Low GPA...Getting accepted

IHeartPeds87 · May 3, 2012

You may not be in as bad shape as you think you are.

Each nursing program has its own set of requirements for admission. You might be a shoe-in at one school, while at another you may not even be eligible to apply!

My advice to you? Research all the programs in the area you live in (or areas you are willing to move to). Keep in mind your grades and what your limitations are in terms of finances when making this list.

There are some programs that base admission off of a few specific courses only. Some programs care if you have repeated these courses. Some programs couldn't care less if you repeated courses as long as you eventually got a good grade.

There are even some programs that are on a waitlist only basis.

Any non-specific program information anyone gives you isn't going to help you. Take my advice and start researching programs.

Don't give up hope. Due to your grades in your undergraduate program, some programs may not accept you. You may have a few more hurdles to pass but you can get accepted to a nursing program if this is what you really want.

I don't have a bachelors degree but I went to a four year undergraduate institution and got terrible grades. I also had limited financies. I thought all hope was lost. Guess what? I start an affordable RN program next week. It can be done. It just takes some patience and willingness to research, research, research, research.

Good luck to you.

truckinusa, BSN, LPN, RN · May 3, 2012

At my school you would get quite a few points for the degrees. They would only count your retention GPA at my school. I'm not sure what they would do if you just literally transferred in with all your prerequisites. I know they weigh heavily on the essay and the Test scores. My college uses ACT for whatever reason, but most use TEAS what from I've noticed. I even got work experience points for my CNA license? How could they deny me since I'm a man also?

Shorty11, BSN, RN · May 3, 2012

Every program is different so you will have to the look at the specifics of which program(s) you apply to. I am pursuing a second bachelors degree. My first degree is in biology. I decided to go back to get a BSN. I graduated with a 2.8, but my nursing prereqs were a 3.5 and the nursing prereqs were the only thing the program I got accepted into cared about. If you have concerns, call the school. I'm sure an academic advisor would let you know if they think you have a good chance of getting in or not? If it's a "point's system program", most schools give points for CNA experience and/or holding a bachelors degree or higher.... My university did.

Bobmo88 · May 3, 2012

I was the opposite, I had a cumulative GPA of 3.4 and I got all Bs in my pre-reqs (should have gotten almost all As but I was immature while taking them) except for Micro, which was a C :/ This was a major obstacle but thankfully I just recently got accepted to a BSN program and will be starting in the fall. My advice would be to consider all of your options for entering the nursing field. In my opinion, having a 4.0 in pre-reqs is a major asset and you just need to look at programs that play to your strengths and don't focus too much on the cumulative GPA. In my experience with points based systems, nursing pre-reqs were far more important. Just make sure to do well on the TEAS test if the programs you are considering require it and try to get some experience by finding a job or even volunteering since the job market is tough for many right now. See if there are any other things you can do to earn points. For example, the program I was accepted put a huge emphasis on the TEAS Test (minus the science portion), and the pre-req GPA but you could also get some points from being a current student, a resident of the surrounding areas, having a bachelor's degree, having experience, and being spanish proficient. My pre-req GPA may not have been great but I got points from mostly all the other categories. Keep doing well in your master's program and then explore all of your options!

foreverLaur · May 3, 2012

It's doable - all in the essay! I graduated with my BA with a 2.3 cumulative GPA. I worked 2 years as a PCA and started nursing school. I graduate this December and I have a 3.8 in nursing school. You just need to be able to explain the low GPA and explain what you have done to learn and grow in the mean time. We all make young stupid mistakes :)

I will need to be doing the same thing as I decide between RN-BSN or straight into MSN. They all say 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA (which I do not have). I'm hoping my great grades in nursing school + great LORs will overshadow my less than stellar cumulative GPA.

cljonesfuturenurse · May 8, 2012

It's doable - all in the essay! I graduated with my BA with a 2.3 cumulative GPA. I worked 2 years as a PCA and started nursing school. I graduate this December and I have a 3.8 in nursing school. You just need to be able to explain the low GPA and explain what you have done to learn and grow in the mean time. We all make young stupid mistakes :)
I will need to be doing the same thing as I decide between RN-BSN or straight into MSN. They all say 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA (which I do not have). I'm hoping my great grades in nursing school + great LORs will overshadow my less than stellar cumulative GPA.

Thanks, I this makes me feel so much better. I can't do anything but apply and see now. I have at least 6 schools on my list now. I want this so bad. I hate that I was so immature years ago.

If this doesn't work then it looks like I have to take another route.

kristin6727 · May 8, 2012

At my school they do not look at your past grades, just your prereqs. The school I am going to now I attended 10 years ago. I passed and received my certificate, but my GPA was very poor. I think it was around a 2.5. I was just out of high school and I did not really care about high grades, and the program I was in did not care. I just needed my Cs to pass. When I went back for my nursing prereqs 10 years later I was really worried because all those grades are on my transcript. I have received all As and a few Bs in my prereqs, which has raised my GPA in the 3 range, but I was recently told that my school only looks at students with a 3.6 or better, which I have with just my nursing prereqs. I asked the school all about that before I started the nursing prereqs and they told me they do not count those past grades. I was accepted in the nursing program for this fall, so they were right, those past grades did not hurt me at all.

teelpnwannabe · May 8, 2012

I have this same problem somewhat I recently applied to a nursing program and Im hoping my high school classes which I did dual enrollment dont affect the decision on whether letting me into the program. If I dont get in then I would no exactly why not...my past caught up with me.

Julesmama28 · May 8, 2012

Depends on the school. Mine only looks at your gpa from 5 years back. Then you get xtra points for having a good gpa for the pre reqs. Sounds like they'd be dumb not to get you! I am an older more experienced student as well, I have definitely learned and grown since my early college days!

Sal the RN · May 10, 2012

I initially graduated college in 1997 with an absolutely terrible GPA. As a matter of fact, I had the lowest GPA the college allowed students to graduate with. I was in a Fraternity and didn't know what being a student was all about. The fact that I received a diploma and was able to walk at graduation was a miracle. My grades caused me nothing but problems the years

after graduation.

Fast forward to 2004 when I decided to go back to school. I was open and honest with the schools I was speaking with. I had to retake some of the prerequisites that I had taken years earlier. In my situation, I recd a 3.9 overall average at a local community college while taking the prerequisites. This and speaking with the staff openly and honestly about my situation helped me get into the school without any problems. It seemed to help that I had those few years between graduating and then going back to nursing school.

I also have learned and grown since my early college days.

Stephalump · May 10, 2012

I have a similar problem...I was a teenage parent, had my son in high school, went straight to college, and in the beginning, my good enough was just good enough. I turned it around, but it shows in my gpa. So I specifically chose a nursing school that only looks at gpa and entrance exam scores and got in no problem. It's an ADN, so it'll take me an extra year to get my BSN which isn't exactly what I wanted, but really...I could use that extra year to boost my gpa even more for grad school. Never give up, never surrender, even if it means taking the long way around!