Nursing Applications Stress!!!

[Quabilah Williams, CNA]

I'm applying to nursing programs officially for the first time, though I've made plans to apply previous semesters but just couldn't afford it (started college in '15) and good God this is stressful. I'm worried about my science grades not being good enough. I'm applying to Georgia State (currently attending), Kennesaw State, GA College&State, and possibly Clayton State....My transfer GPA is a 3.52 and all my pre-reqs are done.

Chem 1/Lab: C/A

Chem 2/Lab: C/B

Bio 1/Lab: B/C

Bio 2/Lab: B/B

MicroBio/Lab: C/C

Stats: B

College Algebra: B

PreCalc: A

All the colleges want C's or better in these classes but that's a load of BS. I'm debating retaking my microbio (I've already taken all my sciences twice except Chem 1 lecture and micro) but I don't know how that will affect my acceptance since my transcripts have already been sent. Unfortunately, I couldn't retake my bio this past semester and all the classes are full for summer. I know I'm going to have to score almost perfect on my TEAS exam next month to have an actual chance at getting into a program.

The stressful part is knowing whether or not the nursing boards will focus more on a high score in the science section of the Teas enough to overlook my C's in chem and microbio.

[cturtle234]

22 minutes ago, Quabilah Williams said:

All the colleges want C's or better in these classes but that's a load of BS.

Why is it a load of BS? Nursing school is a monumental challenge, and they want to admit students who will complete their program. All they have to go on is your undergrad grades and TEAS/HESI.

Also- you didn’t have to take A&P as a prereq? It’s not on your list.

[Quabilah Williams, CNA]

1 hour ago, cturtle234 said:

Why is it a load of BS? Nursing school is a monumental challenge, and they want to admit students who will complete their program. All they have to go on is your undergrad grades and TEAS/HESI.

Also- you didn’t have to take A&P as a prereq? It’s not on your list.

Nursing schools saying they'll take C's are BS in my personal opinion, when they really want A's and B's. Of course nursing school is a monumental challenge but I think school's should be more honest about what they really want. We can study all we want but when life gets in the way it's not always possible to get higher than a B. Bio 1/2 were my AP classes!

[cturtle234]

4 hours ago, Quabilah Williams said:

Nursing schools saying they'll take C's are BS in my personal opinion, when they really want A's and B's. Of course nursing school is a monumental challenge but I think school's should be more honest about what they really want. We can study all we want but when life gets in the way it's not always possible to get higher than a B. Bio 1/2 were my AP classes! 

Ah, got it. Bio 1 and Bio 2 usually implies General Biology 1 and 2, FWIW. One C in a non-science course from several years ago is very different than several C's, many of which are in classes that are extremely important for nursing school. I'd read "we accept C's" as "we are open to the idea of accepting someone with C grades". Doesn't mean they will accept you over someone with higher grades and scores (unless you have some astonishing circumstances, experience, etc.)

Besides, A students in prereqs often become B and C students in nursing school. A B and C student in prereqs may not be a passing student in nursing school. When the school has a limited number of seats and an excess of qualified, capable candidates, of course they'll choose the people with the best chance of success- and grades are the best predictor of success. Statistics mean nothing to the individual, but they mean EVERYTHING to the school facing the pile of applications.

[softclouds]

I think most of the schools I am applying to accept students who have an average cumulative GPA of 3.4+, and the science GPA requirement should be higher. However, you already retook most of them and showed some improvements, so I think you should be fine for the application. ; )