In order to get into nursing schools what is the lowest GPA needed to be considered

WayneStateKatie · Jun 30, 2008

Be sure what the rules are for the program you're applying to. My BSN program at the state university gives preference to students who complete all and then some of the prereqs at the university. One student who had a good GPA (3.7/3.8) did not make it into the program because she did not take any prereqs at the university. I took some at the community college for cost reasons and then some at the university and was accepted with a 3.8. Check how they admit before spending time/ money/ effort on classes. Hopefully your program doesn't care where you take the courses.

Work hard and you'll get in somewhere! Good luck :loveya:

FutureNS · Jul 1, 2008

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.

Oh! I'm in for it! a 3.5 YIKES! :eek: Lord Jesus be with me.

anewday · Jul 7, 2008

I think my school says 2.5 for prereqs...but I can tell you that no one with that minimum gpa stands a chance of making it into the program with the way things are going now. Acceptance in nursing programs are so competitive now that many schools cut off point is around 3.6. Your best bet is to be far above the minimum.

francisperalta · Dec 27, 2008

Hi i will like to know what school do you go to.

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!

kalley · Dec 27, 2008

My school doesn't require any tests either. Entrance is based solely on GPA. You have to have at least a 2.7 to apply, but typically noone under a 3.4 gets in. For the fall of 2008 the cut off was 3.6, so the standards were a bit higher than normal. They basically start with the person with the highest GPA and work their way down.

FLmomof5 · Dec 27, 2008

The school I am applying to requires a min of "C" in pre-req science courses. The pre-req grades are used in a point system (total max points on GPA is 120). They add max 120 pts for the applicants score on the NAT. Like the vast majority of nursing schools there are far more applicants than slots.

When I went to the information session I queried the Advisor about what the min score was for those recently accepted. Her response 185/186. I have a 3.66 in my pre-reqs and scored in the 98th%ile on the NAT....my score is 219.

I was shooting for straight A's in my pre-reqs which was a tall order for a FT working single mom - but I would never shoot for less!

Stay focused. Study hard. And most of all, if you are young, give up the social life for later....it will be well worth the effort! :up:

Princess_M83 · Dec 27, 2008

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.

I personally wouldn't be asking what the "lowest" GPA needed is but what is the "Required" GPA. If a certain school lets in students with abnormally low GPA compared to other schools what does it say about that particular program? In my mind it says substandard education as they are not expecting at least average grades from their students.

Hazel11 · Dec 28, 2008

The BSN program I am in right now states that a 2.5 is needed, but like others have said, aim for as high as you can because of the competition. It is good to look on the school's website for requirements. My program doesn't require any entrance exam either, and they save a spot for you while taking pre-reqs, such as Microbiology. (Every program is different though).

I am grateful I ended up finding a program like this, because not a lot of nursing programs are like this. I think that you will be fine if you are aiming for as high a GPA as you can. Good luck. :redpinkhe

fragino · Dec 28, 2008

As you can see, it's different from place to place. My state community colleges even have different ways they choose students. Some by lottery, some by GPA on four core subjects. It all depends.

However most of the ones that state to not worry about "minimums" are correct. If you're just worried about getting by on admission, you will have a hard time once nursing school starts. Have a good understanding of what they teach you in the pre-requisites because you will need that knowledge later on. Granted they will do a brief review of a system when they lecture on it but it will be cursory and you will fall behind and get lost once the teachers starts lecturing on new information based on the information you should have already known.

Do your best with the time and resources available to you. Only you can judge if you've put forth the effort. If it's good enough and you get in, then welcome. If not, some programs will allow you to retake the pre-reqs at least once if you want to get a better grade. Then try again.

mochabean · Dec 28, 2008

To get into the nursing program at my community college, a 2.5 is required if you are current student or if you are transferring from another school. However, high school students are required to have a 3.0. You need to have at least a C in pre-reqs.