Low cumulative GPA but 4.0 in prereqs--can I get into an ABSN program?

[This Is Water]

Hey everyone, I'm new here, hoping to get some advice or maybe some success stories (or not-so-successful stories, those would also be informative.) I saw another thread on this topic but it was pretty old, so I'm hoping to get some updated answers. I graduated from a good university with a low GPA--very low, we're talking 2.36--three and a half years ago, with a degree in anthropology. My academic record was all over the place--I got A's, but I also got F's. No point in going into why since its not like nursing schools will care! I have since made the decision to pursue nursing, and have been taking prereqs for accelerated second degree BSN programs for the last two semesters at a technical college. So far I've taken 26 credits (in chemistry, psychology, anatomy and physiology, and stats, as well as my CNA course) and I plan to take at least 15 more. I've gotten straight A's in all of my prereqs so far and I plan to continue the trend, but even over 40 credits with a 4.0 still only brings my cumulative GPA up to about a 2.8. Is there any hope of getting into an accelerated program, or am I just completely out of luck? Is there anything I can do to make my application better other than what I'm already doing--getting a 4.0 in prereqs and hopefully getting a job as a CNA? Has anyone been in this situation and come out the other side successfully? How did you do it? Any advice would be very much appreciated. I didn't know that this was what I wanted to do with my life for awhile, but now that I've figured it out, I'll do anything to make it happen. Thanks!

[AxOxCrazy]

Every single nursing program has different requirements to get into them. Some take a cumulative GPA, some take just the GPA of certain classes, some take their own students over transfers, some require an entrance exam, an interview, the possibilities are really endless.

Best of luck

[Purple_roses]

There is absolutely hope for getting into a program, especially with a 4.0 in your pre reqs. My school weighs pre req GPA more heavily than other courses and requires a 3.0 overall GPA to apply to the program. Is there another course or two you could take in the meantime to raise your GPA a bit more? Maybe Spanish for Health Professionals (which will also look great on a resume).

It'll take a bit of research on your part, but I do believe you will find a school that will accept you.

[augurey]

I think it'll depend on the competitiveness and the requirements of your school and what courses they include in your GPA.

While I'm only applying to an ADN, they have certain requirements that I don't know if I'll fully satisfy. My brief college education from 2003/2004 and 2006/2007 are less than stellar. I withdrew from a nursing program (due to accreditation) where I excelled. I'm currently taking the pre-reqs needed in order to be considered for this new school. They require a C or better, but a B or better is preferred (I've really tried for an A in these courses as it could be what proves that I'm capable and motivated enough now vs 10 years ago).

Before making the decision to withdraw, I spoke with someone from admissions over the course of 3 months. I discussed my background with my less than stellar previous college courses from years ago. She advised me to write an admission letter explaining what happened. Not excuses, but just explain my situation and what my plans are now.

In my letter I explained why I didn't do well at either college and my reasons for leaving. I didn't make excuses but just laid it out on the table. I explained about how it was a long time ago and explained the ways that I've changed over the years and what my plans are to ensure that I excel in their program. The admissions rep contacted me advising me that my letter was very good and that she thinks the admissions committee will like it as well.

While you might think they don't care what happened, they might care and take it into consideration! I don't know how common it is for them to accept something like that (and maybe it'll come down to the competitiveness of the program), but it might be worth a shot (if it's accumulative GPA). The admissions rep told me that some students gained acceptance to the program because of a well written admission letter while some did not.

But I think you need to find out the specific requirements for the program and how they calculate the GPA. If it's accumulative, as the poster above suggested, maybe you could take another course or two to help boost your GPA.

[This Is Water]

Thanks for the responses! I'm planning on applying for the Fall of 2016, and I'm pretty much cramming in as many classes as I can to raise my GPA and the number of schools I can apply to before I apply. It's just very very slow going--I did the math and for every ten credits of A's that I get, my GPA raises by one tenth of a point. I've been doing a lot of research on various programs and their admissions requirements, and of course I'm assuming most of the students they actually accept far exceed the requirements. I guess I'm just realizing how crazy competitive accelerated programs are--there may be people like me who can prove that they won't mess up again, but so many people want to get into these programs that admissions committees can easily choose people who never did mess up in the first place. Does anyone know of anyone who has applied with stats only barely meeting the requirements and gotten in?