Please help my grades are killing me!!

FutureRN_15 · Aug 11, 2015

Is that GPA including all of your prereqs. needed for the program you're applying for? To be honest, the 2 different GPAs may definitely affect you but there should be some program you are accepted into. What about applying for every program possible or speaking to the academic advisor and getting their opinion? Maybe they will encourage you to take a few classes to increase your cum. gpa? Good luck to you!

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 11, 2015

There have been people who have gotten into nursing school with a low GPA but they are most certainly the exception as opposed to the rule. I got into nursing school with a lower-than-average GPA, but I chose a holistic program that looked at all the aspects of each candidate before making a decision. You will definitely want to retake some of the courses you got lower grades in to raise your GPA. What kinds of grades did you get in your prerequisites? You'll want As preferably.

HisKids37 · Aug 11, 2015

Try visiting an academic advisor at your school. At mine, there were ways to increase my GPA based on two things: one, replacing old grades with newer, better ones (I hadn't realized that I had to file a request for the old grades to be replaced), and two, expunging a number of my old units based on my current gpa and the amount of time that has gone by. Good luck!

Leigh_delgado · Aug 12, 2015

Unfortunately I am a senior and I only have one class left. I am biology major at Rochester Institute of Technology. I do well in directly science related courses just not everything else. I am currently looking at Texas Christian University and Northern Arizona University because they only consider prerequisite gpa's not cum. My Grades so far are..

Anatomy & Physiology I and II - B and B
Microbiology - B
Elementary Statistics A
Lifespan Human Development B
Introductory Sociology B
General Psychology B+
Nutrition B+
Pathophysiology A

rowrowyourboat · Aug 12, 2015

Unfortunately I am a senior and I only have one class left. I am biology major at Rochester Institute of Technology. I do well in directly science related courses just not everything else. I am currently looking at Texas Christian University and Northern Arizona University because they only consider prerequisite gpa's not cum. My Grades so far are..
Anatomy & Physiology I and II - B and B
Microbiology - B
Elementary Statistics A
Lifespan Human Development B
Introductory Sociology B
General Psychology B+
Nutrition B+
Pathophysiology A

I think you should consider holistic programs as BeachyRN2Be suggested. Is Patho a pre-req for the schools you are applying to?

Awesomocity0 · Aug 12, 2015

The mistakes you made when you were younger bit confuses me. How much time has passed? If it's a situation where you were 20 and failed classes and are 30 now, you might be able to have those classes wiped. Many states have forgiveness if enough time has passed. If it's a one year ago thing, then I wouldn't really write that off as mistakes of youth.

As for TCU, best of luck there. TCU is selective, just like most Texas schools, and even a 3.2 is kind of low. I've had friends who applied with higher grades and were rejected. And I've had friends who got in but couldn't pay the tuition, because... it's a private school and will cost you a small fortune. And if you're a 'senior' you may not qualify for any kind of aid. Many institutions here in Texas won't give you anything except federal loans if you're on your second degree. And what you need to borrow will exceed the Stafford loan limits to attend a school like TCU. I'd think about going the ADN route.

NuGuyNurse2b · Aug 12, 2015

it depends on the college & the applicant pool. I didn't get into a BSN program that I applied to, and my cumm GPA was a 3.4 at the time (which nursing school has brought down to a 3.2, thaaaanks). I inquired and I was told the applicant pool was strong, there were candidates with higher scores, and they suggested I tried again next year. I didn't want to wait and risk rejection again, so I accepted the ADN program that accepted me.

A&Ox6, MSN, RN · Aug 12, 2015

When I attended, I was enrolled with a 3.89, and that was on the low end of my class. Every program is different, but it can be extremely competitive.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2015

Well if they are your "dreams" why did you not work hard to get the grades you need? "Younger"..yes..but still an adult. And adult grades MATTER.

Passion is not going to make any difference. GPA and grades are what matter.

You need to ask the school where you want to attend if someone with a 2.3 GPA can even apply let alone get into nursing school. No one on a message board can answer because all schools vary somewhat. I personally have never heard of anyone getting into nursing school with a 2.3. And why is your science GPA only a 3.2? You are passionate but still in the low 3's?

GO STUDY. DO NOT STOP STUDYING.

Jaykalkyn, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2015

Science GPA weighs heavier than prereq classes in most instances. Still GPA alone does not mean you will or won't get into a program. Just because your GPA is 3.89 does not mean you are a shoe in for a program. What is that 3.89 consisting of? A person could have a 4.0 filled with fluff classes that only serve to boost a GPA, means very little. They do look at other factors.

I would suggest, like others here, that you speak with specific programs. Have them look at your transcript and make suggestions as to how you can improve your chances. They may suggest that you take additional classes to boost that 2.3; that doesn't mean that fashion merchandising is what you should choose. Lol! At any rate, good luck on your journey.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Aug 12, 2015

But even if they look at prereq GPA for admission, you will still have to have a min cumulative GPA. Make sure you are looking at the fine print. My school does a points system for admission. You do have to have at least a 2.5 GPA to apply. If you have that, then they look at 4 classes and assign points along with points for a Teas test. I would be shocked if especially a BSN program doesn't look at some kind of cumulative GPA.