I know it's somewhat early to start a topic, but the threads from the previous years have been extremely helpful to look through. Especially seeing the stats of the previous students who have been accepted.
I am currently a student at VCU who will be graduating in May, and I am majoring in Health Science. My current GPA is 3.45. I have completed all of the pre-requisites except Anatomy and Physiology, which I am currently taking at a community college. I am about to finish part 1 of A&P with an A. I am a little worried about this course because I took Anatomy at VCU and didn't finish with the grade I liked, so I am retaking it now. I was wondering if anyone knew if retaking a class could seriously impact a decision?
I have a pretty average SAT score. (I was thinking about taking the GRE in hopes of getting a high score and submitting those instead of the SAT, but I'm not sure if I should?) I have volunteer experience at the ER at MCV, and plenty of volunteer experience outside of the health field. I have also participated in several clubs. I have a CNA license, and I worked as a CNA for about a year before entering college.
I am also applying to Bon Secours, but I am researching other programs as well. I am hoping to hear from former and current students and any advice about the application process!
Specializes in Psychiatric/Co-occurring Disorders.
Hey Ashley,
Unfortunately, I am kind of a weirdo in my cohort, so please don't focus too much on my background (I am certainly not trying to heighten your anxiety). I applied with a masters degree in counseling psychology and a bachelors degree in psychology. I didn't have any "medical" healthcare experience coming in, but had a year of providing psychotherapy under my belt. While my graduate GPA was a 4.0, my undergraduate GPA was substantially lower (3.14). However, I did have a 3.9 average in my prerequisites. I can tell you that the cohort prior to mine had admitting GPA's ranging anywhere from 2.95-4.0. As stated above, I consider myself to be a weirdo in my cohort, as I only know of 1 or 2 other people who entered the program holding a masters degree. I can say the undergraduate majors of those accepted into my cohort are quite diverse and really all over the board. We had some students who entered the program with bachelors degrees in fine arts, interior design, forestry, etc.
Specializes in Psychiatric/Co-occurring Disorders.
Hey nursegabbyc!
I know that VCU SON thinks very highly of care partner experience, so in my opinion, the admissions committee will likely look favorably upon it as well. I can't say a whole lot about the weight that they place on GPA. I can tell you that the GPA's of those admitted to the cohort prior to mine ranged anywhere from 2.95-4.0. Best of luck!
You have a very impressive background and congrats on graduating soon! I graduated with a 3.6 GPA in Social Work at James Madison and I have extensive volunteer and philanthropy involvment through my university and my sorority. I also had excellent references who I was blessed to get! I am nervous becuase I have read past blogs and have seen the qualifications of some students and compared them to mine but I try and keep in mind that we are all weighted differently! I have finished all of my pre-req classes with all As. However, my SAT score was around 1300, which is pretty low. I am praying my essay answers and background involvement will make up for that. I am so nervous but also excited to hear back! Thank you for being a point of contact and support!
I have been looking at old feeds for a while now and glad people are actually talking on this one now. It may be a good thing that there has not been a lot of activity. Hopefully, it means that fewer people applied because of the early deadline (fingers crossed!). I am a senior at JMU and will be graduating in May! I am also getting nervous as it is a week before the decision day. I have a 3.4 GPA in health sciences and will have all A's in my pre-reqs. I have some volunteer experience at Ronald McDonald house and Avante nursing home. I hope that will be enough experience for the admissions committee... I feel like I did well on my essays and I should have good recommendations.
I was thinking the same thing about less activity will yield less applicants! I am unsure, though because this is a pretty popular and competitive program! I just recently graduated JMU and was blessed to have a lot of volunteer work through my school and sorority and I'm assuming your volunteer work at Ronald McDonald house was through a sorority, as wel! Your prerequisite grades are awesome and your essays and references sound great! You look like an excellent candidate! Have you applied to any other accelerated or normal nursing programs?
Best of luck to you and this coming week could not go fast enough!
It is very competitive, but they did have to extend the deadline, so apparently they did not get a lot of applications in September. Any little advantage helps! You also sound like a competitive candidate! Hope to see you there in May! Yep, my work with Ronald McDonald House was through my sorority! I have applied to Lynchburg College, Shenandoah University and Jefferson College. I have been accepted at Lynchburg and Shenandoah, but VCU is my top choice! What about you?
Nice! I hadn't thought about it like that! You are right, though. Any advantage does help lol but I applied to only vcu because it is the only program/area I can really see myself! I kind of put all my eggs in one basket but I'm really hoping to get in! I really hope we both get in! It'll help to have a fellow duke in the program!
Looks like we have less than a week to go now! I am also awaiting a response, but still have pre-requisites to complete this spring. I am not sure if that pushes me to the bottom of the pool. I am hoping I will still be considered...
I would not worry about having to complete some of the pre-reqs as long as it is not a lot. I know a lot of people who are still finishing up some needed classes. :)
MJane29
60 Posts
Hey Ashley,
Unfortunately, I am kind of a weirdo in my cohort, so please don't focus too much on my background (I am certainly not trying to heighten your anxiety). I applied with a masters degree in counseling psychology and a bachelors degree in psychology. I didn't have any "medical" healthcare experience coming in, but had a year of providing psychotherapy under my belt. While my graduate GPA was a 4.0, my undergraduate GPA was substantially lower (3.14). However, I did have a 3.9 average in my prerequisites. I can tell you that the cohort prior to mine had admitting GPA's ranging anywhere from 2.95-4.0. As stated above, I consider myself to be a weirdo in my cohort, as I only know of 1 or 2 other people who entered the program holding a masters degree. I can say the undergraduate majors of those accepted into my cohort are quite diverse and really all over the board. We had some students who entered the program with bachelors degrees in fine arts, interior design, forestry, etc.