3.4 gpa-doomed?

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I have recently gone back to college to become an RN, and my previous school record wasn't the most stellar. :/ But my program itself (cytology) that I did previously, I rocked it...but because of the past prereqs which were not so hot, I'm only sitting at 3.4 gpa and have retaken all I have to able to....

Just curious if others have gone through the same, and am I likely looking at an uphill battle to get in?

Thanks!!!!!

There's nothing above 200 level at a CC, so sure they're easier than 300 & 400 classes. However, they are accepted as equivalent by universities, so they can't be much easier than the 100 & 200 classes there.

Yes, many public universities do accept credits from CC, and I'm not saying they shouldn't, however some (I'm only speaking from experience so I won't say many or all) private universities will not accept CC credits because they do, in fact, have an easier curriculum.

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Specializes in Psych.

I entered University as a high-school drop out and received high honours for several semesters. I also failed two courses and finished with a 3.4/4 GPA. Life happens and I have lived a whole lot of life.

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Yes, many public universities do accept credits from CC, and I'm not saying they shouldn't, however some (I'm only speaking from experience so I won't say many or all) private universities will not accept CC credits because they do, in fact, have an easier curriculum.

They don't accept CC credits because they can charge for you to take their credits. That's the only logical reason. You honestly think a Bio course at a private university that costs double the tuition at a public university will be twice as hard?

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They don't accept CC credits because they can charge for you to take their credits. That's the only logical reason. You honestly think a Bio course at a private university that costs double the tuition at a public university will be twice as hard?

Actually no that is not the "only" logical reason. Do you honestly think that a course at CC is as hard as that at a prestigious private university?

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

*grabbing popcorn and soda*

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

My GPA at "easy" CC was lower than at two universities. After the "poor" prep afforded me in CC and an often accused "diploma mill", I was accepted into a well regarded B&M State university PhD program.

I would like to believe the rise in my grades is due to improved study habits, which have developed. The truth is however, that when I was in CC, their "lax" standards required 4-5 points higher for the same letter grade (A was 94+).

To the OP, same advice as others. . . Go for those high placement test grades, and remember you were in a "hard sciences" program. That should get you increased cred over some of the not so rigorous programs of study.

To MurseCumberwhatever. . . I know you didn't originate the disparaging comment, but I would consider it carefully. I don't repeat every opinion my often offensive relatives (in laws especially) say to me.

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Lol I enjoy this thread. I would also like to mention the grades at my CC. In my nursing program the grades were as followed

A >98

A- 95-97

B+ 90-94

B 88-90

B- 86-88

And an 86 or above was required in each class to move on in the program.

Man was CC easy 😉

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I looked at attending a 'private' university for nursing school but when I met with the advisor hardly anything from my CC or University transferred. Why? Public college math credits are 3, private, 4. Public university science credits are 4, private, 6. Basically, they make their classes longer and worth more credits so that you have to take classes over or take additional classes to make up for the credits. Its a scam. Obviously I didn't go there, aside from that, I couldnt afford the tuition.

The CC that I did attend for nursing school has an 8% pass rate for the program and 100% pass rate for the NCLEX. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the 8% and now three years later I am awaiting acceptance into another nursing program, at another CC, and if and WHEN I pass this time, you bet your ass I'll be proud.

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OP, you are by no means doomed. I had a 2.9 GPA when I graduated from community college, and a 3.5 when I graduated with my first Bachelor's degree. That averaged out to a 3.2. I attributed my 2.9 GPA to immaturity and personal hardship, but the 3.5 was due to some very challenging classes in a very rigorous academic program. What countered a low GPA was diverse healthcare experience, including volunteer, internship, and employment that reflected my desire to become a nurse. And I tied all of that together with an application essay that spoke to my academic struggles. And you know what? I was accepted to Penn, JHU, CU, UIC, MGH and Columbia (everywhere I applied). Thinking negatively about your 3.4 (which, by the way, is still seen as a good GPA!) will not get you anywhere. You have to take what you can't change and make the most of it. Best of luck to you!

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I graduated with a non-nursing bachelor's from a tippity-top university with just a 3.43. My nursing pre-reqs brought it to a 3.48 but that's about it. I got into every school to which I applied. I killed my TEAS exam and I have great work experience. I know how to write competently with a command of the English language and depending on what I want to do, I can easily appeal to logic, emotion, or both. I work hard and I actually want to be a nurse.

So basically...GPA isn't everything. I know there were people with higher grades who were waitlisted or rejected--it's about the whole package. :) I think schools are looking to see who can succeed in their programs and as nurses in the real world. If you have a previously poor record which you worked to improve, you've shown determination and perseverance. I would choose that over a plain 4.0 all day, any day. Be encouraged :)

(ETA--a 3.4 is actually not a bad GPA at all but I understand that it's not at the very top, e.g. 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, etc. )

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I looked at attending a 'private' university for nursing school but when I met with the advisor hardly anything from my CC or University transferred. Why? Public college math credits are 3, private, 4. Public university science credits are 4, private, 6. Basically, they make their classes longer and worth more credits so that you have to take classes over or take additional classes to make up for the credits. Its a scam. Obviously I didn't go there, aside from that, I couldnt afford the tuition.

Hmm..I've never heard of that credit difference. At the private school I attended, math was 3 credits and science was 4. So there was no "scam" involved. Sorry your school was like that!

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I go to a school that used to be a community college. Recent years we managed to become a four year college. One thing we've kept is open enrollment. Everyone has to start somewhere. The classes on the other hand, were not easy. My two quarter, level 200 A&P class transfers to the state university as a level 300 one quarter class. My professor for the class taught at well known medical schools, both public and private and liked teaching at our school because she liked having classes small enough to know her students. People still try to call it a CC. I don't know if we'll ever shake the label, but just because we take anyone who wants to do prerequisites here, doesn't mean we have it easy. I finished my prerequisites with a 3.8, but I had to work for it.

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