which is far more competitive than anything the other kids are doing! She isn’t even a BAD student but nursing is tough. And I still have to tow the line on reasonable costs yikes. She just made her first application and by all accounts appears to meet the criteria. Her ACT just makes it, her GPA is higher and her course work meets the requirements. She hopes that applying early will be in her favor – the direct admit class is only 30 people.
Good luck!
Is a two year RN program out of the question for her? I ask because most of the nurses I know IRL started with a two year degree and then went on for their 4 year+ degrees.
You will be strongly encouraged to focus on direct entry. It’s not bad advice BUT don’t rule out the competitive entry programs. A good student with good grades has a pretty decent shot at admission to the major, especially when the school itself if not super competitive for admission.
@ordinarylives she is a good but not outstanding student and I think might be the type to wither under the competition pressure
@mom2twogirls I think that would be a safety fall back – she could do that if nothing else works out
I always thought it sounded like a great option! Hopefully your daughter will have lots of great choices for getting to her goal.
Stats? Budget? Area preferred?
@kandcsmom She has a 3.45 unweighted GPA, 24 ACT (her science score is strong), mini med camp at Drexel U, volunteers on local ambulance, has a PT job, and is a USFS moves in the field gold medalist. She competed in figure skating for many years and was very successful. We can only do about $13k a year total net out of pocket after merit scholarships and GSLs. She is the 5th kid. I would prefer her not be too far away - well mostly transportation cannot be too difficult or costly again - 5th kid
She may surprise you…she could absolutely bloom in a nursing program. Looking at her ECs, it seems like her strengths may be in hands-on, practical, actions rather than studying theoretical things that may not seem to have any obvious application. Even academics may come easier to her once she has a goal at the end that makes sense to her.
@inthegarden I agree with you but right now her stats are what they are and its all they have to get her admitted and enough merit to afford one of them.
Oh, I see, @toomanyteens. Though I knew that you were focused on her getting accepted with merit aid, I also thought you were nervous about her performance while in a program (i.e. withering under competition) and that’s the part for which I was offering some words of hope.
The healthcare industry is desperate for BSNs so they are in high demand but because there is a huge nursing shortage most employers will hire two year program nurses. And a pretty significant number of them (namely big healthcare systems) will offer tuition assistance programs to get the BSN while you work. I am speaking from experience in Texas. Your part of the country might be different but I’d be surprised. Shoot for the moon on the BSN but have the 2 year program as a back up plan?
@Nrdsb4 any thoughts?
We are in the middle of this process as well. So far we have two acceptances to direct-admit programs. They are not name-brand schools. They are regional schools with great reputations, but they are rarely if ever mentioned on CC. 
I spoke with the dean of a larger, direct-admit program (a school you might recognize) and she said, FWIW, that she really dislikes the competitive non-direct admission process. Her opinion was there was a lot more support and collaboration in direct-admit programs, because the students didn’t feel like by helping one another they were hurting their own chances. That’s just her opinion, of course, but it was an interesting perspective.
Take a look at the course requirements before you decide anything. While BSN programs are about the same everywhere, some have coursework that your daughter might excel in more. That may or may not sway your decision. On tours, we also found that there was an abundance of tutoring options, and BSN students were very supported. Again, these are smaller schools - mostly Division II and III, for comparison.
In general, we found direct-admit programs seemed slightly harder to get into, but easier to stay in. You might need a 2.7 to progress to your clinicals sophomore year in a direct-admit program. Anecdotally, a cousin’s daughter did not get into her clinical year her first try at a state school because her GPA was a 3.7 and that year’s cutoff was a 3.75 (this program took the top 100 every year). She got in the next semester, but it was stressful for everyone involved.
@inthegarden AH I see – I guess the thing is you can only control you and then the competition can be fierce-- you could end up in a group full of 3.9 types and then even if you have worked hard you may not make it. She is wanting to take the less risky route.
Also ask this question in the nursing subforum: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/nursing-major/
There are lots of direct admit programs like @bearcatmom mentioned. For some the important part is applying early.
Kids around here go to Gannon, Seton Hill, St Francis, several PASSHE schools.
^ I second looking into St. Francis University in Loretto PA, if your daughter will consider a Catholic school (though I don’t know anything about its financial aid). A friend’s son (who always seemed more of a “doer” than a top academic type) is thriving in their program…he wants to be a physician’s assistant. Maybe worth a look? Another friend’s daughter is loving the pre-physical therapy program (direct admit) at Slippery Rock. in N.W. PA) Am assuming they may also have a decent nursing program. I think the school is solid but not super-competitive. I can’t claim any authority on the subject, though…
@mommdc and @inthegarden thanks for the suggestions - she is applying right now and so far has applied to:
East Stroudsburg U
D’Youville College
Stevenson University
Rutgers Camden
York College (not sure if we can afford)
and several others (she owes me a list to give her $$ for ACT scores lol) - I will look into some of these others.