Low GPA

Anne36, LPN · Mar 20, 2010

When you apply for the program dont they only take into account the classes required for entry into the program?

aalvar82 · Mar 21, 2010

It all depends on how your school weighs certain criteria. My school has minimum GPA requirement but when it comes down to it they do take into consideration what your grades were in bio classes (A&P, Micro, etc). My suggestion to you would be to talk to the program adviser at your school that handles the medical programs and see what they say. Try to get as many letters of recommendation as possible to help back your case up. Worst case scenario you can always sign up for other reinforcing courses (patient care, medical terminology, humanities...) to bring up your GPA.

moma8gma1 · Mar 21, 2010

I, too, thought in the end the program only cared about what grades you received on the science pre-req's. I'd make an appt. to speak with the program's administrators or counselors to see where you stand. I mean, seriously: you pulled in A's for both A&P's AND Micro??!!! WHO would slam the door in your face you aced the toughest and most challenging prereq classes! (For me, Chem has been the toughest.)

Anyway, get thyself to a counselor and go for it! Sounds like you'd do great in nursing school! :)

vccorscc · Mar 21, 2010

valencia cc in orlando fl ! They have a year long waiting list but as long as u meet thr minimum reqiurments your garenteed a seat

Bindi · Mar 22, 2010

Thanks guys!

I am going to try to make an appt soon w/ admissions and ask some questions. Well some schools like Hunter ask for a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA :-/ I am not far from that and like you guys said I did very well on my pre req sciences. Plus, many of the Nurse Practioners at work said that if I explain the events that occured when my GPA dropped they might understand especially since I did great on the sciences and showed a consistancy of great grades with my major after. And yea Chem was my toughtest class, I did well in gen bio, orgo and physics but Chem :-/

Thanks for your help :) I was so discouraged but I see that I might make it after all.

foreverLaur · Mar 22, 2010

Hi can someone help me?
I recieved my BA in Psyc and decided that I want to go to nursing school. I found many programs but they require a minimum of 3.0 GPA. I graduated with a overall of 2.8 and in major a 3.8. Before Psyc I was a Bio major. Most of the courses were extremely tough. During my 1st and 2nd year I went through many unfortunate events and my GPA just dropped drastically. I was thinking that the ideal program for me is the accelerated program. I have taken all my pre reqs and I received 2 A- for A&P 1 and 2 and a A for Micro. Now I am totally discouraged because I think I won't get in anywhere. I am currently in NYC and have worked in clinical and surgery setting for about 4 yrs. I think I have most of the qualification except the GPA.
Any thoughts nurses?

I'm in your same boat. I had a low GPA and my bachelor's degree is in psychology too. My lower grades were from my first two years were I bounced around schools/majors and had no clue what I wanted to do. I decided to attend a ADN program at a CC because (1) they don't have as high of GPA requirements and (2) I'll be able to work full-time while attending school because I'll only be part-time.

Most employers will pay for a fair chunk of the costs of getting your BSN once you are employed as a RN, so why not? I found a job that has great benefits, great pay, and will pay for all of my nursing school. When I graduate with my ADN, I'll get a job as a RN and go back and get my BSN. The route to being a RN isn't much longer and financially, I'll be much better off.

I tried to plead my case with a number of accelerated BSN programs but I failed. My prerequisite GPA is a 4.0. My last 48 credit hours is a 4.0. My science GPA is a 4.0 (including chem, ochem, biology, microbiology, anatomy, biological anthropology, pharmacology, medical terminology...). However, my cumulative GPA is still under a 3.0 and nobody would allow me an exception. I received a 97% on the Hesi A2. I even took the GRE and scored an 1150 and hoped that would help shine a positive light on my academics, but no luck there either!!

Bindi · Mar 23, 2010

Oh I did know about the Associates in Nursing I was actually considering this but the CC's here in NYC have a waiting list of at least a year. Plus you have to be admitted into the school a semester prior and be an active student for that semester. In other words, you can't apply to the program unless you are a current student and active for at least a semester. Then will you be considered. In my case I took all the pre reqs while a Bio student as an undergrad. If I do it this way I will have to apply to each school one at a time since I can't go to all the CC's at the same time. I don't think thats a good idea LOL. :-/

foreverLaur · Mar 23, 2010

I know, it is hard. I figured out I wanted to be a nurse in early 2008 but I decided to finish out my bachelor's degree and so January 2011 will be the earliest I can start... maybe even September 2011. It is so frustrating to have to wait so long and be stuck in limbo I wish school's would overlook my early screwups and look at my recent academic history to show that I am very capable of handling a rigorous courseload. Not much I can do though so I'm just very impatiently waiting to start!