What to do about GPA

hospitalstaph · Jul 1, 2006

I was reading the thread about acceptance GPA and it makes me kind of nervous.
I have a 3.1 from my previous degree and currently have around a 3.4 in post-college coursework (it would be higher if I hadn't made a huge mistake in assuming that I dropped a class when I actually didn't and got an F instead). I still have to take Micro, Anatomy, Physiology and Organic Chem (the O Chem is just in case I decide to go for the BSN) but I don't think that is going to be enough to get my GPA up.
Do any of you have suggestions on how to get my GPA up? Should I just take some additional classes to raise it? Unfortunately I don't know exactly where I am going to apply yet (we're due to move next spring but I don't know where to yet...) but I am getting very frustrated and nervous about not being able to get accepted because of my GPA.
Thanks,
Kristin

Kristin,

Your GPA doesn't sound bad to me. However depending on where you are applying, it may not be high enough. Check with the school that you are wanting to attend. They should be able to give you an idea of what range of GPA's tend to be admitted to the program. Many have a minimum GPA but often the ones that actually get in are far higher than that.

Also, if you need to get your GPA up, find out if retaking a class replaces the first grade. Some school's will allow the 2nd grade to completely replace the 1st, but others will average the two grades (ex. an A and an F make a C). Don't hesitate to talk to the admissions counselors. And if you have the option, apply to more than one school.

Best of luck to you:)

T

nursecher · Jul 1, 2006

The only problem with taking more classes to raise your GPA is, some schools do not look at overall GPA, they only look at your GPA in the classes required for the program.

I have a 3.5 overall GPA but my GPA for classes required was a 3.3.

I was accepted to the program. Good Luck!

nursein08 · Jul 1, 2006

Also with some schools, your science GPA is looked at separately from your overall GPA. Since A&P and micro are such a large part of nursing, your sciences mean more than other classes. Your overall GPA looks pretty good, but you will definitely want to study your butt off for those science courses in case the school you decide to attend is like this. Good luck to you!

Alternator81 · Jul 3, 2006

I saw a post of a girl who had screwed up her freshmen year and failed quite a few classes. after her first semester she earned all A's but was only able to pull her GPA up to a 3.1. She had applied to Texas Womens University in Houston and got accepted with those grades. I have called TWU before because I am intereted in applying, and they told me that last year the average GPA that was accepted was a 3.8. They consider the overall GPA, but cut her a huge break. I think this happens alot more often then we all think.

Goodluck!

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

I do not think you are alone, Marinemommy. :) I did not take my schooling seriously right out of high school and earned OK grades. My graduate school grades are excellent because I went to graduate school after working for some years, getting married, and having kids. Basically I grew up and took my studies seriously.

Anyway, I agree with the others that you should not take classes just to bring up your GPA because it may be a waste of time. Focus on classes such as the Sciences and earn 4.0s. This is what I have done and my overall GPA is a 4.0 for all of the classes I need to get into the ADN program and for the BSN bridge program I am interested in choosing (I have not decided if I will get a BSN yet but I am working on eligibility just in case).

Speaking of BSN, most BSN programs require interviews and or an essay. This will be your opportunity to explain your past grades and point out how you are no longer a poor or average student if asked. You can use your grades that are more recent (in this case pre-reqs and co-reqs) as examples if you earn high grades.

In my experience speaking to admissions officers and counselors, my recent grades that are required for the programs of interest are what they will be looking at with regards to my admissions. To put your mind more at ease, maybe you should also talk to a few counselors just to get some ideas. Good Luck.

hospitalstaph · Jul 3, 2006

I do not think you are alone, Marinemommy. :) I did not take my schooling seriously right out of high school and earned OK grades. My graduate school grades are excellent because I went to graduate school after working for some years, getting married, and having kids. Basically I grew up and took my studies seriously.
Anyway, I agree with the others that you should not take classes just to bring up your GPA because it may be a waste of time. Focus on classes such as the Sciences and earn 4.0s. This is what I have done and my overall GPA is a 4.0 for all of the classes I need to get into the ADN program and for the BSN bridge program I am interested in choosing (I have not decided if I will get a BSN yet but I am working on eligibility just in case).
Speaking of BSN, most BSN programs require interviews and or an essay. This will be your opportunity to explain your past grades and point out how you are no longer a poor or average student if asked. You can use your grades that are more recent (in this case pre-reqs and co-reqs) as examples if you earn high grades.
In my experience speaking to admissions officers and counselors, my recent grades that are required for the programs of interest are what they will be looking at with regards to my admissions. To put your mind more at ease, maybe you should also talk to a few counselors just to get some ideas. Good Luck.

Wow, you went to grad school and now back to ADN??? You are going to have one heck of an education when you are done:)

T

81ke83 · Jul 3, 2006

I think it depends on the school. The school I go to you have to have a 2.5 overall GPA and 2.5 in the core sciences (anatomy, physiology, Microbiology). The group I applied with is the first semester that they have a formula for GPA and then you get your number. Before that your number was drawn out of a hat and then it was added to the list from the semester before. They just started a group of 12 with the combination of GPA, science GPA, english and math grades and the NET score is part of the formula. I got in under the grant program with only a 6 month wait. My overall GPA with everyclass I have ever taken is a 3.7, my sciences are a 3.3. Not sure what they did with my NET score. The current waiting time is 1 1/2 -2 years. We also had to complete CNA before we can enter the first semester of nursing school

Kay:nuke:

sweetface18 · Jul 3, 2006

I think your gpa doesn't sound bad at all, but of course, its very competive.

take some extra upper level bio classes and work on your application essay.

i applied with my friend, and i got in but he didn't. his gpa was considerably higher than mines. i scored a bit higher than him on the entrance exam, and i'm guessing that my essay was better.

gpa matters, but there are other factors too!

rntoben2008 · Jul 5, 2006

I think your gpa doesn't sound bad at all, but of course, its very competive.
take some extra upper level bio classes and work on your application essay.
i applied with my friend, and i got in but he didn't. his gpa was considerably higher than mines. i scored a bit higher than him on the entrance exam, and i'm guessing that my essay was better.
gpa matters, but there are other factors too!

That is great to hear. I have a 3.3 GPA and am worried about the higher GPA's that also applied. There were many people there. I am still waiting on that happy letter. It is due anyday.

lisabeth · Jul 5, 2006

The only problem with taking more classes to raise your GPA is, some schools do not look at overall GPA, they only look at your GPA in the classes required for the program.
I have a 3.5 overall GPA but my GPA for classes required was a 3.3.
I was accepted to the program. Good Luck!

I hope really bad that is the case. My gpa from years ago wasnt so hot. It should be competitive in the nursing classes when I apply if that is all they look at.

marinemommy · Jul 6, 2006

The only problem with taking more classes to raise your GPA is, some schools do not look at overall GPA, they only look at your GPA in the classes required for the program.
I have a 3.5 overall GPA but my GPA for classes required was a 3.3.
I was accepted to the program. Good Luck!

Thanks everyone for the responses. I hope that the above is what I can find because my GPA right now is much better and I've yet to take A&P and Micro - but anticipate doing well because I did extremely well in A&P when I took it almost 10 years ago! I'm going to keep an eye out for schools that look for more than just the GPA.

Thanks!