Dear Lisa

**Dear Lisa,** **When I got to college, I was young and sure that I was going to be a doctor. I struggled with my science courses and then changed my major 2 or 3 times. I stumbled across my current major, which I am doing well in, but my overall GPA is only 2.71. I'd like to go to graduate school in my field, but my parents and friends say that I won't get accepted anywhere. Is grad school a pipe dream for me?** **Bea Mynus** Dear Bea, Not at all. There are many graduate schools good ones that accept students below the general 3.0 GPA. What school you ultimately attend will be determined by your major, your desired location, and the popularity of that particular program. Programs in the Humanities and Business are currently the most competitive, since there are so many applicants. Social and Behavioral Sciences are next, followed by the Natural Sciences. Getting into graduate school is about more than just your grades. While they are certainly important, professional or volunteer experience in your field, a definite career plan, solid standardized test scores, and an otherwise strong package can tip the scale in your favor. Give your essay a lot of thought, and if you choose, explain the circumstances that have affected your grades. Whenever possible, visit the campuses you are interested in and speak with an Admissions Representative, as well as key faculty and administrators in your program. After all, it's harder to reject someone you know. Start the process early so that your application package is complete well before the submission deadline. If there are many seats available in the next admissions cycle, it's more likely that there will be room for you. Good luck! **Dear Lisa,** **I've been at my college for almost 2 years, and I'm unhappy. It's a "good school," but I'm far from home, and don't have many friends. I'm not really interested in my classes, although my grades are okay. I'd like to go to a school closer to home, but I don't want to start all over again, and I'd feel like I let my parents down. Am I stuck here?** **Misa Rable** Dear Misa, There are many students in your situation. The decision to transfer from one school to another is a serious one, and you should really think it through before you make a choice. Ask yourself these three questions first: Have I made an honest effort to succeed here? Will changing my major help? What does the new school have to offer me that this one doesn't? After asking yourself these questions, if you decide that you definitely need a change of scenery, give the transfer process the same attention that you gave getting into college in the first place. That means research the schools that interest you, get in touch with the Admissions Representatives, and visit the schools, if you can. Assemble your application package and if possible, deliver it personally, otherwise, be sure to observe the admissions deadlines. Take the time to collect both student and official copies of your transcript, and make sure that you hang on to the college catalog/bulletin for your current institution. Shop around and see which colleges will take most of your credits. Each school has its own policy on transfer credits so make sure that you know what they will accept and what you will have to take when you get there. At less than two years, you've probably taken mostly General Education courses, and so the majority of your credits should transfer either as required coursework or electives towards your degree. Life is too short to be unhappy. If you really want to leave your current school, your parents will understand. If you are moving to a smaller school or one in your home state, chances are that their bank account will praise you, if they are financing your education. If they aren't, then truly, the decision is entirely yours. I urge you to discuss it with them after you've thought it through. They may have suggestions or insights that will apply to your specific situation. I would also suggest talking to an academic advisor or someone in your school's counseling center about your plans to get another perspective. **Dear Lisa,** **Everywhere I turn, I see reports that there is a nursing shortage and descriptions of the benefits of becoming a nurse. However, I've applied to my school's School of Nursing, as well as to other BSN programs in my area, and I've been rejected by all of them. I don't understand. I'm a student in good standing, my average is a solid 3.0, and I really do want to help people. In the letter from my college's program, I was told that my GPA wasn't high enough. What's their problem? It's not like this is Harvard!** **Rhea Jaxion** Dear Rhea, Your college is not trying to insult you, and there really is a nursing shortage. One of the shortage areas is in nursing education. Students across the country are encountering these problems. There are simply not enough faculty members to teach everyone that wishes to become a nurse. Nursing programs have a limited number of seats in each admission class, and often have several times as many applicants. This is especially true of public institutions, which are less expensive than private colleges and universities. (In the program at my institution a public college there were 60 seats, and almost 400 applicants.) The admissions decisions among so many qualified applicants are immensely difficult. Programs often start at the top of the GPA spectrum and work their way down. However, there are alternatives to 4-year college nursing programs. There are practical programs through hospitals and vocational schools, as well as Associate's degree programs. Once you've earned your RN license, completing the BSN is almost obstacle-free. Almost all Schools of Nursing offer "in-service" programs to help nurses complete their bachelor's degrees. In at least one school I can think of, you can complete your RN on your way to earning an MSN, no matter what your undergraduate degree, if your GPA is strong and you've completed the pre-requisite courses. You do have options, you just have to decide which letters are more important to you right now the RN or the BSN. _Lisa is now the Assistant Director of Academic Advising at Trinity University in Washington, DC, the result of taking her own advice and taking a chance on her skills. She hopes to develop a strong relationship with Trinity and will continue to encourage students to plan to live their dreams._ delicious | digg | technorati
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