2.0 GPA...help!

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2012

My best advice would be to buckle down, take it seriously this time, and do your best to make straight A's. It might help to make a spreadsheet of the credits you have already and the number you received for the grade you got in that class (a=4,b=3,c=2,d=1,f=0, on a 4 point scale). The add sections for everyone of the classes you need before you can apply for the program. This will help you realize what grades you need to make to achieve a 3.5...or if making a 3.5 by then is even possible with the number of pre reqs you have left. Play around with making hypothetical a's and b's in those classes. Hopefully you are familiar with calculating GPA. (if not there are tons of websites out there to calculate it for you or instruct you on how to do it yourself) Use the spreadsheet to help you figure out what you have to make in your classes to make a 3.5.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Apr 27, 2012

Yea, buckle down now. If you don't get in the first time you apply, you could keep taking non-nursing classes that are in the curriculum. You'll be able to raise your GPA a little more and you won't be just wasting time.

saturn90 · Apr 27, 2012

OHMYGOSH! That helped me so much I just calculated my GPA and if I make all B's next semester I will almost be at a 3.0!!! (of course I am going to try to make all A's anyway.)

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · Apr 27, 2012

That doesn't sound right. B's are worth 3 points, so if you have a 2.0, take the same number of hrs as you already have, and make all B's, you'll only have a 2.5. If you take less you'll be lower, more you'll be higher.

This is a online GPA calculator that I find very useful:

Raise Your GPA

This is a very good pdf that will help you figure it out on your own:

http://community.pepperdine.edu/seaver/academicadvising/content/gpacalc.pdf

emmyers, RN · Apr 28, 2012

1. Check with the NURSING program you are applying to, and find out how they calculate your GPA. All the schools in my area I applied to only count specific pre-req courses (for ex: A&P and Calculus or higher) towards your calculated GPA, and disregard overall GPA completely. Check how GPA is calculated where you are applying.

2. If the college you are applying to counts ALL grades in your GPA, check with the old school to see how your GPA can be improved upon. You may be able to retake those old classes at your previous school online, and they may only count your better grade. I know the CC I went to did this, and plenty of people took advantage of it.

Chances are good that atleast one of these situations will apply to you, and probably both.

saturn90 · Apr 28, 2012

Well, my school lets students retake classes and then just counts the better grade toward your GPA. Do most schools do this?

galinda · Apr 28, 2012

If your school allows retaking of courses and then only applies the higher grade, then that is great.Try not to overwhelm your schedule by taking too many classes. Se how you fare with a basic full time course load (12 credits typically). Also, consider whether or not you would prefer any of those courses to be online. I personally have only taken one course online which was one credit. I didn't like that format, but many of my fellow students take at least one course online per semester. In the Nursing program at our institution, there aren't any online courses-just the pre-req's.

Inori, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2012

Find out from advisor some schools like mine there's a one semester grace period where you can select which classes you want transfered in. OR transfer in nothing AND redo the prerequs needed at your school from scratch and be sure to get as high of a grade as possibe. If needed take the prereq one class at a time to get the high grades .. of course there's a downside to that because taking such a weak course load means you'll not have the stamina to handle nursing classes if accepted. Anyways deal with that part when you get there good luck!

Look at your current situation, start preparing for school, practice studying, start reading books on courses you'll need. A&P and chemistry is required across the country so its basically the same. You need to know why you got low grades the previous round and what you'll do differently. GOOD LUCK

buckeyepaige · May 3, 2012

The good news is, since you only have 11 credit hours, you still have a chance to get your GPA up! I would make sure you get As in your pre-reqs, and if you have time, squeeze in some fluff courses you know you can easily get an A in.