2.35 GPA too low for Acc Bacc BSN Program?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello All,

I am in search of some serious, honest advice. I have a 2.35 GPA from undergrad of which clearly school was not my priority. I also lost my mom my sophomore year and do genuinely feel that played a role. Anyways, after college I participated in AmeriCorps NCCC, spent 3 years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic and now am a Public Health Educator for Planned Parenthood. I really want to be a nurse. I think it's where my life journey has been leading for awhile, I am very passionate about HIV/AIDS prevention, speak fluent Spanish and have incredible experience in youth development. I have started taking my pre-reqs, Human development and A and P. I have an A and B and plan to get A's in the rest. Does anyone think I have a chance to get into an accelerated BSN program with such a low GPA? Can I make an argument with my experience and a good pre-req GPA and good letters of rec?

Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Extremely competitive and 2.35 is too low. Take some hardcore science classes and bring it up.

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It really depends on the program you're applying to. Most schools want at least a 3.0 overall, but thats not the only thing they take into consideration. They look at your nursing pre-req GPA, your science GPA, your NET exam (or HESI A2), as well as your overall experience in the workforce or in volunteering.

So long as you keep taking your nursing pre-reqs and making good grades, especially in the science classes, it should boost up your overall GPA. And you've already got tremendous experience and background with work and volunteer, so I'm sure you'll do fine.

Keep your head up and good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

You've gotten excellent advice here. Basically you won't get accepted into the nursing program until you have a list of pre-req. done, as well have elevated your GPA. This is not always the case in Acc programs, but these are generally for those with prior bachelor degrees.

Some people have had luck by entering private schools which are pricier. I attended an expensive private one and only GPA's of 4 were taken in... so even back in the day it was very competitive. But you can see the difference of experiences based upon the area you live.

Keep looking and you'll find a fit! Just know that it might not be so accelerated as several of your prior classes may not be accepted.

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I certainly think so! especially if the school you are applying to has an interview portion! Some schools only calculate three number, like GPA, some test score, and something else, and calculate like a number for you, and if it is high enough you are accepted. But my school has an interview process. In an interview, you would be able to explain your short comings and with school and explain your low GPA, as well as talk about Peace Corps. I don't know about other schools, but my school average acceptance rate is a 3.5, but I guarantee they would eat up the fact you were in Peace Corp and look past your ify GPA. Hope that helps, don't let ONE NUMBER ever define you, you WILL find someone wonderful and become an amazing nurse!

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Specializes in Pediatric GI/Pulm.

I am in a similar situation as you, I graduated with a BA in Recreation and Leisure with a nonprofit emphasis with a 2.98 GPA , I've worked in Nonprofits for over 12 years and finding it hard to apply at schools. I was young and really didn't know how to succeed in college back in 1992, at the time was a 2.1. I'm now a young 37 y/o just finished my Patho/pharm/micro/chem/life span/ A&P with all A's and B's. I've made a spread sheet of schools that accept students with a 2.5 and above, I figure I have a better chance at competing in private schools with a more generous GPA requirement. I haven't even attempted community colleges or State school, for the very reason that many people have mentioned- I simply can't compete with those with such a high GPA. If you are interested in me sending you the spreadsheet I made, send me an email, I can email it to you. I found most of the schools from others here on allnurses.com-- GREAT RESOURCE. best of luck and you can do it!!!

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Your chances would be better if you focused on applying to accelerated BSN programs at private universities. The private schools are less competitive about their grade point average requirements because the tuition tends to be very expensive.

For example, my close friend has a BS degree in public health. Her overall GPA is 2.6, and her GPA in the nursing prerequisite classes is a 2.5, which is not so stellar. She applied to nursing programs at state universities and community colleges, but her GPA was no match against the applicants who had 3.8 and 4.0 grade point averages.

She applied to a 12-month accelerated BSN program with a price tag of $42,000 and was accepted. It was three semesters (summer, fall, and spring) that cost $14,000 per semester.

May I know which program your friend applied to?

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Hi,

I would really like to take a look at your spreadsheet. I'm not sure how to go about doing this since I'm new to the website. Should I msg you my email address?

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Check to see what pre-regs they require. I, too, am going to nursing after completing an undergrad but many nursing school only look at the GPA of certain classes such as Micro, Anatomy, Physiology, Math, and Eng. If you re-take those classes, it will help a ton. My experience so far is school aren't interested in non-science, non-core related classes. But a 2.35 sounds a little low.

Good luck!

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Honestly yes. Although your experiences and recs are great the competition to get into an acc program is rough. I'd think about taking some classes especially any sciences you can get your hands on. I did a 2nd degree program and had a 3.5 with a comp sci degree and had worked for 8 years prior to going back to school. I got right in and did really well but 2.35 is low. Don't want to burst your bubble but don't want to see you waste your money applying either. Community college is a great place to do the classes--I loved my time there before I went for my BSN. Did all my prereqs to save money. Great teachers too.

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You might want to try applying to school in Puerto Rico. If you are fluent in spanish and are able to handle course work in spanish there are many CCNE and NLNAC accredited programs there. Check the NLNAC and CCNE websites for the schools which are accredited. If you are not comfortable with spanish speaking courses try the Universidad Interamericana they have a program in english...it starts August 1st and if you apply soon you can get in starting this fall. Tuition is also very reasonable about $175 per unit. There are no prereqs other than your BA degree. I speak from experience because I was just accepted into the program with a GPA below yours. Also try University of the Virgin Islands. They have both an ADN and BSN. But neither is accelerated. If you are interested I have a lot of other info that you might be interested in. Just post here and let me know. No a GPA of 2.35 will not exclude you if you are willing the venture outside the box. Don't listen to all this non sense that you need a good GPA to get in. If I did it you sure can. Good Luck.

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where did your friend get in?

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Specializes in Mental Health.

My school required a 3.0 in a previous BA degree to get into the accelerated program and a 2.75, going up to 3.0 soon I believe, for the traditional program as well.

I don't want to discourage you because anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I'd talk to advisors for nursing departments if I was you, they can give you all the help and advice you need to lay out a plan.

Best of luck to you!

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