So I’m a junior in highschool, and I’ve known that I want to attend UPenn (for nursing) since my freshman year. But I also know that I have practically no chance at getting in. Even though I know that I probably won’t get in, for some reason I just can’t look at other schools (I know this sounds dumb, but I feel like I have a mental block or something when trying to find a different college, it’s weird). It’s kind of starting to scare me a bit because I don’t have a lot of time left to widen my “ideal college” list.
Basically I was just wondering if you guys could help me out by suggesting a bunch of good schools that I would have a fairly decent chance of getting into. In case it’s relevant, I figured I should tell you that I want to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, so of course I would have to major in nursing. Anyways, here’s all my academic info and such:
Unweighted GPA: 3.92
Weighted GPA: 4.48
Class rank: 19/224 (in the top 8.5%)
Work load: I will have completed 3-5 AP courses by the time I graduate, and all of my core classes (except algebra my freshman year) have been honors. I'll also have 2 extra high school credits when I graduate (math and science). Plus I have a very high chance of getting placed into my school's certified nursing program during my senior year.
Test scores: I haven't taken the SAT or ACT yet, but I will this year.
However, I have taken the new PSAT and I got a 1200, which is in the 92nd percentile
Extracurriculars: Interact (a rotary club extension) for 4 years, possibly a leadership position for 1 year
Color Guard for 3 years, and captain for 2
Winterguard for 4 years, and possibly a captain for 1
National Honors Society for 2 years
Thanks so much to anyone who took the time to respond, or to even read this! It really helps me out a lot
What is it about Penn that you like so much? Letting folks know will help them make suggestions with those attributes in mind.
You definitely need to build a list of reaches, matches and safeties and not fixate on one school. Penn is very competitive and the nursing program even more so. Your GPA and class rank are strong but your PSAT and ECs are not going to stand out at Penn.
Oh yeah, I guess I forgot to add why I like UPenn so much, my bad!
Well first of all, I really like the location and the campus in general. Plus I’ve heard so many fantastic things about their nursing program, and I really like that there is a possibility for an externship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia . I’m also a pretty competitive person, and I love being in a very competitive and fast paced environment. Penn also meets the majority of your financial need, which is super important seeing as I don’t exactly have very much money.
I live with my mom and my little sister, and my mom has to work a lot so I do have to take care of my sister most of the time that I’m home, otherwise I would have way more ECs. However, I am trying to get a job that fits with my schedule, and I plan on applying to volunteer at my local hospital after marching band season is over.
I’m also definitely studying for the SAT and ACT, I plan to take them both. I’m also taking the PSAT again to see if I qualify for national merit.
Two big cliches:
Keep your eye on the prize.
Keep your options open.
There are a lot of avenues to your desired career goal and they aren’t all centered on UPenn.
Lots of good colleges are out there with great programs including wonderful opportunities for internship.
When you focus on just one college (or any singular entity) you tend to hear only the good (or bad depending on your focus) and build it up in your mind.
Focus more on your end goal of getting the career you want. I’m sure there are many colleges which fit your criteria besides just UPenn.
Go visit other schools. Talk to students. Once you see that students at another campus “are just like me” (or even more so) in competitiveness, aspirations and “smarts” you’ll be more open. (Good luck!)
Regarding your competitiveness & Penn obsession, remember that everyone, everywhere is looking up at someone…Penn nursing students probably feel looked down upon by Penn pre-meds, who probably feel looked down upon by Temple medical students, who probably feel looked down upon by every young MD in the country, who are laughed at by every experienced nurse they run into…etc etc. You have to focus on what you are and what you’ve got, rather than what you aren’t and what you haven’t got.
There are lots of wonderful nursing schools where they know everything the Penn professors know. Don’t get obsessed with just one school.
But note that nursing is a competitive major in most schools, whether it is direct admission or competitive admission later after enrolling at the school.
There may also be high GPA or grade requirements to stay in the nursing major.
I don’t know specifics, but take a look at Widener. I understand Du Pont Nemours Children hospital has satellite offices in Chester. We met a Widener nursing student there on our last visit.
Since you are looking for an urban campus with access to good hospitals I would consider Case Western. University Hospital is on campus and Cleveland Clinic is easily accessible by mass transit. Both have relationships with Case. Case also gives good merit based aid and has strong health care programs.
Salaries for RNs and pediatric nurse practitioners will be the SAME regardless of the school you attended. So the NP who got her start in the local Associates Degree Program (ADN) for her RN training will likely make the same as a U Penn graduate.
You really really should visit Pitt. They do offer some solid merit aid and the urban location with multiple hospitals right in the school area make it a very desirable campus for a healthcare major.
Need to look at where one can complete nursing degree affordably - and that also means enrolling at the beginning and not having more students in nursing that can all enter clinical/junior year after successfully completing freshman/sophomore requirements.
I know many students that made this mistake.
DD went into a state nursing scholars program where she was ‘guaranteed’ a seat in her junior year with proper completion of freshman/sophomore. Some schools call it different things. Niece was in a state program where she also could go on to clinical training in junior year. Both are now BSN/RN’s. I am a BSN/RN.
For the long term, the dream of being a nurse should outweigh the school dream. A costly school can be a nightmare pretty quickly.
Can also look to ADN (associate degree) and then work while completing BSN program. Look at your state nursing web site for all the programs, so you do not overlook something that may work for you.
How about Drexel? It’s right next to U Penn, they have a great nursing program, they run a coop program that will help you earn money while in school, and you can still get internships at “chop” (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).
Penn would seem to be a long shot for you, but otherwise your stats are great and there are many, many great schools that you can get in to that will want you! Do some research, apply to as many as you can (maybe 6-12 including Penn), and then fall in love with a school that wants YOU! (Lots of other suggestions on this thread, but also look at Fairfield in CT)
