VCU 2nd Degree ABSN Program

alliegem · Jun 16, 2013

Hey Jerrell,

I haven't posted much on this site, but I've done my fair share of reading...especially about VCU's absn program. I've read posts of people with great GPA's that weren't accepted and I've read the opposite as well. I think it varies a lot depending on your experience and I believe the essay portion of the application is also a pretty big part of their decision. It's great that you're doing well on your prereqs! Study hard for the GRE and show them you mean business!

I'm planning on applying for the May 2014 start, as well...just need to finish up 3 prereqs. I'm actually attending an information session/tour this coming Friday, June 21st. I'll see if I can get some more information about their average GPA for accepted students!

alliegem · Jun 22, 2013

Hey again!

I attended an information session today and got some very useful information...

For the accelerated BSN option, they get around 300 applicants every year. The lady said only 200-250 are actually qualified applicants, though (the others didn't have all of their classes, didn't meet requirements, etc). They accept 90 accelerated students to start every May (plus 60 for the traditional program that starts every fall). The average GPA for those accepted is 3.5 ish...but you have to remember that is anaverage of each of those 90 GPA's, so some will have been lower, and some higher. Even making A's on all of your prereqs will not raise your GPA too terribly much. You have you realize you have a 2.5 GPA for a 120 ish credit degree. Adding a 4.0 GPA for another 20 credits won't raise it too terribly much. The lady also said they tend to sort people based on their GPA first, but then go in and look at prereq grades, experiences, the essay, etc. Not quite sure what that means.

They admit students with tons of different backgrounds and degrees, so that part definitely shouldn't be an issue. Having medical experience shows that you have taken some initiatives on your own to pursue healthcare.

You may want to consider taking the SAT as well as, or instead of, the GRE. Since the GRE is geared towards students pursuing a graduate degree, you may find it harder than the SAT or ACT. Also, she said she couldn't give me an average GRE score of applicants since they don't receive too many of them...they tend to just take your GRE score and figure out what SAT score would be its equivalent and use that. If you ever took the SAT in the past, you can submit those scores because they don't have any restrictions on the time frame that you took it (contact collegeboard if you took them more than 7 years ago). Also, the average SAT score was around 1160.

I hope this information helps!

Allie