How am I supposed to get in with these grades?

ducky2000, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2010

They really look at the science/math classes and maybe English. Right now, you have a chance to bring up that GPA. Make good grades in those science classes (B or above) and don't take too many of them at the same time. For example, just take A&P and two easy classes that you know that you can ace (and won't eat up on study time). If you have to work full time or have a family to take care of, just take A&P. Seriously, you really have to be honest with yourself when choosing your class schedule. That was my problem when I first started college, and I ended up with a 1.99 gpa. I had to work really hard to bring it up to a 3.7. So yeah, it can be done. Another thing, if you are going to fail, then DROP! You don't want that F or D grade on your record.

Anne36, LPN · Jun 13, 2010

At my school people just keep taking the classes over again until they get an A.

I have a really 'hard' professor and am very glad Im not taking any other classes besides A&P right now. You seriously have to study 30 hours a week to get an a in this class. Only 1 person in my Mico and A&P class who had a job got an A in those classes, they just eat up too much time.

anonymous1919, LPN · Jun 13, 2010

Why not go to a technical school? We have a lot of people that had 3.7's at the University that kept getting rejected and have resulted in wasting 2 years of pre-reqs plus a year of waiting. I have no idea what kind of technical schools you have in your area, but I currently go to Galen College of Nursing.. am about to graduate their LPN (1 year) program, then I will go into their RN (15 months) program and then from there they have "deals" with schools that offer the BSN and Masters degree that I plan to go to. I'm 19 years old am about to be a nurse. I dunno, I am not a perfect A student and didn't want to waste money or time at a University to not get into Nursing School when I could jump right in at Galen.

If you do go the technical school route just make sure you do your research and that the school has LPN and RN and a route for you to take to get your BSN and Masters... there are some technical schools where you can't go past the LPN program because they just don't offer any futher education then that. I def would not reccomend those schools.

kraam · Jun 13, 2010

They really look at the science/math classes and maybe English. Right now, you have a chance to bring up that GPA. Make good grades in those science classes (B or above) and don't take too many of them at the same time. For example, just take A&P and two easy classes that you know that you can ace (and won't eat up on study time). If you have to work full time or have a family to take care of, just take A&P. Seriously, you really have to be honest with yourself when choosing your class schedule. That was my problem when I first started college, and I ended up with a 1.99 gpa. I had to work really hard to bring it up to a 3.7. So yeah, it can be done. Another thing, if you are going to fail, then DROP! You don't want that F or D grade on your record.

I REALLY hope so, because my math/science gpa is good.

and lindayisxblonde, i don't think we have a technical school like that in my area. they only offer LPN. thank you all for your replies. they were all very helpful. :)

Birry · Jun 13, 2010

I second the notion of dropping any class you're looking at getting less than a B in. If you're having trouble in school, try lightening your load. Finishing sooner, but with a low GPA that won't get you into nursing school won't do you any good at all.

Try taking one class at a time and don't accept anything less than an A. After all your sciences, you should be above that 3.0 mark. For the rest of your electives/GE, do the same thing and try to pick subjects that really interest you or that you already have a decent grasp on.

kraam · Jun 13, 2010

I second the notion of dropping any class you're looking at getting less than a B in. If you're having trouble in school, try lightening your load. Finishing sooner, but with a low GPA that won't get you into nursing school won't do you any good at all.
Try taking one class at a time and don't accept anything less than an A. After all your sciences, you should be above that 3.0 mark. For the rest of your electives/GE, do the same thing and try to pick subjects that really interest you or that you already have a decent grasp on.

i cant drop my stats class. if i drop now, i'll make a WF. i wanted to drop before, but they said i would have to pay FAFSA back if i did that, so i don't know what to do.we finish next week, and i have 4 sections of homework/quizes left, and i'm completely lost. i've sat here for the whole day trying to figure out 1 problem.

Birry · Jun 13, 2010

If that's the case, you need to devote your life to that stats class!

Go to your school's tutoring center, hire a tutor, get anyone who can to help you. Have you gone to your professor's office hour?

Also, check out this site : www.khanacademy.org and scroll down to the videos for statistics. They might help you to understand the material better.

Good luck!

KB24 · Jun 13, 2010

sociology, english 1101, 1102, US history, World Religions

A 2.5 GPA? You are going to have to retake some of these classes and get an A because you really need a high overall GPA and science GPA to compete with the other students. Your GE GPA should be higher than 3.2 GPA because other students are going to have a high GPA and you need to give yourself the best chance to get accepted.

My advice would be to retake any class you got lower than a B+ and try your best go get an A. You should also only be taking 3 classes if you're struggling to get A's in your classes. Do what I did in college with my class selection for each semester. I took one science class and two easy classes I knew I didn't have to spend a lot of time studying. You should be trying to get the best grades possible instead of trying to finish your classes faster.

Try something like this...

Fall Semester

Science class

English

Easy elective

Spring Semester

Science class

English

Easy elective

Summer semester

Math

Life Span Psych

katebean04 · Jun 13, 2010

The only advice I can suggest, is try to watch your course load. If you have more time to study for lets say- two or three classes.. your chances of mastering the material are better. Throughout the prereqs I have stayed between 6-9 credit hours and have a cumulative GPA of 4.0 (I know I can't handle more than that right now with two small children.) I don't know how your school is, but mine requires a 2.5 and higher while on the wait list and C and above in all science based courses. Your goal isn't impossible, and maybe trying different studying techniques could be a help to you. I have heard of people changing their grade from a D to a B halfway through the class because they tried a new study habbit that worked for them. A lot of our teachers suggest reading the chapters twice before coming to class, so during lecture it is your third time being exposed to the information. Also, at my school we have a student services department where you can recieve tutoring, and most of the teachers suggest visiting this department if you are having trouble. I wish you the best of luck :)

daisyfleur70 · Jun 13, 2010

All of the advice offered is good advice. A word of caution though about retaking courses. Look around at the different programs in your area and look closely at the qualifications. Some schools limit the amount of times you re take a course, and some programs don't accept re-do's. So make sure that isn't going to be a problem before you register. If/when you do re take the course, keep that in mind too, and as other posters have mentioned, manage your schedule and courseload so that you have the time to devote to studying and getting that A.

As for stats, it was my nemesis too. Go to the tutoring center, find a classmate who is a stats whiz, and get as much help as you can so that you can pass and even maybe do well in the class!

Good luck!

MedChica · Jun 13, 2010

I'd agree with others on the class arrangement.

You seem to be taking classes that each require large amts of time and energy in study.

Also, your coorifice-load may be too heavy. I do think this could be some of the problem. If you do work then you're probably taking too much on.

You have got to pace yourself.

I totally understand. I usually load up in the summer (18 hrs) but take between 12 - 15 hrs in the fall and spring.

Last semester I took 15 hrs of difficult classes(in my prior major). 3 A's, 2 B's (2 of which I BARELY got)...and it nearly killed me!

The B's p*ssed me off but heck -- by the end of the semester I was done!

I was so glad when May rolled around -- I didn't know what to do.

I've been debating taking 18 hours this Fall...but, Jesus -- I hear that Pharmacology and A&P classes are very comprehensive. I don't want to sabotage myself. This Summer I, I'm taking the Stats, Lifespan Development and Chem. I'm doing fine...but I have to study all the time.

Still perfecting study techniques.

If you take many classes you HAVE to find study methods that make the most efficient use of your time.

Anyway, I notice that many schools only take your prereqs into consideration. There are schools that will let you in with a 2.5, I've heard of a few on this board. Can't think of them by name, btw.

Just do a search for your state of insterest and check out their requirements.