curiousprepa Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I'm wondering if anyone could help me strengthen my application for admissiosn into potential programs. Here are some red flags: I didn't do well in my undergrad. I received a 2.7 GPA. I raised my GPA slightly above a 3.0. I withdrew from one nursing program on good standing. Showing withdrawals on my transcript. I failed out of another nursing program without good standing Some things I already have done I have about 300 hours of volunteer experience with both hospice and a hospital I have 630 HCE as a full time CNA My cGPA is about a 3.08 My sGPA is slightly above a 3.10 I am planning to do the following Take the GRE Work as either an EMT, PCT, or CNA. I am planning to retake 5 courses from my undergrad. which may raise my cGPA slightly above a 3.10 I am planning to take more 6 sciences courses, which may raise my sGPA. I am also planning to shadow PAs and MDs. Any input will be helpful. I will be addding more infomation as I go along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASASM92 Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 I would slow down and realize it may take 3-4 years of consistent work/school to prove to ad com you are not go ing to fail out of a pa program. I started out with a 2.8 gpa. I have been taking classes since 2010 and rose my cumulative to a 3.2 and my science to a 3.7. I did not take any shortcuts. It was a long and hard process. I still don't know if I will get in this cycle, but I will keep on trying. I will continue to take classes and work as a Cna until I get in. I think you should start where I was 4 years ago and follow the same journey. IMO. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoopeda Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I would slow down and realize it may take 3-4 years of consistent work/school to prove to ad com you are not go ing to fail out of a pa program. I started out with a 2.8 gpa. I have been taking classes since 2010 and rose my cumulative to a 3.2 and my science to a 3.7. I did not take any shortcuts. It was a long and hard process. I still don't know if I will get in this cycle, but I will keep on trying. I will continue to take classes and work as a Cna until I get in. I think you should start where I was 4 years ago and follow the same journey. IMO. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk THIS is how it's done. Highly commendable, show's incredible focus, ability, and perseverance. Assuming an otherwise strong profile and application to the right schools, this person will get an acceptance, no question. 4 years of 2.8 up to a 3.2/3.7: Inspiring! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASASM92 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Thank you zoopeda! I really appreciate your kind words. I'm still chugging along. There are no shortcuts. And through this journey, I found my strength, and I truly know I will be a successful student and practitioner. Seems like so many people here want to do it the easy way, and hope to slip through the cracks- not going to succeed in the long run. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MedLib42 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I agree with the above posters - because you've already failed out of nursing school, you are probably going to have to show some consistently high grades over the long term, possibly even several years, with very few (if any) withdrawals. Keep taking science classes, and include some harder upper level courses (pathophysiology, immunology, pharmacology) if you haven't taken them already. You'll also want to be able to address your failures and see if you can put them in a positive light - for example, you were young, had too much other stuff going on, weren't ready for the commitment of nursing school but now you know what you want and things in your life have changed (obviously use what applies to your situation). Figure out what you've learned from those failures, and why you're not likely to make those same mistakes again. You may want to try to address that in your personal statement, if it fits there. Also, keep doing volunteer work, and make sure to get your HCE hours up. Many applicants go in with several thousand hours of HCE, so you'll want to shoot for that range. And make sure to get at least 100 shadowing hours under your belt. Your LORs also will need to be outstanding. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousprepa Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 @SGajajiva: I am planning to take 3 to 4 years off to strengthen my application for admissions. I have been doing my research for the past month. I feel like there is always something new I am learning about the career, and the application process. I am currently asking around different schools because my situation is unique. Even if I raise my stats, I would have to address why I will not fail out of a nursing program. I wish you the best in your round 1 application process! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASASM92 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 @SGajajiva: I am planning to take 3 to 4 years off to strengthen my application for admissions. I have been doing my research for the past month. I feel like there is always something new I am learning I think this is best. Good luck. Settle for nothing less than A's in all you classes. Consider a B a failure. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousprepa Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 @MedLib42: I also agree. It will feel like a full time job. I have to really think about all the hours of studying, shadowing, and working that will be considered for the next 3 years. Thanks for the advice for the personal statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousprepa Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 @zoopeda: Yeah, I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I withdrew from one nursing program on good standing. Showing withdrawals on my transcript. I failed out of another nursing program without good standing Those are going to hurt you way more than your GPA. You are going to have to provide a great explanation and then have a lot of HCE to boot. Think 8-10k hours. To be honest I'm not totally sure how you're going to tackle that other than with time and some sort of "I was young and dumb" explanation. I suggest going back to the school that you had good standing in or get into some allied health program to show you won't fail out of PA school. All is certainly not lost as long as you're prepared to buckle down for the long haul and put in the work to overcome this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousprepa Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 @wutthechris: It is true that the withdrawal and the failure from the nursing program would hurt my chances. I have been getting in touch with schools and the academic advisor. I have been thinking of a back up career just in case. My biggest goal is to communicate, "How can I stay in a PA program without having the same mistake happen again?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousprepa Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 In the past month, the input has been helpful. Keep it coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curiousprepa Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 I am thinking about pursuing a second degree in the sciences. This would be about 60 units. Would this be a good idea in my situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.