Honest advice needed

TNMommy · Feb 24, 2009

If I was you, I would look into what is called a fresh start. This is basically where you forgo all your other course work and start all over without transfering credits. Otherwise, TSU thru VSCC will not take you. I have a 3.4 gpa and doubt that I will get in for the fall program. Last semester there were several girls I know of that had a 3.7 and still did not get in. I have also applied to Bowling Green CC @ WKU and Columbia State. These two colleges do look and take into account other things beside gpa. If you have any ? about VSCC, professors, or anything else, just PM me.

sandnnw, BSN, MSN, EMT-B, APRN · Mar 12, 2009

Can you repeat some of the original course work at the original college? I did that and brought a few frogs and dawgs up to A/B's. Made a huge difference in my GPA. You can definitely tell the difference between my freshman/soph and junior/senior years. Maturity has a plus!

BTW, don't settle for TSU. Look at the private schools as well, less competition, esp the new ones, David Lipsomb for example. Your maturity will shine through and the interview process is helpful to "explain" the change in grades/heart. If you are forced to play the "fresh start" card, I would definitely look at the private schools! Aquinas, Cumberland and Belmont are all superb programs. Costly, but remember, each year you delay is roughly $40K you are forgoing. Good luck! Keep us informed.

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · Mar 15, 2009

Hi everyone,
I am taking all the precourses necessary to apply for a nursing program here in middle Tennessee. Here is my issue; when I was in my youth and viewed college as a "big party", my grades reflected it and I have a HORRENDOUS GPA. I am now absolutely more mature in mind and age, and I think my past is going to haunt me. I am at VSCC and through their program with TSU, they want a GPA of at least 2.50 in ALL your college work. I will be honest and say that at one college I had a 2.38 and in the other a 1.98. The courses I am taking now (English 1010 & Med. Terminology) I am currently making A's. What constructive advice can you give me? I am open to other nursing programs, if anyone knows one that takes into account current GPA standings.
I was told that TSU simply looks at the application and does not have personal interviews, do you think it is worth my time to try and speak with someone @ TSU to attempt to explain or is this a waste of time because of the competitveness of all nursing programs?
Big thanks!
Onnie

I got into TSU's ADN program with a 3.09 overall GPA, however I did extremely well on the NETs. It's a combination of a few factors. I was probably, however, the lowest GPA from all that got accepted, or damn near the bottom.

no, TSU does not have individual interviews for their nursing programs, not for the ADN program at least. I graduate this May from the ADN program at TSU... and let me give you one tip:

STAY AWAY FROM TSU'S ADN NURSING PROGRAM.

I really have not enjoyed the second semester. At all. Short changed on clinicals. No support or help from the staff. I would find a program that DOESN'T use the HESI as an exit exam that makes it mandatory to pass it before you have to take the NCLEX.

As someone else said, can you retake the courses you did bad in? Removing an F,D, or C and replace with an A or a B would be better than trying to bring up lower grades just by taking other classes

And btw, I wouldn't try to talk to anyone at TSU. They may seem nice when you talk to them, but they will never get anything done, always lose your paperwork, and its a hassle to have to do ANYTHING with financial aid at the school. Such a pain. I'm glad I'm done in May!

TNMommy · Mar 18, 2009

I just received an interview letter from WKU's ADN program. I am so nervous because I don't know what they may ask. Does anyone have any experience with the interview process for nursing programs?

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · Mar 18, 2009

Not sure, but I LOVED wku. I went there 2 years for my pre reqs for the bsn program. Absolutely awesome school, extremely helpful staff, and has an active community. Goodluck! You'll love the school

sethmctenn · Mar 25, 2009

Look into how they calculate GPA. Some schools use the average GPA of all schools you have been to without weighing each school for hourse. For instance, you had 40 hours at 1 school with a 2.0, 30 hours at 1 school with a 2.0 and 1 hour at another school with a 4.0 then your average gpa 2.66. With programs like that, you can spend once semester taking classes via Regents Online Degree Program at several different schools and raise your average GPA faster than retaking classes.