M.K. asks from Warrensburg, MO on September 18, 2011
Applying for College Acceptance to Multiple Schools -How Bad Does It Look?
Being ex-military, I have three seperate schools under my belt. In trying to find a feasible way to return to school (and knowing I want to apply to at least 3 local colleges for the nursing program with the hopes that I will be accepted to at least one of them) I need to get ALL of the prereqs for each school (and of course, they are different!). For instance, one university requires anthropology and statistics, while another requires philosophy, ect,. WIth no daycare, and limited night classes for what I need available, I have found a way to knock out the four classes that will complete the req's for ALL three schools. There are two online classes for one school and a night class apeice for two other schools (two very close, the online in FL, but I've used them before).
Now for the question. Assuming all my research is complete and all classes will count and transfer with no problems, I still feel like somewhat of a school mutt, if you know what I mean. I can't help but wonder when I apply to the university's if they won't look at prereqs from five or six different schools and judge me in that I 1) either don't follow through with what I start, or 2) just think that I am scatter brainded and all over the place, period. Neither of which, of course, are good qualities for a nurse!
What do you think? Will my school slut status hinder my application process for the nursing program at major universities?
Featured Answers
J.W. answers from St. Louis on September 18, 2011
I don't really know the answer. I know that they do take consideration to where a prerequisite was earned and the grade achieved. So I don't think they will care if you earned them in different institutions so long as they are institutions that they allow credit to transfer from.
2 moms found this helpful
More Answers
M.B. answers from Austin on September 18, 2011
Frankly, being ex-military will probably put you at an advantage... they see that you have already been out in the world serving the country. They are used to having multiple college transcripts to deal with in that case. They also know you are ready to settle down at this point, and they won't have to deal with someone who doesn't know what real life is like.
Most high school students apply to multiple colleges anyway.. my daughter, when she finished her Bachelor's, applied to 5 different universities for her grad program.... she was invited to 4 of them for a recruiting weekend (she is working on her Doctorate in Microbiology), and was accepted to all 4 of those. She ended up choosing Johns Hopkins.
I think they will see determination to follow through, especially since (if I understand it correctly) you are utilizing several different colleges to get your requirements finished as soon as possible.
At any rate, I wish you the best of luck! I don't think you will have too many problems... but, understand that slots in most nursing programs are pretty competitive.. it may take a couple of semesters of applying to be accepted.
3 moms found this helpful
C.W. answers from Santa Barbara on September 18, 2011
I really think that professional programs, grad school and even universities expect you to be applying to other programs or schools. My daughter certainly didn't limit herself. As far as attending multiple colleges already, being in the military absolutely explains this.
Even applying for jobs, potential employers will ask if you are looking at other opportunities. This came up with my current employer (started in April) in the first five minutes and I told them the truth that I was.
3 moms found this helpful
C.O. answers from Washington DC on September 18, 2011
First off thank you for your service and sacrifices for our country!!
Are you utilizing the GI Bill?
I would do what I needed to do to get all the pre-reqs done...and apply to as many schools as you want - colleges EXPECT you to apply multiple schools, not just one.
The fact that you GOT the pre-reqs will let the board know you are SERIOUS about your education and that, in my opinion, will serve you well!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!
3 moms found this helpful
C.K. answers from Minneapolis on September 18, 2011
Someone was confused about the prerequisites for nursing school. I'm assuming that you might already have a degree in something else and are trying to get accepted into an accelerated, nursing only portion for your degree? I'm in that boat myself. I have a BA in French, but in order to get into the nursing program (a master's program) that I desire, I had to take 9 prereqs. I have 2 more to go. I chose to do it all at one institution, which was really inconvenient due to scheduling, and it was expensive. However, the program that I want to get into is highly competitive, so I chose a highly competitive school (the same one that I'm applying to for nursing) to complete my prereqs. I don't know if this was the right choice, but my gut tells me that they'll favor credits from the most reputable school around, even though they say they don't. Definitely talk to the people involved in admissions at all the schools you're applying to. Good luck!
2 moms found this helpful
T.W. answers from Syracuse on September 18, 2011
Which school would you most like to go to? I would call and set up an appt. to meet with someone in the nursing program/admissions about your application to the school. They'll be able to guide you with what you need to do to get in. I wouldn't worry too much about having gone through three other schools, being military they'll take that into consideration.
2 moms found this helpful
S.O. answers from San Antonio on September 18, 2011
Absolutely not!!!
5 yrs after my bachelors degree and working, I decided to go to grad school.
I only applied to 2 schools, b/c they were near my parents' home. I have been in a car wreck and lost my job b/c I needed 3 weeks off to recover and replace my car. Both schools accepted me and offered a financial aid pkg. By having more than one option, I could evaluate and compare what was best to make a good choice.
2 yrs ago, my oldest applied to 9 colleges in his Sr yr of high school. Very stressful!!!! 9 is a lot, but he was willing to do the work and then when it came time for making a decision, he had 4 rejections and 5 acceptances that we could consider.
I think applying to more than one school shows that you are a person who is careful and considers all options, so you can make the best choice. Good Luck!
2 moms found this helpful
J.W. answers from St. Louis on September 18, 2011
I don't really know the answer. I know that they do take consideration to where a prerequisite was earned and the grade achieved. So I don't think they will care if you earned them in different institutions so long as they are institutions that they allow credit to transfer from.
2 moms found this helpful
K.W. answers from Los Angeles on September 18, 2011
I have no experience with nursing school or college admissions, but my guess would be that there's an essay component in which you can explain that, and present it in a positive light. I'm sure it's pretty common in that field, as long as you're coming from quality schools/programs and have the grades they're looking for.
1 mom found this helpful
Email