Need Some Advice on applying for Fall 2012

[hidaya]

Hello,

I am a pre-nursing student finishing up my pre-requisites. I've taken some at the local community college but next semester I am transferring to the state university (it is right next to my house while the community college is a 25 min drive) to work on the last of the pre-reqs. I am hoping to apply for Fall 2012 to University of Maryland and Emory.

The problem is, I am beginning to think that is not even possible due to timing issues. My first semester of college, I did not do well as I had multiple medical situations come up unexpectedly (I had an eye infection during finals so I could barely read or concentrate on anything on the exams and I also had an unexpected pregnancy that ended in a miscarriage necessitating surgery). During that semester I ended up with 2 Ds (Statistics + College Algebra) and my Sociology professor allow me to make up some missed work for a C (unfortunately, this was a class where the grade was primarily based on the homework I had missed -- my final and midterm grades were A but it didn't matter as they didn't count for much in the class), I also got a B in English Comp II. Additionally, I had taken dual enrollment classes in high school and took A&P I + Lab, English Comp I, and American History. In the latter 2 classes I got Bs but in the A&P class, it was online and I admit I really slacked and didn't keep track and ended up getting a D + F. It didn't harm my high school gpa much as it was really high but obviously I had to retake.

The following semester, I really renewed my intentions and managed to do quite well. I got 3 As (Nutrition, Life Cycle/Development, General Psychology) and a B (An elective- American Literature- would've been a B+ but my school doesn't do +/-). However, as you can imagine, having so little school done really affected my gpa given there were only 2 semesters and 1 had horrible grades. My gpa is 2.6 officially on my transcript right now. This semester I am taking A&P I + Lab (retake), retaking Statistics, retaking College Algebra, and taking a humanities course. My expected grades are 4As + 1 B or 5 As depending on how things go. I can delay sending transcripts until these grades are in but that will only do so much for my gpa, as I still have a semester left.

Next semester I am taking Microbio, A&P II, and Chem. But I guess those grades won't really factor into their decision for me. I couldn't retake Sociology if I wanted to as that will be my only C once I am done as my state does do total grade forgiveness but does not allow retakes for Cs anymore.

I am taking the TEAS V soon and feel very confident about it and am doing well on practice tests.

I am beginning to volunteer at the local Community Hospital and a birth center and have volunteered at a local free clinic and in a charity working with campaigns to raise money for the famine in Somalia/Kenya and collect non-perishable foods and formula to transport to the refugees there.

I'm not sure whether its worth it to still apply given this gpa problem? Do I even have a chance with these schools? I really can't delay a year because firstly, I will have nothing to do in the meantime and run out of classes to take and secondly, my husband is starting med school in Fall 2013 so we really cannot both be starting school at the same time in such rigorous fields.

Thank you!

[NightBloomCereus]

You don't know until you try. Does the school you want to go to have an academic advising/counseling department? Every school is different and it's worth reaching out to someone from the school.

[spore2008]

Does your husband know where he will be attending medical school? A geographic location must be chosen immediately. Atlanta and Baltimore are quite some distance away from each other.

I think you can try to apply now. I also think your GPA is low and though you are proving yourself, I think having strong grades in the sciences will be a boon to your application. In your personal statement you can mention you had some earlier personal struggles...there is no need to get specific...but you don't want to ignore what is incredibly obvious...poor grades.

Honestly, I don't know how competitive these schools are to get into. What type of program are you interested in? BSN? I would call the school and ask to speak with an academic advisor.

I think you can both start school at the same time.