WayneStateKatie 267 Posts Specializes in Med-Surg/Trauma. Apr 6, 2010 Your undergraduate GPA is less than stellar but you already know that. While it may exclude you from some programs others are willing to give students another shot. If you have competitive GPA in your prereq courses (like 3.5+) and a strong interview you may be able to land a slot.Michigan's programs are exceptionally difficult to get into at the moment. Since the economy here is so poor due to the auto industry's collapse many are unemployed and looking to get into nursing programs for a "guaranteed" job.I'm going to be honest, with your GPA in your previous degree I would say UofM, State, and Wayne are not going to happen-- students with 3.5+ are being turned away left and right from those programs. Oakland University may be a possibility like I said if you've done well in your recent classes and prereqs and have a strong interview. UofD is less competitive, but their tuition is more expensive since they are private (and you mentioned tuition cost as a factor). What about Grand Valley? I don't know much about them but they do have a second degree program and I don't think they're as flooded with applicants as programs are here in metro Detroit.I would call every single program in the state with an accellerated BSN program and find their exact requirements (or look on the internet I'm sure they're there too). Focus on programs that may realistically accept you, and knock out your prereqs with the highest grades possible. You can't change the past, but you can work your hardest to change your future. Good Luck and keep us posted.:redpinkhe
Charmander 54 Posts Specializes in ICU. Apr 7, 2010 Here's a whole list!!Good luck!http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/APLIST.PDF
gunrock 164 Posts Apr 7, 2010 Congrats for almost completing your EMT-B. I currently work as an EMT in California doing BLS transport and CCT Transport (2 EMTs and 1 RN). I'll be starting a ABSN program in May.Like everyone mentioned your GPA might not be the best, but don't let anyone discourage you from applying to programs. The only thing you have to lose is the application fee (which can add up, but it's worth a shot). Hopefully you'll get some great experience working as an EMT, and even on a transport ambulance you'll learn a lot, so don't feel like EMT isn't going to be a great experience (or let anyone tell you that it isnt).My best advice for you would be to get some good experience as an EMT, try to get into the 911 system if you can (not sure how it works where you are). Write some awesome essays, and get really good letters of rec. Also talk to the schools, get a feel for what they are looking for, some schools weigh things differently, if you have a great GPA, but no experience vs someone with an okay GPA and lots of great experience and enthusiasm, etc. The school advisors will be able to give you a better idea about what kind of students they are looking for.Also try checking out some of the bigger nursing schools, from what I've been reading and hearing from various individuals, they generally take a more holistic approach to reviewing the student. Most of the bigger programs have threads from previous years discussing their application process.Also like someone else mentioned, you can always get your ADN. Where I am, most of the community colleges are on a lottery system, so someone with a 4.0 has the same chance as someone with a 2.0 GPA, and if you are motivated you can take a RN to BSN bridge program after you are done. This will take more time, but it'll be cheaper (most likely), and you'll be working toward becoming an RN.Good luck and don't feel like just because your GPA is low that it automatically means you won't get into your dream ABSN program, it just might take a little more time.
SuperNova153 6 Posts Apr 7, 2010 Thank you everyone for your help!I'm taking all of this into consideration, and need to research thoroughly. I'll keep you posted :-)
toya0419 113 Posts May 15, 2010 Just wanted to share some info...I have a 2.9 GPA in undergrad, about 3.0 in my prequisites and I have applied to three nursing schools and accepted to every one. Don't let people discourage you because of your gpa, it's not the greatest but it doesn't mean that you would have a hard time getting in nursing school. My strategy was to apply only to 2nd degree programs where there is less competition. It is true most traditional nursing programs and community colleges are extremely hard to get into to, but with 2nd degree programs the applicant pool is smaller and less competitive. Your bachelors degree will be your ticket into nursing school...I know very well because it was mine..GOOD LUCK!!!
kaa3418 16 Posts May 21, 2010 I would recommend retaking a few of the main science prereqs to raise your GPA to at least a 3.0 because you are not far off from it. I believe Kent State's accelerated program requires at least a 2.5 GPA. I would also try to collect outstanding letters of recommendations and if the school requires a GRE I would do very well on that as well. Some schools do look at the whole picture instead of focusing solely on the GPA. Good Luck!
Teish 2 Posts May 27, 2010 toya0419 said:Just wanted to share some info...I have a 2.9 GPA in undergrad, about 3.0 in my prequisites and I have applied to three nursing schools and accepted to every one. Don't let people discourage you because of your gpa, it's not the greatest but it doesn't mean that you would have a hard time getting in nursing school. My strategy was to apply only to 2nd degree programs where there is less competition. It is true most traditional nursing programs and community colleges are extremely hard to get into to, but with 2nd degree programs the applicant pool is smaller and less competitive. Your bachelors degree will be your ticket into nursing school...I know very well because it was mine..GOOD LUCK!!!Hey Toya,I was wondering if you could let me know what schools you applied to and got accepted to. I'm currently an undergraduate, my majors Public Health Educ and I will be a senior next year. My GPA is currently a 2.9 and I still have some prerequisites to finish up and I really want to get into an accelerated BSN program after graduation. I live in California but I'm willing to move.Thanks in Advance
tuchuka4u 3 Posts Sep 16, 2010 toya0419 said:Just wanted to share some info...I have a 2.9 GPA in undergrad, about 3.0 in my prequisites and I have applied to three nursing schools and accepted to every one. Don't let people discourage you because of your gpa, it's not the greatest but it doesn't mean that you would have a hard time getting in nursing school. My strategy was to apply only to 2nd degree programs where there is less competition. It is true most traditional nursing programs and community colleges are extremely hard to get into to, but with 2nd degree programs the applicant pool is smaller and less competitive. Your bachelors degree will be your ticket into nursing school...I know very well because it was mine..GOOD LUCK!!!Toya0419 congrats on your acceptance, if you don't mind what schools did u apply to? Im also looking for less competitive schools.
smartin1 1 Post Sep 26, 2010 Hi, I was just wondering which 3 schools you applied to and got accepted?
lvaliav 116 Posts Nov 10, 2010 Neats said:I went to Lakeview College Nursing a 16 month BSN program. There are two (2) campuses one in Danville IL the other in Evanston IL. Both campuses perform clinicals in Champange-Urbana and many student live there and commute. It is close to where you reside, at least in the midwest. I am from WA state where we have no programs like this.The instructors are great, they know their nursing principals. It is a hard studying school, they take into account diversity of students not just book smart. It is on a point system now but there are exceptions and you can apply anytime. Last I heard there was no waiting list and start 2 time a year.You can call and talk to an admission cordinator.Go to http://www.lakeviewcol.edu to find out if this is a path you wish to take. College is regional and National accrediated. This college truly is a gem for the nursing profession.Hey Neats,I was just wondering is it easier the admission easier for one campus than other for Lakeview? Is it easier to get into charleston campus rather than danville or does it not matter? And once we are in, can we switch campuses? Thanks
Neats, BSN 682 Posts Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator. Has 14 years experience. Nov 11, 2010 You have your choice of campuses. There are times you can change campuses. I was at the Danville campus and know the instructors there, again they are terrific. I do know some instructors at the other and the same goes with them good instructors. I do know the Charleston campus is more like a college campus than Danville. When you apply you can just let them know your first and then second choice. Good luck to you and welcome to the world of nursing.
