Grade evaluation for CRNA program

mursebryan · Jul 8, 2009

Some schools average every course you take post HS... in other words, your HS transcript is null. That said, be prepared to write an appeal for courses/ classes you did poorly in, especially if they are science courses, etc. Demonstrate why you are now able to perform well whereas in the past you had whatever problem with academics you had.

Also try to build your current resume as best you can. Get your CCRN. Score high on the GRE. Take a grad level course and get an A. Prove you are capable of high performance now. They will accept you.

I've been told that many applicants are in the same boat. So go forward.

Best wishes

Mikey 0-0 · Jul 8, 2009

Hello Mursebryan, Thank you for your support, I thought I was the only one in the situation haha. Are you going for your CRNA as well? I will focus now on my CCRN cert, and my GRE, thanks buddy :)

mursebryan · Jul 8, 2009

I had a horrible GPA from my first Bachelor's degree in English (of all things). My nursing school GPA is much better. I did have to appeal the school's policy and asked them to look at my record from the past 5 years and they did that. Part of the reason they said they'd look at my current record is I scored well on the GRE (1220 with a 5 on the written part). I'm also taking the CCRN exam next week. Assuming I pass that, I should have a pretty competitive application.

So do everything you can to demonstrate you have what it takes to succeed in CRNA school. If you have low grades in any post secondary sciences you may want to retake those (O chem, microbio, etc.). Otherwise, sounds like you already are doing things right. A 3.9 is stellar.

I have an interview for one CRNA school in a couple of weeks. Another application is pending. Wish me luck! And best luck to you too.

Mikey 0-0 · Jul 8, 2009

Hey buddy . Wow, you did pretty well on your GRE, and 5 on the written part...thats from supposedly all those bad grades in your english bachelors? haha. Nice scores tho...I have been studying for the GRE for quite some time now, I will be taking it soon :). I would like to take more practice tests before taking the real thing. For instance, I heard that some grad schools will average your GRE attempts. That being said, I would like the first attempt to be steller, just like me GPA :) :yeah: . Good luck on your CCRN! What schools are you looking at? If you don't mind, how old are you? Just curious what the ages of males entering the CRNA field are. I am 24. Good luck buddy!

:lol2:

wspfan · Aug 22, 2009

I as well have a history of past bad grades and am running into the same problem you had. I have applied to 1 school 3 times and each time got a little closer (first rejected, then interviewed then rejected and now... This year, I got interviewed and offered an alternate spot (if there are any). I'm applying now to schools that focus only on the last 60 hours of coursework. I also will complete a Master's of Science degree in Nursing in December and hope that helps my chances since I have a 3.96 GPA. My BSN was a 3.75, Associate in Nursing a 2.75 and my other grades 1.75. What happened 20 years ago (yes, I"m old) shouldn't hinder me now because I am a completely different student than what I was!

I feel your pain. I am just going to be like "Rudy". I'm going to apply and apply until a school finally lets me in. (I'm not going to apply to the one that put me as an alternate again, though-I figure 3 times and I'm out.)

Mikey 0-0 · Aug 22, 2009

Hey wspfan, it sucks doesnt it? I mean I have straight A's now, I don't cound the 89.6 in microbiology as a B haha. And so many schools are adding them all together. If they do that, then I am at about 3.0 maybe better. What did you use to study your GRE with? How many years exp of ICU of CICU do you have? Thnx :)

wspfan · Aug 22, 2009

I only got a 910 on the GRE (and honestly I should have studied, but was too busy studying for the CCRN and CEN). I've been in the ICU for 11 years and I've done, NSICU, CVICU, MICU and Trauma ICU. I did 3 years as an Emergency Nurse and concurrently worked in the ICU. I do hold CCRN and CEN and hope to goodness that this year schools will look at what I can do now, vs what I did 20 years ago.

I have over 170 credits, so when you try to raise the cum, it's impossible. I'm barely at a 3.0 (roughly) if you incorporate everything. Good luck to you.

mursebryan · Aug 22, 2009

Hey, Mikey-00... late reply to your post but I did pass CCRN and got ACCEPTED to Western Carolina Univ! Super psyched. They asked me in the interview to re-explain my letter of appeal for my grades from 20 years ago (2.0 English BA). I made no apologies, stated that the GPA was embarrassing, then spent the next minute describing what I had done in the past 5 years to abdicate that record. So, it worked.

Oh, and I just turned 42 to answer the other question.

I had an interview at Duke, but passed as WCU is my first choice.

You guys keep at it. It'll happen.

Bryan

Mikey 0-0 · Aug 23, 2009

Thnx buddy, good luck to you too... Theres a pretty forgiving school down here at panama city. I think its actually in a hospital. I think its called bay medical crna. check them out :)

Mikey 0-0 · Aug 23, 2009

Congrats bryan! :) When will you be starting? How long is your program? thnx

wspfan · Aug 23, 2009

Congratulations!!! It is so good to hear of someone who made mistakes in the past and has been able to redeem themselves. Good luck to you.