Accelerated BSN - low GPA in college

RFWB · Jul 29, 2007

I was very interested in the accelerated BSN Program at Cleveland State University (this was the closest program to me). I realized early on that it would be very cost-prohibitive for me, so I didn't pursue my research extensively, and i can't endorse it as a superior school (although I have no reason to doubt it). Clinicals for the acclerated track are through the Cleveland Clinic, which cannot be a BAD thing. I am currently in a LPN program, because working sooner and having some experience in healthcare was a more realistic option for me than jumping into the acclerated BSN.

The reason I suggest looking into CSU is because I too was in a simliar position as you - speckled academic history at the end of my first degree, 10 years ago. My academic decline came after a major auto accident, and was well-documented - a drop from a 3.7 to a 2.8 after the event - but still, not pretty on a transcript. MY recent coursework and pre-req's, however, are all A's. The admissions officer for the accelerated track told me that prior GPA was weighed as heavily as Pre-req gpa - basically they are averaged together. So, your high pre'req GPA may offset your prior GPA enough to be competitive.

Grades were not the only factor in the admissions decisions. An entrance essay, work history, experience, and references were all given equal weight as well - so prior GPA was only one small part of a larger puzzle. Now, is what was SAID acutally what is put inot practice? I can't say - but this is the offical policy.

ASK ADMISSIONS OFFICERS! I think the above policy is prevalent at other institutions, as well.

Good luck!

firstyearstudent · Jul 29, 2007

The ADN programs at the community colleges I applied for only consider the grades of prereq. classes (some of which where in fulfillment of my first degree and were not stellar), not the overall GPA. In general the accelerated BSN programs I looked into were actually less competitive than the ADN community college programs (mostly because the ADN programs are less expensive and have more applicants). The accelerated BSN programs also seemed to have more flexibile admission policies (did not have a strict agorithm).

To make a long story short, I wouldn't worry about your previous GPA if you are getting As in the classes you are taking now.

As far as GREs are concerned, I have never heard of an accelerated BSN program requiring this test. However, there are direct entry programs for college grads seeking graduate degrees in nursing that might want it.

bellarosa · Jul 29, 2007

Check out UT-Houston. My previous grades were similar to yours- low for my past degree, All As for my nursing pre-reqs. I attended the accelerated BSN program there. The school looked at the grades in my pre-reqs in calculating my gpa. They didn't even ask me about my previous grades in the 2 interviews. I graduated 2 years ago. There were 10 people in my class chosen from hundreds of applications. I think they accept 40 students now.

The program is 12 months long.

SiennaGreen · Jul 29, 2007

There have been several threads on this subject and I think the consensus is that if you look hard enough you will find an option that will work for you. I have a similar situation, my undergrad gpa is lower than yours, and I have found hope finally! Private univerisities instead of state schools will often have more flexibility and be more willing to work with mature students with speckled histories! When the time comes I will apply for a private college for a 14 mos. Acclerated BSN AND my local CC for their ADN program which I would have to follow up with the RN to BSN online. Both have advantages and disadvantages and I will just have to wait and see what happens. As one of the previous posters said, my experiance is that most CC will look at your pre req's only and that makes the academic portion easier. Bless you!

justme1972 · Jul 29, 2007

I am currently taking my nursing pre-reqs, getting all A's in them - but waaay back when I went to college I didn't take school seriously at all and my grades were awful, like a 2.9 average.
I don't want to be out of work for two years while in nursing school if I can help it, so I am debating between going to LPN school for a year, then getting my LPN to RN online while I work a couple of LPN shifts a week, or getting a second accelerated BSN.
My concern is for the second degree program - I know they're very competitive.
I'd be willing to relocate anywhere in the continental U.S. for a 12 to 15 month program. Does anyone know of any accelerated BSN programs that would give more credit to my recent grades then my undergrad grades? I tend to test well (now that I actually study and prepare myself!) so I think I would do well on the GRE as well.
Would I have a chance getting into such a program in my situation? I don't want to waste a ton of money and time applying to programs if I don't have a chance of getting in.

A 2.9 GPA isn't terrible. It's a good GPA...a 3.0 is all that it takes to get into graduate school, and not everyone can make an A all the time, or even most of the time, and B is above average.

Don't beat yourself up!

centralflorida · Jul 29, 2007

I appreciate that. It's just frustrating because I know what I am capable of. If I had put in even a little more effort in college it would make it so much easier to get into an advanced program now. Of course no 18-year-old college student is thinking 20, 25 years down the line - all I was thinking was "My parents are paying for college? Time to party party party!"

erin1205 · Jul 29, 2007

You should check out University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's accelerated BSN program. I just got in for the October cohort, and though competitive, the GPA they calculate is from a smaller, more recent selection of classes. Here's their link:

http://www.uwosh.edu/colleges/con/undergrad/accelerated.php

If you check out the admissions qualification sections, you'll see what they are looking for.

Good luck to you!

mauxtav8r · Jul 29, 2007

ETSU (East Tennessee) has a "recent grades only" policy. You just have to apply for it, then you'd end up with a 4.0. Good luck.

Also, I returned to school with a gpa lower than a 2.9 and got in after acing the prereqs. I was told "we put all the applications in order by gpa and take them from the top down." Simply wasn't true. I got in before some sophomores with 3.1 or so who had made cruddy grades in prereqs (my overall gpa when I applied to nursing was 2.99). Hold your head high and make those applications!!

centralflorida · Jul 29, 2007

You guys are the greatest! These are really helpful suggestions. I will look into all of them. (And if anyone else knows of any other accelerated BSN programs that might fit my needs I'm all ears!)

Ms Kylee · Jul 29, 2007

I appreciate that. It's just frustrating because I know what I am capable of. If I had put in even a little more effort in college it would make it so much easier to get into an advanced program now. Of course no 18-year-old college student is thinking 20, 25 years down the line - all I was thinking was "My parents are paying for college? Time to party party party!"

Oh yeah.. that was me 25 years ago. I applied at a local university here to get my BSN (only need 30 credits). The application for nursing school clearly stated that Nursing was a restricted major, and if your GPA was not above 2.5, you would not be considered. *GULP* Well, guess what... they not only took my below 2.5 GPA (some days I wonder how I ever graduated at all with that BS degree), but they took the maximum amount of transfer credits that they could. Unfortunately, I couldn't get this particular school to work with my schedule, so I had to enroll in a part time LPN program. I'll get the BSN someday. Don't give up.. 2.9 is not an awful GPA. You're just 1/10th of a point away from a B average.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Jul 30, 2007

I am currently taking my nursing pre-reqs, getting all A's in them - but waaay back when I went to college I didn't take school seriously at all and my grades were awful, like a 2.9 average.
I don't want to be out of work for two years while in nursing school if I can help it, so I am debating between going to LPN school for a year, then getting my LPN to RN online while I work a couple of LPN shifts a week, or getting a second accelerated BSN.
My concern is for the second degree program - I know they're very competitive.
I'd be willing to relocate anywhere in the continental U.S. for a 12 to 15 month program. Does anyone know of any accelerated BSN programs that would give more credit to my recent grades then my undergrad grades? I tend to test well (now that I actually study and prepare myself!) so I think I would do well on the GRE as well.
Would I have a chance getting into such a program in my situation? I don't want to waste a ton of money and time applying to programs if I don't have a chance of getting in.

Check out the accelerated RN program at Minnesota State University Mankato. Acceptance is essentially based on prerequisite grades and recommendations.

http://ahn.mnsu.edu/nursing/undergraduate/accelerated/