<p>My niece is beginning to look into nursing programs. As a rising senior in HS, she did not have an opportunity begin the college process as her mother was quite ill last year and ultimately passed away in the midst of her junior year</p>
<p>Now it is nearly September. She has not taken the SAT/ACT. She is a good student (don't know the exact stats) but obviously had a rocky junior year. She is studying for and will be taking AP Bio this year.</p>
<p>She would like to become a nurse and would like to attend college "where it is warm"</p>
<p>Some direct entry possibilities in Florida include Univ. of Central Florida in Orlando, Univ. of South Florida in Tampa, and Univ. of Miami in Coral Gables (warmest of the three). Univ. of Tampa also has Nursing major available but it is not direct entry.</p>
<p>Also, it goes without saying that she needs to sign up for the SAT or the ACT. Like, now. The earliest possible date. That way, if she needs more tests or a retake, she might have time for one more.</p>
<p>Have her take both the ACT and the SAT. they are typically offered on different weekends. They are very different tests, and a student often does better on one than the other.</p>
<p>A high percentage of nursing schools in the southeast are not direct entry. Students often compete for a limited number of spots after their first or second year of college. If you are willing to accept a little bit colder weather, you can increase your chances of becoming a nurse by going to a direct entry college in the northeast.</p>
<p>I’d try to get some applications in by October. The nursing spots of many schools fill up early.</p>
<p>Pretty much any CSU (California State University) campus would be worth looking into. Long Beach and Bakersfield are both definitely in warmer climates and have pretty good nursing programs. She would probably like Long Beach a bit better - it’s close to the beach and about 30 minutes from LA. There’s not much to do in or around Bakersfield, but it’s definitely “warm.” (I put warm in quotes because it can get up to 110-115 in July). </p>
<p>CSU Bakersfield would probably be easier for her to get into though if she had a rocky junior year (not sure what exactly you mean by rocky), but CSUs in general aren’t particularly difficult to get into.</p>
<p>TCU in Dallas/Fort Worth has a direct entry Nursing program which is fabulous! And the fact that TCU is in the Big 12 Football conference with a spirited, close knit (9k) student body is an added bonus!</p>
<p>MomofaKnight: I also recommend getting her to some nursing program open houses, if possible. My D made some connections during those visits that seemed to really help her when she was applying, aside from getting a better idea about the schools themselves. </p>
<p>My spouse went into a nursing home on an emergency basis during D’s junior year (died this year) and D’s best friend’s Mom died that year, so I know how planning for college doesn’t seem that important in the middle of crisis and grieving. You’re a great aunt to be helping her pick up and go on. My D mentions these life experiences as some of the reasons for her commitment to being a great nurse. She’ll be graduating this year with her BSN, and has done really well in nursing school. These kids have amazing strength and empathy.</p>