GPA Question

Nursing Students General Students

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Hello, I am applying to Nursing school in March and I was just wondering from people who have already been accepted what their GPA was or what the average GPA is of a student that is accepted into the program. I go to a large University where the acceptance has a lot to do with your GPA.

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My overall GPA was 3.9 and science GPA was 4.0.

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My GPA is a 4.0. My school had 100 spots at one campus and 50 spots at another. I was accepted at both. The lowest accepted GPA was 3.7.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Yes, the average GPA of students accepted into nursing programs is very high. But, please don't let this discourage you if your GPA isn't perfect. That's what happened to me. Because of some poor choices on my part, my GPA was not up to par with that of the average nursing student. Before I applied to nursing school, I read posts and replies on allnurses similar to those that I'm sure you'll be getting - ones that make it sound like anything less than a 3.99999 won't even get you considered.

It really discouraged me and I started not to even embarrass myself by applying. The nursing school that I hoped to be accepted into was notorious for not accepting many applicants to begin with. Long story short - I ended up applying anyway. Of course, to be safe, I also applied to other programs considered less strict.

I was accepted! With a GPA that I would rather not tell you.

Whatever your GPA is - go for it. Talk to the director, tell them what happened to influence your GPA, emphasize your related experience, write an essay explaining what makes you a good candidate (even if that's not a requirement), and keep your fingers crossed. Your GPA isn't all that matters - even if the school says it's all they look at. That's what mine said too!

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Yes, the average GPA of students accepted into nursing programs is very high. But, please don't let this discourage you if your GPA isn't perfect. That's what happened to me. Because of some poor choices on my part, my GPA was not up to par with that of the average nursing student. Before I applied to nursing school, I read posts and replies on allnurses similar to those that I'm sure you'll be getting - ones that make it sound like anything less than a 3.99999 won't even get you considered.

It really discouraged me and I started not to even embarrass myself by applying. The nursing school that I hoped to be accepted into was notorious for not accepting many applicants to begin with. Long story short - I ended up applying anyway. Of course, to be safe, I also applied to other programs considered less strict.

I was accepted! With a GPA that I would rather not tell you.

Whatever your GPA is - go for it. Talk to the director, tell them what happened to influence your GPA, emphasize your related experience, write an essay explaining what makes you a good candidate (even if that's not a requirement), and keep your fingers crossed. Your GPA isn't all that matters - even if the school says it's all they look at. That's what mine said too!

What bela said is SO true. You really shouldn't get discouraged by what you read or hear regarding a GPA necessary for acceptance. I was 100% positive there was no way I was going to be accepted to the nursing program at my school. My GPA was ridiculously low due to me flunking a few classes(ok, more than a few) the first couple of semesters of college (I was 18 and more interested in being with my boyfriend than going to class). But, I applied anyway just to prove to myself that I wouldn't get in. I even moved to another state after I applied because I KNEW I wasn't going to get in. Well, I got in! Couldn't freaking believe it. Long story short, I'm now in the Acclerated BSN program at my school, and I'm graduating December 2007:mortarboard:. Just goes to show you never know what could happen!

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My GPA when I was accepted was only a 3.38, due to a REALLY bad semester way back when I was fresh out of High School. My science GPA is what got me in - that was a 4.12 (almost all A+s in science courses) and my university weights grades based on science or non-science topics. I also had experience working at a hospital, I'm a native resident of the state I live in so they know I'm not going to get my degree and move away, and I am a nontraditional student with 2 kids. I also started out in English and wrote what my advisor described as phenomenal entrance essays.

You should try to gain some experience in healthcare if you haven't already. Volunteering is awesome - it shows you are dedicated and you get a lot of experience with a lot of different areas. If you have any doubt at all in your writing ability and you need to write essays, get them done ASAP and have as many people critique them as you possibly can. Your university may have a tutoring service - get a tutor to look over the essays. Make sure you have excellent letters of recommendation, too. I hope this helps.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

My GPA wasn't 4.0 or even 3.5 and I got in, so don't let that stop you.

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They look at GPA to get an idea of how determined you are. Because chances are if you're a student with a 4.0 you're determined enough to get through school, while if you have a 2.5 or something you might not be trying as hard as you could. They do this because they want a high pass rate. I'm definitly not saying a person getting in with a 4.0 will pass, or make it all the way through without dropping, but statistically it's more probable. At our school they only looked at GPA in certain pre-req courses.

If you're GPA isn't up to par with everyone elses you'll have to make it up in other areas, like interviews, or just how you present yourself. Show them that you're really dedicated and they'll probably let you in. GPA is important, but to me it's not the most important aspect.

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Specializes in ICU.

gpa's in my school also only counted for certain subjects, like biology - they wanted to ensure we had at least an understanding of a&p before we started fundamentals

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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

It really just depends on the school. Good luck!

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Specializes in med/surg, new FNP.

3.79, got on the waiting list and then accepted. The program had 60 spots and 200 or more applicants.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

My GPA was 3.8. My school works on a point system so your GPA is looked at, but they also look at wrok experience and your reference letters.

Swtooth

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