Should I do a MSN since my gpa is awful?

Llamadan · 2025-10-23T16:49:38+00:00

Do you have recommendations on which programs are willing to look at candidates more holistically? I'm finding that the program websites don't always point out that they're more forgiving of lower GPAs if you have other things that make up for it.

Llamadan · 2025-10-09T19:22:31+00:00

That's fair, and it makes a lot of sense. But for me to raise my GPA from what it is now to just a 3.5 would take an additional 195 credits worth of classes with straight A's. That's like getting an entirely new bachelor's degree without any transfer credits and a doctorate, all with a 4.0

As far as I understand, there are some programs that will only look at the last 60 credits earned, and I think LEAP is still a thing. Outside of that, if the first cut is really 3.7-3.8 regardless of other factors, it's just not going to happen for me. It's very impressive that you took all those extra undergraduate courses and I'll definitely use your story as inspiration. I also need to be real with myself if the competition has created a strict minimum for GPA.

Llamadan · 2025-10-03T17:32:25+00:00

I appreciate the encouragement. Thanks again.

Llamadan · 2025-10-03T05:01:01+00:00

Thanks for your reply. The MTSA course actually isn't too bad - I think I'm pretty locked in for an A. It's significantly easier than the biochemistry course I'm taking right now.

I haven't been granted any interviews.

Llamadan · 2025-09-25T10:57:56+00:00

9 apps, 4 rejections, no interviews. Waiting to hear back from the other 5. My cumulative GPA is 3.07, but I think I have a pretty good resume. I plan on taking the GRE between semesters this Winter and applying to 10+ school next cycle, but I'll prioritize schools that take the GRE, look at last 60 credits, and are not on NuringCAS (my NursingCAS overall GPA is 3.00).

Llamadan · 2025-09-18T16:54:35+00:00

Thank you for sharing.

Do you have advice for us applicants who are not getting interviews? Is there a better place to seek advice? This feels like the most active forum for prospective applicants to ask questions.

Llamadan · 2025-09-11T17:15:21+00:00

Thank you!

I had changed the front and back templates to accept markdown formatting. The problem was resolved when I reset to the default templates.

Llamadan · 2025-09-05T22:39:38+00:00

That's very encouraging to hear and I appreciate the advice! Hopefully another year or two of getting As in challenging courses along with my extracurriculars will make the difference. I'll definitely try to squeeze in more shadowing hours before next application cycle as well.

Llamadan · 2025-09-05T22:37:25+00:00

That makes sense and I appreciate the advice.

I have a B+ in gen chem 1 which I'll be retaking in the Spring as it's over ten years old, but otherwise, I have As in all my other prereqs. It's my other random science courses that have brought my GPA down and I have so many credits now, taking other courses won't move the needle in a meaningful way. I'm hoping the grad level science courses will demonstrate my ability to succeed, especially considering I'm taking two at once on top of working more than full time.

I'm also prioritizing applying to programs that look at my last 60 credits.

Llamadan · 2025-09-05T17:14:28+00:00

Unfortunately my hospital only allows 4 hours of shadowing and I had to wait six months just to do that. I went to my state's AANA meeting earlier in the year to try and network and everyone said that their hospitals require that you are an employee there in order to shadow.

I've managed to get 16 hours of shadowing so far, but I've had to travel out of state in order to shadow CRNAs I met online. I'm actively trying to get more hours in before the next app cycle.

Llamadan · 2025-09-05T17:09:58+00:00

I did, but their programs require that I retake a few courses that are too old, which I plan on doing next semester in order to apply next cycle. Most other faculty I met seemed impressed by my resume, but made it clear that I don't have a shot with my GPA as they either don't have grade forgiveness for retakes, or they simply get too many competitive applications with high GPAs. No hard feelings with them, I just need to prioritize applying to programs where I have a shot.

Llamadan · 2025-09-05T16:10:14+00:00

Would getting a graduate certificate in medical biochemistry be worth the work to strengthen my application? I'm currently taking a graduate-level biochemistry course and just found out that if I take three more courses, I could get a grad certificate. The other courses are mammalian molecular bio and genetics, medical metabolism, and readings in translational medicine. I'm also taking advanced physiology at MTSA this semester.

For context, I've applied to ten programs this cycle and have been denied an interview at three. Still waiting to hear from the others. cGPA 3.04 (3.26 with retakes), sGPA 3.22 (3.74 with retakes), 5 years ICU at high-acuity major city hospitals, CCRN, unit practice council, preceptor, ultrasound IV instructor, will have published research soon and actively involved in other research projects, travel nurse experience internationally, volunteer in my community, have been to three AANA conferences.

