UCLA undergrad- Want to go CRNA route-please help

[bmxbobby2004]

Hi everyone,

So i am a freshman undergrad at ucla. I am a mircobiology major as of right now. I am on the pre-med track so i will have finished a year of calculus, chemistry (both inorganic and organic) and started a quarter of physics by then end of this year. I also have taken a couple of writing courses.

I have been looking into becoming a CRNA and it is really appealing to me but my gpa is no a 3.7 like i have been seeing everywhere. As of right now my average gpa is a 3.1

I was wondering what i should be doing to get myself into a CRNA program? Also, do CRNA programs take into consideration what school i went to undergrad for? I was thinking about doing an accelerated BSN program after graduation if i am not able to switch into the nursing major.

Thanks for the help.

[Class2011]

Things change. Who knows what it will be like when you graduate? But in the northeast it is now harder to get accepted to an accelerated BS to RN program. I know people with BS degree's in associates degree RN programs because they couldn't get accepted to an accelerated BS to RN programs. Obviously, the best would be to get accepted at UCLA.

In general, I don't think programs care where you got your nursing degree. They might be a little more forgiving of a poor GPA from a prestigious school. And would probably look askance at a low GPA from an online program. But you could erase doubts with a high GRE score.

I think all programs look hard at the whole package and not just the GPA when they interview. What the GPA, GRE and other stats do is make it easier to get your foot in the door. If you don't have that, you need to round out your application with bona fide extracurricular activities like the trombone, Haiti relief, or the student senate. Let your imagination and interests guide you.

Start now, but some of this should be done as a nurse like chairing a committee or becoming an ACLS instructor.

If you scan these boards, you'll see that plenty of people get accepted with GPA's in the low 3 range. But you can also improve your GPA by improving your final 60 credits. Schools tend to look at just the final 60 credits because many students take a few semesters to find their groove.

And throughout life, you will be judged by what you've done recently, not 2, 5, or 10 years ago (unless you did something heinous 90 years ago).

Good luck

[bmxbobby2004]

thanks for the reply... So for at ucla i have been getting involved. I am currently doing research in a molecular oncology lab and i am carrying out my own independent research project dealing with Hodgkin lymphoma.

I also have been volunteering at ucla's hopsital and have about 200 hours of volunteering in different setting of the hosptial (ie. NICU, PICU, Ortho, Oncology, etc)

Also i am part of a fraternity and i am wrestling on the club wrestling team here at ucla.

I was wondering if this would be right steps toward becoming a CRNA?

Thanks again for the help, i really appreciate it.

[Class2011]

Absolutely. If those are the things you enjoy, they are all positives. And for now, just keep in touch with the nursing program at UCLA to make sure you're maximizing your chances there.

[Class2011]

PS. Don't ignore your grades or short them with too many extracurriculars. Having good grades is the surest way to get invited for an interview.