Chances of getting into an accelerated BSN program as a bio major?

Published

Hi! Former hopeful PA student. I want to know my chances of getting into an accelerated nursing program. I will have a BS in biology this may with a minor in chemistry. Been on the dean’s list all years so far *knocks on wood* Cumulative GPA: 3.68. Hoping to graduate with at least a 3.70. My grades so far are as following:

General Chemistry I- B, General Chemistry II- A-, Organic chemistry 1- B+, Organic chemistry 2- B, Microbiology- A, (Bio)-Statistics- A, Anatomy and physiology 1- B-, Anatomy and physiology 2-Will take in spring, Nutrition-Will take in spring, Developmental/Life Span Psych-Will take in spring

I have other strong science/math classes like pre calc (A), calculus (A), physics I (B) and II, molecular/cell biology (A), organismic biology (A), biochemistry (A-), immunology (B+), abnormal psych (A), biological inorganic chemistry, etc. but those aren’t really prereqs so I did not include them.

I went on a volunteer medical trip abroad and will go again this summer to another country. Hoping to volunteer at a hospital this upcoming semester. In a good amount of clubs/honor societies. On the executive board for 2 of them.

From CT and currently live in NY. Willing to apply for NYS residency if necessary and would like to either go to school in CT, NY (instate tuition), or Jersey. I am an African-American female (just throwing out anything that could possibly help). My end goal is to become a nurse practitioner. Any suggestions/comments are welcomed! Thank you so much! So far I know I am definitely applying to NYU and University of Rochester.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You will have NO problem IMO.

I just got accepted to a BSN program at University of Texas, Galveston (16 months) in the 1st round. I had a degree in Finance. I quit my job and went to a community college to do AP I & II, Micro, Chem, Psych, Nutrion.

Finance degree I had a 3.22 and all the classes above a 4.0.

BTW - I had 0 clubs or experience or volunteering.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wait so you got all As in those prereq classes? :speechless:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

There is a defensible reason for emphasis on very high GPA for ABSN applicants. Those programs are so intense that students must have mastered the 'art of learning' in order survive while maintaining a decent GPA. The best way to assess this ability is to look at previous scholastic achievement.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The ACCL programs in my regions are extrememly competitive meaning only students with between 3.5 and 4.0 GPAs are accepted. Additionally the programs are very high paced and remove you from the program if you earn below a 2.5 on any course. NOW, with the negatives out of the way, your GPA is appealing. With my experience (previous BS in Biology and minor in Chemistry, mediocore GPA but TONS of clubs and hospital work I was accepted into 3 of 5 ACCL programs in which I applied, the other 2 were waitlists as the programs had a cohort of between 5 and 15.

If you have the time, I highly suggest the traditional BSN program and see what courses transfer so you can shave some time off of meanial classes like organic chem and stats, etc. My GPA alone was the factor that hindered 100% admission so on that front you have no problem. The time constraint did not work for me as I work full time and was getting married.

I would end by telling you to to look into an NP program or at least do an ACCL BSN and glide into an NP program. Same level of care as a PA, just different education. Some docs will tell you they prefer PAs but all of the mid-level providers in my hospitals are NPs and so are the associates to a very repsected Cardiac institution that services the region.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion