Low gpa but want to get into nursing

[Rachaelfc]

Hello!

im in my junior year of college at UCD and I want to change to nursing. I'm worried about my GPA, it's currently a 3.0 which is not very competitive. I want to get into an accelerated program but I don't know my chances. I have As in the prerequisites although I still have a few more however I got a C+ in stats (I failed the first exam and somehow As on everything else couldn't save it..). My GPA should be getting a little boost over the next few quarters but let's say it stays a 3.0. I'm a neuroscience major who is taking prereqs with very difficult upper div science and math courses. Will that help me at all? I've gone far above and beyond the prereqs taking these courses but my GPA suffered. Will they understand that? This quarter for example I'm taking 3 intense upper div science courses. I'm trying to find a school in California. What do you think my chances are? What can I put on my app that might make me a good candidate?

thank you!

[egonz18]

It all depends on what you want to do. If you dont care about where you get your degree from then your GPA may not be important but if you want to do something else that's highly competitive then you may want to get your GPA up first. For example, I just got accepted into Dukes accelerated nursing program. I have a BS in information systems and graduated with a 3.89 GPA. All my pre reqs are A's but Duke doesnt take anything lower than a 3.6 GPA so it doesnt really matter if you get All A's in your pre reqs for some of these programs. You just have to see what you want to do and what schools are easier to get into

[muyekawa]

Hi Rachael! I live about 20 min away from UC Davis. Go aggies! I don't believe they have a neuroscience undergraduate program but I could be wrong. I know there is a master program. So I think your major is neurobiology?

The accelerated programs are pretty competitive in CSU's because they have fewer students they accept and its based on a point system. They will take in account your overall GPA unlike for their regular BSN programs. Many will allow one repeated class but most will count both grades toward your GPA. The students I know accepted had 3.5 GPA's and higher.

I do know that Samuel Merritt accelerated program which is a private college has less strict admission policy and will look at your last 60 credits versus your entire GPA. A caveat about private schools, they will be exponentially more expensive.

My two cents. If you look outside CA you will find that it is much easier to get into other programs and also cheaper than going to a private college in California. Nevada is not very far away from Davis.