Low GPA? Is there hope??? YES! Read this! Possibilities attached!

[Tela]

So I spent the last year taking nursing pre-req's...by my standards I was killing it (grade-wise), all A's and B's. Applied for several more programs...all came back as a no, but one! I actually had an interview...and then was put on their waitlist. It was my last semester of pre-req's and I believe they were trying to see what my final grades would be (making sure I had indeed turned my academic life around). Until (insert music for dramatic purposes) the last month, during my last semester of pre-req's I ended up homeless because of a ****-poor roommate situation! Anywho...did not do well on my finals, ended up with 2 Cs and a B. Who would take me now???? That waitlist school, lol...no. Denied!

So what now? Apply again? Sure. What happened...same as the previous two times.

So what happened today?!?!?! I was accepted to a BSN program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I spent all Summer researching programs with lower GPA requirements because I am willing to relocate anywhere on the planet Earth! What I found was that my 2.4 hindered me a lot when it came to 2nd degree/accelerated programs.

Everyone here probably would love to become an RN and take the quickest course to get there, however, that was my problem. I was limiting myself and my opportunities by looking at only 2nd degree programs...but once I accepted that slow and steady might win me the race aka: tried looking at transfer programs, etc. I found programs that I would actually have a greater chance of being accepted.

And an extra side note: don't get caught up in a school's name/prestige... Because there are plenty of excellent schools out there (a lot in the middle of no-where-ville), which are not only accredited but will mold and adequately prepare you with the same title that comes from more 'notable' institutions---> RN!!!!

With that said: I applied to d'youville college (granted I did something I had never done before) I wrote an additional letter addressing the decline in my last semester's grades, why it had happened, why it was unlikely to happen again, why I hoped those last few grades didn't completely influence their decision because I am capable of maintaining long-term academic success...etc. And today, after stalking the mailman through the blinds, I saw it! A big, white, envelope...my acceptance letter!!!!!

Maybe all those who are looking for someone to give them a 2nd academic chance with have a chance with d'youville college in Buffalo, New York as I did!!!! Something fantastic about this program?!?! Once you are admitted to the school, you are automatically admitted into the nursing program! No 2nd application, no waitlist, (and in my case) no interview!

There's soooo much I would like to say/write...but this is getting ridiculously long, so feel free to respond with any comments and I will try to answer to the best of my knowledge!

A tad bit of extra program info that I have come across recently:

• If you have a previous degree (any subject) with at total GPA of 2.5, and complete specific pre-req's; you have an amazing shot with Remington college of nursing (Orlando, FL)
• Have a 3.0 overall? Or will have one soon?? Or willing to take extra courses (even filler courses: aka art, poetry, etc) to improve your gpa to a 3.0?!?! I highly advise you to look into Oklahoma city university. Accepted into the university = automatic acceptance into the nursing program. Why'd I mention the 3.0? This is what their website says: "because of the severe shortage of nurses, all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and qualifications are accepted. Kramer school of nursing has no waiting list." "How many students are accepted into the program each year? How many students are currently in the program?" "as many students are accepted as qualify. During the 2011-12 school year, ksn anticipates approximately 500 students in total."

What are the admission requirements?

• A 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
• grades of C (2.0) or higher in prerequisite science courses
• english proficiency
• not more than 9 credit hours of general education courses remaining

If you are like me and know that you are more than capable of excelling academically, and are given a 2nd chance to do so: let's do so this time around! Because this is probably our last time to show that we have what it takes to be good student nurses!!!

Also, those of you who were admitted to, or ran across similar programs that give lower-GPA students a chance, post them!!!! Don't hold on to that valuable knowledge!

Good luck to all, I wish your journey's all the best!!!!

Tela

p.s. All programs listed above are ccne or nlnac accredited

[oklahoma]

Hi

I strongly agree to what emcademas said. If you decide to come to OCU kramer school of nursing watch out! It is a private school.... a lot of advertisement... I assure you I am crying! In my opinion the school is not good......I have a hard time paying tution...I am blocked from erolling every semester because my FAFSA loan doesnot cover everything. I work fulltime and study to cover tution. Plus attending lecture is waste of time you will never get anything out of it. You better study on your own. Yet they will put pressure on me to attend classes because they don't want everybody to just pop up for exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[oklahoma]

Hi

I think it is the quality of the school more than the rigor of nursing courses! private school are just scams. Apply to a state school and save you 70,000 dollars. From my experience I don't recommend any one to go to a private school unless it is well known. 100% pass rate is a marketing strategy ... So you better waste the time on waiting list in texas and study in a state school. I wish I had the chance to reverse my decision. I am paying all that money and I am straggling to acquire knowledge good enough to pass NCLEX on my own! I feel I am betryed by the school I am in!

[Nicky143]

I am on similar situation. I started as biological science major from University of california and most of my science class is either B or C. I realiaze that if I want to graduate with decent gpa I need to switch to something I am good at and that's accounting. I graduated with decent gpa 3.3 but when applying to nursing program I notice that they only take the prerequisite gpa. I believed I have 2.75 gpa on 3 core prequisite (anatomy, physiology and microbiology).

