Low GPA - 2nd degree Accerelated BSN options?

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Hi everyone,

I went through my first round of nursing school applications this past spring. Unfortunately, I was not accepted to any of the 12 schools I applied to (I should mention that some didn't look at my app because of a missing gen-ed e.g. one school wouldn't look at my app because I didn't have a "marriage/family course"- I assumed my developmental psych course was what they were looking for).

Anyways, I am more determined than ever to get into a bsn program and am prepping to go through this challenge again. One thing I have learned from the first go around is to NOT NOT NOT assume anything, especially when it comes to pre-reqs and their equivalency at different schools/states.

So, I come to you all for some aid. I know many people here have probably been in my position before and I am seeking out any help you all can offer. I graduated May 2010 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. I had a health sciences minor since I started as a pre-med (like everyone else in freshman year, it seemed). So, I have the following coursework done (as relates to nursing pre-reqs at most schools): Microbio, A+P, Psych, Developmental Psych, Nutrition, Chemistry/Lab, etc etc. I did not get an A in A+P so I am retaking that to earn an A, once/if I do that, I will have A's in every pre-req course. I have over 400 hours of volunteering with a mentally handicapped child, am volunteering at hospice this fall, and am trying to find nurses to shadow (though I have shadowed nurses years ago).

My dilemma comes from my first degree. As I mentioned, I was a pre-med major (for all the wrong reasons) and I butchered my GPA my first 2 years of college. I was stubborn and would keep retaking classes until the beginning of my junior year when I made a switch. The last year and a half of my transcript is awesome, above a 3.6 GPA. My transcript reads a 2.9 overall GPA, however, due to my mistakes in the first half of college. I also should mention that I have nearly 150 credit hours, so making that number move is not as simple as taking a course or two.

I have no objections to going out of state for nursing school (anywhere except the northeast, no thanks). Can you guys help me in my search for nursing schools with a BSN program (traditional/ABSN is fine) that isn't looking for a 3.5+ overall GPA and/or doesn't require a whole lot of depth into the pre-reqs (i.e. some programs require Organic Chemistry, Genetics, Immunology, etc - courses that were more for the pre-med kids at my school)? Ideally, I'd like to find a program that starts Spring/Summer/Fall 2012. I am working full time, albeit living at home with the parents and I am more than ready to get a move on with things.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this, good luck to everyone involved in applications at this time. :up::cool:

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Drexel and Samuel Merritt look at your last 90 units. Valdosta State U just looks at your grades for the required courses. Also, look it ADN programs. GL!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

12 Schools, wow! I'm glad you're not giving up and turning to the allnurses.com community for help. Look into the schools above poster gave and here is a link to ABSN programs in the U.S.: http://www.bestnursingdegree.com/programs/accelerated-bsn/

Many ABSN programs require you to have a 3.0 GPA from your previous degree, but there are some that require as low as 2.5. The hard work is finding those schools.

Good luck and continue not giving up.

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If you are ok with doing Online, ISU takes 2.5, and your guanteed to get in as long as you pass the teas, and challenge exams, you missed the june deadline but you cant start next spring if you make the nov deadline

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How does the clinical fits into the oline courses

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Specializes in ICU CV, Neuro.

I am so glad you posed this question. I felt like I was reading right into my own bio and my very own delimmas. I have been waitlisted at Valdosta State 3 times and been rejected from 3 other schools. I did not quite apply to 12 but I am feeling more like I will never make it, I am not going to give up though. I also have a B.S. in CJ and I messed up more towards my third year in school. I however made a committment to make an A in every course I took after that and I succeeded except last semester I made 2 B's and I UNFORTUNATELY made a C in Pathophysiology. I took it online which I will admit was slightly more difficult than I thought it would be, HENCE, the C. I did not do as well on the TEAS that I would have liked, but I have heard my score was not bad. So I think I can retake them now for this round of applications. Anyway enough about me. Have you tried Georgia Southwestern? I heard they virtually accept everyone and then start to weed out those that can't survive, plus they also have an accelerated program for second degree students. Good luck in your search and if you find anything please come back and let us that are in the same boat know.

