Low GPA

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Hi wonderful people,

I have a huge concern here. I graduated from Stony Brook in 2013 with Interdisciplinary Stds. I applied to the Accelerated Program twice after graduation but was denied (both times at SBU.) I took the time off ever since and been nannying (great money.) But deep down, Nursing is my passion and I know this is my calling. So I'm back in the game again more determined than ever but my cum GPA is only 2.98 and my science and math is only 2.56. Its been a while since I took the classes but I want to take most of my pre-reqs again but I read somewhere that some schools only allow a certain number of retakes. Is it true? If I could I want to retake most of my pre-reqs. Please advice me on how best to proceed. Has anyone been on the same boat and got it done? Thanks for taking the time out.

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The retake policy is a school-specific question. Ask them to find out.

You don't say, but are you going for an ASN, BSN, or an LPN diploma program? With your GPA it seems like you'd have to retake almost everything to be a competitive applicant. If you're going for an ASN or BSN, I would suggest going the LPN route and then bridging to an ASN or BSN.

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Thanks for the prompt reply. I was planning on going for BSN but I guess that's a long shot. What could be the best route? I'm so confused. Please help. I have my CNA

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Thanks for the prompt reply. I was planning on going for BSN but I guess that's a long shot. What could be the best route? I'm so confused. Please help. I have my CNA

Well if you can retake your prerequisites and get competitive grades, then it may be worth it to still pursue the BSN. However, you're probably going to spend another year or so doing that. The same is probably true for an ASN program.

What was the reason you did so poorly? Is it something you can learn from and address to do better, or was the content just too much for you? If the latter, you may just not be cut out for nursing.

Generally, the best route is to go the ASN route and then bridge to a BSN because you get to earn a full year's salary extra, you can work as an RN while you work on your BSN, and it is cheaper to get an ASN and then bridge compared to going straight for a BSN.

This is highly geographically dependent, but if you want to work in a hospital, you may find that you're unable to do so without a BSN. But don't fret, it makes more financial sense to still go for the ASN, make that money, and then bridge to a BSN and enter a acute care setting.

If you doubt that you'll be able to make competitive grades the second time around, I would go the LPN route. It will give you nursing experience and perhaps make nursing classes down the road easier. It would be better to do this and have a credential to stand on rather than redoing all your prereqs and messing up a second time around. If that happens, you've just wasted more time and money that you could have put towards becoming an LPN.

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The first thing I would do is go on here - CCNE - Accredited Programs - and select your state. If, for example, you live in New York, there are 45 accredited BSN programs. So, if you've applied to one state nursing program out of 45, twice, and you were not accepted, it might be a good idea to apply to a couple others. I do understand that some of those programs are very expensive and far away. However, if cost is prohibitive, you can always say no to an acceptance letter. Next, you mention your GPA and the number of retakes. This will depend on the schools policy. My suggestion is to look on each schools website for GPA averages, retake policies, and how they view recent grades for someone with a low GPA. Then, I would call up each program to ask more about your chances with retakes and recent grades. You'll probably get way better answers than what you'll find on here. Since you all ready have a degree and financial aid will be very limited, I'd look at ADN programs in your state, as well - Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs . Good luck!

To add: I also agree with jsfarri that you need to find out why you got those low grades, especially in math and science.

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Thank you so much for answering my questions. I just had a talk with Utica College ABSN program admission rep and she said my overall pre-reqs gpa is 3.05 and my cum being 2.98 and just the science pre-reqs is 2.69. However, I'm missing two science courses (microbio and physiology) and two gen courses (ethics and nutrition.) She mentioned I can take the pre-reqs online. That being said, I can submit and have a pretty good chance of getting in their ABSN program starting fall 2017. I know it's expensive but is Utica worth it? Is there anyone that's pursuing ABSN at Utica or an alum that can attest to their nursing program. Please help. Thanks all

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Your TEAS makes up for your GPA. I know some schools take cumulative GPA into consideration during the application process. I love math, so I took a basic College Algebra class to boost by GPA.

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Thank you so much for answering my questions. I just had a talk with Utica College ABSN program admission rep and she said my overall pre-reqs gpa is 3.05 and my cum being 2.98 and just the science pre-reqs is 2.69. However, I'm missing two science courses (microbio and physiology) and two gen courses (ethics and nutrition.) She mentioned I can take the pre-reqs online. That being said, I can submit and have a pretty good chance of getting in their ABSN program starting fall 2017. I know it's expensive but is Utica worth it? Is there anyone that's pursuing ABSN at Utica or an alum that can attest to their nursing program. Please help. Thanks all

That's still only two schools, Stony Brook University and Utica College. I would really consider regular BSN programs, especially if there is a major difference in tuition per semester/quarter. I wouldn't limit myself to just ABSN programs. I would suggest looking at options that are cheaper and take only an extra year. I'd call up those programs too and look on their websites. Also, when you retake those prerequisites, please try to figure out what you did wrong to get those grades.

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Don't lose hope! My undergrad GPA was 3.1 and I didn't think that I would get into any programs because everyone told me schools heavily weigh grades. I just made sure that I did everything possible to make up for my poor GPA. I worked as a CNA, volunteered at a hospital, and volunteered at the nursing home I was working at. I also made sure that I aced all of my pre-reqs. I was not a science major, so all of my pre-reqs except for English were done at a community college and I was able to get As in all of them. If you work hard and show that you are a worthy candidate, schools will consider you! I got an interview at UCSF (which is one of the top programs in the nation), but didn't get in... and ended up getting interviews at 4/5 schools I applied to. I just finished the BSN portion of my program and am beginning the masters. Long story short... don't give up hope, you can totally do it if you're willing to put in the time and work!

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Have you taken an online course before? What kind of course formats are you most successful with? Your goal is not just to take these additional science courses, but to take them and do well. I would factor that in when making your decision. You have to do something different than you did before, otherwise you are likely to end up with the same sub par grade.

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I have taken a few online courses. Did well but not to give any excuses, I worked two jobs while in stony brook full time. I was an RA and I worked as a student manager for one of the dining halls. I was also dating my now fiance long distance during my second year. So all of that definitely played a major role. I know I'm capable and I truly believe that I have matured enough to keep the distractions at bay. I'm also going to be committing full time to school.

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