Programs in NY for low gpa

RichyK78 · Feb 3, 2017

Any advice at all or comments from anyone? Appreciate any guidance. Thanks.

kdub1985, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2017

Hello RichyK78! The program I am applying for only considers pre-requisites when calculating GPA for entrance. You could always look into other programs around you to see what their requirements are. If it is similar to the program I am applying for then you can always retake classes to improve your GPA. Seven years is a lot of time to do pre-requisites and research nursing programs so time is definitely on your side. I hope this helps and best of luck to you!

RichyK78 · Feb 3, 2017

Thanks KrstnWilson! May I ask what program you are applying for? I have emailed a ton of programs so far and explained this problem and so far most say that is a hardline GPA. Fingers crossed though! When you retake a class is your grade replaced on your transcript or is the average of the two? One problem I see with that is if it was a random class that is or was only available at Suny Albany? Then what?

Another issue is one of my nurse friends suggested that A and P 1 is kind of a make or break class prerequisite wise and would be a good way to figure out quickly if this is something I would be good at or if I could handle the workload class wise. A lot of the programs seem to say science classes within 5 years and no retakes. Wondering if that includes outdated classes? Or would I just have to take it again within time frame? Kind of want to figure out if this is definitely a good track for me asap. If it isn't want to figure out another second career.

kdub1985, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2017

I'm applying for a program in Texas. I believe when you retake a class, it shows both on your transcripts. However, the program would choose which one to use when determining eligibility.

RichyK78 · Feb 3, 2017

Thank you! Good luck with your program.

DoGoodThenGo · Feb 5, 2017

Hi all,
Have been reading up on this forum. I can retire from my NYC civil service job in 7 years. While brainstorming what to do next (I will be 46 when I can retire) I came up with becoming a nurse. I think I have what it takes although quite nervous of the idea of putting an iv on someone since I'm not crazy about needles for myself lol. Figure you get used to it?
I intend on taking anatomy and physiology at NCC in the fall as I know that is a prerequisite for all programs so I can get a feel for if I like it and how I will do.
My real issue or concern is that I just got back my transcript from Suny Albany and my cumulative GPA is a low 2.61 and using a gpa calculator online it seems even if I received a 4.0 in all prerequisite classes I can't move up my GPA too much. Maybe 2.8 or so.
Is there any hope for me? Sad thing is I think I really want to do this but when I was in college 20 years ago I had no idea what I wanted to do and was just focused on my friends and having a good time.
Are there any programs that will accept a low gpa if I ace the prereqs now? Stonybrooks requirement was 2.8 but admissions office said that is just to look at your application but in reality most students had between 3.5-3.7 GPA. :-( any and all advice is appreciated. I still intend on taking A & P to see if this is something for me but I am a little concerned that I may be wasting my money.
Thanks!
Rich

First and foremost you need to decide how soon you'll be applying to nursing programs. Many schools now have a cutoff in terms of classes they will accept especially the sciences. This can be anywhere from three to ten years or so; if your classes were taken outside of said limit they will not transfer/be accepted, and you'll have to retake regardless of grade received.

Admissions to all nursing programs pretty much run along the same lines; applicants are ranked in order of pre-nursing GPA and or an average of that number and results from standardized test (NLN, TEAS, SAT, etc...) from high to low. Some schools add weight to an admission essay and or personal interview, but there you are.

Once the rankings are complete it is simply a matter of going down the list until class is full. It really comes down to the same as things have for decades; number of open slots versus number of qualified applicants. Years ago (late as the 1980's or even early 1990's for some places) when interest in the nursing profession waned to dropping off a cliff people could (and did) get into programs meeting the bare minimum GPA and other requirements. Know personally several nurses who got into CUNY programs in the 1980's with a 2.5 to 2.8 pre-nursing sequence GPA.

Today of course now that everyone and their mother wants to become a nurse there are vastly far more applicants than open slots for incoming classes, as such schools are often spoiled for choice.

If there are only 100 open slots for incoming nursing class, and the applicant pool breaks down to:

75 with GPA 3.5 - 4.0

45 with GPA 3.2 - 3.5

65 with GPA 3.0 - 3.2

50 with GPA

You can see off the bat three quarters of the class will be filled with the highest ranked grade point average students. Rounding out that number will be the remaining quarter with slightly lower averages.

In theory a blending of GPA and standardized test scores (usually 50/50) helps balance those with low marks on one side, but it only goes so far. For years Hunter-Bellevue was turning away students who completed pre-nursing with 4.0 grade point averages because so many others had the same number and thus the incoming class was full.

Regarding your GPA; as you've already found out grade point averages are just that; an average, thus there is only so much that can be done to cancel low marks with higher. You'd probably have to do a year or two worth of full time classes at three credits each with "A" grades to get your GPA at or above 3.0.

