Need help getting noticed! (Accelerated BSN question)

[DuluthMike]

I have decided that an Accelerated BSN program is right for me. Unfortunately I don't know if they agree that I am right for them. I have just graduated with a BA in Biology but suffer from a poor gpa (2.98). The gpa of my pre reqs, depending on the program I'm applying to, hovers around 3.2.-3.4. I have very good extra curriculars, research, TAing, lots of voluntere work and community organizing and am completing a CNA certification while I wait. However, I have been rejected by the first two schools I applied to without reciving an interview. My GPA limits my options for schools and I feel like they just aren't looking at the total package. I feel as if they see my gpa and toss my application to the side.

My question is, is there anything I can do to make my applications stand out more? I was thinking of submiting a resume in the form of a care plan or something along those lines, trying to be creative (or desperate ) Will schools with 3.0 gpa requirements look at me with my 2.98 gpa?

Any help, input, or thoughts is greatly appreciated!

Michael

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

Have you called their admission departments to ask for advice on how to improve your application?

[DuluthMike]

No I have not. Would schools take the time to go over what I could improve in my application?

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

Depends on the school and the helpfulness of the department. They may not take the time to look at you specifically, but even getting a better idea from them for what all they look at would help you decide how to improve your application. Also, unless you have to work during school, be open to moving in order to attend classes elsewhere.

[NightOwl0624]

The accelerated programs that I looked into only seemed to concentrate on a core group of classes: usually biology, chem, A&P, maybe a math class... they all had different things they were looking at, and didn't really care what your overall GPA was - as long as you did well in those specific classes.

You may need to retake a class or two to get your grades higher. I would try to talk to an admissions counselor if you can. Lots of programs also have information meetings where you can ask more specific questions. They may not be able to look at your whole transcript, but may have time to offer you some suggestions.

[DuluthMike]

Any input on applying to a school with a 3.0 requirement if I have a 2.98 gpa?

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

Again, it depends on the school and how its application is structured - some schools may take you if you have a compelling reason for the lower grades (was working to put yourself and your dead aunt's three-eyed children through school) and/or showed consistent improvement throughout your academic career with you ending up with a very high GPA at the end. If the school has a very high attrition rate and is thus happy to take your money even though you have a higher chance of failing out, this might be the case

However, many schools get more applicants that far exceed the minimums than they have seats for in a given cohort. For these schools, the requirements are bare minimums, and not meeting them gives your application a one-way ticket to the circular file.

You're free to send your application wherever with that GPA. However, I'd follow Michigangirl's advice and kick your GPA up a notch or ten.

[DuluthMike]

Update: I've been accepted. Poor overall GPA was overcome by lots of research, volunteer work, good pre-req gpa, and good interview skills I guess!

14 months till I finish (:

[amynichole29]

Hi Mike, I am planning to apply into the Accelerated Nursing program at IUSB. I applied and have been accepted to IU. I know apps open up in Dec, and I am trying to figure out if the program will be right for me. I obtained my BS/BA in 05 through an accelerated program. I have been in contact with an advisor, but I hoping you can help me a littlre more as far as pre-req b/c I seem to find conflicting information.

[lalalalexi]

I, too, had a BS degree already when I decided to go get my RN. I wanted an accelerated program but also suffered from a cumulative GPA below 3.0. My pre-req GPA was like 3.4 but overall I found that it didnt matter. Nursing programs are so highly competitive these days. I looked into a few programs that had the 3.0 requirement but let you petition and write a response as to why you should be admitted (they usually want some kind of extenuating circumstances that explain why your GPA is lower). Anyway to make a long story short, I was very unsuccessful in getting accepted anywhere. So I decided to start applying to ADN programs. From your name, it sounds like you're from Minnesota. I am from Minneapolis and applied to all community colleges in the area, but again faced the same "GPA discrimination". Even the community colleges rank their applicants based on different criteria, but GPA is a big influence. I know that Minneapolis Community and Technical College gets over 800 applicants each year and accepts about 80 students, and this is pretty typical for anywhere in the area. Anyway, I felt like they just looked at my application, saw the GPA and threw it in the trash. They have such a huge pool of applicants, they just take the best of the best. Anyway, again to make a long story short, I found an ADN program in Iowa that accepts any student who passes all the required pre req's with a C or better and gets a certain score on the NET entrance exam. I was accepted within a semester and am doing well in the program. I know how discouraging it can be having that stupid GPA haunting you all the time, but if you look hard enough, there is somewhere out there that will accept you.

[Emile]

lalalalexi,

Could you please post the name of the school in Iowa