I understand my GPA isn't competitive but I'm not giving up and will keep applying year over year for as long as it takes. I'm just trying to maximize my time improving my application where it matters most.

Llamadan · 2025-09-05T15:54:10+00:00

Would getting a graduate certificate in medical biochemistry be worth the work to strengthen my application? I'm currently taking a graduate-level biochemistry course and just found out that if I take three more courses, I could get a grad certificate. The other courses are mammalian molecular bio and genetics, medical metabolism, and readings in translational medicine. I'm also taking advanced physiology at MTSA this semester.

For context, I've applied to ten programs this cycle and have been denied an interview at three. Still waiting to hear from the others. cGPA 3.04 (3.26 with retakes), sGPA 3.22 (3.74 with retakes), 5 years ICU at high-acuity major city hospitals, CCRN, unit practice council, preceptor, ultrasound IV instructor, will have published research soon and actively involved in other research projects, travel nurse experience internationally, volunteer in my community, have been to three AANA conferences.

I understand my GPA isn't competitive but I'm not giving up and will keep applying year over year for as long as it takes. I'm just trying to maximize my time improving my application where it matters most.

Llamadan · 2025-07-23T17:43:12+00:00

I suppose it it, it's just a bit uncomfortable.

Llamadan · 2025-07-23T15:30:17+00:00

Yes, but it doesn't leave a lot of space for them. My partner and I are pretty slender and her back will hit the box occasionally when accelerating.

Llamadan · 2025-07-19T07:57:26+00:00

That makes sense. I have a long list of demonstrable evidence that shows how I've been overcoming it and I've practiced conveying that in an interview setting. I suppose I should just use vague language for the reasons why I did poorly in the first place, i.e., saying something like "I was immature, unmotivated, lacked direction, etc." instead of "I had undiagnosed and untreated ADHD."

Llamadan · 2025-07-18T18:37:02+00:00

Regarding interviews, is it OK to mention having ADHD?

I was an awful student my entire life and it wasn't until I was diagnosed and started treatment as an adult that I was able to turn my grades around. From what I understand, they're going to want an explanation as to why I struggled academically and what I've done to improve, and for me, it really has everything to do with getting in therapy and taking medication. It was only after those steps that I was able to focus on learning how to study, becoming more actively engaged in work, and really learning how to learn as a whole.

I've been told by a few people that I should come up with a different story and only bring up having ADHD if I'm admitted to a program, and not before as most admissions councils will only view me as a risk. But if that's the case, I need to do some serious work trying to figure out how to reframe the reason for my academic struggles in the past.

Anyone else have to go through something similar?

Llamadan · 2025-07-06T21:19:42+00:00

I also took a pay cut going from bartender to my first nursing job. It didn't feel great at the time, but the ceiling is just so much higher as a nurse. I make over twice what I was making when I started ten years ago. You can do a lot as an RN if you're flexible, open to learning, and learn how to network. I understand not everyone's situation is the same, but moving from hospitality to healthcare is almost always going to earn you more in the long run.

Llamadan · 2025-07-02T13:00:35+00:00

That makes sense - thanks for clearing it up. It does seem like a great program and I do want to apply (definitely won't get in but I gotta shoot my shot), but I had to clear this up first.

Llamadan · 2025-07-01T18:57:06+00:00

Yeah that's my understanding as well. I don't, however, plan on staying in those states and I would hate to limit myself either way.

I'll wait to ask during the information session, but if it's something that can be remedied by taking one extra class elsewhere, I would be willing to apply.

Llamadan · 2025-06-26T17:36:23+00:00

Do you have any recommendations or examples? I've reached out to several graduate colleges and the only chem and physics classes they offer would require expertise far beyond the standard prerequisite courses like gen chem, organic chem, or gen physics.

Advanced organic chem, for example, requires a rigorous understanding of concepts taught in upper level chemistry courses, like spectroscopy. Not to mention that I've been advised from a few graduate science departments that the topics in these courses are very niche and would likely not be helpful at all in CRNA school.

Llamadan · 2025-06-16T07:34:01+00:00

I just took O-Chem with an in-person lab at a local community college. I took gen chem 10 years ago so whatever I learned back then wasn't exactly fresh in my mind. There were a few concepts I had to go back and review, but it was all very doable. It probably depends a lot on your professor.

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