2nd degree BSN - Low GPA

[nguyminh]

Hi everyone,

I recently graduated from oregon state university with a general science degree with a fairly low gpa, 2.71 cumulative, and around a 2.75 gpa with the pre reqs. I talked to several different nursing advisors from schools all around the U.S and all of them say that my grades are not competitive enough to get in. My goal now is to attend my local community college and re-take some of those pre req classes to hopefully get the gpa up to at least 3.0. Doing so could take a few terms, possibly another year.

Basically this post was to ask my fellow aspiring RN peers if they can help with suggestions for school admissions considering my low gpa. Keep in mind, traveling is not an issue for me, and neither is money (Lets just say I have alot of grandpa's). If someone can suggest private schools that can overlook my grades, this will be great as I can get on with applications and save myself from a years worth of re-taking courses. Thanks again in advance, much appreciated

[leenak]

Is there a particular reason your GPA is so low? Especially in the pre-reqs? Generally, pre-req GPA is an indicator of how well you'd do in nursing school which is why there are few schools that would consider you. There is no sense admitting you to the program if you'd not do well in the program.

I'd definitely retake the pre-reqs, shoot for a 4.0. You could also try the various for-profit schools, many will let you in but their pass rates are generally very low because they are so lenient towards admissions.

[nguyminh]

I guess I didn't apply myself in college and slacked off a bit too much. But I personally never felt it challenging. I'm a few years older and wiser now and wouldn't take my education for granted, so you need not worry HOW my gpa was so low but rather shed some insight on the original question. Thanks for your help though, but can you narrow down any specific schools that come to mind?

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

I petitioned to have my entire previous transcript ignored for admission to Nursing School at my local CC. I have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering attached to a horrid GPA.

I had to retake psych and comp, they let me test out of math and I applied to nursing school with a 4.0. (Graduated with one too).

But now I'm in the same boat again. I have to deal with that old anchor of a GPA when I apply to RN to BSN schools.

[leenak]

I wasn't trying to be critical but I recently wrote a letter to the school I'm applying to trying to explain my undergraduate GPA. I had a 2.8 and their minimum is 3.0. I had a 4.0 in my pre-reqs though so I'm hoping that weighs more. If you had a sub-3.0 GPA in your pre-reqs, it is something that you have to look at for yourself. Was the material too hard? Were you working too many hours? etc. If you have a good explanation, schools will often look past it.

[nguyminh]

Thank you leenak for your responses. I talked to a few advisors and they said not to worry too hard about my GPA, and if I'm willing to spend some time to re-take the pre-reqs and just ace them, most schools will accept it. I guess I just have to buckle down and focus these next couple of months. Community college classes are so much easier I had no idea...