2.3 gpa is there hope plz read my story

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Anna1732

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I have waited to post for a long time, but I need advice more than ever.

I started undeclared at community college for 2 years. After I transferred to a 4 year state school my dad passed away unexpectedly. I wasnt able to handle it, had a bad year and failed out.

I got readmitted after a year, did retakes and got As and Bs for 1 year. Then I started doing bad again- failed molecular bio, Cs in algebra based physics and got a D twice in ochem2. I pulled it together my last semester, As and B pluses. I graduated with a bio bs overall 2.25 gpa.

Now its been a year since I graduated and I know I need a 2nd bachelors to do anything whether medicine or grad school. I got accepted into chem engineering at a community college, and if I make As can transfer and finish at a 4 year. Im in therapy, and worry often about this decision. Before I start this journey please advise if I am wasting my time even trying due to my past. Please be honest.
(No clinical experiences, research etc . waiting to do that stuff once gpa is up. Im a 1st gen college student and hispanic from a very low income)

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You should consider doing something more in the biology/chemistry field if your goal is medicine. Engineering is great and all, but now you need to prove that you can handle med school type classes, which will not consist of engineering...
 
You need to decide what you're trying to do. Doing an engineering degree is not going to help your GPA (or show that you really want medicine), and with multiple fails where you went back up and then down will give pause to a lot of people. We're talking here about pulling off your GPA to at least a 2.8 for an SMP to look at you. If that's a second bachelor, that's what it takes. If it is more, that's what it takes. Then you have to rockstar your SMP and have a high MCAT on top. This would make a reasonable admissions committee member take a shot with you. If you don't want an SMP, I think podiatry will take a chance with a 2.8 an above average MCAT.

Is this possible? I can't answer that for you. Is this practical? My answer would be no. If I were that deep in the hole, I'd be looking into RN-to-NP if diagnosis and pharmacotherapy is your goal. I've seen only a handful of students with 2.4-to-2.7 range make it to medical school, and that was when they had grade replacement and most were not science majors.

Being hispanic and low income can give you a slight boost, but I wouldn't bank on it given the rest of the application
 
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Thank you for replying. If it helps, its chem engineering which has all the premed requirements in its program. If I dont get accepted, engineering gives me some hope at a problem solving career. I would like to do PA or medical research as alternative career options but dont have the gpa to be accepted. I dont want to be an RN as my heart isnt in caretaking.
 
Thank you for replying. If it helps, its chem engineering which has all the premed requirements in its program. If I dont get accepted, engineering gives me some hope at a problem solving career. I would like to do PA or medical research as alternative career options but dont have the gpa to be accepted. I dont want to be an RN as my heart isnt in caretaking.

This seems like a totally reasonable/responsible way to go. Why MD/DO or PA if you say your heart isn't in care taking? Want to reassure you that being in counseling is *not* an issue getting into medical school, and being on top of your mental health should be one of your top priorities. Life sucks, it's a furnace, and from here on out you *gotta* show that you have what it takes to become a doc. Totally doable, but you have to be realistic that you're trying to compete against people that have had their **** together their entire lives who schools do *not* have to take a risk on in accepting/matriculating.

If your heart's set on becoming a doc, it could happen if you put the sweat in. Not going to sugar coat it, but it's going to suck. You're going to have to obsess over every point/exam/quiz for *years*, just to get a shot at getting into school from here on out. If you think you've fixed the underlying issues that lead to your poor performance, you might be able to make it work, but before you commit to anything do some soul searching, because this is gonna be a really long next few years if you choose this route
 
You are looking at a minimum of 2 years of ~4.0 post-bacc work to even have a remote chance. I was in your shoes once, but I wasn't a science major previously. My cumulative was destroyed, but thankfully my sGPA was salvageable and I got a high MCAT score so you may get different feedback than I did. I did around 2.5 years of all upper-level science courses and got one B during that time.

I hate to say it, but if you're going to do this you have to basically be perfect from here on out. To bring your GPA up to even within SMP range is going to require a lot of credit hours at close to a 4.0 because Bs (C's are absolutely not an option at this point) just aren't going to move your GPA that much because of all the credit hours you already have. I would not do engineering though. I would continue to take upper-level science courses. If you were a chemistry major before then do a biology major or vice versa. This will better prepare you for the MCAT and it will show sustained academic success in a science curriculum which is what med school focuses on. Engineering is also notoriously hard and you're making your life even more difficult by choosing it.

You really have to have fixed your previous issues though because going from your previous academic performance to straight As isn't an easy task. I had to completely overhaul how I studied, how I viewed school, and my priorities in life to even come close to sniffing med school. My whole life the past few years has revolved around it. I quit my job and lived entirely off student loans because I had to devote everything I had to make sure I put forth my best application with what time I had when it finally came time to apply. This allowed me the time (kinda) to get research experience, volunteering, and clinical exposure in the two years that I was back in school.

I may not be successful this cycle, but I already have an interview at a DO school which I'm absolutely thrilled about so who knows what will happen. It just shows that if you can show that you've completely changed everything around then you at least give yourself a fighting chance. It won't be easy. You'll be stressing over every grade you get because there really is no margin for error. Make sure this is really what you want out of life because pulling yourself out of this hole is going to be a long and painful process, but it's worth it if this is your dream.
 
