My out-of-state daughter is thinking of applying to Penn State for nursing.
Does anyone have any person insight to the program that they can share?
And if you were just accepted or rejected, can you share your stats?
My FD is currently in the nursing program at University Park (UP, or main campus). First thing to know: Nursing is one of only a few direct entry programs at PSU. You can’t transfer into the nursing program at University Park, nor can you transfer from a branch campus’ nursing program into the program at University Park. Wherever you start your degree is where you have to finish it.
Each year, the program at UP has about 150 or so spots to fill. They seem to accept at least a dozen more students than this knowing a few will drop out after the first year as students go through the weed out classes. However, the school receives upwards of 1800 applications for the program, so it’s very competitive–less than a 10% acceptance rate.
We were told by a senior administrator that you basically need to have a 3.9 GPA or above to gain acceptance and even then there’s no guarantee. If you have healthcare experience and volunteer hours, you might get away with something a little lower.
Students at UP will spend either their junior or senior year at Hershey Medical Center. Students look forward to this as they live in nursing/med student apartments right next to the hospital. The program, however, can be extremely difficult, even for A students. The program is highly regarded and graduates seem to always get jobs.
If your daughter doesn’t get into UP, please consider the program through the Altoona campus. They have a newer sim lab and have access to a level 3 trauma center right in town. It’s a wonderful program and the campus is only 45 minutes from UP, so she can still come up for the weekend activities and football games.
Opps…stats.
My kiddo was on the bubble with a 3.8, but she had a lot of patient volunteer hours, participated in HOSA, worked in a health-related research lab, and took a few medical-related courses in high school, including anatomy & physiology.
Good luck to your daughter.
@vamom4 My in-state D19 might b applying this summer 3.98 GPA and 30 ACT (32 English and 30 Math). From looking at other threads Nursing looks extremely competitive.
My daughter was accepted for class of 2022 Nursing at University Park
Stats:
SAT: 1280
GPA: 98.32% weighted at time of application - finished senior year higher) - I believe PENN weights IB courses heavier than our school does so her “PENN STATE” gpa may have come in higher than her transcript
In math and Science courses - no GPA lower than a 102%
(took 2 High school classes in 8th grade that pulled her gpa down a little)
Rank: Does not rank - probably top 15%
2 APs; 8 Honors; 4 IB
State: NY
School Type: IB Public School
Other factors: Varsity cheer team, 2 clubs, has worked part time throughout the year since 9th grade; Counselor at YMCA sleep away camp, Jr and Sr Honor Society
My recommendation - apply VERY EARLY!! Her app was in by end of September - she was accepted 12/6 - she committed a couple weeks later because this was her dream school.
Good Luck!!!
@vamom4 Accepted to Nursing program University Park for Fall 2019
GPA: 4.48 weighted
SAT: 1380
All honors and AP classes
Sciences: human anatomy and physiology 1 and 2, physical science, chem, physics, and a 2 year AP bio
Math: geometry, algebra 2, precalc/trig, calc, and AP Stat
Other: paid babysitter since freshman year, dancer for 14 years, competitive for 6, captain for 3, President of breast cancer awareness club, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor society, volunteer work