3.6 GPA: the likelihood of getting into nursing school

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Hi all,

I'm in my final quarter of nursing prerequisites and I'm very excited to be finished. I have an associate's degree already from a little community college. My over all GPA is a 3.6, which I hope to raise after taking a silly general biology course over again. My prerequisite GPA is a 3.73. With my retake (which will more than likely be a 4.0 after what I've been through with my other science courses), it'll likely raise my over all and my prerequisite GPA at least .1. My chemistry courses were B's, which causes me stress. I'll be a practicing CNA come July and will hopefully have a couple hundred hours of working.

I likely will be applying to the University of Alaska - Anchorage for both their BSN and their ADN programs, in addition to Charter College for their ADN, as well as Western Baptist University for their BSN.

My main concern is my GPA. I worry that it is not up to par, especially since I come from an area where getting into the local nursing program here (through WSU) is cutthroat and very very competitive. We're taught that a 4.0 is required and I feel tremendous anxiety that my GPA is inadequate.

Thank you for reading my very long post and I appreciate any comfort/advice/information you can provide.

Best,

Cheyenne

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Like you stated, the competitiveness of the school is a huge variable as to your likeliness of success. I've know people with a near 4.0 GPA get rejected from one school, while someone with a 2.5 will get into another. If you do well on the TEAS (assuming your school requires it) that's what will really set you apart from other candidates. I wish you the best of luck!

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UAA is highly competitive but they only look at your pre req GPA, science GPA and kaplam score. They use those three to rank you with more emphasis on overall pre req GPA. It varies but last I heard the averages were around 3.7-4.0.

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Just one question: are you sure that your retake will be allowed or considered? I don't know that particular program but it's not unusual to have the first grade count for the program consideration, or an average between the two grades used. Probably good to know before you do it.

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Is that true? I just looked at their requirements and it explicitly said that they take into consideration your most recent cumulative GPA.

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Is that true? I just looked at their requirements and it explicitly said that they take into consideration your most recent cumulative GPA.

I said to make sure what your program will allow, as those variations I mentioned are possible. If you know retaking the course will improve your chances and not hinder them, then there you go.

Good luck!

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Specializes in SRNA.

I recently got accepted into an accelerated nursing program (BSN) that admits 25 students per cohort.

I do not have a 4.0 GPA (cGPA 3.5) but I do have 2 years of various health care experience which may have bolster my application.

There are so many programs out there so apply broadly I guess, you'll get in somewhere.

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I was told by one of the nursing program directors at UAA that you can retake the class and your highest grade is what they use for ranking.

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Depends on where you are from. I have a similar GPA and, although I haven't applied to any schools yet, a 3.6 GPA seems to place people in a good position. That being said, I live in Canada so it may be a bit different. But many people I know are getting in with a 3.6 (and there are way less schools here than in the states!). Some schools require you to write out your experience, which helps people with a lower GPA.

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Yes, I'm from Washington State and there's only 2 programs in my area, which contributes to its competitiveness. I plan on applying in Alaska, where we think my fiancé is getting stationed and I've already had one nursing school there seek me out and ask for my application. I'll apply in about 18 months. Here's to hoping we both get in!

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If it helps you get an idea of competitiveness. I got wait listed as alternate number 8 for the Fairbanks cohort this fall. They only take 16 which I think the anchorage one takes 50? but they are similar in competitiveness ive been told. I have a 3.6 gpa 3.0 science GPA and 77 Kaplan score.

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Does anyone know when notifications for UAA come out?

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