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Discussion

Low GPA Application :(

Hi I'm 20 and recently finished my bachelor's in biology. I want to pivot into nursing and my prerequisite GPA is above a 3.0, but my cumulative GPA is a 2.98.

[Relevant/Irrelevant context:] When I started college at 16, I wouldn't say I was unprepared but I definitely got distracted. I entered my first relationship ever and well you know how that goes... it didn't work out and my grades were horrible my freshman year. The relationship really set a tone on my mental health following the next couple of semesters. I would get 95+% on my exams but I would religiously skip class due to my depressive state. Which significantly affected my attendance/in-class assignment grades and would bring my letter grade down to a high B. My school didn't use a +/- system so a B is just a 3.0 not a 3.3 if you had a B+ in the class. And of course I scored C's here and there as well, but since one C is a 2.0 at my university you can see how badly it would pull down my GPA that comprised of mostly B's and some A's.


I took the TEAS and scored in the 99th percentile. So I'm not sure if that helps my case since I never hit the cumulative GPA minimum that majority of nursing schools require to even be considered for application. Even the ADN programs near me require a 3.0 minimum. 

So what do you think I should do to improve upon my application? I heard from another forum that if I re-take classes at my community college it wouldn't make a difference since it wouldn't change my undergrad GPA from an admission officer's perspective. What are your thoughts?

 

(Currently I've culled most of my nasty habits like skipping class and I'm extremely motivated to make the necessary changes I failed to make in undergrad!)

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    1.  Nursing schools care most about your GPA in your nursing prereqs.  If needed, retake any such classes and try to get an A in those.  If you haven't taken all your nursing prereqs, then take them and you better get an A in those.

    2.  If you got a D or lower in any other classes, you should try to retake those and get a better grade.

    3.  My concern is that a relationship derailed your academic performance.  At this point in your life, if you want to be a nurse, you need to be focused on school and nothing else.  You will have plenty of time for romantic relationships after you finish nursing school.  I strongly urge you to engage in self-reflection on how you can avoid this in the future while in nursing school.  You may want to start talk therapy.  I am not trying to be harsh, but you do need to learn to set boundaries.  Once you are a working professional, you will not have the luxury of letting relationships derail your work or you will be out of a job.

    Note:  I had a terrible initial undergard GPA - I think it was something like 2.5.  However, I then had a successful business career.  When I decided to become a nurse practitioner, I retook some courses and also got a 4.0 GPA in the nursing prereqs.  I got into UCLA and Johns Hopkins.  I NEVER let my marriage or various dating relationships impede my career or academic progress.

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    I recommend retaking the science classes that you got less than a B in and also take classes that raise your GPA. Then, you can look at your options and apply to ADN programs if you qualify. Some are lottery-based, and they accept students each semester. Also, make sure to aim for A's in major science classes, especially anatomy, physiology,y and Microbiology. Good luck:)

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