Another GPA Question

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Hey everyone! I have a GPA question!

I have a BA degree in an unrelated field and a 2.99 overall GPA and have been working to bring it up - all my nursing/science prerequisites are post-bacc and have high marks (As and Bs). I have a story behind my GPA and I do plan on explaining it to schools. After this next semester, assuming I get As and Bs, it should be 3.01, but this GPA change will occur after many application deadlines...They'd see I have courses in progress but my GPA will still be 2.99.

Should I still apply to programs that want 3.0? Or will they see 2.99 and automatically reject it?

I have clinical experience and I'm making a big effort. It's so close I can almost taste it....Does that have any merit?

guest83140

355 Posts

Apply to the 3.0 programs that is rounded up to two decimal places and when you get close enough to explain if you are asked, then explain your background.

Specializes in PACU.

Here is the thing with nursing schools and minimum GPA: an overwhelming amount of students applying have way above the minimum GPA. Minimum GPA =/= Acceptance. You will want to be competitive with the other students you are going up against in comparison. I would aim for increasing your GPA much higher than 3.01.

KayGee

85 Posts

Obviously I want to get it higher but it would take me 2+ more years, hints my predicament. I'm also done with prerequisites.

I find it hard to believe that no one would get accepted for having 3.0 when the minimum is 3.0 though.

Specializes in ICU.

Also, everyone with a low GPA has a story. A story isn't going to get you far. The GPA needs to come up. Most people applying to nursing school are 3.7 and above.

ShelbyaStar

468 Posts

Is this for an ABSN? I graduated with my first degree with the exact same GPA. It didn't really matter because I did well in my prereqs and that's all that was counted. If you're applying for an ABSN that doesn't require prereqs though or takes your whole previous degree into account, that may not be the case.

Specializes in PACU.
Also, everyone with a low GPA has a story. A story isn't going to get you far. The GPA needs to come up. Most people applying to nursing school are 3.7 and above.

Agreed. Just look at the Low GPA threads around Allnurses. It's the same story, different day. Listen, I was one of those people before I got into my program. I am NOT trying to kick you while you're down, just trying to get you to be realistic.

You need to aim for a higher GPA than 3.0 if you are at all serious about getting into nursing school. Or, conversely, you need to find a program the looks at more than GPA or has some kind of interview process. Or looks at pre-req only or your last 60 units only.

KayGee

85 Posts

I understand completely...but the message I'm getting is that there's no hope for me getting into an ABSN school. I'm crossing my fingers that's not the case. I suppose I'll keep researching.

Specializes in PACU.

ABSN are a lot more competitive than traditional BSN or ADN programs depending on the school. I would definitely expand your search to ADN programs as well.

amorei

5 Posts

I suppose I'll keep researching.

So you'll find "better" answers? The girls are right, GPA is the most important. Perhaps you can find a private, non-competitive school that accepts almost everyone. It also depends on which state you live in. But, for the most part, your chances of getting accepted into good public or even private school are slim to nothing. It's all about competition. So many people are applying and the majority has high competitive GPA's. That is why they also want you to have extra activities, job experience and volunteering listed on your application, so if they have two people with 3.6 they know which one to choose. We are really not trying to be mean, it's just the reality. I am in nursing school now and out of all the students in my class I don't know any that got accepted with less than 3.5 and my school is not even that competitive, around 5/1.

KayGee

85 Posts

No, so I'll find more fitting schools. :\

I have an interview coming up so we'll see what happens.

ShelbyaStar

468 Posts

I really had my heart set on an ABSN. I was really bummed to find 1) there aren't any in my area and 2) even if there were, I wouldn't have gotten in.

Oh well. The ADN/BSN program I'm in is cheap and I have time to work and even relax a little.

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