Carroll’s weed-out GPA for direct-admit nursing students is 2.75 (in courses at Carroll), according to https://www.carroll.edu/nursing/direct-entry
Note that one of the required courses is Theology 101: https://www.carroll.edu/courses/th-101-theological-foundations
My D22 is interested in a direct admit program as well. My husband and I are both experienced RNs. We also live in Southern California. My daughter and I have been compiling a list of direct admit schools she plans to apply to:
SDSU
CSUF
UCI
UCLA
University of Wyoming - WUE school
University of Utah - WUE
ASU
University of Hawaii Manoa - WUE
Florida Atlantic University
University of South Florida
Florida Southern College
Pacific Lutheran
@ucbalumnus- That is great advise. Def will get that in writing.
Would be ok with a few theology classes as long as the campus is diverse and inclusive.
@tbib83- I don’t think that WUE works with nursing and those schools. Correct me if Im wrong. The WUE site is confusing to me because if you search nursing, it says no results found but if you go into the individual schools and click lists of majors, nursing shows up on a lot of schools.
Im looking at flights to Fargo to visit in the a few months. I like what they have to say. Curious to hear from anyone who has done nursing at NDSU or had any interaction with them, (positive or neg)
Had a lovely email from U of San Fran tonight. I really like their program but will eating ramen for the next 20 years to afford it. Geesh, they are $$$$
Went back to the WUE site. Nursing Science does show up.
Lots of WUE for pre-nursing too?
Has anyone done WUE and how the process works? I understand the concept but it is dependable or are there only a few WUE slots at each school?
My daughter (Washington state) looked at U of SF, Creighton University, Univ of Portland, Gonzaga, Marquette, Seattle University for their direct admit nursing programs. She received great financial aid from Creighton, although her stats were not as good as your daughter’s. She is in her junior year in the Creighton nursing program. Many positives: We pay less than 25k per year, she loved being able to study abroad first semester of sophomore year, classes have been difficult but still manageable, advising staff is very strong and supportive, she found many friends including her sorority. Edited to add that Univ of SF would have been too expensive for us as well. University of Portland came in with merit and was far more affordable.
@mama2004 I am so thankful to hear this about Creighton. I’ve been searching here for info on Creighton’s program as my D21 has been accepted. We are going to tour in 2 weeks. I love their plentiful communication, and the idea of a smaller school for a direct admit. I was a nursing major and dropped out my second semester because I felt so overwhelmed and unsupported.
@RNmomof4 My D21 is hoping to be able to make a decision on a school soon. SoCal resident, UW GPA 3.8, W 4.1. Was admitted to Creighton with $24k per year merit, making it more affordable than many in state CA schools after housing. Your D would for sure receive at least the same. My D was denied SDSU, UCI, waiting to hear back from CSUF. She wants to have an in state option but I’m not sure it will pan out. We are also considering University of Utah, she was admitted pre-nursing, waiting to hear about the NEAP freshman admission. Fingers very crossed. For Utah she was offered WUE of $14k per year. We will be touring Utah as well to compare. Hoping she loves one of them!
Good news about Creighton is that it does not aggressively weed out nursing students. Minimum college GPA is 2.20: Traditional Nursing < Creighton University
@ucbalumnus This is great to hear about Creighton. I completely understand the need to weed out, you need strong candidates to complete the process. But sometimes just a little extra support makes all the difference for a motivated student. The school I went to 22 years ago had zero support for RN students. It was brutal.
I will put Creighton back on my list. 
A friends daughter goes there and is quite happy and involved at the school. Seems like a solid choice.
What a rollercoaster ride. Today we have been conversing with Pacific Lutheran. They have a new program this year and this is very appealing. Traditional BSN | Nursing | PLU
My D22 is in a different situation than most. She has her AA in deaf studies and will be finishing up all her nursing prerequisites this next school year. She could have Jr standing at PLU upon admission.
