2.65 Pre-requisite GPA... Should I retake classes?

[ZeroHour]

If I get A's on my last two classes for pre-req (Physio Lab and Microbiology Lecture), my pre-requisite GPA would be an estimate of 2.65. I feel horrible because I need at least a minimum of 3.0 to be part of the nursing program at my school. They are accepting applications in October-November, and my GPA just isn't high enough . I really want to be a nurse, but my future looks dim with low my gpa. Should I retake a few classes to bump it up? However, retaking classes lowers my overall competitiveness.... so I don't even know what to do. I already retook one pre-req classes... but if I retake another two, it would bump my gpa to 3.0 (if I get A's on them). I'm doing volunteer work at a hospital in my area and I have a total of 75+ hours down, and slowly adding or to it... but still, I'm really concerned about my GPA...

What do you think I should do?... Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[bhanson]

I think it's worth exploring the question of why your GPA is so low. A 2.65 invariably means you have gotten a reasonable amount of C's in your coursework. What classes did you get these C's in? Do you have any apparent weaknesses you can work on? Did you put an adequate amount of study time into these courses (eg. is a C your very best effort)?

Retaking may lower your competitiveness, but if a 2.65 never gets an acceptance then it is your only alternative if you really want to be a nurse.

[mariposabella]

You might as well retake two classes. Some nursing programs allow people with not so great GPAs in their program, but on academic probation. Does your school do that? Also are you positive you can get into your schools program with a 3.0?

[ZeroHour]

I'm the first in my family to go to college so I'm always nervous when it comes to my academics. My highschool GPA was a 3.65 and now it's just sad . I admit, I kind of messed up on my second semester of college--I took semesters with sixteen units and just overwhelmed myself, and I swore to never do that again. I now know better. I got C's on the following classes: statistics, human anatomy, chemistry lecture, nutrition and general psychology. Everything else are B+, B's and one B-. I'm thinking of retaking nutrition and psychology... but with the budget cuts, I don't even think I can register for those classes this semester because of other coursework I need to do... so I'm really depressed. I know I could do better, but I blame myself for taking too many classes in one setting....

And also, I'm not even sure if I can get in with a 3.0, since my school only accepts 80 students out of 2,400 applicants -_-. But hey, a 3.0 is better than a 2.65... and there are other schools out there. Right now I'm a sophmore (becoming a Junior wheN i head back to school).

What can i do?

[escapebigd]

I would say retake the classes, and also look at those other schools in your area.

[tkm2005]

If it was me, and they only accepted 80 students out of 2,400... I would do everything I could to raise my GPA! This semester I had a 3.52 and was only accepted as an alternate at first, I later received my official acceptance but I most definitely wouldn't count on a 3.0 getting in with so many applicants. Your school may be different than ours though! I'm not trying to be mean or rude I'm just giving you some sort of perspective from where I was at a few weeks ago!! If this is something you really want, then you can do it!! :) Good luck!!!!

[happy2learn]

I would retake anatomy and nutrition. You will benefit more from retaking and learning anatomy more than you will benefit from retaking psych.

Do you work as well?

I wouldn't say the ONLY reason was because you took too many classes. I am taking 17 credits right now and I have straight A's this quarter. I had a 3.2 GPA in high school. I don't work though.

There are more than likely other reasons behind why you did not do as well that particular quarter. Maybe those classes were just not your strong area, in that case, I would suggest you retake 2 of those classes.