Please Read!!

Generally, when you apply to a school, they'll ask for transcripts from all the colleges/universities you've attended. Each school will show a different GPA from your time there. The committee I'm on will look at your nursing and science GPAs..for example... if you took sciences elsewhere, we're interested in the grades you got for Chem/Organic, stats, etc...Hope this helps.

While the anesthesia school looks at ALL your transcripts, other students have had mess-ups along the way, too. It is important to show how you have learned from the mistakes and improved since then!

I am starting to think that my chances are slim on getting into anesthesia school. My gpa is almost 3.1. I haven't taken the GRE yet. The thing is, if I can't get into a CRNA program, I don't really want to take my time up in the ICU, trying to get experience. I would rather specialize in another area like OB. What to do, what to do!!! Any thoughts are appreciated!

Depending on the school you are applying to, have you considered NICU? Some schools take it, others don't. Ask.

Also, don't write yourself out of the equation yet. Retake any sciences you didn't do well in. Take organic/biochem. Maybe physics. Get your recent grades as high as possible. That, coupled with a decent GRE score may get you the interview. And if you plan on going to graduate school in any event, start taking the core nursing classes (if you know which school you want to attend) and kick butt in those too.

If you want it, you can do it.

And dont' think of time in the ICU as wasted. If you end up switching to OB down the line, you will be better equipped to handle the emergency cases. Good luck!

I am starting to think that my chances are slim on getting into anesthesia school. My gpa is almost 3.1. I haven't taken the GRE yet. The thing is, if I can't get into a CRNA program, I don't really want to take my time up in the ICU, trying to get experience. I would rather specialize in another area like OB. What to do, what to do!!! Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks for your advice. I have a lot of credit hours since I was pre dental for a while. I was thinking about taking my chemistry class over, since I got a C in it back in 2001! It is just so hard to raise your gpa when you already have so many credits! I really want this to work for me, so I am willing to do whatever it takes.

I had a 3.05 overall and a 3.4 for my BSN. It did take me 3 years to get into a school but I finally did. I jumped thru all the hoops with CCRN, ACLS & PALS instructor and had almost 6 years experience in CVICU, Trauma, & ER before finally getting in and I can tell you that it was all worth it because everything that I did was something that was useful now that the adventure is over.

Did they consider your BSN work too? This is really encouraging. Even though I have a ways to go, I still like to know where I am going in the future. It justs makes it easier to get there!

I don't know where you are planning to apply, and I'm sure all schools score differently. But at my school they take either your overall GPA, the last 60 hrs GPA, or just the Science GPA, whichever is higher. That is what they told me they use as far as GPA criteria. Alot of schools will take a 3.0 student depending on your qualifications in the other criterion. Remember, the GPA is only a small part of what the school will look at to determine your eligibility. Just work hard from now until you get your BSN, so you can raise your GPA a bit more, and get the best score possible on the GRE, the rest is up to you!

You know, it's funny how often I've heard other people say they've had some less than "good" grades in the past... I'm one of them, too. Maybe you could look into your current school's academic policies to find out if they have any type of "academic renewal" or "repeat policy." What helped me was the academic renewal, which removed d's and f's from my transcript. Now if you ask me, anything helps, even if the grade still appears it might look better with some makeup, if you know what I mean.

I was asking a nearly identical question in my post, if you want to look at it. It's on the same posting page (pre-crna questions). Also, have you found that any additional science classes helped you? Specifically, math and science? Which courses?

You know, it's funny how often I've heard other people say they've had some less than "good" grades in the past... I'm one of them, too. Maybe you could look into your current school's academic policies to find out if they have any type of "academic renewal" or "repeat policy." What helped me was the academic renewal, which removed d's and f's from my transcript. Now if you ask me, anything helps, even if the grade still appears it might look better with some makeup, if you know what I mean.

I was asking a nearly identical question in my post, if you want to look at it. It's on the same posting page (pre-crna questions). Also, have you found that any additional science classes helped you? Specifically, math and science? Which courses?

Helped in what way?!?

I have taken statistics, which seems to be required by lots of programs.

When you say "helped in what way?" I mean helped in preparing you for future courses... like chemistry will help you with microbiology, or math will help you with physics.