FNP program options for low GPA

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 16, 2013

I wouldn't call a 2.99 "low" (that's a B average!).

Could you possibly retake some of the classes you didn't do so well in? If so, that may help boost your GPA. As for the GRE, my school's graduate nursing program states that you must have a minimum of a 3.0 in their undergraduate studies to be exempt from having to take the GRE. I think that is fair. Plus, if you score really high, it will only help you, not hurt you.

OCNRN63, RN · Aug 17, 2013

I've never seen a school consider a 2.99 a "B." A "C+" perhaps, but a "B"? Not in any of the schools and universities I went to. YMMV on GPA standards; the one university I was working with for BSN completion had some classes that required a 93 for an "A"; others set the bar at 90. The nursing courses required the former.

I don't think grades are necessarily the be-all, end-all, but by the same token, there need to be standards.

YMMV on GPA conversions

oyvey06 · Aug 17, 2013

I've never seen a school consider a 2.99 a "B." A "C+" perhaps, but a "B"? Not in any of the schools and universities I went to. YMMV on GPA standards; the one university I was working with for BSN completion had some classes that required a 93 for an "A"; others set the bar at 90. The nursing courses required the former.

I don't think grades are necessarily the be-all, end-all, but by the same token, there need to be standards.

YMMV on GPA conversions

If the school you attend grades on a straight A, B, C scale then a 2.99 is not considered a B. But at many higher education institutions that I have experienced such as UC system, they work on the +/- system. One example would be that a B+ is a 3.3, a B is 3.0, and a B- is a 2.7.

allnurses Guide · Aug 17, 2013

A word of caution: be very suspicious of any NP program that will let you "buy your way in" with a low GPA.

Retake some prerequisite courses at a community college and pull a 4.0 prerequisite GPA. This will take you a semester or two, cost less than 5k, and get you into a quality program.

cookiemonsterpower · Aug 17, 2013

A word of caution: be very suspicious of any NP program that will let you "buy your way in" with a low GPA.
Retake some prerequisite courses at a community college and pull a 4.0 prerequisite GPA. This will take you a semester or two, cost less than 5k, and get you into a quality program.

I recommended the same advice. One A will pull you up to a 3.0+

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 17, 2013

I've never seen a school consider a 2.99 a "B." A "C+" perhaps, but a "B"? Not in any of the schools and universities I went to. YMMV on GPA standards; the one university I was working with for BSN completion had some classes that required a 93 for an "A"; others set the bar at 90. The nursing courses required the former.

I don't think grades are necessarily the be-all, end-all, but by the same token, there need to be standards.

YMMV on GPA conversions

My school goes by the +/- system, so a 2.99 would be a B/B- average (and my school is accredited, state university BSN program, if that means anything). An A is a 4.0, however, because my school doesn't give out A+'s.

I do agree that there should be standards. Where would YOU draw the line? I'm curious...

OCNRN63, RN · Aug 17, 2013

Anything I would state would be nothing more than personal preference, as both a nurse and a patient. I agree with BostonFNP.

BeeGeeRN · Aug 18, 2013

I am in the same boat really. nursing classes are 3.1 but my overall is a 2.8something. Most places are allowing an addendum to my essay on why the low.....and they said to highlight my almost 10 yrs of experience, which hold a lot more than the gpa when we are this far out. Also, they have told me i could be on academic probation for 2-3 semesters (big deal).....thankfully i have a strong resume and i'm truly hoping this will combat my less than great gpa. good luck! (i'm applying to clarkson in omaha...and maryville in missouri)

allnurses Guide · Aug 18, 2013

I did want to clarify where my advice comes from: I am a APRN and I sit on the admissions panel for a very well respected NP program. I review hundreds of traditional and non-traditional NP applications biannually.

If I see a GPA in the 2.5-3.25 range one of two things happen: I either keep the application and continue to evaluate if they have made an effort to raise their GPA or I see they made no effort and I put it in the reject pile without further glance.

oyvey06 · Aug 19, 2013

Out of curiosity to BostonFNP, when reviewing applications and grades. Do you take the undergraduate school into consideration? As a student that has taken science classes at both UCLA and community college, I would take a B- student from UC system then a A student from community college. I know it's just my opinion but the standards of teaching and tests are at two different levels.

allnurses Guide · Aug 19, 2013

Out of curiosity to BostonFNP when reviewing applications and grades. Do you take the undergraduate school into consideration? As a student that has taken science classes at both UCLA and community college, I would take a B- student from UC system then a A student from community college. I know it's just my opinion but the standards of teaching and tests are at two different levels.[/quote']
Long story short. Yes. But the 3.0 is an absolute cut off whether they went to Yale or the local CC, unless there is some effort demonstrated. It's not as severe as B- vs A scenario. If a perspective student makes the initial cut then they get a further review including the school and other experience.

ifka · Apr 15, 2014

hi, are u done with the program and also is it all online?