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Hi everyone,

I went through my first round of nursing school applications this past spring. Unfortunately, I was not accepted to any of the 12 schools I applied to (I should mention that some didn't look at my app because of a missing gen-ed e.g. one school wouldn't look at my app because I didn't have a "marriage/family course"- I assumed my developmental psych course was what they were looking for).

Anyways, I am more determined than ever to get into a bsn program and am prepping to go through this challenge again. One thing I have learned from the first go around is to NOT NOT NOT assume anything, especially when it comes to pre-reqs and their equivalency at different schools/states.

So, I come to you all for some aid. I know many people here have probably been in my position before and I am seeking out any help you all can offer. I graduated May 2010 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. I had a health sciences minor since I started as a pre-med (like everyone else in freshman year, it seemed). So, I have the following coursework done (as relates to nursing pre-reqs at most schools): Microbio, A+P, Psych, Developmental Psych, Nutrition, Chemistry/Lab, etc etc. I did not get an A in A+P so I am retaking that to earn an A, once/if I do that, I will have A's in every pre-req course. I have over 400 hours of volunteering with a mentally handicapped child, am volunteering at hospice this fall, and am trying to find nurses to shadow (though I have shadowed nurses years ago).

My dilemma comes from my first degree. As I mentioned, I was a pre-med major (for all the wrong reasons) and I butchered my GPA my first 2 years of college. I was stubborn and would keep retaking classes until the beginning of my junior year when I made a switch. The last year and a half of my transcript is awesome, above a 3.6 GPA. My transcript reads a 2.9 overall GPA, however, due to my mistakes in the first half of college. I also should mention that I have nearly 150 credit hours, so making that number move is not as simple as taking a course or two.

I have no objections to going out of state for nursing school (anywhere except the northeast, no thanks). Can you guys help me in my search for nursing schools with a BSN program (traditional/ABSN is fine) that isn't looking for a 3.5+ overall GPA and/or doesn't require a whole lot of depth into the pre-reqs (i.e. some programs require Organic Chemistry, Genetics, Immunology, etc - courses that were more for the pre-med kids at my school)? Ideally, I'd like to find a program that starts Spring/Summer/Fall 2012. I am working full time, albeit living at home with the parents and I am more than ready to get a move on with things.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this, good luck to everyone involved in applications at this time. :up::cool:

I read this post in 11/2011 after graduating from FSU with a 2.8 (exercise science degree) in 2009. I had just received another of a total of (10) rejection letters after applying to several schools since 2009 and then I heard about vsu thru this post. Today I received my acceptance letter to the second degree accelerated program beginning 5/12. If God had never directed me to this post and I had not kept trying,searching and applying I would have never known about the program. Thanks. Never give up.

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I read this post in 11/2011 after graduating from FSU with a 2.8 (exercise science degree) in 2009. I had just received another of a total of (10) rejection letters after applying to several schools since 2009 and then I heard about vsu thru this post. Today I received my acceptance letter to the second degree accelerated program beginning 5/12. If God had never directed me to this post and I had not kept trying,searching and applying I would have never known about the program. Thanks. Never give up.

I too graduated from FSU with a BS in Exercise science in 2008 and had a 2.9 cum gpa. I retook a few classes and some outstanding prereqs to bring my gpa up. I am applying to VSU and a few other schools and you give me hope. I unfortunately don't think I will make VSU's deadline this cycle, but going to apply for the next cycle. Thanks for sharing!

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This is a little late but I am graduating next month from an accelerated program in Phoenix Arizona. They take a lot into consideration when accepting new students. As long as you get a 75 on the Hesi, you can get in. It has been a great experience.

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Mem2012 is that Chamberlain? I do not have the greatest transcript but I did get all a's in my last semester of pre reqs. I messaged an advisor there with my transcript but he never got back to me. I figured it wasn't good enough.. Should I try applying anyway with a great hesi score?

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