UMD CNL Program

clhRN2b2010 · Jul 14, 2008

UMD will look more closely at your science pre req GPA. 3.1 is pretty low, honestly. I wouldn't stop trying because they are moving more in the direction of looking at the whole package. Was the 3.1 in your previous degree? Or cumulative with your pre req's? What was your previous undergrad in?

I can't speak specifically to the CNL program, except that the 3.0 is a minimum. I completed my BS 15 yrs ago with a 2.8 and they can't consider me for the program. I am applying for Spring '09 BSN. The candidates accepted are usually much higher than a 3.0. The BSN program looks only at the 59 pre req's and those GPA, which puts me at a competitive (I hope) 3.6. For the Trad BSN, my understanding is that the GPA cut off is typically around a 3.5. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule, but with a 3.1, you will need to be solid in the rest of your package.

clhRN2b2010 · Jul 14, 2008

Also, you do not need to have your pre req's finished before application. I believe they prefer that you have your core sciences finished or 3/4 done.

eml2142 · Jul 14, 2008

nope, 3.1 was my gpa for my undergrad degree, i haven't started any of my science prereqs yet. i am going to start them this coming fall. i have my undergrad degree in social work. so im going to work really hard in those prereqs and hopefully get a good gpa in those because i know that is where they will probably look at.

clhRN2b2010 · Jul 14, 2008

I apologize if I was discouraging. Don't ever be discouraged!

I was in a similar boat with a BS in Health Education. Initially, I really wanted to go CNL because it was a shorter route. However, first off they wouldn't let me in because of the low GPA. Plus, after walking through my future plans (CNM) I realized that the CNL wasn't going to get me a better job right out of school. I was still going for the same new grad position as everyone else. I wasn't interested n hospital management/admin. The CNL didn't get me anywhere I wanted to go and cost almost twice the amount of the BSN. (It is counted as Grad tuition)

I would encourage you to look carefully at what your goals are and where the CNL fits in. If you still have your science pre req's to do (as I did) and you rock them, you can pick and choose to fill the BSN pre req reuirements and pull that GPA way up. The BSN might be amore cost effective way to go.

Now, if you are financially in a situation where you would qualify for need based grants from Uncle Sam; the CNL might be a better bet because the fed will not give grant money for second Bachelor degrees and they will for the Master's portion of the CNL.

I was told that you cannot apply for both CNL and BSN in the same semester but that the admissions committee are the same. You can pick one to apply to, and write a note explaining your interest in being considered for the other should you not qualify for the first.

Just a thought! It worked for me! :rolleyes:

eml2142 · Jul 20, 2008

hey! thanks for your help. after looking at it i am going to apply to the BSN regular program. i think its probably more cost effective, AND i want to go into the military and the military does not yet recognize the CNL as an equivalent of a bsn or something like that. anyway, for the bsn do you have all of your prerequisites done? i think i have a better shot at that anyway because my gpa is higher with those prereqs anyways. when do you find out about your acceptance and is it about the same for the amount of prereqs needed to be done when you apply? about 3/4 or most of the science prereqs?

sorry i keep asking all these questions. i am trying to set up my next year at the local community college to get all of the classes finished and not lose my mind. haha. thanks for the help!

eml2142 · Jul 20, 2008

oops, also, i had one more question for you. i know i can probably get all my answers at a open house, im planning to go to one, but with the 59 prerequisites, can we pick the ones which fill out the courses in progress form and what they will base our prerequisite gpa on? because i have a social work degree i have plenty of social science classes, having done better on some then others, can i pick which ones i want them to evaluate me on?

okay, thats it. thanks so much for the help!

clhRN2b2010 · Jul 21, 2008

yes, you can pick and choose from the listed categories at the bottom of the courses in progress form. if it's from an accredited school and falls into those categories, it counts. the only catch was, i think the humanities electives needed to be from atleast two different disciplines.

you can apply without having pre req's finished. they will look to see if you have all/most of your science pre req done. they ,must all be finished at the time of enrollment. i have applied for spring '09, and will finish my final 10 credits this fall at AACC.

please, feel free to pm me if you have more questions. i know how it is to get excited and want answers now!

jumpforjune · Aug 23, 2009

How do they calculate your overall GPA? is it only in the 59 needed pre-reqs that is your 'overall GPA'? Or is it every college class you have ever taken? Sorry, I understand what the science GPA is... its AP1, AP2, Chem, Micro and maybe Stats too? But WHAT does overall GPA mean. overal GPA for prereqs or overall GPA from college EVER? thanks!