Really bad GPA please help!

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 21, 2005

The way I understand it, all prior coursework is reportable to colleges/universities, to include grades. To hide this would constitute fraud and potentially put your scholarships and very degree award in jeopardy.Do not be tempted to hide or lie about prior grades and coursework at other universities. It's not worth it.

I have encouragement for you however: I would NOT let that GPA stop you. It's far better than the one I had to start. I was an original college drop-out who entered pre-nursing with a GPA of 1.9-------------yes you read that right. It was humiliating. But most universities and colleges understand this happens and are willing to overlook it and give you a 2nd chance as an adult learner.

With consistently good grades (all A's), I was able to recover my GPA to a respectable over all 3.35 after time and more coursework. ( I carried a 4.0 in all coursework at the 2nd school and was able to join the national honor society after that, that helps). Getting good grades in classes that carry many hours (such as Labs) sure helps that overall GPA.

Do not be discouraged. YOu can do it! I did.

chico · Apr 21, 2005

Thank you so much! I eventually want to get a Masters in Nursing, and I just thought that the previous undergrad work would hurt my chances of admission. I will be applying to University of Maryland at Baltimore next spring, and they calculate your GPA on the prereqs so hopefully I can still report both and get accepted. Thanks again.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 21, 2005

I did college right out of high school, quit going to classes but didn't drop them, so my GPA was pretty low (it was a long time ago and I don't remember exactly what it was, but the honor societies weren't exactly knocking on my door - lol). So...we fast forward 12 years and I'm in nursing school and did fine. I'm finishing an MSN now (another 12 years have gone by and I'm getting pretty old now - lol). So...you can recover! Have fun!

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Apr 21, 2005

i havethe same problem except mine is highschool...i have add...got depression (which went undiagnosed for a year)...add medicine stopped working...have like a 1.8 mabey a little higher by the end of the year...what should i do

Ex130Load · Apr 21, 2005

My university also requires that all transcripts be submitted. I've been told this year's junior class had an approximate 25% acceptance rate, potentially "a dog eat dog" situation. If GPAs are the primary filter for acceptance, I suspect applicants at or close to the 2.5 minimum were passed over. I know of individuals who have attended four or more colleges, are aware of my school's and other's acceptance rates, and have stated they're "going to do what they have to do." Not saying it's right, but I can understand their perspective. With the heavy recruiting I believe that's occuring in my region, "youthful indescretions", lack of academic diligance early on, etc. is now having potentially deleterious effects. I don't necessarily share the view of a university/school being understanding when it only has room for 110 or so out of 400+ applicants.

Good luck.

labman · Apr 21, 2005

With my school they calculated your gpa off of certain courses like your anatomy and physiology, also micro and chemistrys. They also looked at your english 101, speech and math. They only look at those courses. I am sure if the school sees that you are back and you are doing well the second time I am sure there will be no problem. Good luck with your futre.

hikernurse · Apr 21, 2005

I took nursing pre-req classes my freshman year many years ago and did terrible (D+ to C range) in them. I talked to the nursing advisor at the university and she said that because they were several years old they wouldn't even count those grades towards the prereqs. (I did have to retake them, however). In fact, her exact words were, "We can count those classes, dear, but I don't think you want us to." She was right :)

I bet your pre-reqs are weighed alot heavier than total GPA. I don't think it would do any harm to talk to your advisor first, though. If nothing else, it shows you are proactive--a very good trait for a nurse.

BTW, my grades are great now--I just was VERY ill-prepared for the classes I took that first year. Ah, if I'd only known then. . .

Melissa

maolin · Apr 21, 2005

University of Texas has an Academic Fresh Start program that will allow you to have a clean slate. This is apparently a stand mandated option, so other public Tx institutions would also have it. Don't know where you are located, but it might be worth checking into.

http://www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/transfer/freshstart.html

Medic14 · Apr 21, 2005

Personally I believe anyone has more to loose when full disclosure is not done.

Integrity First!!, if you want to be a nurse, remember who we serve. The public sees nurses as the most trusted professionals overall.

If a nursing school/university does not want to educated you because you had a bump in you lifetime, then maybe that program is not for you. Focus on your courses now, and the future, what's done can't be undone.

best of luck

Glimmer · Apr 22, 2005

i cant tell you if you should or should not report your previous school... i can say that when i filled out my applications it asked for previous schools, etc and when you signed it you were signing that all information provided was as accurate as it could be, etc. i just wouldnt risk it.

i am one of those students have has taken time off school to figure out what (and how) i want to continue on. my current gpa is a 1.68 (yeah you read it right) but my nursing gpa is a 3.1 because they only go off certain classes... i was eligible to apply to the nursing program this time around and although i did not get accepted it was not because of my gpa but rather because of i did not have enough points yet. i still have 6 classes left to take and if i make as in all of them my nursing gpa will end up as a 3.8 i think and it should help my overall gpa a good bit. i will also continue to take classes at the same school that will transfer for my bsn and help to build my gpa up so that transfer looks better.

good luck!

alnee

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Apr 22, 2005

my school weighed pre-reqs more heavily. they had a points system. you got points for the grades you had in the pre reqs, the number of them you already had completed, you ACT scores, etc...

most colleges and universities for the MSN programs look at your GPA for the past 60 hours.

good luck.