Sending transcripts from 10 years ago??

AprilAnney · Aug 22, 2011

Hey! I did the same thing! Well, I goofed off in college for 2.5 years- then took a 7 year break from college. I'm now back in a community college with much more focus and determination. I feel I have done well enough in the last 3 semesters and combined with my TEAS score, I think I can get in to a great BSN nursing program (I'm aiming for University of Maryland, Baltimore). I'm worried, however, how my GPA from University of Delaware when I was goofing off and not focusing on classes will affect my eligibility.

I say include your transcripts. If anything, it should help your chances. People reviewing your information will see that you did goof off, but you've managed to refocus on academics and are capable when you're focused. And you don't want them to find out that you didn't provide all of your information later down the road…. that could result in a dismissal from a program that you've put a lot of effort in to.

Saysfaa · Aug 22, 2011

It would be a very rare exception if there is a school out there that does not require transcripts from every college you have ever attended.

I haven't heard of a systematic way of them finding out but I think it is a matter of time as electronic records in all areas of our lives continue to become more universal. I didn't put that well but I think y'all will know what I mean.

There is also the issue of personal integrity. It matters more in nursing than in many other fields.

On the upside, many schools will take into consideration the "that was back when I was young and stupid, this is now" differences in your grades.

Sanuk · Aug 22, 2011

Kind of similarly, I had mediocre grades during my initial college days while earning my BS in Biochem, then several years later earned very good grades in my Associate degree nursing program. When I applied to graduate school, I sent them both transcripts, but communicated that though my GPA was not stellar in the beginning, it showed a positive movement over time and reminded them that I had completed two degrees while working full-time.

I guess it worked, because I got accepted even though my GPA was probably below average for the candidate pool. It helped that my GRE score was very high, so if there is an NET or equivalent, try to do well on that!

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2011

You've got to let them know about ALL your transcripts. It's all available through the internet. I goofed off in college after high school, also. When I went back years later to a CC they only counted the classes I needed from earlier. No "D" or "F" was transferred. Ended up graduating w/ a 3.7 GPA. Fast forward 15 years. Applied to BSN program and they counted every class I ever took. Ended up w/ a 3.0 GPA. :eek:

Good news, I was accepted w/ LPN and > 5 years experience. Good luck!

AprilAnney · Aug 22, 2011

You've got to let them know about ALL your transcripts. It's all available through the internet. I goofed off in college after high school, also. When I went back years later to a CC they only counted the classes I needed from earlier. No "D" or "F" was transferred. Ended up graduating w/ a 3.7 GPA. Fast forward 15 years. Applied to BSN program and they counted every class I ever took. Ended up w/ a 3.0 GPA.
Good news, I was accepted w/ LPN and > 5 years experience. Good luck!

Oh, don't tell me they took all of your grades! EEEEK!!!! I've been told the school I'm applying to only calculates the pre-req classes- but that's an "off the record" statement, it's not official. I'm hoping my grades over the last 3 semesters will outshine the less-than-stellar grades I have from 10+ years ago.

Streamline2010 · Aug 22, 2011

Most RN programs I applied to only used the specific prerequisite classes to determine GPA of applicants. You could have Fs or As in other classes but they were not used to numerically rank applicants. And I'll add that the requirements and the point ranking systems varied widely from school to school. You can shop[ around and find a set of requirements that plays up the good part of your GPA.

Also, some schools have time limits on old credits, so if you took those classes over 3 years or 7 years or whatever ago, they "expired" and would not count towards your RN, anyway.

If you received financial aid or if those credits appear anyplace on a later transcript, then you would need to submit the transcript from the original college. But if you paid cash there and you never transferred credits to another degree program or never got financial aid, you might be able to just omit it and the new school might not know it exists.

mkm81 · Aug 23, 2011

Thank you all for your input! I have already sent out 2 applications and did not include my transcripts from my early college days. But as some of you put it, it just might help me when they see I went from being a below average student to an above average student. I would also hate to be disqualified because of that! None of my pre-req classes are on there anyway.

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2011

Oh, don't tell me they took all of your grades! EEEEK!!!! I've been told the school I'm applying to only calculates the pre-req classes- but that's an "off the record" statement, it's not official. I'm hoping my grades over the last 3 semesters will outshine the less-than-stellar grades I have from 10+ years ago.

Every school is different. Good luck!

Saysfaa · Aug 23, 2011

That is fraud.

AprilAnney · Aug 24, 2011

that is fraud.

whomp, whomp, whoooooooooomp

BeachsideNic · Aug 25, 2011

Bad idea... It's dishonest, and if they discover that you lied, then you will be disqualified even if you have already started the program. Nursing is about integrity, and if you are going to start out without any, then you should probably look into another field...maybe Car Sales.