GPA from different schools into Nursing Program

[tkim44]

I graduated from a highly competitive high school with a 96 weighted GPA and a 31 on the ACT and am currently enrolled at Binghamton University. I came into Binghamton University not knowing what I wanted to do. Due to a mixture of difficulty transitioning into college and being a part of the Div 1 wrestling team I was on academic probation after my first semester. I got a C+, C+, and a D. I got my crap together and second semester I made Dean's List. As of now I have a accumulative GPA of 2.73. I'm still working on finishing my pre-requisites, but it looks like by that time I will have just about a 3.0 accumulative GPA. I realize the program here is very competitive and many kids with GPAs well above a 3.0 don't get in. My question is if I don't get into the program here and decide to apply to a different Nursing Program will they take into consideration the difficulty level of the school. I find it unfair that if this is the case Nursing Schools are more prone to accept kids with GPA such as mine compared to kids who have 4.0s at a community college. I was debating whether or not I should transfer to SUNY Oneonta, where I know I will have a high 3 GPA then try transferring to a nursing program. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Why do you think your classes were any harder than one at a community college? I have worked very hard for my 4.0 at a community college. Why should someone who slacked off get in before me because they went to a 4 year college? Sorry if that sounds harsh but don't try to make excuses that those of us in community college have it easier than you when many of us worked very hard for our grades.

[EllTee2B]

They will not take into consideration the "difficulty" of your school. You may think that it's easier at a community college, but how do you know this for a fact if you never attended one. The difficulty of many classes are often determined by the instructor. Sorry but you will not be given any special consideration because you went to a university straight out of high school and rightfully so.

[mrsboots87]

The nursing program administration does not care about your highschool GPA or how "hard" the University is. They will care about your GPA. What would be unfair is if someone who worked hard for their 4.0 to not get in because you seem to think the clout of your school should matter. CC courses of equivalent material is the same difficulty level of a Uni course. The difference is that they cost much more. The only difference in Uni is the upper division courses that are not offered at the CC level and that you get BSN at the end. Your pre req from the Uni has the same difficulty level as the equivalent pre req course at the CC, so in short. NO. The prestige of your Uni will not even be a factor in your nursing admittance. Just because you didnt know what you wanted to do career wise does not give you an excuse to have done poorly in your first year and expect a pass.

Now, if nursing is what you want, you can do it. Retake your below "B" grade classes to bump your GPA. If you Uni only takes first attempt grades, then retake all courses at a CC and get all A's if possible, maybe a B or 2, and then transfer the transcript to a different university and dont mention the first Uni. Then they will look at your CC transcript for acceptance. GL

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

You can try to apply and see, but I don't think that the answer you'll get is the one you are hoping for. I know for my school, they simply look at the class and the grade with no bearing for where the class was taken.

Equivalent courses from different schools are just that. If one course is more difficult than another, then they are not equivalent.