Has anyone gotten into NP school with below a 3.0 gpa?

[tympanicbrah]

Currently doing an accelerated bsn program and I am questioning my ability to maintain a 3.0 gpa. There is so much stuff to do in a short period of time. Getting anything less than a 74 percent is a fail. It seems like 3.0 gpa is the magic cut off for psych NP programs. I am still in the beginning. Is it pretty much 3.0 gpa or no admission to psych NP programs?

[pro-student]

Most programs look at your cumulative GPA which would include your previous degree and any other coursework you've done. They will also understand that an accelerated program is challenging and grades aren't the sole indicator of potential for success. Many people who have successfully made it in and through top ranked graduate programs would have below a 3.0 GPA if you isolated only their nursing courses. It just seems less obvious because ours are often mixed in with various other general classes than can pull up GPA. Admissions committees will be cognizant of this and if you are particularly concerned, you can typically include a brief statement pointing this out with your application. That being said, if your GPA for the nursing program is barely passing, that would be much harder to overcome. Strong LORs, work experience, specialty certifications can all make a big difference and moderate the effects of a less than stellar GPA. As long as you can pull off mostly Bs (a couple Cs are ok) and have a good academic record overall (which I'm assuming you do because accelerated programs are generally competitive) you should be fine. Anecdotally, I have heard psych NP programs are among the less competitive specialty but I have no idea of the veracity of that claim. Either way, don't sweat it too much. Just do you best and you should be fine.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to student NP forum