[kaolla56]

wow congratulations tela! your post was a huge inspiration and i admire you for your consistent determination to get into a nursing school! i'm also in the same predicament (as many of us here are) ... i will be graduating this coming june with a b.a. in biology but my gpa is only at a 2.73 right now. i've been solely looking at Accelerated BSN programs but i doubt i will get in to any of them due to my poor grades and low teas score (obtained a 77% overall). especially since i live in southern california, it seems like it is pretty difficult to get accepted into schools here. i'm definitely going to be looking into community college rn programs and the traditional 4-year programs in other states!

by the way, if i do attend a 4-year bsn program (or any program other than the accelerated ones), will the schools allow me to finish the program in a shorter time since i've already finished most of the prereqs for them?

[paula1501]

Wonderful! you give me hope Tela however I dont have a degree under my belt but I do have a gpa that I raised to 3.0 after having a not so fresh start to my college career dealing with domestic abuse, blood clots to my lung and almost dying, high risk pregnancies not to mention sick all day everyday during pregnancy and I had to drop courses or fail or a D but overall my grades have been all As and Bs with one C on my transcript and this whole year since I started at my school of choice I have a GPA of 4.0 for a whole year! I submitted my application and although I felt I qualified they denied me because of past course performance so I have been proactive since then applying to other schools attending nursing seminars meeting with advisors and deans and pretty much telling my situation like you and how I will never be faced with tough times anymore and I am more stable and mature at this point in my life. Is there anything else I can do? What chance do you think I have with a great TEAS test scores currently 4.0 gpa culmative 3.0 6 years CNA experience and a troubled past?

[kiwkiboo]

you really help me. I am an immgrant from china so it means I have language trouble. I am now in qcc and my counselor did not know everything and just ask me to take All pre require course in one semester . the result is I get average 2.6 on pre require course. I feel like my world end because they do not allow me to retake it. Can anyone tell me what should I do now?

[Tela]

@ Koalla56: I'm SOOOO SORRY this is super late, but I think it depends on the school and if they will accept the courses you've taken. If they do = less course work for you to take = shorter time to complete BSN. Have you had any luck getting in in SoCal? If possible, you should look into going out of state like I did...*sigh* oh how I miss California and the vast cultures and foods at my finger tips!

[Tela]

Hey Paula1501

I think it's great your overall gpa is 3.0 and 4.0 for the year! I think it's a good idea to submit a side note/letter explaining your circumstances, and getting good grades definitely shows you're capable in succeeding in a nursing program.

I can't tell you specifically what chances you have of getting in somewhere with doing well on TEAS, and with your academics improving...but I can tell you that you have a lot to offer academically. Your grades are great...just keep applying, and open yourself up to programs that might require additional prereqs or might take more time than you would like to take in order to complete your degree. But if I can get in with a way lower overall gpa than your 3.0...there's a place out there for you too.

PS...don't always bank on a troubled past for getting you were you need to be, sometimes it can come off as wanting a pity pass...and i think your experience as a CNA is fantastic...especially if its in a hospital setting!

[Tela]

Kiwkiboo-

A 2.6 isn't the end of the world, it might not be as high as you would like, but it's still high enough. I've researched a lot of program in a lot of states and it seems as though 2.5 overall gpa and prereq gpa is the minimum. IF you're overall gpa isn't 2.5 you can take extra coursework to boost it up some.

And some nursing programs, not a lot, allow prereqs to be retaken for an improved score...you could look into retaking some of your prereqs and then applying to those types of programs.

I think if you have a list of schools you're interested in attending, you could contact them, explain your situation and ask what they would recommmend to improve your chances of being accepted. Plus if you volunteer or work in a healthcare setting, that looks good on your school application.

[Jen_Jen88]

I was in the same boat as you. Started off as a pre-nursing student. Did horrible (wish I could go back but you liove and you learn) so I had to go a different route and got a BA in Sociology. Did great but my gpa was a 2.9. I was going to do my masters in Social Work when I did some research and applied to a nursing program in Puerto Rico which is in English! I began last year in august and already completed my first year! My clinicals are at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and I was recently choosen for an externship there in the summer! =] So second chances do exist!

[mee9mee9]

Do you think a asn program will give me a chance since ive failed a&p I twice when i was a freshman pursuing my first bachelors? I have a lot of confidence that i can pass a&p I now. I have b's in all my english classes required

[mp91]

Hi Tela,I currently don't have a bachelors but just finished my pre reqs at a really difficult school and have a low gpa. But I know my gpa doesn't define my intelligence but am afraid I will not get into dyouville. I have about a 2.9-3.1 not completely sure. Since it is my first degree what do you think are my chances if getting accepted? Also should I write a letter like you? Do you mind giving more info on what you said in your letter?I faced a lot of struggles as well, ranging from domestic violence to working, but I still stayed above a 2.5 but have a lot of C's in the harder science courses.Please help