High TEAS test scores, low GPA

Joseph callmejoe · Mar 25, 2016

I think it depends on the school.. So for my school we are given points, i got 88.7 on the Teas and a 4.0 g.p.a, i was given 88 points for the Teas plus 5 points for the g.p.a then a few points for other things. My school picks the people with the highest scores, you can see that g.p.a seems to not matter much to them. However, i have seen schools that don't really care about Teas scores and mainly focus on g.p.a's and classes. They probably hinted at it in the application. The best person to talk to would be your nursing adviser or faculty. Don't be discouraged if you don't get in, as you only applied to one school. I'm sure you won't have to wait another year for acceptance into a school, there are lots that have deadlines in June, etc.. i won't know if i even got into my school until around April 5th. Good luck

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Mar 25, 2016

Every school is different on it's admission requirements. Also, it depends on how many people apply and what their scores are. It changes each semester, so it is not remotely possible for any of us to speculate.

I think these threads are honestly a, Congrats, your Teas is great.

Congrats on scoring a 90 on the Teas. I scored a 78 and had a 4.0 and got in. Feel better now? My guess is no.

frenchtoastwaffles, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2016

Consider an associate's program. Nursing school is competitive on all levels. Apply to a few different schools and be willing to compromise- whether it be time in commuting or completion by going with the ADN over the BSN. If that's the only path you can take to get the the end goal, then do it instead of applying semester after semester and hoping that you'll get accepted into the same schools that already rejected you (speaking from experience here!)

I got 92% on TEAS and a 3.2 GPA and didn't get into any of the 3 BSN programs I applied to (NY metro area)

Took the NLNPAX and got a 140 and got into one of the highest NCLEX pass rate ADN programs in the state and I LOVE it.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2016

Do you have your AA degree as part of doing your pre-reqs? If you do, it increases your chances. If not you could go for that to raise your GPA. Its actually pretty good scores, but apply to all programs in your area not just 1 school.

nurse2bnat94 · Mar 28, 2016

While I appreciate your input, please do not post if you're intention is to denigrate me. The truth is, nobody knows how and what the admissions grade on applications.

sailornurse · Apr 1, 2016

While I appreciate your input, please do not post if you're intention is to denigrate me. The truth is, nobody knows how and what the admissions grade on applications.

Please, any support, constructive criticism, and honest input is welcomed. I could use the help and support.

Please use the quote button (far right) so we know who you are responding to. You asked for feedback on a public nursing forum. No one is denigrating you, they are giving you honest responses. And you do not get to dictate what comments people make.

And yes some of us do know what the admissions grades are. I told you I taught for ten years in a BSN program, served on the admissions committee, that's why I know what that many semesters all students had 3.5 or higher gap. Others are telling you what their gap, TEAS score was and if they did or did not get in. So they are giving you information for you to consider.

You may not like what you are hearing but the fact is that there are more pre-nursing students that will not be accepted into a nursing program for a variety of reasons.

You are in area where there are lots of nursing programs yet you apply to only one?

Hello_Pretty, RN · Apr 2, 2016

Every school is different on it's admission requirements. Also, it depends on how many people apply and what their scores are. It changes each semester, so it is not remotely possible for any of us to speculate.
I think these threads are honestly a, Congrats, your Teas is great.
Congrats on scoring a 90 on the Teas. I scored a 78 and had a 4.0 and got in. Feel better now? My guess is no.

I couldn't have said it any better. I just found out I got accepted into my LVN-RN bridge today! My pre-req GPA is 2.75, and since I have a BS I didn't have to take the TEAS so I got the full amount of points for that section. (BTW I did take it last year for another program and got a 78.8%).

The worse thing you can do i go onto AllNurses and compare your GPA and test scores to others out there. That's what I did for so long and made excuses for not meeting application deadlines because I kept telling myself I everyone else has better scores. You won't know until you apply! And if you don't get in, try again, or try somewhere else.

I didn't get into my first-choice LVN program either, but did get accepted into another (one hour drive, but WORTH IT!).

nurse2bnat94 · Apr 2, 2016

Sorry, let me clarify: I need constructive and honest criticism and advice. What I'm getting from some of these posts here are discouraging messages that do nothing for me. It just makes people like me discouraged to even try. I think this website is not doing anything for my future. Just because some people are book smart doesn't mean they'll make great nurses.

frenchtoastwaffles, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2016

Sorry, let me clarify: I need constructive and honest criticism and advice. What I'm getting from some of these posts here are discouraging messages that do nothing for me. It just makes people like me discouraged to even try. I think this website is not doing anything for my future. Just because some people are book smart doesn't mean they'll make great nurses.

i know exactly how you feel. A few years back, I was in exactly the same position as you. I had a 2.0 GPA and was on academic probation and I came here for support. When people told me I didn't have a chance, I took it personally. I felt discouraged. But they were right. It took a couple years of hard work and dedication to get my grades up and earn my seat in the nursing program and my place on the deans list. Some comments might sound mean, and I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings directly- but bottom line is that you unfortunately don't have the grades to realistically be accepted. It hurts to hear because you just want to know that someone with a poor GPA made the cut, but realistically speaking you need to go back to basics and get your grades up before any reputable program will look at you. This is not meant to discourage you, it's just the facts. Sure, great GPAs don't necessarily make great nurses, but that doesn't mean that there isn't a correlation between doing well in necessary classes and becoming a competent nurse. Your A&P is your foundation and you absolutely need to have a firm and functional understanding of it to become a nurse, and the only way that a school is going to measure your understanding is by your grade.

FutureRN,CHES · Apr 4, 2016

Hi, I have been wanting to join this forum for a the past two years but just was not motivated enough. With that being said I am a current nursing student with about 9 more months left. I have read everyone's comments pertaining to your question and these folks are not accurate in what they are saying to you. Yes GPA is important but when you said your GPA was low I was thinking 2.7 or below. Remember this, nursing school is based on application and critical thinking the fact that you scored exceptionally well on your TEAS exam is something to feel good about. I'm not sure where you are from but in Indiana your scores along would get you into just about any nursing school. Everything about your nursing career is preparing for your the NCLEX which means that you need a strong ability to test well. So in my opinion look around and apply to any school that you feel u the best chance in getting into and dont focuse solely on GPA!! Best wishes to you.

kristimarieSC · Apr 5, 2016

EVERY school is different. So contact your chosen programs and ask was the average GPA has been for the last few cohorts. Personally, I am in an ADN program at a southern California community college and usually we range from 3.8-3.9 GPA's consistently every semester. I was wait-listed, and eventually admitted with a 3.7 and 91% TEAS.

timeis · Apr 8, 2016

Are there some other interesting courses you know you can make a 4.0 in to boost your GPA? Take these courses while you wait so that if you do get waitlisted then your GPA will be better. Your TEAS is great but the GPA is likely equally important.