Low undergrad GPA....can't get into NP school.

[raindrop]

My undergrad GPA is pretty low, however, my uni had a pretty high standard. I didn't do well for a plethora of reasons, but mainly because I worked waaay too much and put my classes on the back burner. I am kicking myself now, 8 years later. I can't get accepted into a NP program.

I talked to an advisor today and she said we can try to plea with the nursing committee, but we would have to have a pretty strong case because it's so competitive nowadays. I guess retaking a couple undergrad courses won't change my GPA since the degree has already been granted. And taking additional courses won't help either, b/c these programs all look at the last 60 hours of your undergrad nursing courses. Ugggh. I don't want to give up. Any advice on how I can plea this??

[Fiona59]

Are you trying to "plead" your case?

[lrobinson5]

Not trying to be rude, but how bad is your gpa? If the cutoff for the school is 3.0 and you have say, a 2.8 it is a lot different than someone with a 2.0.

[raindrop]

Not trying to be rude, but how bad is your gpa? If the cutoff for the school is 3.0 and you have say, a 2.8 it is a lot different than someone with a 2.0.

2.5 gpa

[lrobinson5]

Are you SURE that you can't retake classes at a CC? A lot of them say an undergraduate cumulative GPA of ___ to enter.

While your nursing courses may not be retaken, science courses definitely can. I think I would pick out schools you would like apply and see what their individual requirements are.

It doesn't sound right that taking more classes won't help you. I know some places specify they only take first attempts, but there has to be a school somewhere that will let you retake classes/add more to up your gpa.

[DoGoodThenGo]

While not applicable to this particular situation should like to put this out there; more and more nursing programs are moving to using NursingCAS (Centralized Application Service for Nursing) and there one has to enter *all* high school and post secondary schools/classes. From what one has heard and read from various posts here even classes taken five or more years ago can ding your GPA as created by this service.

[DoGoodThenGo]

My undergrad GPA is pretty low, however, my uni had a pretty high standard. I didn't do well for a plethora of reasons, but mainly because I worked waaay too much and put my classes on the back burner. I am kicking myself now, 8 years later. I can't get accepted into a NP program.

I talked to an advisor today and she said we can try to plea with the nursing committee, but we would have to have a pretty strong case because it's so competitive nowadays. I guess retaking a couple undergrad courses won't change my GPA since the degree has already been granted. And taking additional courses won't help either, b/c these programs all look at the last 60 hours of your undergrad nursing courses. Ugggh. I don't want to give up. Any advice on how I can plea this??

Am almost certain once one has graduated with a degree that is that as far as the GPA for that degree at the same school. While many colleges and universities have second BoS degree programs usually they require your second major be totally unrelated to previous coursework.

Getting into graduate school for any major is often difficult, and right how with every other nurse and her mother it seems going for NP those programs can often choose to be picky.

I would follow your advisor's advice and work up a case to present to the admissions committee. You're likely to only get one shot at this so make sure the thing is focused and clearly spells out a compelling case.

Retaking classes IMHO isn't the way to go, rather start on the course work (where possible) required for the NP degree. What the committee is likely wanting to see is that you are able to tackle graduate level work and not simply flounder about as with your previous degree. Even if you don't get into this particular school you will have a leg up on your start some where else.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

If you cannot change your GPA they you would do best to focus on things you can change to make your application extraordinary. Start volunteering, go on an overseas mission or two if you can, make contacts in the industry, join nursing associations within your field and become active in them, precept, become a clinical instructor for a local nursing or CNA school, etc. Boost the areas of your resume that you can control and show them that you have redefined yourself and your long-term goals.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

I would recommend taking some grad classes that can be transfered into an NP program, such as advanced pharmacology. Since you have been out of school for 8 years, by doing well in these classes you can increase your overall GPA and prove to the program that you can handle graduate level work.

[FLmomof5]

I am applying for a MSN program at Univ of So Ala. They say it is pretty competitive, but they also take other factors into consideration. My overall GPA is only 2.89, but that includes a BE-EE degree. D/T my 18 yrs IT exp, I may get into their Informatics program. BTW, their MSN's can be online!