Is a trade school worth it??

[mariannemorante]

Hi guys, I am currently a pre nursing major at CSUS. I'm struggling a bit in classes, with a 3.4 GPA and a bunch of retakes, but never retaking more than once. My GPA in itself is already discouraging and I am already a 4th year in college with 2 more semesters of prerequisites (3 more classes) left. So here are my factors on why I'm leaning towards a trade school:

1. money is running low for my tuition. I know trade schools are insanely expensive, but I figured it would be easier to get into and I wouldn't waste more money retaking classes/applying to schools (like CSUs) where it's so competitive I have no chance with my GPA.

2. My parents are very pressed about time, being I'm already 21 and a 4th year and still not even done with prereqs because I switched to nursing 2 years in.

3. As I mentioned before, I slacked off in school with a low GPA and I don't have any volunteer work or experience.

Considering my factors, would trade school be worth it? If not, can you guys suggest other routes for me to take? I have been researching help with my situation but there is just so much to weed through that it is very difficult for me.

Thank you! Nursing is a very hard career and I wish I could do over my prereqs with the motivation I have now.

[caliotter3]

It might be your only option at this point with that low GPA, unless you find schools that use a lottery system and you manage to hit the jackpot by meeting minimum standards to enter the lottery. Good luck.

[allyjay13]

Having an overall of a 3.4 GPA is not crazy low. I am currently a student in a highly competitive accelerated bachelors program, and got in on my first try with an overall GPA of 3.4 after my first degree. However I had a high science GPA, and volunteer/work experience in healthcare. A trade school is not your only option, you could absolutely get into a good nursing program with that GPA if you use this year to add other experiences to your application.

Most schools put more stock into your science GPA vs your overall, so if you have done well in anatomy, physiology, and micro, you already probably have a good shot at getting into a bachelors or associates program.

I would just just suggest that you spend then next year gaining healthcare experiences (volunteer work is great, but I would really suggest taking a CNA course and getting a part time job), and working hard to get good grades in your courses.

Good luck!