GPA of avg. nursing applicant?

sddlnscp · May 4, 2006

Simply ask your school because each school is different. Some schools count overall GPAs (including those of credits you may have earned many years ago that don't even count for nursing), some count only the GPA of your nursing classes, and some it doesn't matter at all. Some use the lotto system and some use a first-come, first-serve program (my school does this, which is sad for me because I have a 4.0, but I will probably be behind some people who have the minimum needed 2.5). Some also only go by the entrance test scores, some interview and some do not, some do a combination technique, etc., etc., etc. It really depends on the individual school. They are usually very good about telling you their system if you ask, so that is what I would suggest. :)

Best of luck to you!

MMARN, BSN, RN · May 4, 2006

I was just wondering, how important is GPA when applying to nursing school? I know that nursing schools are competitive and you should try to maintain a high GPA. Anyhow, I'm kinda worried right now b/c I've heard that you need straight A's to get into practically any nursing program, especially in TX. Is that true? I have a 3.29 right now which is very low but I'm going to try my best to bring it up this coming year. So what's the GPA of the avg. nursing applicant?

Like other posters have said, you just have to know the school you want to apply to and their acceptance requirements. However, don't give up hope. It is competitive to get in, but you can do it. A 3.29 GPA is not bad at all, so keep hope alive. If it's God's will for you to get in, it'll happen. That's how I got in. Trust me. That was God. Your GPA is a lot higher than mine was, so you have a pretty good chance of getting in. Though this is all depending on your school. Good luck!

Nurse-To-Be-Joy · May 4, 2006

Oops, I should add that I got accepted, and my GPA was 3.3.

faith4life · May 4, 2006

Houston area BSN programs have been very competitive this year (usu. 3.75 and above), but it's cyclic. They set the base GPA based on their applicant pool. If they have 500 applicants above 4.8 and they only need 100 students, you can bet it will be pretty hard to get in.

I'm in the Houston area, I guess I'm going to have to retake some classes to get my GPA up. Wait a sec... did you say 4.8? I thought the highest GPA anyone can get is a 4.0.

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · May 4, 2006

I'm in the Houston area, I guess I'm going to have to retake some classes to get my GPA up. Wait a sec... did you say 4.8? I thought the highest GPA anyone can get is a 4.0.

faith4life, you may want to call around to various schools first because some of them will still average in your previous grades. I have heard that some only consider your first grade. Some must let students retake classes though, or else applicants wouldn't do it. I am in the Houston area also and can tell you that not all schools base their admissions soley on GPA, so I would research first before spending $$ on the same class again. Good luck to you!

faith4life · May 4, 2006

Like other posters have said, you just have to know the school you want to apply to and their acceptance requirements. However, don't give up hope. It is competitive to get in, but you can do it. A 3.29 GPA is not bad at all, so keep hope alive. If it's God's will for you to get in, it'll happen. That's how I got in. Trust me. That was God. Your GPA is a lot higher than mine was, so you have a pretty good chance of getting in. Though this is all depending on your school. Good luck!

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. With God all things are possible right? Anyhow, I'm going to talk to my academic advisor again after finals and ask him what I can do to offset my GPA.

You said you had a low GPA, so what helped you get in? What about volunteering? I'm planning on volunteering at a Hospital this summer which is what my academic advisor strongly suggested.

faith4life · May 4, 2006

faith4life, you may want to call around to various schools first because some of them will still average in your previous grades. I have heard that some only consider your first grade. Some must let students retake classes though, or else applicants wouldn't do it. I am in the Houston area also and can tell you that not all schools base their admissions soley on GPA, so I would research first before spending $$ on the same class again. Good luck to you!

Thanks! I talked with an academic advisor on Tuesday and he said that a high GPA, even a 4.0, isn't enough if you haven't done any volunteering. So I'm planning on volunteering all this summer at a hospital and maybe that will help me offset my GPA. Anyhow, I'm going to have to talk to him again after finals week and see what else he recommends.

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · May 4, 2006

Thanks! I talked with an academic advisor on Tuesday and he said that a high GPA, even a 4.0, isn't enough if you haven't done any volunteering. So I'm planning on volunteering all this summer at a hospital and maybe that will help me offset my GPA. Anyhow, I'm going to have to talk to him again after finals week and see what else he recommends.

I work as a CNA right now, but before I got this job, I volunteered at Texas Children's Hosptial and loved every minute of it. I know that MD Anderson is always looking for people also. I don't know your age, but I know they have a "junior" program that starts in June.