Getting into direct-entry MSN schools with low undergrad GPA

[Gobbstopper]

Hey guys, just need some advice on NP schools, mostly the direct-entry path for those without an RN license and a bachelors in another field.

This question is a bit long-winded, and feel free to skip to the end, but if you're in the mood for some back story, I have got some for you:

Ever since I was a child I can remember wanting to be in the medical field. When I was in high school I decided I wanted to be a doctor, and when I got to college (UC Santa Cruz) I continued on that path and became a biology major. This was a bad decision, and I tanked. I got lost in the magic of knowledge and wanted to major in 5 different things. by my 3rd year I had taken a bunch of classes that didn't add up to any major at all (but I did know a lot about planet systems and manatees).

I took a year off to figure everything out, and ended up getting some good advice from some doctors I worked for: be a PA or NP. Great! I just needed to finish up my bachelor's if I wanted to be a NP. So I ended up majoring in psychology and finished up with a 2.9 overall GPA. Those first couple of "lost years" as I like to call them, were full of bad grades, but the last two years were all A's -even with a couple quarters of being a research assistant in a graduate division lab.

Skip ahead, I have taken the necessary prerequisites at my local community college, and have a 4.0 in those. I have been looking at schools in northern and southern California, as well as on the East Coast (I'm pretty open on location). I have been working in the medical field since I was 16, including being a geriatric caregiver for 4 years, and a child caregiver for 3 years.

My question is this: What are my chances of getting in these highly competitive schools? I feel if someone were to just look at my overall undergrad GPA, they would throw my application away. But what I have going for me is this:

- experience in the field

- a phlebotomy license (with no job, it's rough in this area)

- a 4.0 in my prerequisites

- a huge improvement from the beginning to the end of my college career

- possibly strong letters of recommendation

- being a TA in prereq classes

- being a research assistant

Also, I have been a type 1 diabetic since I was 11 and that is always something I like to bring up because it really gives me reason to want to help other children medically, etc. etc. heartstrings etc.

Or should I just plan on waiting 4 years for the local community college to have a spot for me in their ADN program and go for the RN to MSN route?

Thanks in advance, guys.

[Maseca]

First I wanted to tell you that you're by no means alone. There are many people, me included, who have those "lost years" to overcome.

In answer to your question, it really depends on the program. For example, the program I'm planning on applying to only looks at your last 60 units. They also look at the whole picture, and take personal statement essays into serious consideration. Other programs are just interested in GRE scores and cumulative GPA. It really varies a lot.

Talk to the admissions counselors at the programs you are most interested in and see what their focus is. Also, use your great story of turning yourself around and refocusing on school to your advantage in your personal statement!

[mammac5]

It is essential that you check into programs that look at the whole person, versus just GPA and/or GRE. The program I'm most familiar with is the Bridge Program at Vanderbilt University, which does look at the whole applicant as a person. There are writing tasks as part of the application and those are read. That's where you can state your goals, your reasons for wanting to be an NP, why you think you'll be wonderful and successful, etc.

I'm sure there are other programs that do this same type of process, but I'm not sure how to find them.

[mollybeth]

I can't seem to find a link about the opposite issue. I have a fine GPA but a terrible GRE score. I am not one of those people who mean I think in the 1200s is terrible. I thought I would get in the 1200s, but I got less than 1000. Now I am afraid that schools will take one look at that and disregard my application. I would retake it but it's expensive and I'm honestly not too sure I would do that much better. Has anyone had a similar experience? Or have any advice?

[dedicatedone]

I completely can relate 100%. I too am in the exact same boat. I went to UCSD - majored in Psych and History. Decided later on in my college career that an NP was for me after I volunteered in a hospital and went on a spring breakaway trip to Lima, Peru to assist at an elderly center.

I'm currently taking Pre-Reqs at a local community college and am holding a 4.0. I graduated from UCSD with a 3.0 overall that shows an upwards trend (2.5 avg freshman year vs. 3.7 avg senior year). Took the GRE and didn't do amazing (1100) but I still feel that my experience in the field (multiple volunteering opportunities and currently employed in Health Administration) makes me an asset. What i suggest is research and find the program that best fits you. I'm applying to arund 11 programs (praying 1 accepts me). I figure if all programs have around a 10-15% acceptance rate, 1 is bound to say yes! haha

Everyone is unique, you just have to focus on what makes YOU stand out from everyone else. Maybe discuss what you learned in that year to took off from school. I do know that these types of programs really appreciate students who have experienced growth - something I definitely think you did when you took the time to reevaluate what was important to you.