Teas/GPA Questions... help pls!! :)

rtyo1 · Aug 23, 2013

I am actually in the process of applying to a very competitive BSN program designed for people whom have already graduated college... I am 24 and have a degree from last May in business marketing. My cumulative GPA on my sciences (excluding nutrition and pathophysiology, which I am taking this fall) is a 4.0, and my TEAS score was a 91.3%. My program requires a "select" GPA, in which 8/10 prerequisite courses are used to compile your application GPA. All of mine are A's, except for one B from my sophomore psychology course, bringing my cumulative to a 3.89 (shoot!).

At any rate, I will be applying next week, and I am nervous, as this is my shot to get into nursing; something that I should have studied from day one of college, mind you. Just make sure that you take a look at the GPA and TEAS requirements which the programs that you are interested in have in place. Also, if time permits, you can retake the TEAS after one year from your first exam, so if you think you can bring your score up higher, it may help your chances.

Good luck!

rubyagnes, BSN · Aug 24, 2013

@rtyo1 Thanks for your response! My program is a basic RN day program at a community college. Their description claims that they require at least a "Proficient" Teas score as well a minimum GPA of 2.50 for specific Nursing prerequisites, however, it seems that is an understatement based on the posts I've seen on here about rejections from CCBC. More realistically, I would say a 2.5 would be pretty low for CCBC, but perhaps I'm just being paranoid? I don't know, I guess it just feels good to chat and figure out if my scores are reasonable, even though I understand each school is very different. At least point I don't have time to retake the Teas for the upcoming Spring 2014 applications.

shayleejoy · Aug 25, 2013

I just completed my first week of my first semester of a very competitive, rigorous BSN program. Congrats on your TEAS score, its a good one! Reading throught this pre-nursing forum I cannot believe the misconception that GPA is everything. IT IS NOT. I could tell you countless stories of people who entered my program with a 3.8-4.2 before me and literally failed miserably! Being able to study and retain information is not everything. Nursing requires a whole new thought process and the ability to think critically. Being able to shove information into your brain and regurgitate is not an accurate representation of your capacity to be a good nurse. All that to say. With your good TEAS score, and if you have good references, and wrote a solid essay or conducted yourself way in your interview I honestly don't see you not getting accepted. I wish you all the best! Maybe post again when you get your letter and let us know? :) I'll try to check back.

rubyagnes, BSN · Sep 3, 2013

@shayleejoy Thanks for your response! The school I applied to doesn't accept references or essays, so I'm hoping my scores and GPA are enough! I think they have interviews eventually... Eeek I'm nervous!

Thanks again for your response!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 3, 2013

To me it sounds like your GPA and your TEAS scores are very very good. Nursing schools use both of those scores to determine your likelihood of passing the program and ultimately passing the NCLEX. The program that I am in likes to see a GPA of 3.0 in the core science classes and a 2.5 overall. They also like to see a TEAS score of 62 or better. If memory serves, my scores were something like 3.2 GPA and 87%. Although it did for me was qualify me as a nursing school applicant. I ended up applying something like 15 times over 4 years and I finally got accepted for the program, actually both of them, in the last batch of applications I sent out.

So my advice is simple. Don't worry about it. You've done your best, you've put in the applications with some very good scores, and now it's all out of your control. Let that happen. If you're accepted, great! If you're rejected for this go-around, don't get down on yourself. When the next filing period opens that you're able to apply for, fill out those apps and get them in! Often you get more weight applied to your application the more times you apply consecutively. Eventually the law of averages (and that of pity) catches up to you and you'll be admitted!

Believe me, I was VERY persistent... and now I'm almost done with school. Just 2 more semesters to go!