Possible to become RN with 2.1 HS GPA?

RNMeg · Sep 16, 2007

If it's just a high school GPA, as long as she can get into a university and does well in her prerequisites, I don't see why she couldn't become an RN. It just requires discipline to get a high prerequisite GPA, which was the most heavily weighted factor in my admissions process..I don't think they care what your HS GPA was.

DreamyEyes · Sep 16, 2007

I agree. I had a 2.2 GPA in highschool. When I attended college, I had a 3.8 GPA and made the president's list for 2 semesters. Anything is possible, and I think that if she does well in pre-reqs, they will see that she's applying herself and is serious about getting into nursing school. Good luck to her/or him.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 16, 2007

I let you know when i graduate and take the NCLEX-RN

(2.0 hs gpa. I barely made it out of high school)

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Sep 16, 2007

I had a 1.81 GPA in high school.

Graduated with High Honors from nursing school!

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Sep 16, 2007

hi nurse Karen,

I was a TOTAL SLACKER in highschool, um, yeah books stayed in my locker etc barely graduated. It wasn't because I was an idiot, but I just didn't have the motivation and no kid wants to be the nerd. I never took the SATs either

So anyway, what I did was go to a community college and take a few classes, as I knew that college was different and I would apply myself, which I did with a 4.0 GPA to show for it. This person could probably even take classes at a university required for the nursing program until they are able to become matriculated into the program. I graduated with high honors from and AD paramedic program and with honors from an ADN program, and I love school now!

They can get into nursing school, but they just may have to take some classes to prove they can do the work and are willing to work hard to meet their goal.

Good luck to that person

Sweetooth

KareBear3 · Sep 16, 2007

When I applied to various colleges, they were primarily interested in my 1st semeter senior HS grades plus what my SAT scores were. I don't remember the colleges looking at an overall average. If you have dedication, I believe it is possible

casi, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2007

It really depends on why the High Schooler has such a low GPA. Were they struggling in classes or just not willing to apply themselves.

I'm one of those people who graduated high school with a very low GPA, I was bored, not a morning person, and simply not willing to do the work. After 5 years of being out of high school I just got accepted into nursing school.

Was it hard? Yes. Was it different from high school? Definately. I think the big reason between high school and college is I'm taking classes because I want to and they interest me in some way or another. Another big difference that I love is the instructors in college don't hold your hand so you'll pass their courses. They make you responsible for your grade.

Music in My Heart · Sep 17, 2007

As long as the 2.1 is due to lack of effort and not lack of academic aptitude, it shouldn't be a problem as long as s/he is willing to rectify the situation.

Here in California, you can go to CC with any grades; it's simply a matter of what remedial classes they'll require. So far as I can tell, college grades are the only ones that matter for getting into the nursing programs. I was not asked anything about HS, not even if I'd graduated.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Sep 17, 2007

They do not look at your HS GPA. All that matters when you get into nursing school is your college GPA which is usually easier to get higher because you are only there if you want to be.

imenid37 · Sep 17, 2007

My DD was not a great student at all in HS. She just scraped by w/ C's freshman, sophomore, and junior year. Lots of notes home re. minor, but chronic infractions of the rules. We even joke that she was girl who was too bad to visit the prison. The criminal justice teacher had enough of her chronic lateness and being out of uniform, she banned her from the filed trip! I don't remember her GPA, but she was near the top of the bottom 1/3 of the class. She is no dummy, but was quite lazy and socially absorbed for the first 2.5 years of HS. By the end of Jr. year, she told me recently, she really felt like a failure and knew she needed to straighten out. She actually made the highest honours the last 2 quarters of the Sr. year, but still ranked low in the class due to her previous slacking. At age 19 in the second year of her 2 year program, she is a very solid student and seems to be doing well. She studies her behind off. She has grown up a lot. If it is maturity that is lacking, but the person is intelligent, has good reading comprehension skills, especially, then if they apply themselves they can do well. Fortunately for most of us, there is life beyond high school academically and socially!

RNcDreams · Sep 17, 2007

A state school generally has an overall requirement for admissions, which is usually the equivalent of a "C" or better. If she cannot be directly accepted into the nursing program, it is in her best interest to enter a general health pathway (i.e., an "Undelcared Health") and prove to the department via her grades that she is good nursing material. I do not know what happens in private schools, but i just graduated from a state school and that's how it was handled.

Admissions to nursing programs now are so immense that students are accepted based on grades. Whether or not acceptance into the Nursing pathway occurs directly upon admission or occurs after admission will determine if her grades hold her back. If she can get into a state school (assuming this is an option or part of the plan), she will need to apply herself and ensure that she is giving her best to become a nursing major.... then, she will need to maintain her good work to keep her spot.

Nursing is a very popular major now! Spots are becoming harder to obtain, and as long as the student has put their best foot forward from day one, they should be fine.

** Nursing usually requires no less than a B or B- to maintain a spot in the program!!