2.7 GPA , already have BA/BS , want to go into nursing , any options? please help

Published

I am posting for my gf who has a 2.74 GPA and a BA as well as a BS (did dual degrees, over 200 units). She wants to go into nursing, are there any options for her? She was taking over 20 units every qtr during undergrad completing both degrees, so her grades were not that great. She is finishing up pre-reqs now and is getting straight As (but with so many units already, there won't be as much upward GPA mobility).

I'm not too familiar with programs, but I have noticed that it is very competitive out there in nursing. I doubt nursing schools look much into Extracurricular activities in addition to GPA , but her research work as an undergrad might get published..

Any help would be great. thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I forgot to mention her BS is in Biology from a UC. Should she retake pre-reqs that she received Bs and Cs in to get As (will that be okay with most schools and do they average out or is the highest grade taken)?

Is there a standardized test to make her more competitive ? If so, how much weight does this carry?

(we are located in Southern California)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I graduated with a 2.79 and got straight As in all of my prerequisites. I got accepted to Drexel's ACE program. I'd say major factors would be whether she's taking major science classes as prerequisites with As (A&P, Micro in particular) or whether she's already taken them with her previous degree (and gotten lower grades) and is acing things like psychology and sociology. The science would likely be weighted more than the social science.

Some schools *will* look at overall GPA, but some will focus on last 60 credits, last two years, prerequisites etc. I don't know if there's an average of what's most likely the criteria. She would need to find schools that will at least weigh her recent grades more than her older grades. Also, programs that base a lot of their decision on admissions essays and recommendations would be good to look at too.

I think it's also in her favor that her poor grades are a result of carrying a huge course-load rather than being a complete slack off, which I was.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

Does she have significant experience in volunteering or working in acute care setting?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Depends on the school. The school I'm looking at will only accept your application if you have a 3.0 GPA. That doesn't mean you get it accepted, it just means they won't even consider you with lower than a 3.0. Let's face it, a 2.74 is a barely-passing minimum-effort C student. I'm under the impression that you need straight A's to get into the state school here in California.

If she wants to get in, she's going to have to repeat all of those classes that brought the GPA down and hope the nursing school doesn't penalize her for repeating classes.

I am posting for my gf who has a 2.74 GPA and a BA as well as a BS (did dual degrees, over 200 units). She wants to go into nursing, are there any options for her? She was taking over 20 units every qtr during undergrad completing both degrees, so her grades were not that great. She is finishing up pre-reqs now and is getting straight As (but with so many units already, there won't be as much upward GPA mobility).

I'm not too familiar with programs, but I have noticed that it is very competitive out there in nursing. I doubt nursing schools look much into Extracurricular activities in addition to GPA , but her research work as an undergrad might get published..

Any help would be great. thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

First, she needs to do the research for the schools that she is interested in or are in her immediate area. Then she needs to focus on any schools that weight only pre-reqs and not cummulative.Note, that some schools will let you retake classes that you received a 'C' in , some will and will penalize you and some won't allow you to retake so she needs to read their catalogues or online information.

There is a way for her to get in if she finds a school that focuses on pre reqs only and then she would need to ace her remaining classes. If that fails, there is always the backdoor route which is LPN school, however, I hear that it is very competitive in California. good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've found nursing school does look into your extra curricular activities very closely and does consider the amount of hours you took per semester. At this point the best way to get competitive is continue getting all As on the classes you are currently taking, VOLUNTEER or work in a health care setting (this is probably the biggest thing you can do right now!). Nursing schools want to know and see that you are committed to the field of nursing and health care and plenty of people in my class were accepted or rejected based on this one factor. Also, study your butt off for the NET (which is the nursing entrance test for nursing school). If you do well here, the school will see that you have the knowledge and ability to do well in their program. When you submit your application be sure to acknowledge your low gpa and explain it to them and ham up all the other activities you were concurrently doing. Hope this helps! Keep in mind though that nursing school's do heavily look at gpa's. Wherever you are applying I would get in contact with the school and STAY in contact. Schools let people in based on how much they want it. Continuously check up with the admissions officer and ask for an update/ if there is anything further you can do. And VOLUNTEER!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If your friend is still here in California and looking for a NS, then she is in luck. Many of the community colleges are using a lottery system rather than a GPA based competition for admittance.

The ones that I am familiar with require a 2.5 minimum GPA in the core science prereq's and a realistic TEAS test minimum score to remain eligible to re-apply each semester to be placed into the lottery pool. Each subsequent semester that you are eligible and apply, your name is added again, so you would have twice as good of odds of being selected. (So far, no one has had to wait more than three semesters before beginning the program.)

Since she already has the BA/BS degrees, the 2-yr school is the way that she should go anyway... they will carry the same weight as a BSN when she is in consideration for a manager position, and these schools cost 2/3rds less than the universities do.

~Blue

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi!

Your gf and I are pretty much in the same situation. I'm at a UC graduating with a BS with a 2.7 as well. The thing that worries me the most is my gpa. Has she looked at entry level MSN programs? I've only looked into CA schools but the good thing I noticed about some entry level MSNs is that they take the last 60 or so units. If she's been doing well lately she should have a good shot. Another option is accelerated BSN programs. A lot of people I know have chosen to go to private schools (msmc, concordia, samuel merritt...) since it's so much easier to get in as compared to public schools in cali but I'm so hesitant to spend that much money!

Has she come up with any other ideas? I'm interested to know and maybe we can help each other out! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

one more thing...

I spoke with many of the private schools at a grad school fair about retaking classes. They said they take the highest grade regardless of retakes on nursing pre-reqs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks for everyone's help!

joy , what UC did you attend?

I am on studentdoctor.net , and I am pretty familiar with PharmD programs, if anyone needs help with that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm graduating this Spring from UCI

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion