What's The Deal With A 4.0 Gpa?

orrnlori, RN · Apr 21, 2004

Well, I don't know the abbreviations of the schools you mentioned but I'd guess they are all universities. If that's the case, have you looked at ADN programs?

As far as the 4.0, again, I wish I had an answer for you. When you have 300 applying and 200 are 4.0's for 50 spots, what does the school do? They discount anything not a 4.0 first. That may be what you are facing. No matter how many classes you re-take, unless you can wipe out anything less than an A, you will never be a 4.0. While some schools allow you to bankrupt previous bad grades by retaking classes, those lower grades still always show up.

I agree with you, a 4.0 doesn't automatically translate to the best finished nurses. You may need to relocate in order to go to school. That's fine if you are a kid, but most real adults can't always do that with real life obligations.

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 21, 2004

What is a person to do?

Find a place where a LOTTERY system is how people are selected I guess??? (yes they do exist).

Or just keep trying. I was turned down my first time applying, too. Don'tget discouraged and please don't type in all capital letters; it is considered shouting.

I am sorry for your disappointement and anger. You need to cast a wider net and keep trying IF You want to be a nurse. Many of us were turned down multiple times before a program accepted us. You are NOT alone. DO NOT give up!!!!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2004

Good luck. It's the economy. I've read that since the economy is so bad nursing schools are bursting at the seams with applicants, and suddenly can get more choosey. Fortunately I went to a noncompetetive first-come-first in community college. It still had a waiting list, but the application process wasn't so wicked. You might have to commute and look at other schools and programs. Good luck.

ARmickie · Apr 21, 2004

I agree with the post about looking into LPN programs, if you haven't done so already. The school that I will be going to uses your GPA to a certain extent, but it's not the be all, end all, either. Applicants are admitted based on a points system. Out of 125 possible points, a GPA of 4.0 will only net you 10 of those points. Other factors are admissions test scores, NET scores, and personal interview. The Chancellor for Student Services doesn't seem to think I'll have any problems being admitted into the LPN program, but just in case, I have a back up plan! If not, I'll just go for the two year AD in gen ed.. most of which I'll need to reach my ultimate goal of RN.

Good luck to you.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Apr 21, 2004

Well I think the economy does play a part but this has been a problem that I have been aware of even when the economy was "good". People see all those nursing jobs in the paper and decide that is what they want to do for a steady job (nothing wrong with that really). But even with our economy improving the nursing shortage will not improve and the shortage doesn't just affect working nursing, but also the schools since there are not enough nurses to teach (who wants to take a pay cut?). It goes way beyond an economy problem unfortunatly because the nursing shortage and fight to get into nursing school is nothing new.

And when you have 300 people applying for only say 50 spots (or less, my school only accpets 20 students) they are going to pick the best and the brightest of the bunch.

But I know for a fact that not every school is like that (though most are), my friend decided for her (she has a "low" GPA of 3.0, of course 3.0 is not terrible but you know what I mean, it just doesn't cut it for a lot of places) she applied to a school that is an hour drive each way just to become a nurse. It will be a pain for her, but totally worth it in the end. So make sure you check out *all* the schools in your area (even if it is an hour away) because they will all be different (different requirements, different ways they accept students, etc). Dental Hygene profession is a lot worse/competitive than nursing in most places btw, another friend of mine just got accepted into a program where she will be driving 2 hours each way because she could not get into any dental hygene programs (she had been trying for over 3 years) near her.

Anways, even with the economy on the rebound the nursing shortage and problem with nursing schools will not get any better, it will probably get worse.

Good luck, hang in there and if this is something you really want to do you will find a way to do it, don't give up!! Or what about starting out as a LPN?

Marilyn

Cherish · Apr 21, 2004

I'm guessing your in Texas. UT being University of Texas, and TWU being Texas Weslyan Univ. (spelling). But anyways which UT are you applying to? If its UT-Austin then yes they do receive A LOT of 4.0 gpa's considering A LOT of people want to go to that school (I know my prior major was Business and they have a top 10 business school). I think your in Dallas or Austin area (just guessing from the univ. your applying to). Have you thought about UT-San Antonio? In that school you take pre-req.s at UT-SA then transfer to UT-health system? (its like there medical school it has a combination of medical, nursing, pharmacy etc.)

