GPA, Competitive nursing programs, stressed

[JePierreB, ADN, RN]

So I started off my freshman year of college as a biology major, which I didn't do well and ended my freshman year with a 2.2 cumulative GPA. During the summer after my freshman year, I decided that I wanted to pursue into nursing, which I decided to go to my local cc. I tranferred all my credits with my old GPA to the new college and since then, I've been building up all GPA and taking the nursing pre-reqs. Knowing that I'm almost done completing my nursing pre-reqs, the highest my cumulative GPA would be is a 3.2. For my science pre-reqs, they should be around 3.5-3.8 of GPA depending on what courses a particular school wants. Majority of my grades are A's and B's and two C's, which I can't retake the classes with C's because it's considered passing.

I want to stay an extra year at school to raise it but with over 60 units of earned credits and 200+ of grade points, my GPA is not really changing as much.

Since my cumulative GPA is low, what should I consider doing?

[verene, MSN]

Programs have many different procedures for how they admit students. It may be to your benefit to look into programs which weight your pre-req GPA higher or only care about your pre-reg GPA (And test scores if requiring HESI or TEAS) Also look into programs which admit on a lottery system - meaning all applicants meeting minimum requirements have a chance of being accepted. Some programs are also holistic based (usually BSN programs) in which case life experience, work experience, and a strong personal statement may overcome a weaker GPA provided minimum standards are met.

It may require some searching for programs, but you do still have a shot a nursing school.

[UnicornMagic]

Ask your advisor what your school takes into consideration. My school only counts the program GPA, not the cumulative. If that is the case for you, your qualifying GPA may be higher than you realize.