Am I competitive enough for an EL-MSN program

BeesMama · May 3, 2011

OK - so I had a quick (and I hope brilliant idea) to take extra classes over the summer. I chose easier, online courses that will fit my schedule and hopefully boost my GPA.

If I get A's in the 18 units I plan on taking, that will boost my last 60 units to 3.34 - which I am hoping will be competitive enough to earn an interview!!

Maseca · May 5, 2011

BeesMama,

I think the best thing you can do is to read through some of the threads here for previous classes and try to see what people who have been accepted into programs had as their academic background. I've been doing that for the past couple of years, and it's been extremely helpful to me to triangulate successful applicants' GPA's, volunteer experience and other factors.

Also, it depends a lot on the schools you are interested in. Some programs look at your cumulative GPA, some are only interested in your last 60 units. Some programs have a strong emphasis on volunteer experience, others are very interested in personal statements. There is a lot of variety.

If you're unsure of how to calculate your GPA, I'd visit this website (I like it because it has a lot of slots for entering coursework, a lot of others just have a few spaces and it makes it hard to calculate your entire academic background): http://www.foothill.edu/counseling/gpacalc.php

You asked for honesty, so I'll give you my opinion, harsh though it is.

I'm virtually positive that for the two programs I'm planning on applying for (UCLA and Western University of Health Sciences), a last 60 GPA of 2.8 or 3.0 would not even be close to acceptable. Most MSN-Entry programs have less than a 10% acceptance rate, and therefore are extremely competitive. Honestly, even a last 60 unit GPA of 3.34 probably wouldn't make the cut either. There are plenty of applicants who would have stronger academic backgrounds than that, who also have lots of volunteer experience, who would make a stronger candidate. I'm sorry to be so frank, but you asked for honesty.

In order to have a GPA that low, and still be competitive, I think you would need to have some pretty extraordinary volunteer or shadowing experience, and a compelling personal statement (i.e. something beyond the basic "I've wanted to be a nurse for a long time").

I'd suggest that you accurately calculate your GPA to see where you stand. If your numbers above are correct, you might want to think about taking an additional preparatory year, applying yourself to some additional science classes, and using some truly challenging coursework to boost your GPA and prove that you've rededicated yourself to your studies. It could show admissions panels that you can handle advanced science coursework, that you're extremely dedicated to becoming a nurse, and that you're motivated to work hard toward a goal despite challenges. Heck, it would even be a great thing to add to your personal statement!

I hope I haven't discouraged you. This is doable, but not in a short period of time.

BeesMama · May 5, 2011

BeesMama,
I think the best thing you can do is to read through some of the threads here for previous classes and try to see what people who have been accepted into programs had as their academic background. I've been doing that for the past couple of years, and it's been extremely helpful to me to triangulate successful applicants' GPA's, volunteer experience and other factors.
Also, it depends a lot on the schools you are interested in. Some programs look at your cumulative GPA, some are only interested in your last 60 units. Some programs have a strong emphasis on volunteer experience, others are very interested in personal statements. There is a lot of variety.
If you're unsure of how to calculate your GPA, I'd visit this website (I like it because it has a lot of slots for entering coursework, a lot of others just have a few spaces and it makes it hard to calculate your entire academic background): http://www.foothill.edu/counseling/gpacalc.php
You asked for honesty, so I'll give you my opinion, harsh though it is.
I'm virtually positive that for the two programs I'm planning on applying for (UCLA and Western University of Health Sciences), a last 60 GPA of 2.8 or 3.0 would not even be close to acceptable. Most MSN-Entry programs have less than a 10% acceptance rate, and therefore are extremely competitive. Honestly, even a last 60 unit GPA of 3.34 probably wouldn't make the cut either. There are plenty of applicants who would have stronger academic backgrounds than that, who also have lots of volunteer experience, who would make a stronger candidate. I'm sorry to be so frank, but you asked for honesty.
In order to have a GPA that low, and still be competitive, I think you would need to have some pretty extraordinary volunteer or shadowing experience, and a compelling personal statement (i.e. something beyond the basic "I've wanted to be a nurse for a long time").
I'd suggest that you accurately calculate your GPA to see where you stand. If your numbers above are correct, you might want to think about taking an additional preparatory year, applying yourself to some additional science classes, and using some truly challenging coursework to boost your GPA and prove that you've rededicated yourself to your studies. It could show admissions panels that you can handle advanced science coursework, that you're extremely dedicated to becoming a nurse, and that you're motivated to work hard toward a goal despite challenges. Heck, it would even be a great thing to add to your personal statement!
I hope I haven't discouraged you. This is doable, but not in a short period of time.

Thank you so much for your honesty. No, this isn't discouraging at all. It is realistic perspective, which I appreciate.

I think I am going to take a few classes at a time. It is hard working full-time and being a mom, so slow and steady will win the race! I have also thought about applying for my second bachelors - and get my BSN, which might be a more feasible route at this point. But I will keep pursuing my goal!

Maseca · May 5, 2011

Thank you so much for your honesty. No, this isn't discouraging at all. It is realistic perspective, which I appreciate.
I think I am going to take a few classes at a time. It is hard working full-time and being a mom, so slow and steady will win the race! I have also thought about applying for my second bachelors - and get my BSN, which might be a more feasible route at this point. But I will keep pursuing my goal!

I definitely know how hard it is to manage school and family. I've been working on my BS in Public Health, my prerequisites for an MSN-E program and working full-time. It's been more than two long years, but I'm ready to apply this fall. I have a family too, although my daughter is much older than yours. It's tough work!

