Low 1st year GPA, how do I explain it?

[WittyUsername]

Here's my story:

-Completing a B.S. this spring and looking to apply to an accelerated BSN program this summer. (Apps due mid-June to July)

-I currently have a 2.7 GPA. I had an absolutely HORRIBLE 1st year, there really is no excuse for it, I was successful in HS without studying and tried to carry that on to college. There is no story of hardship or anything behind it.

-If I could make that first year "disappear" I would be over 3.0. None of my pre-reqs are from that year, it's pure dead weight.

-How do I bring this up on an application letter or interview if I get one? I fear it will come across as an excuse but frankly I have nothing to lose.

-Will be taking A&P and CNA cert in the summer so that should be 11 credits of solid A work to finish my pre-reqs.

Ideas? Thoughts?

[pinkieso8]

You sound alot like me, first BA was very mediocre. Nothing to write home about....GPA was about the same, etc.

But there is hope! When I realized that nursing was a career that I wanted to attain, I went back, about 12 or 13 years out of HS and knocked out my pre req's with all "A's", blew the entrance exams out the water, and was accepted to nursing school on my first try. I decided to put it off however, to expand my family but applied again and was accepted a second time. My last child was only 6 months old the second time, and I felt that she was still too young for me to be able to juggle school, 3 children and a husband, so I put off going again.

I've since moved out of state, and am now in the process of applying where I live. I believe that if you have your priorities straight, have the determination and focus to do well in your pre reqs and entrance testing, you will be fine. You may have to get your AS first, then go and get your BSN if that is your goal, but it is all the same. I'm sure you will prove yourself in nursing school.

Good luck! There is hope!

[pinkieso8]

I forgot to add that when I took all my pre req sciences and got all A's, my cumulative GPA was a whopping 2.89 or something close to it. Was on the President's list a few semester's and everything, although my GPA was poop. But I believe that folks do believe in our ability to mature and fly straight when we have our minds made up.

[stitchincricket]

Your GPA will rise as the grades come up. I had this occur the last time I went to college, took about 1 year for it to happen.

[newRNstudent02]

Maybe take pharmacology and pathophysiology to show the ABSN schools how dedicated you are. Or perhaps an EMT course. Just make sure to pull all A's in those classes. A few ABSN schools look at your last 60 units.