Accepted to an accelerated BSN program with a low GPA? Any advice?

I completed a bachelor's in psych in 2010 and made the decision to go back to school for nursing in 2013. I was accepted into an accelerated MSN program despite having a TERRIBLE GPA from undergrad (I'm talking barely above a 2.0... I was actually academically suspended from my undergrad institution for poor grades but was able to go back after a semester off to finish).

When I interviewed for grad school, I made it very clear in my letter of intent and during my interview that I had not only grown emotionally, but also professionally and that my GPA was not a reflection of who I am. I didn't hide my GPA and I wasn't ashamed of it either; I think that's what they appreciated the most... that I was honest and forth-coming. I also referred to my previous mistakes in undergrad as also being my biggest strengths in that it motivated me to work harder this time. I never thought I would be accepted, but I was (and I graduated with a 4.0 ).

Don't hide it. Don't make excuses for it. Just be honest and show how making a mistake will actually make you a better student.

Wow, thanks a lot. I actually looked into accelerated MSN programs but didn't think I had a slight chance for acceptance. I can be a cynic sometimes and believe that colleges will only accept students with good grades so that the institutions can "look good". It's nice to know that sometimes a holistic approach is taken.

Do you remember what the required minimum GPA for your particular accelerated MSN program was?

I agree that people should admit to their mistakes. Making excuses won't lead to a lesson learned.

Most schools have minimums of 3.0. The best bet you have is to contact schools you are interested in and see if they will even accept your admission. Explain your situation and hope for the best. When I went the minimum was 3.2 on first bachelors and they were very firm on that. I cannot speak for other schools.

Hi Everyone,

I recently graduated with a BS in Nutrition with an awful GPA - 2.81; can't blame anyone but myself. I didn't quite know what I wanted to do career-wise until recently. I know I want to become a nurse. I've checked out admission requirements for almost every accelerated nursing programs out there and found many institutions requiring at least a 2.5 cumulative and/or prerequisite GPA for admission. I doubt that those institutions actually accept anyone with a GPA lower than a 3.0.

I took Chemistry I and II and Anatomy and Physiology I and II during my undergrad and made C's in them. (Those classes aren't difficult for me. I just didn't put in the effort.) I plan on taking other prerequisite courses for accelerated BSN over summer. My goal is to get all As in those summer courses, and to do well on the TEAS or HESI (don't know which I'll take yet). Hopefully that'll make up for my poor undergrad GPA.

If anyone was recently accepted to an accelerated BSN program with a GPA lower than a 3.0, would you mind sharing your GPA and what you believe gave you an edge for admission to the program? Also, would it be possible to name the school you were accepted to? Do you have any advice for me?

Thanks everyone.

PS I made really poor choices during my undergrad which resulted in my sub-par academic performances. So, please, don't lecture or criticize me. I already know what I did wrong.

I got kicked out of high school and had a 1.6 GPA. Fortunately, my mother made me get my GED which I did well on(99.9%) so they converted it to a 4.0GPA.

20 some odd years later I'm faced with a nursing school hesi entrance exam. Just study your best for the entrance exam. I did well and finished my BSN with a 3.94 GPA.

Knowing what we did wrong is half the battle. Changing it or correcting it is the other half. You got one half down and now it's time to prove to yourself what you're really capable of!

Yeah, for now I can only hope for the best, but, as we all know, I should really work at it.

Thanks for your advice.

@newmsnrn what school did you go to for you MSN? Thanks :)