pre nursing gpa

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hello i am intrested in applying to a nursing progam in the houston area. I have a previous degree in biology with a 2.9 gpa i still have to take micr, a and p 1, psycology class and statistics. if i make b's in these class do you think i would have a chance for the texas nursing schools i know there very competitive :nuke::nuke:

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Specializes in Psych, Tele.

You should strive for A's. Schools here are very competitive, and some only accept 3.5 and higher.

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thanks for your response

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Hi brownberrry,

Which school(s) in Houston do you have in mind? With your previous degree and the courses you wish to take, I’m under the impression that you’re considering either the Accelerated BSN program or the generic BSN program or both. If you just started taking prereqs, then as johnna_quest said, make this a good opportunity to strive for all A's and boost up your GPA. Don’t forget to concentrate on preadmission entrance examinations such as the NET and HESI. This will increase your chances of getting admitted to a school of your choice! Retake some courses or entrance exams if you have to. Most schools in Texas will average the two grades together for one course. Schools like UT El Paso will only accept a grade of “C” or higher on the first attempt. If you are nearly done with your prereqs and are still struggling to boost your GPA, then I highly suggest looking into other school outside of Houston. I am a living example! With the low GPA and NET scores, so far, I got admitted to one school and waitlisted at three others outside of Houston for Fall 2008 BSN regular program. You can read more right here: https://allnurses.com/forums/f175/texas-bsn-fall-2008-a-287629.html

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when calculating your gpa for nursing school though i already have a degree do they look at all your grades or just your pre nursing pre req

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Hi brownberrry,

Which school(s) in Houston do you have in mind? With your previous degree and the courses you wish to take, I'm under the impression that you're considering either the accelerated BSN program or the generic BSN program or both. If you just started taking prereqs, then as johnna_quest said, make this a good opportunity to strive for all A's and boost up your GPA. Don't forget to concentrate on preadmission entrance examinations such as the NET and HESI. This will increase your chances of getting admitted to a school of your choice! Retake some courses or entrance exams if you have to. Most schools in Texas will average the two grades together for one course. Schools like UT El Paso will only accept a grade of "C" or higher on the first attempt. If you are nearly done with your prereqs and are still struggling to boost your GPA, then I highly suggest looking into other school outside of Houston. I am a living example! With the low GPA and NET scores, so far, I got admitted to one school and waitlisted at three others outside of Houston for Fall 2008 BSN regular program. You can read more right here: https://allnurses.com/forums/f175/texas-bsn-fall-2008-a-287629.html

Oh i am interested in twu or prairie view.

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I don't know about students with previous degrees (I, myself, are not in this category), but they take all of your grades into consideration. I actually read some posts about Prairie View and how relatively easier it is to get admitted.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Not to be a bummer but, it will be pretty difficult. I am in the same boat. Prior degree with a 3.0ish GPA, 3.5ish Nursing prereq and excellent HESI and NET and I haven't been accepted (to one school that I know of so far). I even have prior healthcare experience. It has been tough and I will probably end up in an Associates program. Either way I will be a nurse. Schools are tough to get into, personally I feel it's verging on the point of being ridiculous.

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I agree with the others above. It will be difficult, but not impossible. You will however need A's in your remaining prereqs. I was in the same situation. I had around a 3.3 in my previous degree and a 3.6 in my completed prereqs (I was still missing Micro at the time of the app.) 3.3 is not a good overall GPA when you are applying to nursing school! However, you do have your biology degree on your side. Admissions counselors are not stupid-they know that a person with a 2.9 in an extremely difficult degree is no less intelligent than a person who got a 4.0 by taking all of their prereqs at a community college. The hump you will have to get over is getting an interview. I really feel that my interview is what did it for me. Definitely focus on your prereq GPA-you won't be able to change your overall GPA that much. (Most places don't focus on overall GPA anyway). As long as your overall is above 3.0 you may be ok. (3.0 might be required for admission, I don't remember). Your present status may be ok at Prairie View, but you will need to work to get an interview with TWU-they are SUPER competitive. Not to be a downer, but I definitely don't think your GPA will get you into an accelerated program, so I would shoot for a generic BSN.

So, if you are serious about TWU or another competitive school, here is my advice:

1-complete your prereqs with A's BEFORE you apply. You will need the GPA boost on the transcripts that you send in. Retake what you must-prereq and science GPA are the most important aspects of your application.

2-refresh your math/grammar for the NET. I know this is required for TWU. A great score will help you get an interview.

3-Ace the interview. You can stress your experience and ability to persevere through VERY difficult classes in your undergrad.

Sorry for the book-I can just really relate to your situation. Also, you may want to look at UTHSC-Houston. They are really competitive as well, but I did it so I am sure you can if you work at it. I'm going there this fall and their generic BSN is 4 semesters, no break. So, you get out in 16 months. Many accelerated programs are this same length.

Good luck if you decide to apply!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Good luck to all of you!

It is very hard to get into nursing school in Texas - and soon to get worse because of some underlying issues:

1. Shortage of faculty - schools must maintain very strictly defined ratios of faculty:student. If there are not enough faculty, the class size cannot be increased. The situation is getting worse - average age of faculty is increasing dramatically, about 1/3 are expected to retire within 5 years or so. Salaries are too low to attract new masters- or doctorally-prepared nurses.

2. Lack of funding - Nursing schools have historically been underfunded in comparison to other similar types of educational programs. Periodically, in response to a crisis, the state & feds throw a little money our way. These events are sporadic and inconsistent.

So - here we are, with a worsening shortage and the supply "pipeline" is still too small to provide all the nurses we need... so hiring organizations must exercise increasingly creative (expensive) recruiting methods to provide adequate staffing.

And so it goes . . .

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Good luck to all of you!

It is very hard to get into nursing school in Texas - and soon to get worse because of some underlying issues:

1. Shortage of faculty - schools must maintain very strictly defined ratios of faculty:student. If there are not enough faculty, the class size cannot be increased. The situation is getting worse - average age of faculty is increasing dramatically, about 1/3 are expected to retire within 5 years or so. Salaries are too low to attract new masters- or doctorally-prepared nurses.

2. Lack of funding - Nursing schools have historically been underfunded in comparison to other similar types of educational programs. Periodically, in response to a crisis, the state & feds throw a little money our way. These events are sporadic and inconsistent.

So - here we are, with a worsening shortage and the supply "pipeline" is still too small to provide all the nurses we need... so hiring organizations must exercise increasingly creative (expensive) recruiting methods to provide adequate staffing.

And so it goes . . .

I think the majority of us already have minds made up of attending nursing school just to work in a heath care facility rather than teaching.

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There are no interviews with T.W.U. The TWU College of Nursing only considers GPA and your HESI test scores. You must now also be done with all of your prereq prior to applications ( new rule).

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