Should I apply now or wait?

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Specializes in CVICU.

I am planning to apply for Texas Wesleyan this year but don't know if I should wait to improve my stats. I lacked focus during first few years of college.

Stats:

Overall GPA: 3.4

BSN GPA: 3.38

Science GPA: a little bit above 3.0 (chem 1, physics 1, pathophysiology, biology, a&p and precalc: B. Business calculus and statistics: A)

First pharm class, I got a c+. Retook that for b.

I've withdrawn from a lot of classes prior to nursing school: precalculus (retook and got B), chem II, micro econ honors, a lot of psychology classes, a ballet class. I also changed majors several time and took random classes that seemed interesting at the time but, in hind sight, makes me appear unfocused as a student (ex: epidemics in world history, yoga, fitness and health, jiu jitsu, greek mythology, a lot of psychology classes, extra sociology classes...).

I also have several C's: pediatric nursing (my C was an 82), macro econ honors, men and masculinities (upper sociology course) and first pharmacology class.

GRE: 303 (math 148, verbal 155) with 4.5 writing

Experience: Cardiothoracic ICU (will have 1 year before Feb.1, 2015, which is what they require)

Others: I have no school debt or obligation (scholarship covered 85-91% of tuition and fees each semester and I also had two nurse tech jobs to pay off the rest. No kids and not married). Can move anywhere.

I have my bls, acls and pals. I am studying for ccrn right now. Should have it in January. My question. Should I wait to apply and focus on improving my messy transcript for apply now? I meet all of the minimum requirement but, looking at my transcript, I do not appear to be very competitive due to all the w/d classes and all the random classes I took. I am a lot more focused and less random now, partly due to nursing school and being a nurse. Should I wait?

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Specializes in ICU.

Nobody is going to care that you took "random classes". This is not a factor in any way.

You look pretty good. Your short length of ICU experience is probably your biggest weakness. At this point I don't know if it is worth it really to bother with more classes.

When you say apply now do you mean literally now or within the next few months? I would apply soon if I were you.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Thanks for replying. I am just nervous I will not be able to "beat out the competition" per say. I mean now and the next few months, lol. I am finishing up the application right now. Will apply to more schools in the spring, one of which includes my dream school. We will see...

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Sorry. You look average.

Your GPA is 'satisfactory' with a lot of questionable occurrences. This is not to say people have gotten in with lower grades, but a 3.4 alone will not make you stand out.

The GRE in also average. The lowest GRE cut off I've seen was a 298. Not every school needs the GRE, and others may have different cut off scores. The writing of 4.5 is nice and may gain you brownie points in a DNP interview due to the extra amount of writing that is needed.

If your CTICU was like mine you run ECMO, CRRT, VADs, transplants, aneurysms, etc... 1 year may be the minimum, but you are far from being an experienced, or proficient, provider. You're still very new in that setting. Again, meeting the minimum will not gain a seat into the program because 5 other people competing for that spot will have more experience. 100 apply to a program. 50 meet the minimum. The other 50 exceed the minimum and get interviews. 25 get accepted. (just some perspective).

I do like that you are cognizant of all of these things. I wouldn't discourage you from applying, it might give you a good idea of what you need to improve on by talking with the admission committees. If you get an interview and get in... Awesome! If not, I wouldn't be surprised. Just work hard, improve and have another go it. You're on the right track.

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To be 100% honest with you on paper you are not competitive. Your overall GPA is at best average, your BSN and science gpa's are below average for CRNA candidates (from what I have seen). Your best bet is to wait and take some graduate classes maybe a biochem or orgo II? With only 1 year of experience in ICU and a below average gpa you are going to have a tough time just getting an interview.

If you get an interview great job! I don't mean to be harsh but CRNA is a difficult program and I believe it's best if others are honest with you so you can put your best foot forward when you're truly ready to apply.

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Don't listen to the naysayers. Your stats are much better than mine were and I got an interview. A friend of mine also got an interview last year with worst stats. The interview is brutal and having your CCRN will prepare you for the interview, which is basically an oral CCRN exam. You'll 100% get an interview but you have to know your stuff because your experience is lacking.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I applied and got in btw. Thanks lady_stic!

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Specializes in ED, ICU.

Do you mind sharing where you will be attending Crna school? I have the same gpa and have had similar thoughts on applying. You've encouraged me! ☺️

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Specializes in ED, ICU.

Oops! I see you were applying to Texas Wesleyan. Congrats!

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Of course you did! It's weird because I was reading this thread and getting annoyed by the people that were saying how "average" you are, not realizing that I already commented. I was ready to comment again. Haha. I'm proud of you my fellow SRNA! You'll do great!

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Specializes in CVICU, Transplant ICU, CCRN.
Of course you did! It's weird because I was reading this thread and getting annoyed by the people that were saying how "average" you are, not realizing that I already commented. I was ready to comment again. Haha. I'm proud of you my fellow SRNA! You'll do great!

Which is why I rarely ask for advice here. There are too many negative people who are ready to call people average and what not. I am glad she posted that she got in too. Negative people seems to love to give advice on here.

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Specializes in CVICU, Transplant ICU, CCRN.

I have a friend who will be going to your program. He said the interview was brutal. Thank you for the update because if we listen to the negative people on this site, one would never apply. Lol! Good for you and best wishes.

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