4.0 Student...Didn't get in

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm pretty sad. I have worked my butt off. I have two young boys, I work as a CNA and I have a 4.0 GPA. I did well on my entrance exam. The program I applied to is competitive but not extremely competitive. I felt like the interview went ok except for with one of the interviewers. I have a soft voice, blond hair and big (natural) boobs. They didn't have my GPA or test scores during the interview and I felt like she just thought I was a bit of a bimbo. Ug... I have been working towards a minor in business and because of that I could get a degree in business administration a semester sooner at this point, that's IF I were able to get in to the BSN program next semester. This is the only affordable BSN program in my area. I just kind of feel bla at this point. I'm just venting to some people who understand the stress and the ones that understand the disappointment.

I'm not trying to use a scapegoat. I think, for all professional endeavors in my life, I will have to learn to come off as more confident and assertive. It's not just my looks, it's how I come off.

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I'm not trying to use a scapegoat. I think, for all professional endeavors in my life, I will have to learn to come off as more confident and assertive. It's not just my looks, it's how I come off.

Got it. Good luck.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, CEN, TCRN.
I'm not trying to use a scapegoat. I think, for all professional endeavors in my life, I will have to learn to come off as more confident and assertive. It's not just my looks, it's how I come off.

Incorporate your professional endeavors into your interview responses. If they ask, "why do you want to be a nurse?" An answer like, "I want to achieve a BSN because they are leaders in the nursing field; I have x years of professional experience in business endeavors which has molded a sense of accountability that would make me a valuable member of a care team." versus something like, "Well, I've always wanted to be a nurse since I was a kid and played nurse in my backyard," is going to sound better to an admissions board.

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I definitely know what it's like to be disappointed. My first round of applications were to all BSN programs and not one school let me in. I had around a 3.25 GPA and ~92 HESI & ~84 TEAS scores but for you to have a 4.0 I couldn't imagine your disappointment. Could you ask the school to tell you why they didn't let you in so you can prepare better next time? Look for schools that don't interview! It may not be your first choice school but if this is what you want then look for another way to get where you want to be. I'm in California and luckily there are many programs in the state and now I'm in an ADN program and plan to complete an RN-BSN program afterward. That was not the ideal situation for me but it's what had to be done since no BSN program accepted me.

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I think it's a great idea to work on your interview skills! Good luck with the next round.

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Specializes in ICU.

How do you come off? Just wondering.

As a 36DDD and a natural blonde, I've never had an issue.

Usually, it works in my favor.

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I spoke with another student, who is in the program, and she is under the impression that the interview is the deciding factor. So basically grades and work experience get you to the interview and then they base the decision from the interview alone. I know a lot of you think looks don't matter, but I have been stereotyped more than once. I'm not exceptionally pretty or anything, I just have this way about me. People either assume I am very innocent and naive or kinda ditzy. Interviewers do let their impressions have a base on their decisions. That is why more and more companies are depending on computer programs to narrow down candidates, so those impressions don't have as much pull. The program I applied to had an average GPA of 3.6 in it's pool of accepted applicants last semester. Either way, when I apply again next semester my hair will be dyed dark and I will of worked on a more assertive interview voice. That's if I don't decide to go for Business Administration.

While I agree that you should work on your interview skills, I think it is rather extreme to dye your natural hair color solely for any interview. (If by chance, blonde isn't your natural hair color, it is a natural hair color.) Many blondes getting into academic programs and land jobs all the time.

Wearing your blonde hair in a professional style will be fine. I have been stereotyped and discriminated against more than I would ever wish on another person but I would never change something as natural as the genetic color of the hair growing out of my head to land anything. It's not worth it in the end. It will hurt your self-confidence more in the end then not getting the spot in the first place. Then you will be questioning if you only got the spot because you have dark hair now. Been there, done that. Keep pandora's box of self-doubt closed.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
I'm not trying to use a scapegoat. I think, for all professional endeavors in my life, I will have to learn to come off as more confident and assertive. It's not just my looks, it's how I come off.

I believe you. Being blonde and beautiful is an asset sometimes but mostly it is a liability. You know better than any of us what went wrong. It sounds like you didn't come off strong in the interview. The blonde hair and big boobs didn't help in this case. You also might have been acting according to expectations.

Stereotypes run deep in people. It takes a lot of work to overcome them. Help yourself however you can. If it helps you to dye your hair, do it.

I am disappointed for you. My school didn't have an interview. Interviews aren't scientific. Ideally, they should only be used to test the objective info. Is the resume real? Did this person cheat her way through A&P?

Interviews fail when you fail to show yourself. This is likely when you are already self conscious. Practice interviewing by going to interviews. Build your confidence.

If it is any consolation, I think this school is lousy for turning away a 4.0 student. There is something wrong with the way it operates and you would likely have more trouble with them down the road.

Apply elsewhere.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

So you asked a student that is in the program & they gave you their opinion. Have you spoke with the actual nursing department about it? I am another short, busty girl & I got into a nursing program. Not only that I have held many a job. So I highly doubt it was your looks.

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