Veteran with +-2 years CC and mediocre grades. Which route?

oldsockventriloquist · Jul 13, 2016

Have you looked at ADN and BSN websites to see what their minimum GPAs are on their school websites? If they don't have it listed, you could call them up and at the same time ask about your situation (even if they have it listed, I'd still call them up to ask for advice). Many schools value veterans, which could put you at an advantage. There might be a few schools out there that only accept test scores or test scores and your prerequisite grades. Look at any accredited non-online BSN program ( CCNE - Accredited Programs , select baccalaureate under program, or by California, under state) that is covered by the GI Bill ( School Locator - Education and Training , search for schools approved for VA benefits and schools that fall under the Yellow Ribbon Program). I would really call up all the programs that the GI Bill will provide tuition assistance and maybe a housing allowance for (not quite sure if this a benefit) and see if they have advice for your situation (whether you need to take additional classes, for example). I would try not to go the LVN/LPN or BS-BSN pathway, especially if you have those VA benefits.

Blopple · Jul 14, 2016

I was under the impression that all of the BSN programs are insanely competitive, and that my pre-military community college GPA would essentially make them impossible for me.

Is this incorrect?

Also most of the websites don't list their admissions criteria, and I can't easily contact them because I am out of the country currently.

Do you know any programs specifically which allow grade replacement?

It seems that my low previous GPA and relatively high amount of credits would make other less competitive options that bridge into the same end point more attractive. Do you recommend avoiding these other options from a financial perspective, or a time perspective?

Regardless I much appreciate the input!!!

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2016

I am a vet and used the GI Bill to get my BSN. When you apply to school look for veteran friendly colleges. You can google them. Also many of those schools have a vet rep who helps you. Schools love GI Bill because they know they will get paid. Also being a vet some schools will count that when you apply. Once in you HAVE to get the grades man...the vet stuff means little then. You have to buckle down hard. There was a girl in my program who was a Navy vet and she failed out. Don't try to rush it just step by step and you will get there.

oldsockventriloquist · Jul 15, 2016

I would suggest sending those schools an email then. Also, the competitiveness of a BSN program depends on the program. Some will require really high grades and test scores. Others have accepted people with really low GPAs without any test score requirements. Also, from a financial perspective, you should have the GI Bill (and Yellow Ribbon Program).

Buyer beware, BSN · Jul 20, 2016

I am a vet and used the GI Bill to get my BSN. When you apply to school look for veteran friendly colleges. You can google them. Also many of those schools have a vet rep who helps you. Schools love GI Bill because they know they will get paid. Also being a vet some schools will count that when you apply. Once in you HAVE to get the grades man...the vet stuff means little then. You have to buckle down hard. There was a girl in my program who was a Navy vet and she failed out. Don't try to rush it just step by step and you will get there.

OP: like everything in life there are two sides to every coin. In Asian philosophy it's represented as the ying and yang, and frequently represented as darkness and light. Your light is that you have great and earned educational.benefits. But you must know that these benefits are so good that there are many unscrupulous people out there in the form of admission advisors also known as requiters who troll across all media looking to find people like you to entrap. These people usually but not always represent for-profit schools that at one time were OK but with time became predatory in terms of having few admission standards, low graduation and retention rates and are very expensive. The two who are the worst offenders are the number one and number two providers of for-profit education in the country namely the University of Phoenix and Education Management Corporation operator of South University.

You may have seen cookies for these schools on this site as they are relentless with their pervasive internet marketing.

So what does all this mean for you. As a previous poster has stated your military benefifs are the jewel in the crown for these schools because they get 100% guaranteed payment from the VA. This is not the case with the non-military student. You must be very careful who you deal with because you have now unwittingly become prey. If you contact one of these schools they will deluge you with telephone calls and emails and promise you anything including being veteran friendly, flexable, pay as you go and anything else that may sound appealing to get you to sign on the dotted line. But the real red flag is that upon condition of enrollment you will be required to sign an arbitration agreement that waives your right to sue them when you realize they sold you a bill of goods. Reputable schools never require an arbitration agreement.

Do your homework. Your grades thus far do not preclude you from becoming a successful nurse. Many folks out there started out with mediocre grades and are now tops in the field. A good place to start is collegescorecard.edu.gov. here you can look up many schools and see the stats that matter without the BS marketing and deception that all schools are the same

routine.

So you should understand that many good schools who actually have great grad and retention rates would love to have you as a student. Check out all the vets sites and what they say about the for-profits and other schools and you will get an eyefull.

It's just so pathetic that so many out there want to take advantage of those who have served. So make whatever school you carefully choose earn your patronage the same way you earned your hard-won benefits.