Applying for nursing school can seem complicated and stressful. Applicants bite their fingernails over their transcripts and dread the “formality” of taking prerequisite courses they wish they didn’t need. However, for students who need to give their GPA for nursing school a jump-start, ABSN prerequisite courses are the key to getting the edge they need to get in.
Don’t Succumb to the Low GPA Blues
In addition to completing prereqs, one of the biggest headaches ABSN applicants have is the dreaded GPA. A few poor grades here and there in a college transcript can take their toll. Students often feel that a bad grade in a history class during their freshman year shouldn’t impact whether or not they get into nursing school – but it does.
To gain admittance to Utica’s Accelerated BSN program, you need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 and a minimum 2.8 for the natural science prereqs. But if your GPA is 2.65, don’t give up. There’s a very real possibility that you can bring up your GPA enough to make yourself a great ABSN candidate.
How Prereqs Can Jump-start Your GPA for Nursing School
Trying to bring up your GPA for nursing school can feel like an uphill battle – but it’s not futile. Nursing school prerequisites can help get you over the bar to make you a solid candidate. Let’s say your GPA is a 2.7, but you're trying to reach the Utica GPA 2.8 minimum – there’s no need to panic yet. It’s possible that completing 16 hours of prerequisites with an A in each course can bring your GPA up to a 2.8.
Of course, going from a 2.7 to a 2.8 doesn't seem like a huge jump – but it is. Taking (and acing) more than 16 hours can only help. So, if you’re a student with a 2.7 GPA, raising it above 2.8 can become reality. (Also, if your GPA is in the 2.65 range, taking more than 16 prereqs can help you to meet the 2.8 GPA requirement.) It’s important to note – just because Utica’s minimum GPA is a 2.8 doesn’t mean that you should strive for the minimum. Use your prereqs to show that you are a serious student who will thrive in nursing school. Nobody needs a nurse who only wants to do the minimum – you’ve got the goods to excel, so go for it!
Related: Top 5 Cures for Nursing School Application Stress
Prerequisites Will Not Take Semesters to Complete
Don’t get discouraged by the list of prerequisites you need to take before qualifying for the Utica ABSN program. In today’s plugged-in world, most prerequisite classes are offered online and will take only weeks, not semesters. Plus, students can take prerequisite courses at any school that offers them.
You can even take your prereqs at more than one school, but that could get a little too complicated (and expensive). Although Admissions Advisors have worked with students who have had more than 10 transcripts, the fewer transcripts you have, the better. It's easier for everyone to see where you stand as an applicant. You can talk to an Admissions Advisor about the best course of action for you to take.
(Note: If you are currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, contact an Admissions Advisor for advice on working your prerequisites into your next semester’s schedule.)
We Repeat: The Minimum is NOT Enough
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we must stress: Just passing prerequisite classes is not enough. It’s not even just about the GPA math. More importantly, prerequisites are a critical indicator of what kind of nursing student you will be. Do yourself a favor and give it your all. Forget the minimum and go for the maximum.
In other words, take your prereqs seriously and let them be your key to becoming a solid ABSN applicant. Jump-starting your GPA to meet requirements is essential, and showing how much you can accomplish in such a short period is priceless. Show your passion – ace your prereqs!
Get Prereq Guidance Now
Whew! Number talk can get exhausting – and confusing. Make sure you know what you need to take and when you need to take it. Contact an ABSN Admissions Advisor now and get started on bringing up your GPA with prerequisites.