Stay focused on the goal, and you can definitely do this! One thing that has kept me motivated is reading AllNurses quite a bit, and reading a lot of blogs from nurses, doctors, and other health professionals. It reminds me of why I want to be in the medical field, and why I'm putting in all the hard work.

You have a fantastic attitude, and that will help you tremendously! :yeah:

BeesMama · May 5, 2011

I definitely know how hard it is to manage school and family. I've been working on my BS in Public Health, my prerequisites for an MSN-E program and working full-time. It's been more than two long years, but I'm ready to apply this fall. I have a family too, although my daughter is much older than yours. It's tough work!
Stay focused on the goal, and you can definitely do this! One thing that has kept me motivated is reading AllNurses quite a bit, and reading a lot of blogs from nurses, doctors, and other health professionals. It reminds me of why I want to be in the medical field, and why I'm putting in all the hard work.
You have a fantastic attitude, and that will help you tremendously!

You are so encouraging, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

I spoke with an admissions counselor at Western the other day, and she said it wasn't a bad idea to take classes simply to increase my GPA. Do you think they will look down on that? Most of my classes have to be taken distance/online so I can maintain my work schedule. And if they are online, usually they aren't incredibly difficult in nature.

On the experience/volunteer work - I don't know how to conquer that one. I truly wish I had more hours in the day, and I would be happy to volunteer. I have looked into the COPE program and am hoping to start in July. Perhaps that will also show some more dedication to the counselors that I have the drive to get into school.

Maseca · May 5, 2011

You are so encouraging, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!
I spoke with an admissions counselor at Western the other day, and she said it wasn't a bad idea to take classes simply to increase my GPA. Do you think they will look down on that? Most of my classes have to be taken distance/online so I can maintain my work schedule. And if they are online, usually they aren't incredibly difficult in nature.
On the experience/volunteer work - I don't know how to conquer that one. I truly wish I had more hours in the day, and I would be happy to volunteer. I have looked into the COPE program and am hoping to start in July. Perhaps that will also show some more dedication to the counselors that I have the drive to get into school.

I don't think they'd look down on that at all, as long as you're taking classes that could be applicable. For example, I need to take a few classes between now and when I would start grad school so that I can keep my current student loans in deferment. I'm planning on taking things like Medical Terminology, Intercultural Communications, Developmental Psych, etc. All of which are offered online through Santa Monica College. So I'm getting in the online classes for convenience, but they're still applicable to nursing.

I'm with you on how difficult it is to find time to volunteer. I've heard a lot of people speak highly of the COPE program, but I had a perfectly terrible experience with them (they were unorganized, unprofessional, and once I got on a hospital floor, I basically stood there doing nothing for 4 hours, despite me frequently asking the nurses what I could do to help). I have a lot of volunteer experience from when I was younger, so I'll be referencing that on my application. I also sit on my HOA board, and my daughter's cheerleading booster club. The Western program director said that all of those activities are applicable, and show leadership and initiative.

Does your oldest go to preschool? Maybe you could put in an hour or two a week there helping out with little things like washing paint brushes or something like that. My daughter volunteers at our local senior center 2 hours a week washing their dishes. Maybe something like that could work for you.

BeesMama · May 5, 2011

I don't think they'd look down on that at all, as long as you're taking classes that could be applicable. For example, I need to take a few classes between now and when I would start grad school so that I can keep my current student loans in deferment. I'm planning on taking things like Medical Terminology, Intercultural Communications, Developmental Psych, etc. All of which are offered online through Santa Monica College. So I'm getting in the online classes for convenience, but they're still applicable to nursing.
I'm with you on how difficult it is to find time to volunteer. I've heard a lot of people speak highly of the COPE program, but I had a perfectly terrible experience with them (they were unorganized, unprofessional, and once I got on a hospital floor, I basically stood there doing nothing for 4 hours, despite me frequently asking the nurses what I could do to help). I have a lot of volunteer experience from when I was younger, so I'll be referencing that on my application. I also sit on my HOA board, and my daughter's cheerleading booster club. The Western program director said that all of those activities are applicable, and show leadership and initiative.
Does your oldest go to preschool? Maybe you could put in an hour or two a week there helping out with little things like washing paint brushes or something like that. My daughter volunteers at our local senior center 2 hours a week washing their dishes. Maybe something like that could work for you.

I'm definitely taking classes that could apply - Women's Health, Gerontology, Management, there is a psych class I may take.

I didn't even think that non-medical volunteer experience would be helpful! My son isn't in preschool yet (he isn't quite 2) - but I volunteer in the nursery at church. I was also very active in volunteering in the past - which it sounds like I can draw on. I also lead our study group in Anatomy - coordinate meetings, send out study plans, etc., so that sounds like similar things could apply as well.

Maseca · May 5, 2011

I'm definitely taking classes that could apply - Women's Health, Gerontology, Management, there is a psych class I may take.
I didn't even think that non-medical volunteer experience would be helpful! My son isn't in preschool yet (he isn't quite 2) - but I volunteer in the nursery at church. I was also very active in volunteering in the past - which it sounds like I can draw on. I also lead our study group in Anatomy - coordinate meetings, send out study plans, etc., so that sounds like similar things could apply as well.

There you go!

You should definitely plan on attending any information sessions that the schools you're interested have. I got so much out of the info meeting for Western, I feel like it really helped me hone my personal statement, and understand exactly what they're looking for.