Cumulative GPA & PRE-req GPA & which program?

Most programs don't look at your previous GPA (I think some accelerated BSNs do and I think that U of P's "AEM UP" does). I had a 2.7 cumulative from my Bachelor's degree in 2001 (proud of the degree, but not of the GPA).

I took my prerequisites over the past couple years and had a 3.9 overall and 4.0 A&P.

I applied to MHCC and PCC and it was my first year applying. I did not get into PCC, but that can be ignored, because it was a lottery and not merit based. I DID get into MHCC though.

My advice: don't worry about your previous GPA, it won't factor into most programs.

This is what helped me:

1) I had all my prereqs done by the deadline
2) I had microbiology completed by the deadline (MHCC gives you points for that because it's not a required prereq)
3) I had a high GPA in both A&P and cumulative prereqs
4) I have a bachelor's degree (you get points for that in some programs, but they don't count your GPA, just the degree)
5) I have healthcare experience that I was able to emphasize during the interview (not a CNA..I work as a physical therapy aide)

Nursing school is extremely competitive, so a high GPA is essential. According to the 2007 statistics for MHCC, the lowest GPA of the accepted applicants was 3.7 (both cumulative and A&P).

I just got into OHSU, Ashland (OCNE). I think the only grades they look at are the 45 prerquisite credits. I would try and have my prereq GPA as close to 4.0 as possible.

The other thing is look at the admission statistics for each of the 5 OHSU schools. You can only "primarily" apply to one school (you can mention which other schools you would like them to consider you for....but they only look at that if they dont have enough qualified applicants for that school....like that will happen :-) ) Anyway, the admission stats for the different schools are very different, and if you are willing to relocate to any of the other schools, you may have an easier time getting in.

Best of luck!

Peace,
CuriousMe

My nursing GPA is 3.84, I had all my pre-reqs complete, and I still didn't get in to nursing school. It's very, very competitive. I have to get my CNA license and retake a stupid writing class I took my first year in college. There really isn't anything more I can do besides that. Does that give you an idea of how hard it is to get in. It says you only need 3.0, but your not going to get in with that because so many other people with better GPAs will come first.

I just got into OHSU-Portland OCNE. I too had a horrible undergrad GPA (2.5!) from my first degree. However, for the past year I have been working hard on my prereqs which I completed with a 4.0. So there is hope! I am not a CNA and have very little health care experience, just about 6 months of volunteer work. Make sure you write a really good essay!

BTW, the OCNE program only looks at your prereq GPA while the accelerated bac looks at your cumulative GPA. I had no chance at that because of my low GPA from my previous bachelors. The average cum. GPA was a 3.7 last year. So, I have to take the 3 year long route, but I think it will go by fast from what I've heard. I also have no choice but to work at least 30/hrs/wk during school(house, car, bills, etc.) so the more spread out 3 year program will make it a little bit easier(a little)!

I also have a plan in the back of my mind in getting a masters possibly, depending on what specialty I end up loving and will get a leg up being a current OHSU student. I also really love the idea of being at a teaching hospital.

It will cost me an arm and a leg in loans because that is pretty much all I will qualify for as a second bachelor student, and I will miss a year's worth of salary compared to one of the ADN programs. It will just take me longer to pay off the student loans, but in the long run it will be all worth it. OHSU is also a lot closer to my house than CCC or MHCC, but the parking OY!!!!

I was definitely not an honor student my first go in college. So schools that looked only at prerequisite course GPA were a plus for me. My prerequisite GPA is 3.91. I applied to 4 schools in the area. Wait listed on my 4th pick, invited for an interview at pick #3 but declined, and received invitations to my #1 & #2 choice for schools.

I think the programs that only look at prerequisite course GPA feel it is a good indicator of your current potential as a future nursing student. There are many factors that affect one's performance in the past, but if you are earning A's current classes, you obviously it down now.

As for the accelerated programs, 3 are in the Portland area. OHSU and Linfield Good-Sam have accelerated BSN programs - 18 months. University of Portland has a 3-year alternate entry MSN (called AEM UP) for people with a previous BS or BA in a field outside of Nursing. Both OHSU and UofP have minimum GPA requirements that look at your previous degree GPA as well as your prerequisite GPA - taking both into account when you apply. I don't think you qualify for OHSU's accelerated program. Linfield only looks at your prerequisite GPA for their accelerated program.

Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing is a private school so it is more expensive. But for me and my situation, it was a better plan. A majority of students at Linfield get financial aid and I was fortunate enough to earn a couple of scholarships. In addition to this, the Financial Aid Office holds scholarship application workshops for us during summer and fall semesters.

So the 18 months to a BSN sounded great opposed to OHSU's OCNE curriculum which would take 3 years! Or the ADN + 1 Year to a BSN which would also total to 3 years. I will be graduating the following December, a full 6 months before any of the local ADN programs - so the new graduate pool looking for jobs will be smaller. When it comes to competing for an RN position - with all things being equal between the two candidates - I hope my BSN would edge out an ADN for the job. I also talked with a recent Linfield grad who did his clinical up at OHSU and subsequently got hired there after he graduated.

As for parking - yah it sucks on the hill, but so does parking in NW. Thankfully we get commuter parking spots as students in an assigned lot and the street car goes right by the school too.

I've talked with students at both OHSU and Linfield. Most are generally happy with their education at Linfield-Good Sam. The few students I've talked to at OHSU (former prerequisite classmates) said the program is okay. But as the general advice for Portland nursing schools goes, Apply everywhere and take whatever you can get.

If graduate school or management is in your future plans, you will need that BSN. If you just want to work an ADN will do.

So I recommend adding Linfield-Good Sam to your list....

A friend of mine went to Linfield. She had a previous degree (with a 2.3-ish GPA). Prereq GPA 3.8-ish Graduated in Dec 2006, went to work for a small hospital here in the Portland area in Jan 07. In March 08, she was given the opportunity to step up and take a position as the "Education Coordinator", working alongside the manager, another Linfield grad. (Who had a previous degree, and had been a nurse for less than 2 years prior to becoming the manager.) She says that Linfield doesn't necessarily have anything to do with it, other than the program helped prepare her to reach to her full potential, and never rule anything out.

I wish I had realized this when I was in school: Any program is going to be what you make of it. Never rule anything out.

(Sorry I don't know how to do the whole quote-the-previous-post thing but this is in response to JustJane2008's mention to wanting to stay in the Portland area)

JustJane2008 - In case you didn't know, Linfield's nursing program is in Portland and not in McMinnville.