Recalculated undergraduate GPA (long post)

[1savvydiva]

Okay, during my first couple of undergraduate semesters (as a psych major about 5 years ago), I did horrible, and I was actually placed on academic suspension from the university. Although I am eligible to return to that school, I choose to pursue my ADN in nursing. I want to go ahead and finish this degree because since technically I started work on this degree while I was under suspension from the other university, none of these credits will transfer. I was speaking to an admissions counselor at the university, and he was telling me about the option to return to the university after 4 years, and getting my GPA recalculated. The following is from their academic bulletin:

Academic Forgiveness for Former USC Students with Less Than a 2.00 Cumulative GPA

Under certain conditions undergraduate students may apply for academic forgiveness. Academic forgiveness allows for a recalculation of the GPA to permit a student to graduate or pursue a specific academic program. In order to apply for academic forgiveness all of the following conditions must be met:

1. The student has not been enrolled at any campus of the University of South Carolina for at least 48 months.

2. The student must have been readmitted to a degree program at the University of South Carolina and must have completed at least 24 hours of approved graded course work prior to applying for academic forgiveness.

3. After readmission the student must have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and met the progression requirements of the degree program.

4. The student must never before have been granted academic forgiveness.

A student who has met these conditions and desires academic forgiveness must submit a written request for academic forgiveness to the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled. After verification of the student's eligibility, the dean shall inform the registrar that academic forgiveness has been granted to the student.

Once academic forgiveness has been granted, the following apply to the student's academic record:

1. All curriculum requirements will be in accordance with those in force at the time of or subsequent to the student's readmission.

2. The student may not receive Academic Honors upon graduation.

3. The student's grade point average is recalculated beginning with the semester in which the student was readmitted to the University. All academic hours attempted at USC will be calculated toward the GPA. The student's GPA will be recalculated using the GPA after readmission and a 2.00 on all grade hours taken prior to readmission.

4. Courses in which the student received a passing grade prior to readmission may, at the discretion of the dean, be applied toward the degree.

5. The following statement shall appear on the academic record and transcript of any student granted academic forgiveness: "This student was granted academic forgiveness under the University of South Carolina Academic Forgiveness Program. The GPA has been recalculated under the criteria of this program to allow for eligibility for graduation."

6. The permanent academic record will remain an unmodified record of all work attempted at the University of South Carolina.

My plan is to possibly return to the university as a Biology major, and take advantage of the academic forgiveness policy. My question is whether or not you think the admissions committees will like disfavorably upon my transcript, although I'm currently holding a 3.75 GPA. What do you think?

[trakstar]

Why would they be interested in your GPA 5 years ago. Most if not all schools will not even count course taken 5+ years ago. Most schools only count your last 60 credits when calculating your cumlative GPA. However if core science classes are usually calculated seprately as a science GPA. You should contact the schools your are interested in, specifically the admissions office. My guess is that most CRNA programs would be interested in you current acedemic trend and would rather you start accumulating critical care experience than worrying about a GPA from 5+ years ago in order to faciltate entry into a program. Also a great GRE score has the ability to erase bad undergrad memories. Study because the time committment for a great GRE is much less than recouping a lost GPA. Good Luck!!!

[1savvydiva]

Thank you very much trakstar.

Honestly, I thought that they would look at your cumulative GPA, and in that case, if I don't return and take advantage of the academic forgiveness opportunity, it would be fairly low. Even if I continue my current trend each semester (3.75-4.00), I would still finish with an undergraduate GPA of barely 3.0 based on my past performance. I didn't know that they look more at the grades and not the GPA. Thanks again!!! You have made me breathe a little easier. :)