UMB prerequisites, help please! (Repost)

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Specializes in ER/Critical Care.

Hi everyone,

I need a little guidance to see if I still have any prayer of going to UMB. Any helpful tips or anything would be so appreciated.

I failed my MA180 (Pre-Calculus) class last semester. Incidentally, I'm really depressed and afraid that it could be a deal breaker for me getting in.:nuke:It really sucks because I've gotten good grades before and even though I failed a 4 credit class, I have a 3.1 GPA which is still above the minimum.

I guess my question comes down to this: Is it forgivable that I failed this class because it was not the required class I needed (I needed MA110 and Stats)? It was honestly down to poor advising and a teacher that I had trouble understanding.

I'm now taking MA110 and I'm doing really well (my first quiz I got a 18/15 since there was an extra credit problem and also have been getting EC by correcting mistakes on the bored).

I expect to raise my GPA to a 3.34 by the end of the semester and hopefully more in my final two semesters before applying.

Also, I am getting experience as a GNA, which I would hope would give me some benefit in going to UMB.

Should I retake Pre-calc?? Or should I just work on getting A's in 110 and Stats to make up for it? I heard that even if you retake a class UMB will average both classes grades instead of taking the higher grade, is this true?

I'm so sad about this... I really want to be a nurse someday. I know I would be great at it.

Thanks :heartbeat

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Well, for starters, I'd like to say that you do have other options besides UMB for nursing school. So even if you don't get in to UMB, that's not the end of the nursing road for you.

Now on to your grades- I'll apologize in advance for not being able to give you a straight forward answer.

I applied to UMB for Spring 2012 and we'll hopefully hear back within the next month. I attended University of Delaware 10+ years ago and kinda goofed off way too much. My grades were horrible. After a few years off school, some redirection, and reassessed goals, I went back to school with the intention of becoming a nurse (previous career goal was attorney, so it's a completely different class/course path).

My GPA at my current school is stellar, my GPA from University of Delaware is shameful. I'm truly hoping that UMB looks at the grades for prerequisites mostly and will also take in to account that my grades from University of Delaware were a result of the combination of immaturity, too much freedom, and a few bad decisions.

So, I'm in a similar boat as you. I've got a few bad grades on my transcripts. But I'm hoping that doesn't damage my chances too much.

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Well, for starters, I'd like to say that you do have other options besides UMB for nursing school. So even if you don't get in to UMB, that's not the end of the nursing road for you.

Now on to your grades- I'll apologize in advance for not being able to give you a straight forward answer.

I applied to UMB for Spring 2012 and we'll hopefully hear back within the next month. I attended University of Delaware 10+ years ago and kinda goofed off way too much. My grades were horrible. After a few years off school, some redirection, and reassessed goals, I went back to school with the intention of becoming a nurse (previous career goal was attorney, so it's a completely different class/course path).

My GPA at my current school is stellar, my GPA from University of Delaware is shameful. I'm truly hoping that UMB looks at the grades for prerequisites mostly and will also take in to account that my grades from University of Delaware were a result of the combination of immaturity, too much freedom, and a few bad decisions.

So, I'm in a similar boat as you. I've got a few bad grades on my transcripts. But I'm hoping that doesn't damage my chances too much.

The UMB admissions committees DO take into account that many students who start college are neither ready nor serious about it. What they look for is demonstrated ability in the courses that really matter to the program - primarily but not limited to, the sciences. Experience in the healthcare field, volunteer or paid, also counts as it shows to some extent that the prospective students understand what the profession entails. A killer essay which explains earlier academic blemishes and highlights determination to complete the program, including plans to do so, will impress. After that, it is a matter of your competition - something that nobody can predict and which is different for every entry semester. The number of applicants give UMB the luxury and the challenge to choose from many highly qualified applicants. Present yourself in your application materials accordingly. And I wish you the best of luck.

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GreyLady,

Your insight is very encouraging. I am waiting to hear if I got accepted into the Spring 2012 BSN program at UMSON. I feel confident in my essay and volunteer work. Unfortunately, I had a rough start with community college after high school. As I have matured and started a family, my education has become a top priority. I really hope I am accepted; I have worked so hard to get to this point.

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Specializes in ER/Critical Care.

Thank you all for the encouragement and good advice! It means a lot when strangers offer you help and wisdom.

The F happened in my freshman year while I was taking care of my mother who was recovering surgery/ health problems. Hopefully that will be taken into account if I bring that up in my essay (although I know I take responsibility for my grades in the end).

I know there are other options besides UMB, It's just that UMB is my dream school so I'm working very hard to get there. :)

I have brought my grades up a lot this semester (all A's) and I'm taking the rest of my classes at a moderate rate while working and volunteering. So, I'll probably be applying for Fall 2013.

Okay, back to work! Thanks again!

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I always enjoy Grey Lady posting :). I'm glad that schools take in account some more recent classes. My undergrad GPA was 3.0 and that was a hard earned 3.0 as my later A's needed to offset some of my earlier dismal grades. I actually have a MS with a 3.8 GPA and I have a 4.0 so far in my nursing pre-reqs.

One thing that upset me a bit was that a class I failed 16 years ago *ahem* was renamed over the years and now is called something like Human Physiology. So my transcripts apparently reflect the newer name but it wasn't really physiology when I took it. I have yet to take AP 1 or 2 but I'm sure I'll do great.

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I always enjoy Grey Lady posting :). I'm glad that schools take in account some more recent classes. My undergrad GPA was 3.0 and that was a hard earned 3.0 as my later A's needed to offset some of my earlier dismal grades. I actually have a MS with a 3.8 GPA and I have a 4.0 so far in my nursing pre-reqs.

One thing that upset me a bit was that a class I failed 16 years ago *ahem* was renamed over the years and now is called something like Human Physiology. So my transcripts apparently reflect the newer name but it wasn't really physiology when I took it. I have yet to take AP 1 or 2 but I'm sure I'll do great.

The fact that you can show you have been very successful in graduate level courses and your current pre-requisite grades will be very impressive to the admissions committee, I assure you. Even more so will be great grades in A & P 1 & 2. They are predictive of success in our program. Best of luck!

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