Help me!! Help me!!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 17, 2014

Are you able to repeat some courses? If so, that may be an option you may have available to bring up your GPA. It may even be possible to take the "same" course at another college and transfer that in as a way to change your GPA grade. Look at some options that you may have available to you before you graduate. Also, must you graduate now, or can you hold off your graduation and turn things around? Do your more recent semesters have a higher GPA than previous semesters?

As to the GPA other schools/programs look at, the other places choose how far back they'll look. Some schools I've been to or know about will only "look back" at your most recent 60 units and base your "current" GPA off that. That's whether or not you have a degree. I now have >60 units after earning my degree. They'll look at the degree and note that because that can drive some of their decision-making because I'm exempt from certain educational requirements because I do have the degree, but as far as GPA is concerned, they'll only look at my post-grad units.

Effectively speaking, look at other educational institutions and see what they look at before you decide to leap for something else or go for graduation and then try to take more units as a post-grad student. You may find that you have less options available to you, even at that school, by "returning" as a post-grad student than you would if you were to not graduate. That includes registration priority... Look at all those options and what they mean to you.

RunBabyRN · Mar 17, 2014

If you were to start over elsewhere and not use this transcript, you run the risk of the school finding out and being expelled for academic dishonesty. Not worth the risk, IMO. I looked into this, because I have a transcript from a school with 4 classes on it, only one of which I actually need, and would have been happy to repeat, and it pulled down my GPA. It wasn't worth the risk, and I am about to graduate from a nursing program.

Why would you pursue this health sciences degree if you want to get into nursing? You ought to contact the department of nursing where you'd like to attend and see what they count in your GPA. For us, if you had a bachelor's, they only counted your last 60 units (I have NEVER heard of a program that would only look at 12 units). An associate's meant nothing. Counselors often don't really know what they're talking about in terms of what will get you into nursing school.

Your priorities right now needs to be grade improvement and prereqs. Are there schools in your area that run on a lottery system, where as long as you qualify, you're in the pot?

dperfater · Mar 17, 2014

They count everything in your gpa, not just your pre-reqs alone. At my college the associate in health sciences degree is bassically a degree they made up to give people the option to go forth getting when they have all the pre reqs done ...but dont get into the program. So bassically i am finishing up my pre-reqs now and my counselor is pushing for me to get this degree because she doesnt believe ill get in the program. also if you have a degree in the health field when you apply to the program it gives you extra points on your nursing application. If she is right and they look at 12 units as a returning graduate I think that is just because its community college and their standards are lower...

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 17, 2014

You are ethically & academically required to disclose all college courses attempted and grades earned if you transfer schools.

While your GPA doesn't transfer, your grade earned can be factored in to your admissions GPA for your nursing program, unless they allow you to re-take courses.

WillyNilly · Mar 17, 2014

Why not lpn to bsn bridge?

vanessaem, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2014

I had an undergraduate GPA of 3.34 from a college I went to for one year, a 2.87 from the four year university I attended(each 15 years and 11 years respectively prior to nursing school) and a 3.875 from the community college where I did my prereqs. quite a few years after. My accelerated nursing program wanted to see my transcripts from these institutions and it all factored into my admission. My saving grace was the fact that I did so well in the community college because I'm sure it proved to them what I was capable of and was willing to improve my grades.

Having a low undergrad GPA isn't the end of the world. Many programs know people obtain low GPAs in their undergrad programs for whatever reason. The key is getting much higher grades after to show them that you are able and willing to do better. As stated, you could see if you can retake some of your courses. I'm not sure if you've taken your prereqs. yet but if not, you should take those courses and do well. If you already have, take some non-prereq. courses preferably in the health sciences and try and improve your grades. It's tough but I'm sure you can do it.

Nursing programs factor many things into the admission process. Like I said previously, they want to see improvement and that you're making an effort.