NYU-What are the odds?

[loveflowers]

I am currently in a pre-nursing program at a CUNY taking pre reqs for the nursing programs. I was thinking about doing an Associates, since although I already have a Bachelors for 8 years ago, my GPA is a 2.6, which won't get me too far in an accelerated program.

However, NYU seems to stand apart in what they are saying, that they look beyond just your undergrad GPA.

I am doing very well in my pre reqs- I have an A in A&P 1 and 2, A- in Chem, A in Dv psych, A in Microbiology, A in nutrition and B in statistics. I also am volunteering in two different hospital programs, one for the past 4 years, and I also have a 3.8 GPA from massage school. I can get some great recommendation letters as well.

From experience, is it worth a shot? TIA!

[estrellaCR, BSN, RN]

You can still apply for accelerated program, you have good gpa in your newwest classes and even when they look at your overall gpa it will be over 3.0. Try Hunter and Lehman and SUNY Downstate for accelerated program. They are very good programs and are affordable. NYU accepts loads of students and their tuition is very high, not to mention some students do not get a clinical in hospital bc the school has too many students so I heard from a nyu student that those that cannot be accomodate with clinical end up doing simulation lab for the semester with a mannequin. Also since u have a bachelors in something else the only financial aid u will qualify for is loans. You don't need a 3.7 or higher to get into cunys or suny. You just need decent grades, high PAX score , an essay that stands out as well as do well on your interview. Yes there is interview for cuny and suny accel BsN...that is because they admit a manageable number of students.

[HopefulSRNA1234]

My advice is to apply anywhere you want to go! I had a 2.5 GPA from my first undergrad but went back for my prereqs and earned a 4.0 in about 40 units. A couple years ago I was accepted into a very competitive accelerated program (SUNY Stonybrook) and was one of the first to be accepted (I was not waitlisted or anything). My situation is probably more rare but it does happen! Personally, I did a lot of research on how different schools across the nation accept students. I choose to apply to those that looked at students more holistically. In the end, I applied to Stonybrook only because I wanted to live in NY and thought I had no chance of getting in (everyone online says they are "so competitive" and that you must have a high GPA). I found out I was accepted to them before I had even applied anywhere else! They were my top choice and even with my horrid undergrad GPA I still made it in.

Don't sell yourself short because you never know until you try. And don't believe people on here that say you NEED "x" gpa to get into specific programs. Also, are you willing to leave NYC or even NY?

[estrellaCR, BSN, RN]

SuNY Stonybrook is a great program if u don't mind traveling into long island for a year. I'm a big supporter of city and states schools as options as they are affordable and quality. Private schools im not fond of as they admit many students and are extremely expensive, and many students still have no jobs for almost or over a year after graduation. So with even a hefty price tag they can't guarantee u job placement. So try the CUNYs and SuNYs don't think u may not get in because u never know . Private schools are easier to get in/less requirements so they are safety schools for most new grads I met at open houses and ended up going to these costly schools. Apply to all schools and see what happens.

[loveflowers]

Thank you so much. I really like these answers. I feel the hope!

My concern is, I definitely would love to apply to Hunter, Downstate and Stonybrook, yet the concern is my undergrad GPA. These schools, from when I spoke with them, put lots of influence on the undergrad GPA and I hear they don't look at you, if your undergrad is lower than a 3.0, regardless of what happened afterwards.

What do you all think?

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

Loveflowers, GoVeg already told you she got into Stony Brook with a 2.5 GPA. I'm also a Stony Brook alum and I can tell you that they do look at the whole application and not just GPA. It's a mixed bag. I had a classmate that got in to our ABSN with a C in micro, and another one with an undergrad GPA of 2.8 ... I think if you can ace your science prereqs, that will go a long way to overshadow your less stellar undergrad record and show them you are serious. And you need some great references and a really well-crafted personal statement think, things you have control over now. You have to look at this application process like the New York Lottery slogan -- Hey, You Never Know. You will never know if you can get in unless you apply. And no one here can tell you what your real chances are of getting into a school because none of us know what goes on behind the closed doors of an admissions committee of any school.

Stop worrying and start applying. What's the worst that can happen? They can say no. Then you just apply again. You are bound to get accepted somewhere with some persistence.

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

[Psata]

I agree wholeheartedly with Paco-RN. You have excellent grades in your Nursing prerequisites and will probably get into most, if not all of the CUNY and SUNY Acelerated Programs, saving yourself thousands of dollars in Tuition Fees. Apply to ALL the schools and see what the results will be be. I think you are worrying needlessly. You don't want to limit yourself at this stage.