Low Cumulative GPA- Should I apply for ABSN or ASN in NJ?

U.S.A. New Jersey

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Hi Everyone!

I am 25 and live in New Jersey. I graduated from Ramapo College in 2010 with a degree in marketing, 2.4 GPA. I have been considering Accelerated nursing programs but have realized that my GPA is very low compared to the minimum requirement of a 2.8/3.0 for most programs in new york and new jersey. Has anyone been accepted to the Seton Hall/Georgian court program with a GPA below 3.0? or any program in NY NJ ?

Another option for me is I could begin a 2 year associates degree program in January. It would be much easier for me to get into an associates program and then go back and get my BSN then it would be to get into an ABSN program. I am currently working on pre-requisites for the ABSN programs. My biggest fear is that I am not going to be accepted into any ABSN program and that I will be wasting more of my time. I am not sure how the programs work and If GPA really is considered. I am hoping that admissions counselors will not put such an emphasis on my GPA if i do well in all of my prerequisites and get good recommendation letters. My only issue with doing the two year associates program is that I already did four years of school, which is why the accelerated programs are ideal for me.

So, my biggest question is, what would you do??? Apply to ABSN and see what happens, or start the 2 year Associates RN program in January and then go back for BSN? Has anyone been/know of anyone who has been accepted to any ABSN program with a GPA lower then a 2.5?

Thanks you!!!

Jaclyn

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Hey jaclynmarie88,

ALL nursing programs are competitive. ALL of them.

With that said, even when schools post 2.8 or 3.0 GPA as a requirement to even be considered, they RARELY accept applicants with a GPA under 3.5 as they have tons of applicants with 3.8 and even 4.0 GPAs. You should call the ABSN programs you are interested in attending and they will tell you if someone in your position should spend time and money applying. Find out what they are mainly interested in; your essay, your GPA, your references or do they look at the ENTIRE application + an interview before making their selections. You MIGHT get a positive response. You will never know until you ask.

I was in a similar situation because my undergraduate GPA was 2.67. When I contacted an ABSN program in NJ, the admissions department bluntly told me that it would be a waste of my time to apply, even when I told them that I had a Master’s degree with a 3.67 GPA as well. I was told the school wasn't interested in my graduate degree. Fair enough, I thought.

As I continued to seek out ABSN programs in NJ & NY (part-time programs were of particular interest to me), the responses were pretty much the same. It sucks to feel like you are going backwards, but even applying to Associate degree nursing programs can prove to be challenging because the competition is fierce and waiting lists are long.

At the end of the day, I decided to apply to an ADN program (to which I've been accepted & no waiting list) and then go from RN to BSN or MSN immediately after.

Good luck in your endeavors and no matter which path you decide, don't give up!

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Hey jaclynmarie88 ALL nursing programs are competitive. ALL of them. With that said, even when schools post 2.8 or 3.0 GPA as a requirement to even be considered, they RARELY accept applicants with a GPA under 3.5 as they have tons of applicants with 3.8 and even 4.0 GPAs. You should call the ABSN programs you are interested in attending and they will tell you if someone in your position should spend time and money applying. Find out what they are mainly interested in; your essay, your GPA, your references or do they look at the ENTIRE application + an interview before making their selections. You MIGHT get a positive response. You will never know until you ask. I was in a similar situation because my undergraduate GPA was 2.67. When I contacted an ABSN program in NJ, the admissions department bluntly told me that it would be a waste of my time to apply, even when I told them that I had a Master’s degree with a 3.67 GPA as well. I was told the school wasn't interested in my graduate degree. Fair enough, I thought. As I continued to seek out ABSN programs in NJ & NY (part-time programs were of particular interest to me), the responses were pretty much the same. It sucks to feel like you are going backwards, but even applying to Associate degree nursing programs can prove to be challenging because the competition is fierce and waiting lists are long. At the end of the day, I decided to apply to an ADN program (to which I've been accepted & no waiting list) and then go from RN to BSN or MSN immediately after. Good luck in your endeavors and no matter which path you decide, don't give up![/quote']

Thanks for your response. Your situation sounds a lot like mine! I had a few interviews for ADN programs and I am waiting to hear back. It's unfortunate I can't do the ABSN but at this point I'm ready to begin any program! It was a little discouraging at first when I realized I had no chance of getting in a ABSN program, but I figure you gotta start somewhere! It will all be worth it in the end. Good luck :)

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Have you already started taking prereqs? If not, you still have a good chance to raise your GPA. Nursing schools are extremely competitive, especially in NJ/NY. Most programs won't accept less than a B in science courses and acceptance really depends on having a GPA as close to 4.0 as possible because there are so many applicants. Many schools require different things, such as essays, GPAs, high scores on TEAS or other entrance exams.

I don't want to sound discouraging, but your chances of getting accepted to a nursing school with a GPA under or even at 3.0 are really, really unlikely.

Get started on your prereqs and try to do the best you can to raise your GPA and heighten your chances!

Best of luck to you :)

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He'll which school had no waiting list I am also in the middle of applying thank you

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Hello I am too in the same boat I have a low gpa in my degree. Have you found a school that has accepted you that I may try

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