Question about CRNA admissions. High science GPA/average overall GPA.

Nursing Students SRNA

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I am a male student just finishing my first semester of clinicals at UW-Milwaukee, pursuing a BSN with a minor in chemistry. I've switched majors a few times and have finally found a degree that I will be very satisfied with. In the process of wading through my options I've taken three years of chemistry, two years of physics and roughly 30 credits in biology. I have a sick and twisted obsession with chemistry and physics, yet have always yearned to work in a hospital helping/caring/treating people.

My science GPA is roughly around a 3.8 while my overall GPA is roughly a 3.5. I am very worried about getting into a CRNA school because of my mediocre overall GPA. For some reason it is extremely difficult for me to get good grades in my non science classes, but my love of science fuels my ability to do very very well in science courses. Do admittance committees ever take special consideration to students in my situation? I really think that I am one of the few that don't want to do this strictly because of the money. If I don't get into something heavily science based, I don't know what I am going to do. Integrating chemistry and physics into my daily work as a health professional gives me an overwhelming rush of excitement.

I am also considering medical school, but the time spent in school is an obvious turn-off.

I also understand that a good score on my GRE as well as years of experience in the ICU will be a huge benefit. In case you skimmed over it, do admittance committees ever give a special consideration to students in my situation? I've been told that you need a 3.8 or better cumulative just to have a chance to get in... scary.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
I am a male student just finishing my first semester of clinicals at UW-Milwaukee, pursuing a BSN with a minor in chemistry. I've switched majors a few times and have finally found a degree that I will be very satisfied with. In the process of wading through my options I've taken three years of chemistry, two years of physics and roughly 30 credits in biology. I have a sick and twisted obsession with chemistry and physics, yet have always yearned to work in a hospital helping/caring/treating people.

My science GPA is roughly around a 3.8 while my overall GPA is roughly a 3.5. I am very worried about getting into a CRNA school because of my mediocre overall GPA. For some reason it is extremely difficult for me to get good grades in my non science classes, but my love of science fuels my ability to do very very well in science courses. Do admittance committees ever take special consideration to students in my situation? I really think that I am one of the few that don't want to do this strictly because of the money. If I don't get into something heavily science based, I don't know what I am going to do. Integrating chemistry and physics into my daily work as a health professional gives me an overwhelming rush of excitement.

I am also considering medical school, but the time spent in school is an obvious turn-off.

I also understand that a good score on my GRE as well as years of experience in the ICU will be a huge benefit. In case you skimmed over it, do admittance committees ever give a special consideration to students in my situation? I've been told that you need a 3.8 or better cumulative just to have a chance to get in... scary.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Are you seriously worried about a 3.5 GPA? Most schools have 3.0 as their minimum and some even 2.75. The key is going to be your application. I was accepted with a overall 3.62 and I have heard of people on these sites with 3.0 or so. Just keep your GPA where it is and get your experience. Who ever told you that 3.8 was needed to even be considered does not know very much.

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Specializes in STICU; cross-trained in CCU, MICU, CVICU.
I am a male student just finishing my first semester of clinicals at UW-Milwaukee, pursuing a BSN with a minor in chemistry. I've switched majors a few times and have finally found a degree that I will be very satisfied with. In the process of wading through my options I've taken three years of chemistry, two years of physics and roughly 30 credits in biology. I have a sick and twisted obsession with chemistry and physics, yet have always yearned to work in a hospital helping/caring/treating people.

My science GPA is roughly around a 3.8 while my overall GPA is roughly a 3.5. I am very worried about getting into a CRNA school because of my mediocre overall GPA. For some reason it is extremely difficult for me to get good grades in my non science classes, but my love of science fuels my ability to do very very well in science courses. Do admittance committees ever take special consideration to students in my situation? I really think that I am one of the few that don't want to do this strictly because of the money. If I don't get into something heavily science based, I don't know what I am going to do. Integrating chemistry and physics into my daily work as a health professional gives me an overwhelming rush of excitement.

I am also considering medical school, but the time spent in school is an obvious turn-off.

I also understand that a good score on my GRE as well as years of experience in the ICU will be a huge benefit. In case you skimmed over it, do admittance committees ever give a special consideration to students in my situation? I've been told that you need a 3.8 or better cumulative just to have a chance to get in... scary.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

dude...you'll be fine....just get a year or two of ICU experience.... above a 1000 on the GRE, concentrate on Quant section the most....with your chem and physics background, quite honestly you should be a shoe in as long as you don't "f" up your years in the ICU!!! Good Luck

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Don't worry! I got in to 3 schools and an alternate at a 4th with a cumulative 3.5, science 3.8, 2.5 years SICU experience, no CCRN. I interview well though! Be prepared for that!

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Specializes in CV/Thoracic ICU.

Your GPA is not everything! I was told specifically by someone in an interview, "We are not looking for that 4.0 student (although it wouldnt hurt)...we also arent looking for that C-D student either. We are looking for someone who is extremely motivated, has solid grades, has good interpersonal skills, who can multi-task, and knows that they are getting into". They are looking for the TOTAL package, not just grades. So on that note, let me post my statistics:

Overall GPA- 3.40

Science GPA-3.1-3.2

anatomy-A

physiology-B

chemistry- B (currently taking again)

Microbiology-A

Zoology-B (C in the lab)

My grades do not standout. They are very average...but i was also very young and immature during a lot of my undergrad courses (which is EXPECTED). So I made up for it and did better during nursing school. My nursing classes average around a 3.55, but I also participated in student council and played collegiate baseball while attending school. Following graduation, I immediately put myself into the hardest unit I could find...the transplant intensive care unit. I put myself in a situation in which I was going to see all types of organ failure, and have to learn the treatments and types of monitoring for these patients- tons of art lines, central lines, PA caths, balloon pumps, LVADS, ECMO, oscillator's, etc...I also wanted some leadership roles. So I volunteered to do relief team-lead work, and also started working on the sepsis committee at my hospital. I then made sure I got my shadowing work in, so I shadowed a CRNA for 36 hours. As soon as my years worth of experience was up...I took my CCRN and passed. I applied with the same attitude you had, worrying to death that I would never get into school with a 3.4 gpa, and that I better make other plans for the future...but I DID get in after only 1.5 years of experience.

So although your gpa is important, it is NOT everything. Your current gpa is more than enough to get you into school...but its up to you to get the total package they are looking for. Good luck to you!

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Hey guys,

Currently in school for my BSN in UMDNJ, overall GPA not good, actually 3.1, Science GPA 3.7. Do have a Masters in Chemistry. Do you think this could get me into a CRNA program later after the required ICU experience?

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Has anybody out there been in my situation, and got accepted into a CRNA program with overall GPA 3.1, sciences 3.7. Masters degree in Chemistry?

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