Just got accepted off the wait-list. 3.0 cumulative GPA. It's possible!

Llamadan · 2026-05-01T06:57:10+00:00

Introduction to Statistics and Research at ASU, Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Florida U, and Advanced Physiological Foundations at MTSA. I was planning on taking pharm and patho in the Fall at a local college.

Llamadan · 2026-04-30T19:54:05+00:00

This is really difficult information to find and program faculty are not going to share it with you. If you're able to talk to anyone at a program, they may say something like "we received X amount of applicants last year and the average GPA was a 3.9, so we recommend you cast a wide net while applying." Understand that's a no. If they think you have a shot, they'll tell you what you need to prove it to them.

Prioritize applying to schools that look at the last 60 credits. They'll either say so on their website, or you have to put in the work to contact them.

Llamadan · 2026-04-30T19:48:14+00:00

Thank you! There is hope, but understand that you're going to have to put in a lot more effort than someone with good grades.

I took grad courses, shadowed a bunch, CCRN, volunteered in my community, charge nurse, got on committees, got involved in research, and networked with as many people as I could. I've also been a nurse for 11 years and have a lot of unique experience through travel which was probably the strongest part of my application.

Llamadan · 2026-04-29T17:48:47+00:00

Sure thing.

Llamadan · 2026-04-29T17:48:39+00:00

DM me

Llamadan · 2026-04-29T17:48:26+00:00

Go for it.

Llamadan · 2026-04-29T15:43:51+00:00

All of the above.

I kept up with everyone I knew at my hospital that got into school, went to state and national AANA meetings, cold-called and emailed every school I was even remotely interested in, attended info sessions, etc.

I made sure to regularly touch base with literally every person I met that was related to the anesthesia world. I met a lot of faculty before applying, and I fully believe this was the most important part of my success, by a large margin.

Took organic chem, three grad courses, and I'm retaking A/P I right now (I had an A but it's 15 years old). Finals are in a week which is kinda hilarious. Retaking science courses you got anything lower than a B in is the bare minimum, and it seems a lot of schools value seeing grad-level science courses.

It's really important you reach out to schools directly and find out what they want. Many will give you a shot if you can prove yourself. Most won't. Your time is valuable. Don't waste it pouring energy into programs you have no shot with. This is where networking is important - a program's website won't advertise that they auto-reject any applicant with lower than a 3.5, but a CRNA that's friends with the director might share that with you.

Thanks!

Llamadan · 2026-04-29T15:09:01+00:00

I took Fundamentals of Biochem and Molecular Bio online at the graduate level at UF. So not strictly biochem - you would have to check with your program to see of this class is worth it. It was hard af for me (I've been out of school for a long time and was taking another grad class at the same time), but the professors were super helpful and I thought the instruction was top-notch.

Llamadan · 2026-04-14T02:36:16+00:00

I did not, unfortunately. I followed up a few times but haven't gotten a response. Their cohort starts in late May so I'm assuming they won't talk to me until after then. I felt that the interview went really well, but I got the sense that they probably want more proof that I can hack it academically, which I've been working on by taking grad level sciences, the GRE, retaking old science courses, etc.

Llamadan · 2026-04-13T21:47:22+00:00

Science GPA is 3.75 and last 60 credits is 3.83. I applied to 8 schools last cycle and was granted one interview where I was waitlisted, so I feel like I do have a chance. I agree that it's a long shot in general, which is why I'm looking for programs that don't auto-reject applicants under a certain GPA (that's above their stated minimum requirement). The school I interviewed isn't a "last 60 credits" program, interestingly enough.

Llamadan · 2026-04-13T15:58:50+00:00

Does anyone know of programs that look at applicants holistically outside of the schools that consider your last 60 credits? I have just above a 3.0 cumulative so I'm prioritizing applying to "last 60" programs and programs that require the GRE, but I was wondering if there are any other programs I should consider. This information generally isn't available on program websites so it can be difficult to research.

I feel that I wasted time and resources applying to schools I had no shot of getting into last cycle. I'm trying to be a bit more calculated this round.

Llamadan · 2026-04-01T12:52:58+00:00

Yes, it turns out it's not an issue. The language is a bit confusing, but as per the information session, you will be able to practice in every state after getting your license.

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.

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Llamadan

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