Explaining Low GPA

Sour Lemon · May 15, 2018

Hi, I'm having a bit of trouble not getting into Nursing Schools due to my undergraduate GPA being a horrible 2.23. Back then I was very depressed and suffered from anxiety because of personal reasons and at the time I was in denial. My therapist says if I had seemed help I would've had the opportunity for more time on exams and would've been prescribed proper medications. I will say my prerequisite course GPA is a 3.0. But since I've graduated from my university I've retaken some of my prerequisites at a local community college and my GPA there is a 3.61. Also I took the HESI exam and received a score of 88 (I applied to Chamberlain University and got accepted due to the price and them wanting me to retake every prerequisite course).
Whenever I apply to schools I'm hopeful about getting into schools thinking my post bacc grades will show that I've matured and am taking better care of myself. And each time I apply I get a big fat rejection letter.
How should I explain my undergraduate mistakes without sounding "woe is me"?

Have the schools you've been rejected by specifically stated that your GPA is the problem? Have you asked representatives of those programs what you might be able to do to improve your chances? I can't imagine the therapy/anxiety/medication angle would be helpful, but maybe there's something else that would be. Every program is different.

jr1991 · May 15, 2018

Yeah they stated my GPA was the problem. There is a root to my depression and anxiety but that's personal and I'd rather not mention it on here.

EllaBella1, BSN · May 15, 2018

Just keep applying. Does your community college offer an associates RN program? Perhaps that would be a better move for you. Or are you close to being able to finish an associates in science or something at the college you took pre-reqs at? Having another completed degree with a good GPA may help you.

I also had a lower GPA (2.9) in my first degree. Went on to get a masters degree with a 3.6 GPA, took all my pre-reqs with a 3.8 GPA. Still didn't get into a couple of schools because of the 2.9. Eventually found the right program for me. Just keep looking. Make sure you're asking schools if they count the re-taken courses in your GPA or if they only go on the first course grade. Some schools won't look at re-taken courses for GPA.

jr1991 · May 15, 2018

Just keep applying. Does your community college offer an associates RN program? Perhaps that would be a better move for you. Or are you close to being able to finish an associates in science or something at the college you took pre-reqs at? Having another completed degree with a good GPA may help you.
I also had a lower GPA (2.9) in my first degree. Went on to get a masters degree with a 3.6 GPA, took all my pre-reqs with a 3.8 GPA. Still didn't get into a couple of schools because of the 2.9. Eventually found the right program for me. Just keep looking. Make sure you're asking schools if they count the re-taken courses in your GPA or if they only go on the first course grade. Some schools won't look at re-taken courses for GPA.

I got into the RN program at my local community college but after meeting with my advisor she said I'd have to retake majority of my prerequisites. For example her reasoning was that my anatomy and physiology wasn't the same as the nursing a&p (I was an Exercise Science major and this makes absolutely no sense) I'm meeting with the dean about this decision because the university I took my prerequisites has a dual program with the community college.

Its hard to stay positive because of the rejection letters and all the money for the application fees but eventually I'll get into a school! I've also applied to schools throughout the east coast (I live in DE) to increase my chances of getting in.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 15, 2018

You keep focusing on being rejected- but when you WERE accepted you turned it down?

Makes no sense to me.

jr1991 · May 16, 2018

You keep focusing on being rejected- but when you WERE accepted you turned it down?
Makes no sense to me.

Do you have $90K readily available to spend for a BSN? (this doesn't include costs for me to move to VA) If you do thats good for you because I don't.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 16, 2018

Community college.costs $90k?

Doubtful

caliotter3 · May 16, 2018

What does the financial aid office at Chamberlain tell you? I highly doubt that everyone who does attend that school has the means to pay for it without some kind of financial help. See what is available to you.

jr1991 · May 16, 2018

Community college.costs $90k?
Doubtful

Sorry I was talking about Chamberlain. In regards to community college & if you read my statement above I stated that I am meeting with the Dean about having to retake all my prerequisites. So until I have that meeting and get a decision I will not waste my money to retake a class (that I may even be exempt from) that I took at the university I graduated from solely because my course doesn't start with NursingXXX. If I indeed have to retake those classes I will also have to think about the waiting list there is to start clinicals which the wait is about 1.5-2 years.

jr1991 · May 16, 2018

What does the financial aid office at Chamberlain tell you? I highly doubt that everyone who does attend that school has the means to pay for it without some kind of financial help. See what is available to you.

I didn't receive any financial aid & they recommended I'd have to take out more loans unfortunately.

Rionoir, ADN, RN · May 16, 2018

Are you applying to BSN or accelerated BSN programs? Where are you now? Are you considering a move to go to school? (You mentioned moving to VA not sure if you're actually considering that or what) I can tell you the climate in many areas of the country for nursing students is pretty laid back and not overly competitive, especially with ADN programs.