Published Jun 30, 2008
Mrfox90
20 Posts
Hello everyone i was curious because i am starting my pre-reqs at my local community college this fall so I can transfer them to a university nursing program. I am the type of student where i aim high so I am going to work as hard as possible to get a good GPA but i was wondering what is the typical GPA for acceptance into nursing school.
zilla704
48 Posts
I've seen a lot of schools say at least a 3.0 for pre-reqs, but when it comes down to it, it's usually 3.5 (at least) or better.
pharmgirl
446 Posts
I would say it depends. I'm sure the school has a certain criteria it tries to go by but it is going to fill those spots for the program no matter what. So if the applicant pool has an unusually low gpa then their standards will be lower.
My school has a formula they use. You get so many points for your gpa, so many points for ACT score, points for pre-reqs done. Whoever has the highest points when all is said and done, is accepted. So if you have an extremely high ACT score and a lower gpa, you're in. Rumor has it that in the future they will be changing this to rely more heavily on the ACT tho, but who knows.
I'd say shoot for that 4.0 and if you run a little short, you are still good to go. GOOD LUCK!!!
LMRN10
1,194 Posts
It definitely depends on your school.
Our school requires a 2.0 GPA, but the admittance to the program is mainly determined by our NLN scores. They take the students who have the highest scores and who have completed all the steps (application/transcripts/etc...)
RhodyGirl, RN
823 Posts
It totally depends on your school.
My college does not require any entrance exams, and none of that silly points stuff. Just GPA and prereq grades.
It also will depend on how many applicants apply for that semester.
Work as hard as you can to get A's and B's.....closer to 4.0 the better!
Bicster
409 Posts
depends on the school and the applicant pool.
if you aim high, like you said, then its a non issue.
Music in My Heart
1 Article; 4,111 Posts
The local community colleges only require 2.5 for their ASN programs through which admission is granted by means of a (very long) waiting list.
The stats for admission to the 2nd degree programs at the local universities are generally better than 3.5.
Dunno about the standard BSN programs.
MrsIndependent
71 Posts
I had a 2.78 (the minimum was 2.75) and got accepted.
HeartsOpenWide, RN
1 Article; 2,889 Posts
My school only requires a 3.0 but they select the students with the highest GPA. I transferred to a CSU with a pre-req of 3.57 (Micro, Physio, Anatomy, Chem, Stats, Speech, English 1, English 2 [science & Math GPA of 3.87]) and an overall GPA of 3.65. Most of the students in my class have GPAs close to mine, a few higher and a few a tad bit lower. My school goes by merit so they look at both pre-req and overall GPA, medical experience, TEAS score, 2nd language, and residency (I got highest for all except 2nd language which I do not have). I think for most schools that do not use a lotto system...they have an "at least" GPA for application, but selection depends on how high everyone elses GPA is that is applying with you, and as competetive as it is getting its probably going to be pretty high.
kcochrane
1,465 Posts
Like everyone before me said..depends on the school and the number applying. My school requires a 2.0 or "C" on core courses. But the chances of getting in with 2.0 average is probably low - because of the number applying with higher GPAs.
shann106
214 Posts
Officialy our school is 3.0, but I do not know anyone that got in with less than a 3.75. We only admit 99 a year and usually there are over 1000 applicants, so they have to be very choosy.
Asherah, BSN, RN
786 Posts
The admissions officers I spoke to stated that they would like candidates to be around a 3.4-3.5 cumulative to be considered a strong candidiate. However, Hopkins uses a more holistic approach to evaluating nursing candidates and a strong pre-req GPA can offset previous courses grades that were not stellar.
My advice is this: Don't even focus your brain on the minimum it will take for you to be accepted into a program, rather, set the bar high and follow through to achieve it. When I started on my pre-reqs in January 2006 I told myself that I would do what it took to maintain a 4.0 while truly comprehending the concepts being taught in the core sciences we are required to take. I knew the GPA would be what I needed to get accepted to the school(s) I was applying to, and when I got there, I would need to actually apply the information I learned in those pre-req courses. 60 units later, I met my goal.
Try to focus on truly learning the material, dissect the concepts, identify study strategies that are effective for you, and a competitive GPA should follow your efforts.