I guess it's time to find a plan b...

dazeyc · May 21, 2013

Can you retake any of the old classes to improve the grades? Also, I know some schools will let you appeal to exclude entire semesters of grades from your GPA, but it has to be all grades for that semester and there must be a valid excuse. I had a similar issue from when I went to school 10 years ago. I just wasn't in to it. It took some time but I have managed to turn a 10 year old 2.78 GPA into a 3.5 cumulative GPA

lauraline · May 21, 2013

I'm devastated after reading a post on here about a girl that had a high GPA, was on the deans list, honor student, and didn't get excepted, because she made a few mistakes 10 years before and had a low GPA at a different college, I started thinking that sounds like my situation. I too had a hard time my first year or so of college, stuff I couldn't really control, and my previous school GPA is terrible. Sure enough I talked to the adviser that deals with the applications and she said that they will average out my GPA, which puts me at around an overall GPA of 2.4, and that's if I make a 4.0 at this school. I am in the process of looking at the 1 other school around here, but if they say the same thing I'm on to plan b. I don't even have a plan b yet, so if anyone has any suggestions on different medical fields I can get into that aren't as hard to get into or if anyone had this happen to them and has advice please reply.[/quote']
You could look for a school that doesn't have a GPA requirement. You could always go the LVN route and then bridge to RN. Otherwise you can retake classes if possible.

ixchel · May 21, 2013

My first semester of college I got a 2.something, and then I bummed around random colleges taking a class it two at a time for awhile until I just gave up for 10 years before coming back to try again. I cited my youthful indiscretion on exactly that: not knowing what I wanted out of life. I reinvested myself when I went back, got straight As on gen eds and pre-reqs and in my application letter, I said outright that I know I sucked at school but now I'm awesome and I'm worth their time and energy. It worked. I start my senior year in August. Don't let people talk you out of things, and don't be afraid to prove yourself. Yes, it might be harder than other people have it and yes, you might have to wait longer to get in. Do you think you're worth it?

TKeith8109 · May 21, 2013

I can't go back to the school to improve my grades, because I will have to pay for them out of pocket since I am on financial aid probation with them. The schools in this area do not have any kind of programs that will let me wipe anything out and they don't have an essay that I can write, at this point I would much rather have an interview and essay so I can explain what happened and take my chances. I will definitely be going a different route, like LPN or MA...anything that will get me into that field. I know it's going to be hard and I know it's going to take more time, but it's going to be worth it in the end. I am worth it and I know I've made mistakes, but that was 5 years ago, I'm a completely different person now. I am so passionate about this field and I wish it wasn't going to be this hard, but anything that's worth having isn't supposed to be easy, right? Unfortunately with the schools around here it's just let me look at your gpa and testing scores and that's it, they won't take into consideration that people change. Also, with my current school they take off points every time you re-attempt a class so it will end up hurting me more at this point. I have found a school that doesn't go by points I just have to wait and get the answer about the gpa thing. Thanks for your comments.

ygodgirls · May 21, 2013

I am a re-entry college student, last time I was in college was years ago and now I came back to earn a nursing degree; unfortunately, my first time in college was not too good, but now (my second semester, doing much better) my advisor told me that as long as I pass all my classes and have a GPA of 3.0 I am good for the program. By the way, I am in FL at BCC college

TKeith8109 · May 21, 2013

That's great! I am currently looking into our local university to see if that's what they do. I wish more schools were like that, but the one I decided to go to is not like that at all! That's encouraging, I won't stop until I find a school that doesn't average the gpa's. That's the only thing I'm worried about at all. I'm still going to start my classes as planned and do my best until I figure this out! Thanks for your encouraging story!

flysbyemerald08 · May 22, 2013

You are not alone in making mistakes. Several years ago I was only at school to socialize and party with my friends. My poor choices and senseless priorities dropped my GPA to a lowly 1.25. It took many years of life experience, odd jobs, and soul searching to slowly regain the faith in myself that I could do something different and meaningful with my life. I had been out of college for 12 years which is a huge lapse in time! In the past I had worked at a teaching hospital, long-term care facility, home health aide, and agency work as a CNA and PCT so I set a goal to go forth in pursuit of a BSN. Only problem was I was living in a very rural part of the country where there were virtually no jobs and the commute to school was over ice packed roads in the winter.

I made up my mind to take one class that I dreaded (withdrew once and got a D on my second undertaking) that is college algrebra. I felt more confident and a bit more focused as my reckless youth years were behind me. I borrowed my parents four-wheel drive blazer to get me to my algebra class and paid what I could with the money I had saved. I also am pretty handy with laptops so I would buy broken ones on ebay, fix them up, and sell them for a profit. I was also asked by relatives for help with odd jobs and computer help as well for some pay. They knew I was working very hard to get myself on track in life so they provided work and pay for me. I wound up with an A for my final grade. I did have to pay out of pocket since my previous foray with college 12 years ago was pretty shameful. I had earned money as a temp work before re-entering school so I used some of that money to pay for my tuition and class text book.

I took 2 classes the next term and passed them as well. I then reapplied for FAFSA and was granted funding for summer courses. I eventually graduated from the college with an AS in Health Sciences as well as an AA in Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 years ago with a remarkably improved GPA of 3.79 (grrr at that 0.1 pt lol).

Things change and I am on a different path in my schooling now in respect to nursing. Still the point is it is never too late to correct mistakes. If you are able to walk and think then you can make this work. It really depends on how bad you want it. If you are paying out of pocket you might need to take a semester off and make some money and save up to continue with your classes. I find there is almost always someway and somehow in situations such as yours (and my past situation). I wish you the best of luck :)

TKeith8109 · May 22, 2013

Well luckily I can get Pell, so school is paid for, it's just the old school i used to go to won't allow me to use financial aide. Paying out of pocket right now is just not an option, we have two kids and my husband just graduated so he's in the process of looking for a job. I am not going to give up! I will not stop until I find a school that won't average my gpa and if for some reason I can't then I will just find a way around it! This is my dream and I can't give up on it just because of a stupid rule!

stephanie30 · May 22, 2013

My current school only calculates grades based on the nursing prereqs, which is 5 classes. They do use all attempts except science courses older than 5 years. That is what helped me. I would just keep looking.

phoenixnim · May 22, 2013

Can you appeal the financial aide probation? I had to do that. I had surpassed the amount of time given to complete a degree and I didn't withdraw the correct way and had an F from a class on my report 10 years ago. I was denied financial aide at first, and I panicked, took a breath, then called the school to see if there was anything I could do. They said I could write a letter explaining what kept me from finishing the degree and why I dropped out and they'd consider it. You mentioned you had life circumstances that were out of your control... In my case, I ended up in a string of abusive/toxic relationships and wasn't allowed to go to school. I finally left all that and had children in my current picture to think about and I said I wanted to prove to them that anything is possible. They lifed the ban on my aid and I've been back in school for a year and a half now.

It really is worth a phone call and exhausting all possibilities.

TKeith8109 · May 23, 2013

I have already used an appeal. I started going back and did well for 2 semesters. Right before my second semester I had a miscarriage and focused on school, I got pregnant right before my 3rd semester and once I started classes I got really overwhelmed and had a 1 yelr to care for. I honestly don't understand why I'm on financial aid suspension. I dropped the classes in enough time and was doing well. The adviser even suggested me going to a different school cause I would have a better chance.