Rejected from schools - Please HELP!

[ann35211]

Hello,

I want to complete a MSN-entry level RN for non nursing students. I have applied to 5 schools and have been rejected from 4 thus far. Only one interview has been granted out of 5 schools. I am a graduate from a Nutrition program from 10 years ago with a 3.2 GPA. I have retaken all of the science courses (AP I, APII, Micro, Statistics, Dev Psych) and received no lower than a B, current GPA for those prereqs is 3.7. (Some of these courses were previously taken in undergrad with C grades, but mostly A or B.) I work in nutrition and have been volunteering at a free medical clinic.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can change/add to have a better application? Because I am feeling superiorly dejected right now.

[Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP]

These entry-level programs are tough. There are people w/ 3.8 GPAs and healthcare experience who get rejected all the time. Don't feel bad. It's just there are sometimes too many qualified people and not enough spaces. Other times, you just don't know what they are looking for exactly as many of these programs take a "holistic" approach to accepting students. Who knows what strikes their fancy when they're reviewing applications. Another factor, which you have no control over is, who else is applying when you are? Perhaps during one cycle everybody has a 4.0 GPA where if you apply for the next year everybody has a 3.3 GPA.

Some things you may want to look at may be your statements (personal, goal statements, etc.) you have to write for these programs. Have somebody knowledgable, such as an English professor, look at them and correct them for you. You seem to have healthcare experience with your job and volunteering so that is not the issue. The main other factors are either grades or written statements.

Good luck!

[ann35211]

On 11/7/2019 at 5:40 PM, Mergirlc said:

These entry-level programs are tough. There are people w/ 3.8 GPAs and healthcare experience who get rejected all the time. Don't feel bad. It's just there are sometimes too many qualified people and not enough spaces. Other times, you just don't know what they are looking for exactly as many of these programs take a "holistic" approach to accepting students. Who knows what strikes their fancy when they're reviewing applications. Another factor, which you have no control over is, who else is applying when you are? Perhaps during one cycle everybody has a 4.0 GPA where if you apply for the next year everybody has a 3.3 GPA.

Some things you may want to look at may be your statements (personal, goal statements, etc.) you have to write for these programs. Have somebody knowledgable, such as an English professor, look at them and correct them for you. You seem to have healthcare experience with your job and volunteering so that is not the issue. The main other factors are either grades or written statements.

Good luck!

Thank you for responding! I am thinking to change my approach as well.

[Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP]

47 minutes ago, ann35211 said:

Thank you for responding! I am thinking to change my approach as well.

Yeah honestly, sometimes it's just the way the ball rolls. Hang in there.

One thing I have noticed is it seems that at times the private colleges ($$$) are the ones where people with a bit lower GPAs end up versus the public schools. The main reason is the $$$ factor. We have to be realistic and know that if you have high grades and all the medical background/volunteer experience going for you, you have great chances in getting into your state public universities, which are usually lower cost than the private ones. Not to say that private universities just accept anybody off the street as there certainly are very prestigious ones which are tough getting into as well. Because private universities cost a lot more, certainly if you have a choice you go w/ the cheaper option. That leaves the ones that cost a lot more w/ a bit more spaces available.

I'm, by no means, advocating going into debt, but depending on your situation you may have to bite the bullet if nothing comes your way. Just be prepared for this as a backup plan.

One thing I've learned from being on this site is it may work out better in the long run to move out of state and go to less populated states. You'll just have to do some research to find programs that fit what you're looking for.

Good luck!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I would strongly encourage you to consider ADN, BSN traditional and ABSN programs as well. It seems you have all of your eggs in the most expensive and most competitive basket.

All four of these options take the same NCLEX and lead to the same entry-level new grad jobs.

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

@meanmaryjean

I agree with this.

It may cost more to get your RN. Also with an MSN and no nursing experience, how likely are you to use that MSN for anything useful. The cheaper option is to get your ADN and be eligible to take your NCLEX-RN. This way you decide if you really want to invest that much into nursing.

[ann35211]

On 11/10/2019 at 4:47 PM, meanmaryjean said:

I would strongly encourage you to consider ADN, BSN traditional and ABSN programs as well. It seems you have all of your eggs in the most expensive and most competitive basket.

All four of these options take the same NCLEX and lead to the same entry-level new grad jobs.

So, I should also say that I have no available undergraduate funding. I would need to pay out of pocket for any ADN/ABSN/BSN programs. This is why I have been focusing on the MSN-entry level route. Thank you for your insight. I will continue this quest!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

2 hours ago, ann35211 said:

So, I should also say that I have no available undergraduate funding. I would need to pay out of pocket for any ADN/ABSN/BSN programs. This is why I have been focusing on the MSN-entry level route. Thank you for your insight. I will continue this quest!

I am not attempting to be snarky- promise.

It sounds like you need to work and save for a couple years. Community college degrees can almost be cash-flow they are so inexpensive.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

It is also worth noting that many to most direct entry MSN graduates have trouble finding work. Their degree overqualifies them for floor nurse positions and their lack of experience eliminates them from consideration for MSN level jobs.

[ann35211]

On 11/13/2019 at 10:55 AM, Nurse SMS said:

It is also worth noting that many to most direct entry MSN graduates have trouble finding work. Their degree overqualifies them for floor nurse positions and their lack of experience eliminates them from consideration for MSN level jobs.

Well, that is some insight that I've never seen before. I'll look more into that.

On 11/12/2019 at 11:14 AM, meanmaryjean said:

I am not attempting to be snarky- promise.

It sounds like you need to work and save for a couple years. Community college degrees can almost be cash-flow they are so inexpensive.

Thank you for the advice. It is something that I thought about doing before. Just taking my 401k and paying out of pocket. I just don't know how I would pay for housing and such.

Saving is extremely difficult right now. It is one of the reasons why I want to return to school.

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

I'm not sure what type of schools you are applying to. CC is very cheap in many states, so you could just pay cash. If you are low-income, you may not need to pay anything at all.

As others have suggested, have someone look at your essays and resume - they may need some reworking. Emphasize work and volunteer experience - go get some if you need to.

In addition, what kind of recommendations are your getting? Maybe talk to your references and see if they will give you a copy of what they wrote.

A 3.7 GPA on prereqs is good.

As for private schools, the good ones have excellent financial aid, so don't be scared off by the "list" price, which hardly anyone pays. There are lots of scholarships out there, so go research them.

Good luck