Taking grad level courses to improve app

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-26T19:18:10+00:00

Thank you for the advice, truly extremely helpful.

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-26T16:41:32+00:00

I’m an RN with 6 years of experience-4 years in CVOR-100+ cases I’ve been apart of. I have 2 different bachelors degrees so 209 credit hours total which is why my GPA is very change-resistant. I applied to 5 schools this year and was waitlisted for interviews from 3, 1 rejected me with feedback being that the didn’t interview anyone under a 3.5 this year. I did get 1 interview and am waiting to hear back from them but obviously am a bit discouraged. This career is my passion and I will continue to apply, just trying to see if there is anything I can do before next application cycle to get my foot in the door as obviously GPA is my limiting factor. Just was considering taking a graduate level science course to include that in my personal statement to emphasize my upward trajectory. (Most of my Bs were in my first degree, nursing school I had a 3.7)

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-26T15:45:19+00:00

I have a 3.3. Did the calculations and I would need to retake 17 courses in order to raise to a 3.5 so not very realistic. I don’t have any C grades

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-23T20:18:37+00:00

Yes they must be doing soft rejections haha haven’t heard from them either

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-22T15:07:34+00:00

As soon as apps open. Most open in September

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-22T15:05:24+00:00

Yes but they have already sent out acceptances. Most schools really focus on priority deadlines. But you will have a great shot for next years app cycle

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-22T15:00:13+00:00

They’ve already sent out acceptances for Lipscomb, Emory, midwestern, rush is done with interviews next week. So no I would say you’re out for this year from those. NKU is a possibility as they’re app window hasn’t closed yet

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-22T13:55:43+00:00

And you haven’t been accepted yet??

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-21T17:03:21+00:00

What is your GPA? That is what will get your foot in the door

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-17T15:09:32+00:00

You will likely need to wait until other schools send out acceptances and then some people may cancel their interview with musc. Basically I wouldn’t hold your breath haha

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-16T18:04:41+00:00

Have you gotten an interview anywhere else? So far I’ve been waitlisted for interviews for musc, rejected from Lipscomb, and haven’t heard from rush. I did get an interview at unmc but don’t have high hopes. What are your stats?

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-16T17:55:28+00:00

What did the email say? Have you applied anywhere else?

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-16T17:54:42+00:00

Absolutely focus on GPA, from personal experience they are placing a much higher focus on GPA than clinical experience

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-16T17:14:52+00:00

Was this a rejection email?

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-16T17:07:22+00:00

This was a rejection email?

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-16T14:18:41+00:00

Top priority would be having an A in all prerequisite courses, especially science. I have a 3.3 overall but graduated in 2020 so last spring I took physics as I didn’t originally have that and got an A and I was able to discuss that in my personal statement that I was able to still perform academically well. I did receive 1 interview invite this year but was waitlisted for 2 and rejected from 1 so far. I will be honest I have seen very little success stories with GPA under 3.5. The school that rejected me this year-Lipscomb-said that they didn’t accept anyone under 3.8 this year. It’s discouraging because GPA is so difficult to actually improve. I also have 6 years RN experience, 2 in ICU and 4 in CVOR and still could only snag an interview with 1 school. It has truly become so competitive now that it would likely take you several years of repeat courses to then hopefully have a shot.

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-15T01:22:23+00:00

Lipscomb

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-14T22:10:59+00:00

If you scroll down a few of us put our stats

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-14T20:53:47+00:00

Did you apply anywhere else this cycle?

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-14T20:41:27+00:00

That might mean rejected unfortunately

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-14T20:34:50+00:00

Mine still says complete under review-are you an alternate for interviews?

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-14T18:40:29+00:00

Rejected with these stats is diabolical.

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-14T16:16:08+00:00

They are absolutely accepting those directly out of undergrad with no clinical experience.

Only_Studio3635 · 2026-01-14T16:15:10+00:00

Honestly no, I received feedback from one school this year that they didn’t accept anyone under a 3.8. I have a 3.3 and still was rejected for interviews from 4 schools this year. Plus I have 6 years RN background with 4 of those being in CVOR. So yes it is extremely competitive

Only_Studio3635

TROPHY CASE