3.8 GPA good for admission??

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Dec 9, 2011

I would imagine that you are in an excellent position. Call the school to see what the average GPA for accepted students has been over the last couple of admitted groups. This will give you a great idea of where you stand. Your GPA is excellent. I don’t think you will have anything to worry about.

china.graves · Dec 9, 2011

Thank you so much! :) I called and the admissions counselor said that I shouldn't have anything to worry about, but that my acceptance would most likely be probationary because I still have my micro to take over the summer before the fall semester starts. I'll be in my physiology & second chemistry courses when I apply, plus a whole load of electives and stuff. I have to provide 3 letters of recommendation. I was thinking my highschool medical terminology teacher, the manager of my last job (as a waitress), and maybe a professor from the college I am attending now. I am also family friends with a chiropractor and his wife, and they own a medical clinic. Who did you choose for your references?

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Dec 11, 2011

I used two academic references and one from my immediate supervisor. I did the same thing when applying to my first nursing position. Soon afterwards, you will begin networking with other nurses and begin using nursing professionals as references. Your stats look impressive. Have a good time in nursing school :-)

caliotter3 · Dec 11, 2011

Depends on the program and from incoming class to incoming class sometimes. Some schools will turn away someone with a 4.0. Best you can do is to contact the school and ask what the stats were for the last class. And be satisfied in knowing that your 4.0 in the sciences will be in your favor. Good luck.

plasmatix · Dec 11, 2011

Thank you so much! :) I'll be in my physiology & second chemistry courses when I apply, plus a whole load of electives and stuff. I have to provide 3 letters of recommendation. I was thinking my highschool medical terminology teacher, the manager of my last job (as a waitress), and maybe a professor from the college I am attending now. I am also family friends with a chiropractor and his wife, and they own a medical clinic. Who did you choose for your references?

Your refs sound good; I'd choose a professor from your current school, over the family friend. FMU will be interested in things about you that aren't always easy to tell from GPA alone, such as your attitude in the classroom, your consistency in submitting high-quality schoolwork, whether you have genuine curiosity, and a desire to learn and open your mind to new ideas. If you've had an instructor that you believe recognizes those things in you, I'd ask him/her to write a letter. Make sure if there are FMU university guidelines to follow and/or forms to complete, that you provide them to the letter writers in a timely fashion, so that they have plenty of time to complete them.

I also suggest that, if you have to write an essay, you mention why you chose to pursue a BSN instead of an ADN. Don't say it's because you'll make more money, or believe that hospitals are all moving in that direction, even if that's true. Find things that clearly set FMU apart from other programs: if a school believes that a student recognizes special qualities in the school that they've worked hard at maintaining, they'll want that student on campus. But don't try to "wing it", or bluff your way through.

In addition, about 18 mos. ago, FMU appointed a dynamic and very bright individual, Dr. Ruth Wittmann-Price, to direct their nursing program. You will really benefit from attending a small program that's directed by a nurse with a wide range of professional and academic experience; you'll have an opportunity to find out how wide-ranging the nursing profession can be, and the diversity of directions in which your career can lead. If I were you, I'd make the effort to read up on her, and on the results of her work over the years.

Best of luck!

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Dec 11, 2011

A 3.8 usually stands a great chance! I'll cross my fingers for you. Best of luck!

nashgirl516 · Dec 11, 2011

Where I go, the criteria they base admissions on is: GPA, SAT score, # of pre/co-requisites completed and # of credits obtained at the admitting college. With a GPA that high, as long as you have everything else completed (i.e. your science courses), you should be in good shape!