Did any of you accelerated BSN folks have a not-so-great GPA in your first major?

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In my first bachelors, I got a 2.9...and I am just worried that even if I manage all As in the pre-reqs, no school will accept me.

Is there hope anywhere?

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That is the same problem I have! I earned my Master degree in Business Administration last May. My GPA was a 3.3 and I have found that most schools want between 3.5-4.0 GPAs. It is very discouraging. I am now forced to start with LPN and work up to the BSN which will take me years longer. I feel your pain.

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

My first degree GPA was a little lower than yours. I'm doing an ASN program at a local community college. I'll do RN->BSN online later.

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I think it would depend on how long ago you got your first degree. I know of several "slackers" that made it in our program. They really stepped it up in the prereqs and showed they were serious about school. Good luck!:yeah:

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Do really well in your prereqs (aim for A's, B's), and when applying to schools include in your entrance essay/personal statement (if there is one required) information regarding your academic performance: Why you would do well in the Nursing program even though your undergrad cum GPA does not match their requirements, what you've done differently to do so well in your prereqs, how disciplined you are, etc.

I've been to a few ABSN program open houses where the Dean and faculty have stated they expect this information in the personal statement if one's undergrad cum GPA does not meet their admission requirements. They never said they wouldn't accept anyone that didn't match their demand, but they wanted reasoning on why they should accept someone if their GPA didn't meet their qualifications.

Also, go to a few open houses, ask questions, let them know your worries/concerns, network, etc. Maybe you'll make an impression when they're reviewing your application.

Don't fret, good luck! :D

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That is the same problem I have! I earned my Master degree in Business Administration last May. My GPA was a 3.3 and I have found that most schools want between 3.5-4.0 GPAs. It is very discouraging. I am now forced to start with LPN and work up to the BSN which will take me years longer. I feel your pain.

It really is ridiculous!

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Yes believe it and you will achieve it. I had a 3.3 but I did great it my pre-reqs which is what I believe you should do to bring your gpa up. It will take some time but once you are focused on your goal, you will make it.

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That is the same problem I have! I earned my Master degree in Business Administration last May. My GPA was a 3.3 and I have found that most schools want between 3.5-4.0 GPAs. It is very discouraging. I am now forced to start with LPN and work up to the BSN which will take me years longer. I feel your pain.

Have you applied to places and been rejected? That's really surprising that with a Masters and a 3.3, no place would take you.

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I graduated from a BA in Psychology with a 2.96. BUT, I made nearly all A's in the additional pre-reqs that I had remaining, and I got into the first school of choice on my very first try!

My school looked at all of my transcripts but only used my pre-req GPA for the major consideration. I even have several F's on my original transcripts, but the advisor joked with me about how how he knows that people can be dumb and reckless when young. I think they didn't care what I did when I was 21, they just wanted to see that I had improved and did great in all of my recent pre-req courses.

My program is an accelerated BSN program, by the way. And I'm 32, have a good work record, and have taken a bunch of graduate courses and recieved all A's in them. Maybe that all helped too.

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Specializes in ICU.
I know of several "slackers" that made it in our program. They really stepped it up in the prereqs and showed they were serious about school.

Hey....I resemble that "slacker" remark!:D

My undergrad degree (1983) in chemical engineering was a less-than-stellar 2.59. At that point in my life, I was just looking to pass, not excel.

In all the courses I took for my paramedic certification (1990 & later), I kept a 4.0. Once I started my nursing prereqs, they were also 4.0.

I got into my accel program, so it IS possible.

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Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.

My undergrad GPA was a 2.88 and I had like 5 F's and maybe 4 D's on that transcript. My nursing pre-req GPA was somewhere between a 3.2 and 3.4...I can't remember. Anyway, I wasn't accepted into the ABSN program I had applied to for whatever reason but I will be starting an ADN program at a local CC August 17th. I later plan to get my BSN right after I graduate. The BSN program I'm considering is mainly online but has class meeting one day out of the week. It will take me a total of 3 years to get my BSN but it beats waiting around to get accepted into ONLY an ABSN program.

I think you have just as good of a chance as anyone. I really don't know what any of these schools expect. I mean they say one thing and do another. The ONE ABSN progam I applied to has a 2.6 GPA minimum and accepted students with 2.5 GPA's. It would probably help to write a letter to the SON explaining your situation and why you had such a low GPA. I think they use both your undergrad GPA and pre-req GPA when making their decisions.

Don't limit yourself to just ABSN programs. Granted the ABSN programs are maybe 5 months shorter than most traditional BSN or ADN/ASN programs but think of it this way...Regardless of when you start or when you finish, there will always be someone starting and finishing before you. That comment is mainly for those who think they have to hurry up and get out there before others do so that they can get a job....Hopefully my gibberish makes some sense!!!

Good luck!

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I graduated from a BA in Psychology with a 2.96. BUT, I made nearly all A's in the additional pre-reqs that I had remaining, and I got into the first school of choice on my very first try!

My school looked at all of my transcripts but only used my pre-req GPA for the major consideration. I even have several F's on my original transcripts, but the advisor joked with me about how how he knows that people can be dumb and reckless when young. I think they didn't care what I did when I was 21, they just wanted to see that I had improved and did great in all of my recent pre-req courses.

My program is an accelerated BSN program, by the way. And I'm 32, have a good work record, and have taken a bunch of graduate courses and recieved all A's in them. Maybe that all helped too.

That makes me feel better..

Do you mind me asking which program? I definitely am going to aim for all As in the 5 remaining pre-reqs.

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