Hi everyone, I am a junior coming up with a list of schools to research more/apply to.
Stats:
4.0 unweighted GPA- College Prep and some Honors classes.
31 ACT first attempt (36 E 36 R 23 M 29 S) I am hoping to retake but given the current situation not sure that will happen.
OK EC’s- I’ve danced for about 15 years now, and have taken many classes and participated in a ton of performances. I have also done community service including tutoring middle schoolers and volunteering at a summer camp for little kids. I also wrote an article for a hospital department newsletter and gave a speech at an annual event.
I think I will be able to write good essays, and I have a compelling story to tell. I also think I will have at least two good letters of recommendation from both my 10th grade English teacher and my guidance counselor, and I am figuring out another academic teacher to ask.
Caucasian female from MA, most likely full pay, but merit scholarships would be nice.
I am interested in majoring in nursing. I would like a school 2 hours or less from Boston, no smaller than 2000 students (and preferably more than that), good disability/support systems. It would be nice to have some sports/school spirit, and an opportunity to continue dancing as well.
Here are the schools on my list that I’ve visited so far and liked.
UMass Amherst
Westfield State
U New Hampshire
Saint Anselm
Curry College
Endicott College
Northeastern University
Here are some of the schools I’ve researched but haven’t gotten the chance to visit yet.
Boston College
U Rhode Island
UConn
Salve Regina
Any thoughts on schools I should add or reconsider? TIA and sorry it’s so long!
U.Mass Amherst immediately came to mind reading your post. U.Mass Lowell also has a good nursing program but being in-state with your GPA U.Mass Amherst seems like it is probably safe.
UVM and U.Maine come to mind as additional options. I like UVM, but I am not sure that it would be worth the additional cost compared to U.Mass.
I would run the NPC before applying to Northeastern and Boston College and make sure that your parents do not fall over after they hear what they would cost.
For some students from Massachusetts U.Mass Amhest does not seem “exciting”. However you can get a great education there at a very reasonable cost. Five years from now you will be a nurse with a good job and no or minimal debt, and parents that did not spend their retirement fund on your education. That sounds pretty good to me!
Congratulations on your great GPA. The thing that I occasionally remember about having an unweighted 4.0 is that this means you were able to get an A on your worst class. This is impressive and something that I never pulled off myself until graduate school (when every class was closely related to my major).
@DadTwoGirls Thank you very much! I really like UMass Amherst but the nursing is so competitive there. I drove around UMass Lowell and just didn’t like the feel of it. I think I like more of a campus. UVM and UMaine look like great schools but too far away from home. My parents know the cost (and aren’t thrilled) but those are definitely reaches for admission as well as financially. Thank you for your comment about the GPA. I’ve worked really hard, but I get nervous since I haven’t taken tons of AP’s like most of the posters on here.
Should I be narrowing my list of schools down? I know eleven applications is on the high side but there’s a lot of uncertainty around next year’s application cycle and I have also taken longer to graduate high school due to medical issues, so I’m nervous about getting acceptances. Any thoughts?
With respect to schools you may want to keep, St. Anselm and URI offer well-established nursing programs that should make them appealing to you as you move ahead with your research.
If you would like a potential addition and would be willing to travel a bit farther from Boston (2 1/2 hours), consider Fairfield.
Regarding trimming, I think you could probably wisely do this after you have established a core group of favorite schools. Admission across several of your current choices should not present a particular challenge for you.
@merc81 Thank you! I don’t think my parents will let me go farther than 2 hours and I want to stay somewhat close to Boston for my doctors, but I know my friend was really enjoying her time at Fairfield! I do have schools on that list I like more than others, I am just worried because nursing is so competitive and admissions could potentially be even more so than usual with deferrals or gap years for 2020. We will have to see!
Yes, nursing programs typically admit students under their own set of criteria, @Livvyxoxo, so I can understand your caution. I’m glad your friend likes Fairfield. With well considered applications, you should arrive at a similar outcome.