Watched this and it explained the program well. With merit and 2 years, we could make that work. First-Year Nursing Information Session - YouTube
I also conversed with Hood College today. She would also only have to go for 2 years there to finish her BSN. I heard about that school on this site. The admissions gal was great! Not the best stats but it could also work.
Also emailed with Carroll College (Catholic). The admissions counselor was lovely. No promises but the merit there would be quite good. Not sure D22 would be happy there re: diversity and inclusivity. I read a recent article about how the Gay/Straight alliance cancelled an event due to pressure from the school.
My running list, subject to change…
Carroll College
North Dakota State
Pacific Lutheran University
San Diego State University
University of California-Irvine
University of Portland
University of San Francisco (would need lots of merit $$)
Winona State University
Cal State Fullerton
Cal State San Marcos
Hood College
U of Wyoming
U of Utah
@mama2004 What do you know about Pacific Lutheran since you are from Washington? 
So a little update since my first post, Pacific Lutheran came back and said age 17 is fine.
Also now a few schools say she could finish 2-3 at some programs. That is good news…
I wish I knew more about PLU. My daughter didn’t look at it, but perhaps it’s a new program?
Heard back from Bloomsburg (PA) today. Added plus is they have deaf studies so D22 could take some ASL classes to keep up her fluency.
Seems like they have a solid BSN program.
Does anyone know anyone who has done their program? I like what I see on paper.
Their out of state rates are VERY good.
I have a friend whose daughter is very happy so far with Winona State for nursing.
Bloomsburg has a very good BSN program. Out of state however would be 36k probably with room and board. York College of Pa is private, great nursing, lots or merit, and worth looking into.
Bloomsburg looked promising as they said she could do the program in 3 years. BUT they require a student to be 18 to start clinicals. My daughter would be 17. Seems like it is the PA colleges that require her to be 18 to start clinicals since I have only heard that from PA schools. That means she would have to wait a year after graduating HS to start their program. I have found many colleges in other states that would allow her to start clinicals at 17 and we are continuing to look.
Admissions at York said that she would need the full 4 years. (even though she has an AA and will have all prerequisites completed) She also said the highest merit was 10K.
The search continues…
After MUCH research, it seems that I have found enough options that she could do her BSN in 2 years. I would consider a school that was 3 yrs if the merit made it manageable.
What I find interesting is the importance of “the process”. Although it would be fabulous if we could just plug in what we want with what she has taken already and spit out a few options, that is not the case.
What has been most helpful is reaching out to schools and finding out info that is not spelled out on websites.
Hang in there, nursing hopefuls…
I just looked up the cost of York. With 10K merit, the cost is quite amazing…
I think 18 to start clinicals is beyond reasonable.
Why the rush to push her through so quickly?
She has her AA, it wouldn’t be wasted. But as you know with nursing, the person really should at minimum be a legal adult.
@2plustrio I hear you… but all kiddos are different. I have 4 and the other 3 will not graduate early. They are all on their own path. Nursing kiddo is presently 15 (16 in a few weeks)and just about finished with her CNA and totally digging it. Has homeschooled since Kinder. She is a very motivated and academically gifted and just knows what she wants. This is led by her and I want to honor that. In no way am I pushing her. Should she work for a year after 11th grade to be 18 to do clinicals? Some might say yes. Some might say no. Bottom line is, does it really matter if she turns 18, 2 days before spring session clinicals or turning 18 during spring session. We met with the local community college counselor yesterday and it just doesn’t make sense to me to do an Associate RN when she can do the BSN over the same period of time. I wish I had the luxury of paying for 4 years of college for 4 kids. Brother will either be at San Diego State or U of Oregon at the same time. I want a program where she can thrive but not a UCLA where you have to pretty much cure cancer to be admitted. An environment that is inclusive/diverse that will support her along the way while nurturing who she is and wants to be…
The beauty of having 4 kids is that you don’t take credit for anything. They are who they are. Some have learning differences/disabilities, some are elite athletes, some have photographic memories, some live in a spotless room and some have things growing under their beds. Just trying to raise compassionate kids in this crazy world we live in.