is a 4.0 GPA in prerequisites mandatory for nursing school

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Sep 30, 2013

I was accepted into nursing school not having a "magical 4.0"...I had at least a 2.75, and challenged my science pre-req's through excelsior and had a 3.0 in science; took the NLN exam and scored over 90th percentile, and got into the program. I also had LPN experience for a number of years, which most likely gave me an advantage as well; but I digress...

Most schools have a stratified quota to round out their applicants and potential students; I believe they take people with 2.75 and up and include other parts of the "package" as well...it's up to the nursing school's criteria, and that WILL vary.

I think having more A's and B's is more paramount in getting into a program; but straight A's??? :no:

douxmusique · Sep 30, 2013

Programs are competitive. If the 20 people before you all had straight a's and you got a b.... theyre getting in and you arent. Thats why you need to make the best grades you possibly can! It is important do not be complacent.

chicagoboy · Sep 30, 2013

My GPA was around 2.6 and was accepted in the Nursing program. I was done with all of my prereq, including all non-nursing classes plus i passed the NLN exam. Few of my friends who got in the nursing program has gpa under 3 but were also done with all non nursing classes and pass the NLN as well. So i think they were basing acceptance to the program more if you are done with everything except nursing classes and passing the NLN exam.

But like previous poster mentioned about competitiveness so a higher gpa does help.

ShelbyaStar · Sep 30, 2013

I am transferring credits over from a previous degree. Even though my college site says nurses must have at least a 2.0, I was told that my previous GPA of 2.99 would keep me out. I still have a lot of pre-reqs to take and am going to try to get straight As in them to counterbalance my low previous GPA, and then I think I'll be fine.

I don't have previous nursing experience and would probably be a little less stressed if I did.

The thing is there's minimum requirements, but also a limited number of spots open so like someone else said, if there's 20 spots open and there's 20 people with straight As and you have Bs, you may be in trouble.

Previous posters show that it's totally possible to get in with lower, but I wouldn't want to chance it if I can help it. I don't think a 4.0 is necessary, but it sure doesn't hurt and I would get as close to that as possible.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Sep 30, 2013

It depends on the program. In my area, for BSN and ADN programs, they state that a 3.0 is required to get in but the actual statistics of those that get accepted is 3.8 to 4.0 due to the high number of applicants. So, yes getting the highest grade that you can is important. I would ask the colleges about the actual statistics of those who get into the program.

juniper583 · Sep 30, 2013

I suppose it depends on how selections are made. If it is based on academic performance then you would want that 4.0 GPA. At my school it is first come-first serve. If you have a 2.7 cumulative GPA in the pre-reqs and have all your other (health, CPR, etc) requirements met then they take students in the order their admissions folders are completed.

Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN · Sep 30, 2013

It depends on your school/program. Where i live people are not accepted into the program without a 3.5 or higher gpa. It's a point value though. 3.5 or higher in your pre reqs, and sciences ensures you the highest point category, ensuring you would get in. Getting the second to highest is highly unlikely of admission.

It's just competitive, and uncomfortably so.

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2013

I agree with PP. It's usually a 3.5 or higher, but it depends on the people of applying. They use statistics and percentiles to determine the minimum GPA for the entering cohorts.