I have a 3.84 UC weighted GPA, I have participated in multiple clubs including a community service club that I was first secretary, vice president, and now president of and have up to 400 hours in that club. I am also on my schools swim team. I have had a part time job since the beginning of my junior year. I have taken numerous honors and AP courses.
I got a 25 on my ACT and I am in my schools top 10%. My question is, will I have a good chance of getting into UCI for nursing despite my below average GPA and ACT scores?
Both UC GPA and ACT scores are below average especially for Nursing which has around a 5% acceptance rate for the direct admit program. You have a chance at getting accepted into UCI, but not as a direct admit Nursing applicant. Make sure when you apply, you select an alternate major in which you can take your Nursing pre-req’s and then reapply after 2 years.
This is the profile of Freshman admits:
Fall 2016 Freshman Applicants: 2,264
Fall 2016 Freshman Admits: 82 (3.5% admitted)
Average UC GPA: 4.25 GPA
Average Total SAT Scores: 1962
This is the profile of Transfer/2nd year admits:
Fall 2016 Transfer/2nd Bacc Applicants: 113
Fall 2016 Transfer/2nd Bacc Admits: 11 (10% admitted)
Average Cumulative GPA: 3.72 GPA
Cumulative GPA Range of Admits: 3.25-3.96
Make sure you apply to several Nursing/Pre-Nursing programs due to the competitiveness of these programs. I suggest you consider Channel Islands, San Bernardino, Cal State Fullerton, Sonoma State, San Marcos to name a few other options.
Does anyone have ideas for direct admit nursing programs on the west coast?
Check out Gonzaga (private - Washington State)
University of San Francisco and Azusa Pacific University in California. Not on the West coast but Arizona state has a very good direct admit program.
I highly recommend to apply to California State Universities as well. There are 23 campuses and I promise you that you’ll find at least find one that you’re interested. But don’t get me wrong - still apply to UC Irvine and see what happens! Nursing is extremely competitive, so I would advise to apply to around x>8 schools UNLESS if you have some guaranteed admission agreement with a university somehow.
From a recent UCLA nursing admit, I would suggest UCLA if you can write some amazing personal statements both for the UC App and the UCLA nursing supplemental app. I would also suggest UCI irvine as long as you make your supplemental great. SDSU and CSU Fullerton would be a reach but defenitly apply because you have a decent shot a Fullerton, and if you live in the SD area then I would say you have a decent shot for SDSU as well. I would also check out the University of SF, Gonzaga, University of Portland, Azusa Pacific, and Seattle University if you want a direct entry program on the west coast. Also Dominican University is semi-direct entry as long as you pass certain classes your freshmen year in college. Also Apply to ALL of these privates early through early action to increase your chances of getting in and I cannot stress this enough!