GPA conversions

japaho41 · May 9, 2007

Unfortunately I have never heard of any college making a conversion based upon the grading scale at one particular institution compared to another. When you get a chance to view your transcript there is not even a grading scale on it, so how would they know. It's especially difficult when you break it down to the borderline grades with such a stringent scale. However it looks like your GPA is good, higher than mine and I made it in.

mmc-rockstar · May 9, 2007

Seems that most nursing programs use 93-100 A, etc, so yours is alittle tougher, but I don't think CRNA programs care (unfortunately). That being said, 3.6 is still competitive enough for an interview and then you'll have a chance to bring it up if you want. So, study hard for the GRE, get your CCRN, get your hands on sick pts, and be prepared for your interview....Good luck!!

pengoo2008 · May 10, 2007

Thanks for the replies...I guess I could always bring it up in the interview. I feel like if 3.6 is enough to get an interview I should be okay. I feel like I will do well in the interview portion and from what I've learned from lurking...that counts for a lot!

I was thinking of emailing the schools I am interested in and asking what they though about the differences in scales. Maybe they would remember me asking this question when they looked at my application and cut me some slack!:uhoh21:

pengoo2008 · May 10, 2007

oops I thought I had already replied to this...maybe it didn't work.

Thank you for your replies. If a 3.6 seems good enough for an interview, I think I will get admitted somewhere. I feel like I will do well on the interview portion. I know I will study my butt of for the GRE, and I well on the SAT if that is any kind of predictor.

I am considering emailing the schools I am interested in and getting their take on this subject. Maybe...just maybe they will remember my emails when they are looking through the applications haha!

Thanks again...

japaho41 · May 11, 2007

Like I have stated before I think you GPA is competitive. Let your numbers speak for themselves you don't need to justify the fact that you were subjected to a different grading scale. Really they don't care and will not take that into consideration. Focus your attention in other aspects of your application.

bucknangler · May 11, 2007

I attend a BSN program where a 95% and above is a 4.0. Unfortunately a 90-94.9% results in a 3.5. I generally end up with between a 93-94% in all my classes. Therefore my GPA is hovering in the 3.6 range. I'm starting my senior year in the fall. I predict my gpa will pretty much stay the same. I have no clue how I will do on the GRE.
My question is: Do you know of any gpa conversions that CRNA schools do to figure out your GPAs? Do they take into account that at some schools a 90-94.9% would be a 3.7 instead of a 3.5?

If I'm understanding you correctly, you are on a 10 pt grading scale? You state a 90% is a 3.5? A 3.5 is the lowest A which makes sense, being you are on a 10 pt scale. As for you comment's about 90-94% being a 3.7, I have never heard of that. I can see how a 95% is around a 3.7, but nothing around a 90%.

A second way I have looked at this is that your school doesn't calculate GPA by the equation CREDITS x GRADE = TOTAL POINTS; ALL TOTAL POINTS/ TOTAL HOURS TAKEN = GPA!

As for GPA conversion score, I was told by a CRNA that they looked heavily on your last 60 hrs, which is usually all nursing courses. And he also gave me the following pointers:

1. Do well on GRE

2. Work at an awesome and well respected ICU (preferably in a large city)

3. Be young when you apply, between 1-4 years after nursing school. (I found this a little less reliable, but he stated that people who apply sooner after nursing school the CRNA school view them more determined)

4. Be yourself in the interview

5. Before you have your interview, make sure you have shadowed a CRNA for at least 15 hours

pengoo2008 · May 11, 2007

If I'm understanding you correctly, you are on a 10 pt grading scale?

It's actually on a 4 pt scale

asianrn · May 12, 2007

majority of the schools assess the whole package of your application not just your gpa..i know people who got in with a gpa pf 2.8, and i know a few people who have a gpa of 3.8 and mind you a knock out gre scores but didn't get in..just like the other poster have said, you don't need to justify your grading system especially if it's not even an issue...interview process i think seals the deal, you might look good in paper and application but if your personality and confidence are below average, it will still not get you anywhere...

jls485 · May 12, 2007

I agree w/ asianrn, don't worry about your gpa, i think it's fine... I'm too freaking out about gpa, but it is what it is. Like asianrn said, people on this board had gotten in w/ below 3.0, so it's really about the whole process/package. I truly belive that if you want it, some how some way, you'll get it. I have a friend who applied for D.O. school for 2 years straight and didn't get in, but this year (3rd times), he got accepted a few and going to PCOM now. His volunteer work, additional classes and others helped him; not because of his fancy application, but because he didn't give up and knowing that there's a way as long he keeps the dream up.

pengoo2008 · May 12, 2007

:) Thanks everyone...you have eased my anxiety a lot

bucknangler · May 13, 2007

I agree w/ asianrn, don't worry about your gpa, i think it's fine... I'm too freaking out about gpa, but it is what it is. Like asianrn said, people on this board had gotten in w/ below 3.0, so it's really about the whole process/package. I truly belive that if you want it, some how some way, you'll get it. I have a friend who applied for D.O. school for 2 years straight and didn't get in, but this year (3rd times), he got accepted a few and going to PCOM now. His volunteer work, additional classes and others helped him; not because of his fancy application, but because he didn't give up and knowing that there's a way as long he keeps the dream up.

Great statement. I agree. If you can dream it, work for it, you will 95% of the time get it. I know a CRNA who had no ICU experience, just ER. Doesn't have his BSN, just an undergrad in Biology, and he got in. He was aming for med school but did bad on his MCAT. So he went to an ADN nursing school and applied for 2 straight years for CRNA and finally got in at Middle Tennessee.