want to keep that in mind as you plan to take other classes. Hopefully you will here back from them this week and they can clear everything up.

Hope all goes well for you.

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the support curriculum classes (from the sheet they gave me at the appt) are Freshman English 1&2, College algebra, A&P 1 and 2 -it does say that A & P 1 is required bfore you enter, Chem 1, U. S. History, a intro to sociology course or psy-the human experience, and Micro. It looks like the only one you have to have to get in is A&P 1 but I think the more of them you have completed the better chance you have to get in. Also is says their program starts in the fall but you have to take Nursing 1300 in the summer. I think it is offered at two different times. You might want to keep that in mind as you plan to take other classes. Hopefully you will here back from them this week and they can clear everything up.

Hope all goes well for you.

ah, that would follow - I haven't met them yet, I wish they'd post that sheet to their website! I'll have to see about getting into A & P I - thanks for your help =)
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Did you ever get through to get an appointment with UALR? I have a friend who went up and talked to them yesterday, but she already has all her classes too. It sounds like they are pretty busy right now. Keep me posted, maybe we will be in class together.

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thanks for checking! yeah, I had my interview yesterday and it seemed pretty positive. she told me I had enough quality points to get in already, though I was on the lower end of the scale since I haven't taken any math or science yet. she told me to take Anatomy and Physiology I at least, II if possible (she said I wasn't a prerequisite of II, since they're different body parts), and then they'd get me in a nursing course over the summer learning how to take vital signs and so on. she didn't ever tell me directly whether or not I was accepted, but she never said "if" and just acted like it was a done deal and only a matter of turning in the paperwork by the deadline. I'm just about to pick out what times I'm going to take my 8 hours of anatomy and physiology, and I may take some of the other pre-reqs too, maybe chemistry or microbiology or math. it looks like all the classes are full right now, and I can't register until the 12th, but I'm sure it will work out...even if I have to call the bio department and beg to be fit into an empty slot.

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That sounds great! If I were you though I would advise not trying to take too much this semester. I don't know how it is at UALR because I took my pre-reqs at ASU-Beebe, but A & P 1 and 2 were the hardest courses I've ever taken. They are a lot of work (unless they are easier there). So especially if you are going to take both in one semester be careful what else you take.

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Hi! I'm also applying to UALR's nursing program. I am currently taking A & P I at ASU-Beebe. I already have a BA in psychology. At my meeting with UALR, they seemed like I should have enough points to get in. So the three of us may all be in the same class. do you know where clinicals are in the fall? I think they are at St. Vincents.

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klsteve,

That is good to hear. Where do you live? I'm in Cabot and I would like to get a carpool group together if it works out. I am working right now at ASU Beebe. I help in the A & P II lab on Tues, Thur at 11:00. I think the A&P classes there are hard, but good. I don't know about clinicals the first semester. I know some later on are at the VA, and Childrens. I'm going to mail in my apllication to UALR tomorrow.

Good luck

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That's a great idea. I live just outside of Cabot, so I could easily meet up there. We will have to keep each other updated. I am a little nervous about A & P, but I think I will do fine. Good luck to you as well!! :)

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Sound good. We can't post professors names on here, but if you want to send me a pm or email and tell me who you have for A&P 1. I've had one of them and worked for both so I might can give you some insight.

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