Grade Forgiveness for nursing school

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 10, 2015

I'm interested in applying to some direct entry MSN programs and I noticed that most of the programs require a 3.0 GPA on your first degree to be considered. So far with all of my credits, I have 2.95 GPA, but I retook some classes in the past and received grade forgiveness for a few bad grades, which puts my recalculated GPA at 3.17. Which GPA will nursing schools consider?

The question isn't really "which GPA will they consider" but "will I be considered a viable candidate once my transcripts are reviewed".

Minimum GPA of 3.0 means that most candidates that find a seat (meaning, the ones that the school admissions committee believes are most likely to be successful) will have a considerably higher GPA.

Taking classes multiple times and STILL having a GPA of only 3.17 indicates a student who would likely struggle to survive an accelerated program, or a direct-entry MSN program. Have you completed all pre-requisites and received outstanding grades in them? Or do you have low grades in the sciences that the school is most interested in seeing?

You said in other posts that you received failing grades and retook failed coursework to finally end on a "D". This won't indicate to a nursing program that you are ready to take on the required coursework and be successful. And schools have to keep an eye on their graduation statistics in order to stay competitive in a competitive market. A student who fails makes them look bad.

You can apply.....but don't be surprised if the answer is "no" or "not yet".

Golfer87 · Aug 10, 2015

Email or write to the college asking how much weight current grades factor on a low GPA.

Using an online calculator, a 2.95 GPA for 128 credit hours would require an additional 141 credits of all A's to raise the GPA to 3.5.

The more credits you accumulate, the slower the GPA shifts.

Good luck!

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2015

Different programs calculate your numbers differently. Some do not count retakes. Some count all retakes, including the lousy first one. Some give you a zero for a W(ithdraw), some ignore it. Some say anything less than a (2.0 ... 1.9 ... 2.5... whatever) counts as a zero. You will have to ask each program to which you plan to apply how they do it.

Suggestion: Call and make an appointment with an admissions counselor at each, bring your transcript, and be honest. See what they say. If one says,"Nope, outta luck, can't ever make this better," there's one answer. If another says, "Well, not so hot, but take some advanced level courses to demonstrate you can do the work, and then we'll talk," then you think about doing that. Or, "Well, 3.0 is our minimum, but last year's entering class averaged 3.85," then that says something too.

Ask. Then act.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 11, 2015

Your only real chance to speak with each program's adviser in person with your transcripts on the table.

Do not forget to ask about median GPA of the program. If it is 3.0 official cutoff and median 3.85, it's one story; if median is 3.2, that's another one. You may be "encouraged" and not so gently steered into applying in both cases as the program wants to get your $50 - 100 of application fee anyway. Things like "we consider everybody", "we make our own estimation", etc., should be a red flag for you.

If you are in or near Michigan, Wayne State has traditionally low GPA requirements for some of their Masters'. It is not a top notch school but a decent place anyway with great clinical bases.

MsBrain, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN · Sep 18, 2015

I took several challenging math and science classes throughout my undergraduate career while juggling a busy schedule of extracurricular activities. Also, because of my experiences in the science area, I see myself beyond well qualified compared to applicants that have only taken the pre-reqs for this program. I did take a D in a class, but that was my last attempt at passing the final class for my degree. I did complete my bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. Let's just say, biochemistry was not my thing. I'm currently completing my science pre-reqs for these programs. The science classes under my first degree include Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Biology, and Biochemistry.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2015

It doesn't matter if "biochemistry is not your thing". They expect you to do well whatever class you take. The reason...what if putting a foley in is "not your thing"..are you going to do D level work? NG tubes are "not my thing", but when I work with them I do A level work. Get it?

BeachsideRN, ASN · Sep 22, 2015

You may be more competitive of you apply to a traditional BSN or ADN program. These programs often will "cherry pick" grades only from the prerequisite courses, giving you a more favorable gpa.

elkpark · Sep 22, 2015

I agree that the current minimum GPA listed for eligibility published by most nursing programs these days is deceptive. Nursing has become extremely competitive, as a result of the huge numbers of people who want to go into it. Schools are innundated with applicants with very high GPAs, excellent references, extracurricular activities and volunteer experience, etc., and the challenge for the schools is to winnow the huge mob of qualified applicants down to the very limited number they can accept. The direct entry MSN programs are particularly choosy because those programs are so intensive and demanding (and also so v. popular).

Schools are not going to be impressed that you got mediocre grades in much tougher courses than they require as prerequisites. They're just going to care that your GPA ain't great. They're also going to be puzzled that your explanation for that is that you continued working on a degree in biochemistry despite biochemistry being "not your thing" (instead of switching majors to something that is "your thing").

I don't mean to sound harsh or critical, just realistic. Most people have no idea how competitive nursing has become over the last 20 yrs or so. Best wishes!

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2015

Also, because of my experiences in the science area, I see myself beyond well qualified compared to applicants that have only taken the pre-reqs for this program.

I doesn't matter a whit that you see yourself as more qualified than other applicants. What matters is what the school thinks. I think you should follow the advice given to contact the admissions department and ask how they evaluate their candidates.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Sep 23, 2015

I doesn't matter a whit that you see yourself as more qualified than other applicants. What matters is what the school thinks. I think you should follow the advice given to contact the admissions department and ask how they evaluate their candidates.

So true. Since it is highly likely that every other applicant has similar or better experience