Can I get into graduate school for NP with a low GPA?

Published

I accidentally posted this in the wrong section (sorry, I'm new here), so I'm copying and pasting my question:

I'm currently attending a very good undergraduate nursing school. I am a senior and I have one more semester left after this one. I want to go to a good graduate school to be a nurse practitioner but I am afraid I wont be able to because of my low GPA. I expect to graduate with a 2.8 GPA. My science classes are also the ones I received the lowest grades in. My grades have slowly been improving (I had less than a 2.0 at the end of freshman year and was placed on probation. Sophomore year I barely ended with a 2.4, I finished junior year with a 2.5 and I expect to bring up my grade to a 2.6 after this semester).

I know that graduate schools look at the whole package, but all of the schools I have looked at require a 3.0 minimum. Even if I get a 4.0 next sememester, I will end up graduating with no more than a 2.9. Is there any chance of getting into a good Nurse Practitioner program? I know I should take the GRE, but realistically, I shouldn't expect to get an AMAZING score. Does anyone have any advice on how to increase my GPA and increase my chances of getting into a good nursing graduate school? Being a nurse practitioner has always been my dream and I would have to see it crushed because of my immaturity in the first couple of years of college.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in trauma ICU,TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS.

I think you still have a chance of getting in, some of the n.p school i researched require you to make a certain score on the GRE if your gpa is below 3.0

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU-Step Down, Cardiac/CHF, Telemetry, L&D.

You might want to take some extra easy classes after you graduate just to boost your GPA, then transfer to the school you want. Some grad schools only look at the last 60 hours.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Foxyhill, what were the schools that you looked into? Are they good/reputable nursing schools??

Mercedes, how would I go about doing that? Can I just sign up to take courses at any university and have that count as my GPA? And also, what do you mean by last 60 hours? Is that a credit system some schools use?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Actually just signing up for courses..easy or not...won't make much of a difference in boosting your GPA, most schools (if not all) look only at the last 60 units of your bachelors degree (not just the last 60 units of any class you took (I've checked this out with the schools). However, it is good if you haven't taken your preparatory nursing courses yet, to take that at a local community college or at your school as an extension student. A lot of nursing schools focus mainly on your core nursing prep as an additional GPA to your undergrad GPA.

And last 60 credit hours is your last 60 units in your bachelor's semester (90 for quarter system)

Hope this helps

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am having the same problem. My BSN GPA is 3.67, but my cumulative is lower that 3.0. I started college in the early 70's. Lots of courses to include. I also just got my second denial letter for that reason. Does anyone know which schools only look at the BSN GPA or the last 60 hours? I need to apply to those who do that rather than use the cumulative GPA. I did take the GRE, but this last school does not requre it. I wanted to start Spring and will have to start over with applying. It is putting me so far behind. Does anyone know which schools only look at the BSN GPA or the last 60 hours? Very disappointed! Barinbass.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

My school will review your application with a sub 3.0 GPA (not below 2.7), but would require a high GRE score for admittance into the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What school is that?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.
What school is that?

University of Massachusetts Boston.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh and what do they consider a high GRE score? I got a 1200, which I feel is just average

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

at my school, if your gpa was low, they wanted at least 1000 on the GRE.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The schools I know about usually mention 1000 for the total GRE, but many also will accept it if 900 total in some cases with a strong essay and package. The last one that did not admit me told me to take about 9 hours and get a 4.0 provided the courses wold transfer. Said that would do wonders to my cumulative GPA. Think I will look for the schools that fit what I have. Barinbass

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion