ABSN programs in Michigan

[spartan7132]

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if any could educate me as to my chances of getting into an ABSN program in Michigan. The only reason I am asking is because my situation is slightly odd. First off I will be receiving my BS in August in Human Biology from Michigan State University. Some of my lower level classes (including some of those required for pre reqs) didn't go exactly magnificent. Two of the big ones were chemistry one and two which I earned a 2.0 and 3.0 in respectively. However that being said as you would expect from a degree called "human biology" there have been more than a few 300-400 level classes everyone of which with the exception of 2 I received no less than a 3.0 in. Those classes were Bio Chem, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Genetics, Epidemiology, Physiology, and Anatomy. Also for the past 3.5 years I have worked dorm security at night. Three of those years I have been a supervisor. During the school year I am not allowed to work more than 29 hours a week (federal law for university employed students) but I have always tried to get as close to 29 hours as I can. However during the summer I have always worked aprox 30 to 40 hours while still taking classes. All of this while helping out my two disabled parents back home in the metro Detroit area and managing to volunteer one semester at a local hospital.

That being said I have a 2.989 GPA right now and will be coming back in the fall to finish up the rest of the pre reqs for the nursing program at MSU and Wayne State. Now also I am not trying to be a jerk here so please don't take this the wrong way but I am also a guy which I understand gives me more desirable. Nothing personal ladies but that is just what I have read around on the internet. I am hoping to attend MSU since I really do like it here and I understand the program is highly rated. Thanks in advance for the help.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Moved to Michigan State Nursing Programs for more response.

[Pluripotent]

I have no idea about Wayne State but I can tell you for sure that your GPA is probably going to be too low for MSU. I graduated from MSU with a 2.9. Since then I have taken many extra pre-reqs (I did very well in these classes), retaken classes, have 3+ years of hospital volunteering experience, and took a CNA course. I applied to MSU twice and was rejected both times. MSU's program puts most of their decision on your undergraduate GPA. So whatever GPA is on your MSU transcript when you graduate, that's what they look at the most. No matter how many classes you take after graduation, it wont change that GPA. Their average GPA is 3.57. My boyfriend was accepted into the MSU program this year. He had much less experience than me but he had a 3.69 GPA from MSU. He says the lowest GPA he knows of for someone who got in was a ~3.4. It doesn't matter what your major is either. I had a BS in a health related degree and his was something completely different (sorry I don't want to give out too much info about us :) )

I don't mean to be discouraging, that's just my experience. Also, if you re-take classes they wont consider those grades (I asked the advisor about that). I think it's stupid MSU places so much of their decision on that one GPA but unfortunately they do. It never hurts to apply though, but I would definitely apply to many schools to increase your chances of getting in somewhere.

Also, if it's possible, it would actually help you to not graduate until you take the extra pre-reqs. Get your GPA as high as you can before you graduate. If your going to be coming back to take classes anyway, delaying graduation would actually be in your best interest in the long run. Just something to think about.

[spartan7132]

Thanks for the information Pluripotent although I can't say it was all good news but there is no such thing as having to much information in the academic world. From what it sounds like I would have a better probability of getting into medical school after doing a post bac at Wayne. At least medical school admission might take into account other events in my life while I was going to school but it sounds like MSU is only interested in final scores. That being said I think I will alter my plans to focus more so on other schools such as Wayne or Oakland's programs since it sounds like MSU is a lost cause. I will still apply since like you said it can't hurt but I think I pretty much have my answer. Once again thanks for the information and I wish you and your BF the best of luck.

[Pluripotent]

Thank you! Yeah it's crazy how different every medical/nursing program admission process is. If you are still thinking nursing and you can get your graduating GPA to at least a 3.0 you could apply to Detroit Mercy. They are expensive but I think less people apply because of that. Also there is U of M. I thought it would be much harder to get into UofM but I'm actually on the waitlist there right now. They look at everything which is good for people like us. They are changing their program this fall so I'm not sure what's going to happen with their admission process next year but you should check it out.

another field to look into is PA school. My friend graduated from MSU with I think a microbiology degree and had a low GPA too. She took a bunch of extra classes at LCC and also became an EMT. It took her a few years to do this after graduation but she just got into a really good PA school! While your thinking about all these medical options you should, if you haven't already, take an EMT, CNA, or medical assistant course. Having experience working with patients will help you no matter what you do and it is required for PA schools.

Good luck!!

[spartan7132]

Well it kinda sounds like I am out of luck without another 20 to 30 courses in advanced science and even then it doesn't sound like they will budge much. So I will apply where ever I meet admin standards. However if I don't make it in by May I will accept a pharm R/D position that I was offered and go back to school part time for a few years. Once again thanks for your help.