UM-actual GPA pre-reqs required

U.S.A. Maryland

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Specializes in no experience yet.

Hey everyone,

I have recently decided that I should go for the BSN at Maryland rather than doing the RN program at FCC where I am going now. I already have most of the pre-reqs besides the math and science classes but I took them a long time ago when I first started school (8-10 years ago) and so some of my grades aren't that great. I have several C's. My question is though, if anyone can answer it, is do you really only need a 3.0 or is it more like a 3.5 cumulative? Since I started going back last fall I've gotten straight A's so my overall should be around a 3.3 or something depending on how well I continue to do but I'm worried that's not good enough. And does anyone know how they look at repeating classes and which grade they take because I already re-took pyc 101 to get an A. It's really confusing to me. Because if you really need more like a 3.5 than I should prob just stay with FCC and getting my RN. I just already took so many of the classes that I would need for a BSN so it just makes more sense to go that route.

Thanks so much for any insight. I am really struggling with this decision.

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The grades that matter the most are the core prereqs: anatomy 1/2, microb, chem. I wouldn't spin my wheels worrying about what happened in the past. The worst thing they can do is say no. My grades from the distant past weren't great and I got in. Your essay & pertinent volunteer and/or working experience that relates to nursing, and a resume if you've been working, are just as important and those are things that are now in your control/things you can work on. In my opinion, I would set the goal for the BSN, and fall back to the ADN if you don't have any success with UMB or other BSN programs. Good luck!

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Specializes in no experience yet.

Thanks for the reply, I'm surprised there hasn't been any more actually. I haven't worked in some time nor will I be able to because I juggle being a full time mom to three young kids in addition to going to school. Hopefully my other grades and essay and all the other stuff will be good enough. I don't remember seeing working as being necessary for the BSN program though.

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Sorry you misunderstood me. IF you have worked then have a decent resume to back it up. UMB is a very competitive program so you have to sell yourself beyond the grades is all I am trying to tell you.

Be clear that this is what you want to do and that your family is 100% behind you. Nursing school regardless of where you end up going will be more intense than having a full time job. You will have long clinical hours at oddball times and days in addition to all the classes and labs, plus have to make time to study.

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Specializes in no experience yet.

Yea, I know it's going to be really intense. But they do let you go part time which is good to know. I hate to have it take so long but it's hard when you have a family.

I am actually glad that they look at the whole picture rather than just grades. They don't always tell the whole story.

Have you completed the program or how far along are you in it? What do you think of it so far?

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I will be finishing up at the end of this year.

UMB is a great program. I don't really have anything to compare it to and I imagine all of them are just as hard. It's not hard conceptually; its the volume of information you have to learn in addition to performing on camera and then direct patient care. There is nothing I can compare it to that you have taken up until now.

Just a word of caution on the part time thing. People that ended up part-time in my group are pretty much gone now. I think part of it is that when you start, you will know everyone in your starting class. Without the support of fellow classmates you won't make it. When part time people fall behind, they have to make new friends every semester with the classes behind them, and it's not easy to fit into groups that are already established.

Again nothing is impossible but its already hard enough so limit the hardships where you can.

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JR is right on the money - it is very hard to complete this program part time. You have a total of five years to complete the degree - no more - and many of the courses are prerequisites for the next courses. You will need really good advising every semester to make sure you don't drop or fail a course and then find out it is now impossible to graduate within the time limit. Many of our students have families - some are single parents - and those who succeed do so because they set up REALLY strong support systems at home. Perhaps you have been the one everyone in your family has been leaning on - can you now ask them to let you lean on them? You may be pleased at how they step up to the plate. Or, when you consider that, as a full time student, you need to commit 55 to 65 hours a week exclusively to school, is it the right time in your life to do this? Only you can decide that. I can promise you only one thing - that if you graduate, you will look back and understand that it was all well worth it. Best of luck.

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Specializes in no experience yet.

Thanks for responding Grey Lady. I appreciate the heads up about going part time. I would think that it would be easier but I see what you mean about falling behind without the support. It def gives you something more to think about. I am going to go to one of the information sessions offered soon and hopefully have someone go over my transcripts with me and go from there.

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