I'm looking to transfer colleges to a BSN. Questions.

[ellebees]

I am currently a Junior in a Communications degree. My GPA isn't the greatest and I'm planning on retaking classes that I have C and D's in to up my GPA from a 2.00 to a 3.00.

I really want to transfer to SUNY Farmindgale or Stony Brook and complete their BSN program. I know my GPA in't good enough to enter their Nursing programs right away, so I was wondering if either school accepts me after I improve my GPA, if I would be able to take nursing prerequisites and maybe even classes in the nursing major while applying for nurses. Do these schools even allow students to not have a declared major? Or would I have to declare a random major and just take those nursing prereqs?

Any experience/advise in this situation would be GREATLY appreciated. Even if they're not pertaining to these particular schools. Thank you!

[AccelCNL, MSN, RN]

I live in NY state as well so I know how difficult it will be to get into the nursing programs at the public colleges/universities (be it SUNY or CUNY). One you are a junior, you have to have a declared major ( that is a financial aid requirement for all schools). My advice to you would be improving your GPA first of all. I attended a SUNY but graduated from a CUNY. The difficulty of getting in is really based on the caliber of the applicants that are applying for a particular year ( and sometimes entrance exams ). Improve the GPA first. Then tackle the nursing prerequisites. Many schools have rules that they will only count your first attempt for admissions. So it is important to do well in these courses on the first try.

(By the way, you cannot take courses in the nursing major unless you are in the major.)

Even if you were to choose to transfer or to attend a second bachelor program, I believe the first thing you need to do is:

1) Contact the admissions department of the schools you are interested and ask about the admissions rate for the nursing program, or what exactly there are looking for ( avg. GPA of admitted nursing students). That way you know where you stand and can work towards that goal.

2)Improve the GPA. Even a 3.00 is too low in this day and age of nursing admissions. There are not enough spots for all nursing applicants. Often times, it comes down to GPA as the deciding factor. Although, there is more to you than a GPA the sad truth is that it is all important in the admissions game.

3) Consider programs at private colleges/universities. Although you still need a good GPA to get in private colleges often times have more spaces in their nursing programs than SUNY/CUNY. Due to budgetary constraints, SUNY/CUNY programs are often limited in size. Programs at private schools sometimes have a bigger nursing class due to more access to money. Although GPA is important, the admissions department might be more willing to give a lower GPA applicant a chance.

All my "advice" is based on my applications to nursing school. I was successful and got into an accelerated BSN program and a direct-entry MSN program. Crazy part is I never got into a program when I applied as an undergraduate transfer ( and that is with a high GPA) to SUNY Binghamton, Buffalo, & Stonybrook.. I never gave up however, and now I am due to begin classes in the fall.

[ellebees]

Thank you for the advice! I know the 3.00 GPA isn't good, but it's above the requirement for general transfer into Farmingdale/Stony Brook as a regular student. As far as I know, doesn't your GPA not transfer and I would get to build a new one at a different school? All of my prereqs would build towards my new GPA and I can do much better that way.

What other private universities on the Island are there? The ones I've seen are quite expensive. I also might be paying out of pocket for this, so I want to make sure I'm getting the best for my money and not take additional steps that I don't need to take.

ETA: I would stay at my current school, but they don't offer nursing. And it's an upstate college, whereas I would like to attend on Long Island.

[AccelCNL, MSN, RN]

Yes your GPA does start from scratch as a transfer student. However, if you are applying as a transfer (external/internal) your GPA from your previous school will be relevant. You will not be taking English or any Gen eds over I believe right? Gen ed requirements are part of the prereqs for nursing at SUNY (eng, psych, sociology, math, etc.) So that GPA is still important. I think Adelphi is on LI.

[ellebees]

I will be taking some general education classes over at my current college - like sociology and math. Basically anything C or below to get a better GPA. I'm not 100% sure on every class. My main concern is to up my GPA enough to be accepted as a transfer to Farmingdale/Stony Brook and then complete other prereqs that I haven't taken to build a great GPA at that current school and apply for the nursing program.

I think Adelphi is a way too expensive for me.

[AccelCNL, MSN, RN]

Ok. Good luck on your journey.