My niece is about to be a high school senior and is interested in attending a school with a nursing program. She didn’t really want to talk much about her GPA or SAT scores, so I’m guessing she is in the 2.9 to 3.1 range with an SAT around 1000. Not exactly stellar stats to get into competitive programs. However, she is a smart person and has the temperament to be a wonderful nurse. She is looking at SSU and UN-Reno. Does anyone have any insights into which CSU’s she should target?
And if the answer is “Go to a JC first,” any recommendations for junior colleges with strong pre-nursing programs would be appreciated, as well.
All CSU’s are impacted for nursing so ultra competitive and if her stats are correct, all will be difficult admits. Most of the CSU’s are 2+2 programs, where the student is admitted as a “Pre-Nursing” major, they take the pre-nursing pre-req courses than apply to the Nursing program so no guarantee that they get into the program. The direct admit CSU’s are even more competitive.
UN-Reno might be a good option if she wants to be admitted into a 4 year university.
For SSU, here is the minimum Pre-Nursing requirements:
Pre-Nursing University Entrance Requirements: High School or College introductory level Biology and Chemistry with grades of B- or higher, overall GPA of 3.5 and a minimum eligibility index score of 4004 (SAT) or 966 (ACT). A Pre-Nursing major classification at SSU provides only priority registration in prerequisite science courses. There is no guarantee of admission to the nursing major based on pre-nursing designation.
The above pre-nursing requirements for a HS applicant will be pretty similar for all the CSU’s.
She should also look at Arizona state if she is interested in OOS.
I think attending her local CC and then applying to her local CSU that has a Nursing program would be the best path for her at this point.
Many of the CSU’s have articulation agreements with the local CC’s which lists the required courses to be taken at the local CC.
For example, CSU Channel Islands lists BSN roadmaps for several local CC’s such as Ventura College/Moorpark College.
Where in CA does she live? What are her local CC’s?
@Gumbymom, that was a thorough response. Thank you. She lives in Sacramento. Lots of JC’s available. Sac City, Cosumnes River, American River, Folsom,Lake, Sierra all within easy driving distance. She’s less than five miles from American River College.
I’m hoping she has better stats than I posted. However, reading between the lines in conversations with her and her parents, I’m probably not far off. Maybe a 3.3 with an 1100 SAT at the highest. That still says Community College or at least a different major.
Depending upon her final stats, it might still be worthwhile to apply to some Pre-Nursing programs at a few CSU’s. She would need to do some research on each schools specific minimum criteria.
Several different options to get into Nursing. Best of luck to her
As you know, the programs are super competitive for freshman admits. The same is true for transfer applicants so, if she goes to a JC, she;ll need a really strong GPA and just the right classes. At this point, Id suggest she apply to a few places as a freshman as a Nursing Major - maybe Channel Islands, and another one of the less competitive CSUs. Then, also apply to a couple schools undeclared. Visit some schools and see if she’s got a favorite - while at the schools talk to the Nursing department about the best path into their program. . My understanding is that most have a preference for continuing students - meaning, her GPA etc would need to be higher at a CC than if she’s already in attendance. At the same time, she can get some exposure to what it is like to work as a Nurse. Sac has a really strong program and is probably her local school so, it is certainly worth an application. Sonoma and Monterrey are also worth a shot.
Get all A’s in the prerequisite classes for Sacramento State. A minuses work just the same in the GPA calculation… For some, it can take a third or fourth year to get into Sac State’s nursing program – I recommend going to the CC first, idk how the competition varies for getting classes / doing well in them goes but at least you’ll save money if you can’t get in by the second year which I know a few that have, it’s rare. If you get a C in a prerequisite you probably aren’t taking it seriously enough and if time permits you’ll have to retake it just to get the GPA up.