<p>I’ve been looking around at nursing schools too! I’m a senior, but I’m thinking of taking a gap year and applying to nursing schools in the fall (I already applied to regular schools, but I just realized I want to go into nursing). </p>
<p>What I’ve noticed so far (though my advice should be taken with a grain of salt. I really don’t know much – this is just what I’ve read / heard. Hopefully some other CCers who have actually applied to nursing school can offer you more constructive advice). </p>
<p>1st thing to check: are these programs direct entry? Unless it’s in-state, you don’t want to apply to nursing school, get in, go for two years and fulfill the requirements, have to apply again, and then get rejected. That’s stressful.
There’s a master-list of direct entry programs in the forum, a couple of threads down. Look through that and see if any schools interest you.</p>
<p>2nd: Two schools to thinking about adding (simply because I really like them): Case Western – it’s private, but they offer a lot of merit scholarships to nursing students (plus they have a cool program where you get to do a lot more clinical hours). U Pitt – pretty reasonable out of state and a really great nursing school. Plus they also give a fair amount of merit scholarships. Also another point to think about, if you’re looking for NEED-BASED aid (calculate your EFC sometime this spring/summer), private schools actually tend to give more because they have larger endowments. But not always – so apply to a wide variety of schools. Have a discussion with your parents about how much money they’re willing to pay/ take out in loans for college BEFORE you apply. </p>
<p>3rd: a lot of these schools are early action / rolling. Apply to the schools that have EA, EA if you can. And apply to the rolling ones AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. Then you’re more likely to get accepted. Plus, you’ll hear sooner, so you won’t have to deal with the long wait. (Do your applications this summer if you can). </p>
<p>4th: You’ll definitely have a leg up getting into Denver because you live in-state, and it’s usually easier to get into your own state school than another out of state. How big is the nursing program? I know that in my state, MA, it’s pretty selective (only 50 students). </p>
<p>5th: Beef up your health-related ECs if you can. What are you doing this summer? If you can, try to volunteer at the hospital a few hours a week, or do another health-related activity.</p>
<p>6th: I really don’t know much about gay-friendliness in nursing schools… I’m interested in that too, so please let me know what you hear (go lesbian nurses!). I know Simmons (in Boston) has a great nursing school and is really lesbian friendly (I have a lot of queer friends there and a couple friends in the nursing program and they love it) BUT it’s private and I don’t think they offer a lot of merit money. I think they’re really good with need based aid though. </p>
<p>GOOD LUCK! You’ll be fine. Don’t stress. Just keep researching and try to stay on top of things – you’re already five steps ahead of most everyone else, you know what you want to do, and you’re already looking at schools this early during your junior year. You’re totally on the right track! Just keep on going!</p>