Also UT-Tyler (and I think Arlington) have a nursing school A LOT of univ. in San Antonio have nursing schools (mostly private schools which means more money but don't think you care since you applied to TWU). Also theres Midwestern Univ. in Wichita Falls TX and theres a university in denton, TX its mostly female univ. (google it cause I don't want to give you the wrong name). Theres many colleges in texas that don't look at gpa. The bigger the school the more likely you will need a 4.0 (UT systems usually accept the most qualified applicant which they base on academics, volunteer work, consistency of courses-school, etc.). I know your highly upset but admissions doesn't know people personally so everything is based on papers, grades, awards, etc. unless your interviewed. I hope some of those colleges I named help you. I think Texas A & M has some nursing programs, and in waco Baylor Univ. Also a little secret but Tarleton State Univ. has a program and not a lot of people know about them so check that out too. Wish you much luck on your nursing career (don't give up, I see your going BSN maybe ADN to BSN would work if you don't want to wait 1 1/2-2yrs for acceptance). Good LUCK!!!

:)

nurseambra · Apr 21, 2004

At Rogers State University in Claremore, OK, the admission criteria for the ADN program is not that tough. I had a 3.2, and even failed one gen-ed class (made it up later though) and got in the nursing program, which they insist is the one of the best in Oklahoma. I do know that you have to have five prerequisite classes (General cellular biology, anatomy and physiology, dosage calculation, composition, and college orientation) to get in the program, and some classes held more weight than others, like the dose calc class was a one credit hour class and held more weight as far as if you got in the nursing program or not than the five credit hour a & p class. So it may be something like that, or they just have hundreds of applicants for fifty spots, in which case, find a smaller college. I reccommed RSU!

Tx-top nurse · Apr 21, 2004

Well, I don't know the abbreviations of the schools you mentioned but I'd guess they are all universities. If that's the case, have you looked at ADN programs?
As far as the 4.0, again, I wish I had an answer for you. When you have 300 applying and 200 are 4.0's for 50 spots, what does the school do? They discount anything not a 4.0 first. That may be what you are facing. No matter how many classes you re-take, unless you can wipe out anything less than an A, you will never be a 4.0. While some schools allow you to bankrupt previous bad grades by retaking classes, those lower grades still always show up.
I agree with you, a 4.0 doesn't automatically translate to the best finished nurses. You may need to relocate in order to go to school. That's fine if you are a kid, but most real adults can't always do that with real life obligations.

Thanks lori, I will be weighing my options for a change to ADN.

by the way the schools are Texas Womens University and University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston branch.

Tx-top nurse · Apr 21, 2004

What is a person to do?
Find a place where a LOTTERY system is how people are selected I guess??? (yes they do exist).
Or just keep trying. I was turned down my first time applying, too. Don'tget discouraged and please don't type in all capital letters; it is considered shouting.
I am sorry for your disappointement and anger. You need to cast a wider net and keep trying IF You want to be a nurse. Many of us were turned down multiple times before a program accepted us. You are NOT alone. DO NOT give up!!!!!

Smilingblueyes Thanks for your advice. Sorry about the caps, didn't mean to shout at anyone. I will definitely weigh the options and relocate if necessary. Thanks!

Tx-top nurse · Apr 21, 2004

Good luck. It's the economy. I've read that since the economy is so bad nursing schools are bursting at the seams with applicants, and suddenly can get more choosey. Fortunately I went to a noncompetetive first-come-first in community college. It still had a waiting list, but the application process wasn't so wicked. You might have to commute and look at other schools and programs. Good luck.

Thanks 3rdshifter for your advice. I am looking toward relocation, cause somebody out there wants tx-top nurse.

Tx-top nurse · Apr 21, 2004

I agree with the post about looking into LPN programs, if you haven't done so already. The school that I will be going to uses your GPA to a certain extent, but it's not the be all, end all, either. Applicants are admitted based on a points system. Out of 125 possible points, a GPA of 4.0 will only net you 10 of those points. Other factors are admissions test scores, NET scores, and personal interview. The Chancellor for Student Services doesn't seem to think I'll have any problems being admitted into the LPN program, but just in case, I have a back up plan! If not, I'll just go for the two year AD in gen ed.. most of which I'll need to reach my ultimate goal of RN.
Good luck to you.

mickie, I wish you all the luck in the world with your nursing career. Maybe we'll see eachother in the field one day....