Would this look bad?

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I am planning to apply to an ABSN/AMSN program, so I would have already received a college degree.

If I took my pre-req's at a community college, instead of the college that I am in right now, would it look bad? I can't say that I "suddenly" decided to change my career path after college, because it would contradict everything that would be in my personal statements/what I would say in interviews (journey to why I want to become a nurse).

Even though my major isn't B.S. related, so science courses are not required, I would still have half a year left, and could become a "super senior", since I still have a lot of available units.

However, simply put, I don't have enough money anymore, so staying an extra year would put me in waaaaay too much debt.

I am just afraid that it will look bad if I go to community college right after. They might wonder why I didn't take them at my university, and would argue that I wasn't up to the "challenge". No offense to community college students lol.

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Most people take prerequisites at community colleges to save money.

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So will they average my undergrad. GPA with my community college GPA then? (for the overall GPA)

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This is a question to ask the admissions people at the college in question. Different colleges have different policies about incoming grades.

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Specializes in Infusion.

I think it is a wise choice to get your pre-reqs at a community college. After getting a BS degree in business admin 20 something years ago and going back to comm. college for my ADN, I believe the only difference between comm college and university classes are the size of the class and the amount of help offered. For instance, taking an A&P class at the local comm coll is with a class of 48. Taking the same class at the university 10 miles away is with 500 students and it is many times the cost.

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I graduated with my first BA, spent a year taking pre-reqs at a local community college, and this fall I'm going back to that same university for their ABSN program. Most students took the pre-reqs at a community college. One of my friends took pharmacology at the university for $2,500 while I took it at the local community college for $280. We both got in. :lol2:

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Specializes in CNA, Nursing Student.

My understanding is that they really won't care much where you took your classes, as long as your grades suffice to enter the program. The only restriction I've ever heard of is that they prefer you take A&P I and II at the same institution, so you don't miss organ systems due to different schools teaching in different orders.

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My understanding is that they really won't care much where you took your classes, as long as your grades suffice to enter the program. The only restriction I've ever heard of is that they prefer you take A&P I and II at the same institution, so you don't miss organ systems due to different schools teaching in different orders.

What do they mean by A&P "I and II"? My university right now only offers one class on Anatomy, and a separate class on Systematic Physiology. They don't offer any other classes besides these two.

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Also, when they say that they want "chemistry", are they referring to Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, or both? Just curious about this, since the school websites don't really say.

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Specializes in CNA, Nursing Student.
What do they mean by A&P "I and II"? My university right now only offers one class on Anatomy, and a separate class on Systematic Physiology. They don't offer any other classes besides these two.

Some schools just combine Anatomy and Physiology into a single course structure, spread out over two semesters. It varies from school to school. I was just using mine as a frame of reference.

Also, when they say that they want "chemistry", are they referring to Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, or both? Just curious about this, since the school websites don't really say.

If it is for an ADN or RN degree, I'd be inclined to think they're just looking for a general chemistry class. But I could be wrong. I'd ask an advisor to be certain.
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Specializes in Ambulatory.

I agree with everyone else, nursing schools in general don't care where you took your prerequisite classes ... as long as they are transferable. I saw this on a different post, that a prerequisite class from a particular SoCal community college is not acceptable at a few state universities within the area. Not sure if that was really the case but you don't want to be in that situation. Otherwise, I don't think it matters where you take your prerequisites. I took the same microbio class at a local CC with 4 other individuals and we were all accepted into different nursing schools (ADN, BSN, ABSN, and ELMSN) without any problems.

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Specializes in LDRP.

Yeah, I don't think it matters as long as you get good grades. I took most of my NS pre-reqs at CCs in SoCal (the important ones too - anatomy, physio, micro, etc.) and got accepted into an ABSN program on my first time applying. Good luck to you!

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Thank you all for the replies!

So should I take ALL of the pre-req's at a community college, or can I use the chemistry courses I took as an undergrad? Would it be best just to take everything at a community college?

Also, this is a very dumb question, but I am still wondering lol...

Is there a difference between a 'junior college', and a 'community college'?

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