Quite honestly today in the New York City and State areas 3.0 is really the floor when it comes to grade point averages. You'll find at most schools a majority if not most students are above to well over that number. To give you an idea several major hospital systems in NYC "prefer" new grad hires with a minimum GPA of 3.4 or 3.5.

All this being said I would look into private nursing programs like NYU, Beth Israel, and so forth. You'll still need that 3.0 GPA but the former takes in huge incoming nursing classes (around 200 or so IIRC), thus chances are better than say at a CUNY school with huge demand and small class sizes. Beth Israel is a smaller and intimate school that does give weight to interviews, essays and recommendation letters. Many "older" or second career persons have gone to PBSON and as such they might be a bit more sympathetic and less cut and dry.

Retaking classes:

Until you know what schools you are going to apply and when I'd hold off on repeating anything. Some programs will *NOT* accept repeated classes (especially for the sciences and perhaps math), and only look at the first grade given. See the Nursing CAS site for more information: Grade Point Averages (GPAs)

Important thing to do is begin researching schools and reach out to programs to see what options are open to you. If you transfer to another college, get your degree at current then start "over" taking courses at another, and so forth every school looks at things differently in terms of what may affect your gpa. For instance often when you transfer from one college to another as an undergraduate only a certain number of credits are moved over. Others can be "dropped" or merely transferred as "no credit" or "pass/fail". This can work to your benefit as you may be able to leave some low grades (or worse failed classes) off your new transcript.

Finally seven years is a *very* long time from now; much can change including your goals/plans. So again I'd not rush into taking any classes such as the sciences until you've sorted things out clearly. I keep stressing those subjects because they are the ones nearly all nursing programs are particular about; a failure or low mark in A&P, Micro or Chem has pushed back, derailed and or even cancelled many a student nurse's dreams.

There are many, many threads regarding grade point averages and entry into programs; here is one: https://allnurses.com/new-york-nursing/getting-into-nyu-393701.html

RichyK78 · Feb 5, 2017

First of all thank you for taking so much time to provide very useful thoughts, advice and insights. I have emailed a bunch of programs so far and so far all have said there is no wiggle room with the gpa. :-( that's kind of why I was posting this to maybe get a list of possible programs that may work with you. I didn't even know Beth Israel had a program. Looked it up quick and they require 3.25 :-( I did like that they have a two year program that you have to complete in four years which means I could potentially do some of the classwork while I work so I know if this is something I can handle before I retire. Is there any other programs with that kind of flexibility? Also I know NYU is big but a fortune, I'm not sure about spending that much for a second education.

Is there anywhere that has a comprehensive list of every program in tri-state? It seems every list I look at has other programs I never heard of.

I would start applying to nursing programs basically when I am able to retire from my current job. That would be in April 2024.

Good advice on waiting on the science pre reqs I see a lot want them within 5 years. I really wanted to take A and P 1 because a nurse friend said that was kind of a make or break class. Kind of wanted to just see if this is a real possibility for me or just a dumb idea. I always liked science and math but doesn't mean I could handle the material obviously and it has been a long time since I have done either.

Would you suggest taking easier non prerequisite classes online or something in the meantime to pump up my gpa at all? I don't know I know it is a long way to go but kind of want to get a feel for if I could handle going back to school or this job. The things I like the idea of is helping people, active job, constant learning, wide variation of different places you can work, pay, flexible schedule, probably something different nearly every day.

Would it be advised to go to information sessions or open houses so they can put a face with a name and maybe one of the directors would advise me of a plan for my situation?

Thank you again for a very helpful response! I understand why they require high gpas but I also think it's a little unfaie for second career students to not have seemingly anyway to prove themselves. I mean I am a completely different person now then 20 years ago and I have read a lot of threads that say life experience can give you an edge in nursing school and can make a big difference in being a nurse.

MurseJJ · Feb 5, 2017

Not sure if it's still the case but when I applied to NCC a few years ago they only looked at the pre-requisite course GPA, not your overall. Perhaps that would be an option for you if you did well in the prereqs.

MurseJJ · Feb 5, 2017

Just looked at NCC's site. It looks like they only consider your grades in courses applicable to the nursing degree (the liberal arts and sciences courses). You also have to take the TEAS standardized test (it's not that bad, just review). That sounds like a good option, especially if you plan on taking prereqs there anyway. Now, if you could get into a BSN program that would be much better, but this is one option you can consider (they also have linkage agreements with BSN programs as well).

Good luck!

RichyK78 · Feb 5, 2017

Thanks! That is good to know! Was looking to do bsn program for sure from what I understand that it the way to go. I wonder who they have linkage agreements with? I assume that means if u do well in the associated program you can get in easier to a bsn program?

RichyK78 · Feb 5, 2017

Thanks! That is good to know! Was looking to do bsn program for sure from what I understand that it the way to go. I wonder who they have linkage agreements with? I assume that means if u do well in the associated program you can get in easier to a bsn program?