I fooled around in school, which brought down my GPA to a 2.65. I have no volunteer/research experience and no letters of recommendation--just a degree in Biological Sciences.
I've made my mind about Nursing and did some research. I found that people like me with a non-nursing degree can get their BSN in about a year through an Accelerated BSN program.
With my GPA and low stats, it seems like a hard program for me to get into. I have a bad feeling that I might as well throw my degree down the toilet. AM I SOL (**** outta luck?) What are my options toward getting a BSN using the degree I have now?
It is possible! My undergrad GPA was ~2.6, since my goal at that point was merely to pass the courses, not excel in them.
I was able to get into an accelerated BSN/MSN program by doing very well in the prerequisite courses (4.0 GPA), getting extra letters of recommendation from my professors, and also doing very well on the GRE.
It will be an uphill fight, but if you can convince the college that you're serious about doing this, they will probably tell you what you've got to do to prove yourself.
Good luck!
I'm on similar boat. My undergrad GPA wasn't even 2.5. At that point in my life I was only interested in to learn something while I was working full time. Because I had other 2 other associates degree prior and working full time from associates degree I've achieved.
But after 20 yrs of worked in same field, I want to change my career and pursue for BSN. With low GPA from former BS degree and still need to take pre-requisite courses, is it possible to get accept to accelerate BSN program in NY state or CUNY ? Want to get BSN shortest time possible. Need some advise !! :)
Btw, which school did you get accepted from ? if you don't mind .... :)
I'm on similar boat. My undergrad GPA wasn't even 2.5. At that point in my life I was only interested in to learn something while I was working full time. Because I had other 2 other associates degree prior and working full time from associates degree I've achieved.
But after 20 yrs of worked in same field, I want to change my career and pursue for BSN. With low GPA from former BS degree and still need to take pre-requisite courses, is it possible to get accept to accelerate BSN program in NY state or CUNY ? Want to get BSN shortest time possible. Need some advise !! :)
Btw, which school did you get accepted from ? if you don't mind .... :)
Hey! I couldn't just pass up this...I hope all is going well for you. Have you applied to any nursing schools recently? Let me know, I just got back into the country and with the economy it is out here in California, looks like going back to school is good SINCE I can't get a job. Let me know! It always helps to go through things together!:redpinkhe:nurse:
Allow me to add to this thread from one who reads admissions applications. I have evaluating admissions applications for 20+ years at several different schools, and have encountered this type of issue many, many times.
Most nursing programs are looking at the following characteristics: strong academic performance, aptitude for or experience in health care, working well with others, industriousness, and genuine concern for those in need. If your earlier GPA is weak, then you should definitely work hard on any prerequisite classes. An admissions committee is likely going to weigh grades from 2011 or 2012 more than grades from 10+ years ago. New data points are a better indication of your academic ability than old data points. Different schools have different views on where the prereqs should be taken --- community college classes are fine at some schools, but other programs will only take classes at 4-year schools. Definitely contact each school where you intend to apply and ask where the prereqs can be taken.
Experience in healthcare can only help. The faculty at my school have looked highly upon second degree students who have been EMTs/medics, CNAs, patient care assistants/PCTs, or done medical missions domestically or internationally. Other successful applicants have discussed being caregivers to special needs children, ill family members, or have dealt with health issues themselves. Again, a proven track record in the delivery of healthcare can help counteract a low GPA. You can also talk about such experiences in any application essay or interview.
A third way in which you can improve your application is through recommendations -- especially from those in healthcare. What a person says in a letter is often more important than the signature at the bottom of the page.
Lastly, make sure you apply well before a deadline. Applications are time-stamped and schools know when you apply (as well as when transcripts/recommendations arrive). Make sure everything is submitted several days before they are due. At my present school approximately 25% of all applications are submitted on the last possible day. Do you really want to show an admissions committee that you do things at the last possible minute? Your admissions application is a first impression -- do what you can to make a good first impression.
Contact the admissions offices of where you apply with any particular questions. While this site is very helpful, do not presume that the admissions standards at one school apply to all.
So I see a lot of hopefuls, but has anyone actually got into any of these programs with below 3.0 undergrad and high prerequisite grades? Any success stories?
I feel the same way. I got my degree from University of California and most of our science professors are tough in grading. I did not fail any class but got mostly B's and C in my anatomy. I switched to accounting graduated with 3.4 gpa. I was planning to send my application to University of Miami but was told that most people who got accepted have close to 4.0 GPA .
I am interested to know if anyone got accepted on any of the program with not so high gpa.
Hey everyone, just wanted to know if anyone else went on an interview for robert Morris University for the second degree BSN program starting fall2012. I just had my interview yesterday and i absolutely loved the school, the faculaty, their labs, everything... Ann Canny was super nice! we talked well over an hour about everything and she actually showed me around the school personally and introduced me to some professors. I never had that kind of experience at any other interview :) Anyway, she pretty much told me i would be accepted. so im really happy about that since it is my first choice school. Anyone else interested in attending?
kcare
4 Posts
I'm on similar boat. My undergrad GPA wasn't even 2.5. At that point in my life I was only interested in to learn something while I was working full time. Because I had other 2 other associates degree prior and working full time from associates degree I've achieved.
But after 20 yrs of worked in same field, I want to change my career and pursue for BSN. With low GPA from former BS degree and still need to take pre-requisite courses, is it possible to get accept to accelerate BSN program in NY state or CUNY ? Want to get BSN shortest time possible. Need some advise !! :)
Btw, which school did you get accepted from ? if you don't mind .... :)