I am super shameful to say that my GPA is 2.5. I had some challenges during my undergraduate program. Attempts were made to retake some classes for a better grade, but I was advised that, it will not make any difference.
However, I do have a great career background.
Most schools would not even look at my application let alone talk of considering me as an applicant. With the way things are going in nursing world I need to get more education.
With low GPA, I passed NCLEX and doing well at work.
I had nerves to try Georgetown university. lol (face covered). Their video interview process was not for me. I was told to prep for one thing, but to my surprise, I had to pick random numbers that are attached to questions. This threw me off. I was not accepted.
MY QUESTION: Any suggestions on good schools that will work with someone like me?
If the only school you applied to was GT, then you don't have a clue about where you stand as far as the FNP goes. If you performed poorly in required prerequisite science classes for the FNP, then retake those. It may not change GPA, but it certainly will be on record and would be sent to the school. Your performance in nursing classes are useless now, because you are going for something totally different. You have an MBA with a 3.7? That shows growth and development, as well as persistent. Schools are impressed with students who redeem themselves. Think of all of us who started college as 17 year olds and didn't know what we wanted. When you're in your 30's, 40's and 50's what you did when you were 17 and 18 doesn't matter. A good school can still accept you. Don't look to IVY league. They are very costly and not necessarily the best. And why would they accept 2.5 if every student applying has 4.0 or above? A student's motivation to learn and perform is more important than IVY league. Go for it and let us know how you fare. There are lots of people who were in your shoes and are now doing well. Your track record shows you will be just fine. Good luck!
1). Do not go to high-ranked programs, whether on-campus or online. Also, do not go to any online programs, at all. Good quality online studying requires very developed studying skills; your GPA may make impression that you don't have them (whatever the reality might be). Poor quality online programs (aka "diploma mills") are only for spending money.
2). Instead, choose a brick-and-mortar, mid-range program (most commonly located in second-level public universities, often in conjunction with BSN/ABSN programs). Check it to be properly certified on national level.
3). Get appointment with admissions and ask directly: what do they want you to do if you set your mind to get in there? Admission clerks are surprisingly honest during these appointments.
4). At the same time, start networking. Ask literally everyone you know. Someone you know might know someone in that program, or know someone else who might know... get to the people who have internal connections within the program and ask them for letters, recomnendations, etc. This is why "shopping locally" is important. I heard about people throwing nets in their churches and school districts, with sometimes goood results.
5). Search Linkedin for program alumni and see if you happen to know someone. Get back to your classmates - they may know someone, too.
6). Very powerful but difficult to do trick: find where some of the program's students do clinicals and get a part-time job there. FNP programs usually do not have "feeder units" like CRNA schools, but figuring out where you can meet students and instructors can be a deal-breaker.
7). Whenever you happen to care for an NP's patient, do super-exemplary job. Their recommendation may bring you into schools they went through.
Your goal is to get known as a smart, energetic, caring PERSON, not a bearer of luckluster GPA number.
If the only school you applied to was GT, then you don't have a clue about where you stand as far as the FNP goes. If you performed poorly in required prerequisite science classes for the FNP, then retake those. It may not change GPA, but it certainly will be on record and would be sent to the school. Your performance in nursing classes are useless now, because you are going for something totally different. You have an MBA with a 3.7? That shows growth and development, as well as persistent. Schools are impressed with students who redeem themselves. Think of all of us who started college as 17 year olds and didn't know what we wanted. When you're in your 30's, 40's and 50's what you did when you were 17 and 18 doesn't matter. A good school can still accept you. Don't look to IVY league. They are very costly and not necessarily the best. And why would they accept 2.5 if every student applying has 4.0 or above? A student's motivation to learn and perform is more important than IVY league. Go for it and let us know how you fare. There are lots of people who were in your shoes and are now doing well. Your track record shows you will be just fine. Good luck!
Just a clarification - although Georgetown is highly ranked and very reputable, it is not an Ivy League university.
Don't be ashamed of your GPA. I actually compliment you for being smart enough to realize a 4.0 wouldn't have changed the outcome. Either way you are a nurse. You will be able to get in to NP school. Just look at the requirements for a few schools (GRE, gpa, experience, focus, etc.). College grades are so unimportant in the big picture of life.
You will have to push yourself more and have more confidence. If you aren't willing to do that, then no, you don't stand a chance. Even after you do those things nothing is guaranteed but you will stand a better chance of being successful.
I'm just going to be honest, your chances are extremely small. Not saying impossible but official GPA cutoffs are generally at least 3.0 Some schools are willing to work with you if you are slightly below but that isn't the case here either. While it may seem like a positive thing than you have an MBA GPA of 3.7, this might also work against you. First of all, they will be expecting at least a 3.5 in any graduate program so a 3.7 is good but not outstanding. Second, such a major discrepancy between your nursing and business academic records will likely not be encouraging. Yes schools are willing to look at an applicant comprehensively but, in this case, they would see that you are able to perform academically. Instead, it looks as though studying nursing is what proves challenging to you. It is unlikely that they would conclude that you would be successful as a student at an advanced level (remember 3 of your first classes would be advanced versions of things you would have taken - assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology).
I think your best bet, if you wish to purse it further, would be to look for a school that is willing to let you take graduate courses as a non-degree student. These would be the same classes you would take during grad school and would give you the opportunity to demonstrate that you can handle the coursework. The downside is that you'd have to pay for these classes yourself (financial aid is only available to degree-seeking students) and there would be no guarantee that they would accept you even if you do well. But it would be your best chance and the classes you do take could be counted towards a degree if you're admitted.
You mentioned in your original post that you feel you need to "get more educated" with the outlook for the nursing profession. I would also like to suggest to you that there are many ways to do that without going through grad school or becoming an APN. Consider getting specialty certification(s) or other roles within the RN-level such as SANE, RNFA, etc... Best of luck to you!
I have a lower GPA (2.8) and had a plan to go to a school as a non-degree seeking student to take patho/pharm etc to prove I can hack it as a grad student. I was also going to take the GRE. Also research and choose schools that look at you holistically, beyond just your GPA. You can also talk to the admissions staff at GU and ask them for feedback on your application and how to make it stronger.
I also had issues in my undergrad nursing courses. It took me a long time to convince myself to apply. Came down to realizing the worst that could happen was them say no. I applied and they said yes!! Only regret is waiting so long. I am taking courses through Walden. After doing research and meeting many Walden grads I am comfortable with my decision. Best of luck!
Skippingtowork
342 Posts
If the only school you applied to was GT, then you don't have a clue about where you stand as far as the FNP goes. If you performed poorly in required prerequisite science classes for the FNP, then retake those. It may not change GPA, but it certainly will be on record and would be sent to the school. Your performance in nursing classes are useless now, because you are going for something totally different. You have an MBA with a 3.7? That shows growth and development, as well as persistent. Schools are impressed with students who redeem themselves. Think of all of us who started college as 17 year olds and didn't know what we wanted. When you're in your 30's, 40's and 50's what you did when you were 17 and 18 doesn't matter. A good school can still accept you. Don't look to IVY league. They are very costly and not necessarily the best. And why would they accept 2.5 if every student applying has 4.0 or above? A student's motivation to learn and perform is more important than IVY league. Go for it and let us know how you fare. There are lots of people who were in your shoes and are now doing well. Your track record shows you will be just fine. Good luck!