Denied Nursing School.... Again

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I was sadly denied nursing school again. I have applied the last 2-3 years and keep getting denied. I'm 27 years old with two kids. I feel like a failure because I can't get in. My grades probably aren't like they should be, but I have taken too many classes that won't bring my GPA much. My GPA looks like a 2.9. I'm ready to give up. Is there anyone out there that has felt the way I do and have succeeded? I feel like I will never get in. There's only one or two schools that I can apply to, and I have applied to both. One of them is highly competitive, and the other is pretty competitive as well. I just feel like I am not good enough.

I was sadly denied nursing school again. I have applied the last 2-3 years and keep getting denied. I'm 27 years old with two kids. I feel like a failure because I can't get in. My grades probably aren't like they should be, but I have taken too many classes that won't bring my GPA much. My GPA looks like a 2.9. I'm ready to give up. Is there anyone out there that has felt the way I do and have succeeded? I feel like I will never get in. There's only one or two schools that I can apply to, and I have applied to both. One of them is highly competitive, and the other is pretty competitive as well. I just feel like I am not good enough.

Every school is different, but a 2.9 is super low for most. I would contact the program(s) you're interested in and ask them how to best improve your chances. Some will allow classes to be retaken, for example. Others may give credit for CNA experience or even speaking a second language.

I've retaken the core classes I did not do well in. I have my CNA. When I was younger, I had a few things going on in my life and didn't do well in school. Now it's biting me in the butt. There's not many programs I can apply to in my area which affects the programs I can apply to. There's two Rn programs and one LPN which is not ACEN accredited. I would have gone that route but since it's not acen, I decided not to because I'm moving in a few years and the bridge programs there need it to be accredited. It's just crappy and I'm feeling like it's just not meant to be.

Is 2.9 your cumulative GPA/overall GPA? Do any programs that you can reasonably get to use prereq GPA, science GPA, last 60 hour GPA as the determining factor?

For example, a few programs in my area use a point system with prereq GPA used for initial determination and science GPA used for tiebreaking.

I don't think you should give up in regards to obtaining your goal. I think those who get denied or can't apply due to certain situations will feel like they are failing but it's a good learning process and not everyone gets in on their first try. It took me a long time to try and apply to nursing schools as well and I am now waiting for some sort of response. I did not do well earlier and relied on recency to get higher points at the schools I applied to since they were all based on point systems. I decided to look at all the schools first through the state nursing board and then start narrowing down by location depending on far I was willing to drive. Then I created an excel sheet to start looking at each schools criteria. I am not sure where you are located but maybe you can talk to counselors and see what you can do to get your gpa higher? If you are still in the same school then I would take advantage of the repeats and academic renewal for classes that apply. I didn't have the best academic history but I am happy I didn't give up. I hope you are able to get some more information from counselors and good luck!! I hope this helps.

I found that applying to community college programs may better my chances. I'm not even considering state or universities. I hope this approach helps me. Are you looking into community colleges?

I found that applying to community college programs may better my chances. I'm not even considering state or universities. I hope this approach helps me. Are you looking into community colleges?

In many areas, it's just as hard (or harder) to get into community college nursing programs as it is to get into four year universities.

Why don't you find an accredited LPN program? Even if it's a bit further away.... if this is your dream DON'T give up!

1 Votes

Oh my. OP, I am sure it can be disheartening. But do not give up!

3.0 GPA is usually the minimum most schools will accept. If I were you, I'd work as a CNA for at least 6 months so you can list that as nursing experience you have under your belt. It would also demonstrate your commitment to becoming a nurse. You can also apply to accredited for-profit schools that may allow for a little leeway as far as GPA is concerned. They may just require you to take another science class at their school to prove you are prepared to handle the nursing curriculum.Talk to counselors at the schools you applied to and ask them how they make their decisions on which applicants to accept, and ask them what you can do to increase your GPA.

I think only the schools you're interested in can tell you how best to improve your chances, but definitely don't give up!

Most of the schools I've looked at in my state (at the community college level, anyway) only look at your GPA for the prerequisites. If you can find a program like that close enough to commute to, that might make it easier to achieve your dream because if you did have to repeat classes, it would only be a few prereq ones, which is more manageable.

Why is your GPA so low?

+ Add a Comment