If you are at 120 credits of 2.25, then its going to take 120 credits at 3.7 to get you up to 2.97.If you ace everything, 120 credits of 4.0 would get you to 3.125. Most schools will screen you out if below 3.0....

Engineering is also known to be harsh on gpas. If you want engineering then work through it and have a great career as an engineer. If you want medicine its going to take 4-5 years of work to get there.
 
This is all assuming that you have all of a sudden become a spectacular student. Dont forget about clinical hours, volunteer work, shadowing physicians, the MCAT...
 
If you are at 120 credits of 2.25, then its going to take 120 credits at 3.7 to get you up to 2.97.If you ace everything, 120 credits of 4.0 would get you to 3.125. Most schools will screen you out if below 3.0....

Engineering is also known to be harsh on gpas. If you want engineering then work through it and have a great career as an engineer. If you want medicine its going to take 4-5 years of work to get there.

Some schools will screen you below a 3.0, but there are plenty that won't. I've reached out to a lot of different schools and have been told to apply with a sub-3.0 cGPA and have even been called a competitive applicant. I know everyone spouts 3.0 as the magic number that you need to get above, but with a good narrative, strong MCAT score, and a long enough record of sustained academic success the door to med school isn't closed if you can't get above a 3.0.

Edit: That isn't to say the chances are necessarily great, but it's definitely in the realm of possibility.
 
I have waited to post for a long time, but I need advice more than ever.

I started undeclared at community college for 2 years. After I transferred to a 4 year state school my dad passed away unexpectedly. I wasnt able to handle it, had a bad year and failed out.

I got readmitted after a year, did retakes and got As and Bs for 1 year. Then I started doing bad again- failed molecular bio, Cs in algebra based physics and got a D twice in ochem2. I pulled it together my last semester, As and B pluses. I graduated with a bio bs overall 2.25 gpa.

Now its been a year since I graduated and I know I need a 2nd bachelors to do anything whether medicine or grad school. I got accepted into engineering at a community college, and if I make As can transfer and finish at a 4 year. Im in therapy, and worry often about this decision. Before I start this journey please advise if I am wasting my time even trying due to my past. Please be honest.
(No clinical experiences, research etc . waiting to do that stuff once gpa is up. Im a 1st gen college student and hispanic from a very low income)
Read this:
Goro’s Guide Reinvention for Pre-Meds
 
I am trying to be realistic as far as getting only As. Maybe this fall I will only take 3 classes at a time to start and see if I can physically do It. I dont have a job now since I just had to take calc1 and needed an A. I got a B in programming though for a 4 week summer course (no pluses or minuses at this CC) which is not acceptable and really makes me pause at my abilities. No more short summer classes for me.

It is a long road to see 3.0 but about 40 of my credits are from CC with overall 3.0. Maybe my total from both schools is more like 2.5, but that is still so low.
 
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Imma get flack for this, but if you can pull off high GPAs in the next two years, but dont get into MD or DO school, I would look into Podiatry (DPM). The lowest GPA accepted by a Pod school last year I believe was a 2.3. If there is any way to bump up your GPA to a 2.4-2.5, then a strong MCAT performance (505+) would convince some of the larger schools to take a chance on you.

I would like to do PA or medical research as alternative career options but dont have the gpa to be accepted.
 
I dont think I could be a podiatrist, but thank you for letting me know it could be an option.

My last dip in gpa was in 2016 because my mothers lung fibrosis became worse. She has an incurable immune disease, 18 years in the making, so I have had to learn to cope and manage my emotions to accept that she might pass away within the next few years. It is still a source of worry and depression, but not debilitating like before.
 
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I am trying to be realistic as far as getting only As. Maybe this fall I will only take 3 classes at a time to start and see if I can physically do It. I dont have a job now since I just had to take calc1 and needed an A. I got a B in programming though for a 4 week summer course (no pluses or minuses at this CC) which is not acceptable and really makes me pause at my abilities. No more short summer classes for me.

It is a long road to see 3.0 but about 40 of my credits are from CC with overall 3.0. Maybe my total from both schools is more like 2.5, but that is still so low.

I'd take the time to sit down and calculate your actual GPA (with every single class including retakes) because it'll give you a better idea of where you sit and how much work you have ahead of you. I'd also calculate your sGPA as well to see where that stands.
 
PM me if you'd like. I'd love to share my journey from a rock-bottom GPA to acceptance into every SMP I applied to, and my first medical school interview invite this morning. Granted, I still have yet to earn the white coat... But the door is certainly not closed for me and the same goes for you.
 
Dont take accelerated courses right now. Honestly taking that summer course was a mistake and I would personally say one that isn't going to help you content wise on your journey
 
Yes it was a mistake. I will only do full semester length now. I would like to do upper science classes only but I need loans to pay for them so it makes sense to enroll in a bachelors program. I am meeting with an advisor for the fall and so far am taking bio1 (have to again even though I got a B first time) calc 2 and calc based physics 1 (took that in 2011 without even knowing precalc so I failed it).

My undergrad was so hard to navigate since I had no idea what I was doing. At least now I am educated about what needs to be done (studying and applying what I learn, doing as many practice problems I can, things like this).
 
Thank you for replying. If it helps, its chem engineering which has all the premed requirements in its program. If I dont get accepted, engineering gives me some hope at a problem solving career. I would like to do PA or medical research as alternative career options but dont have the gpa to be accepted. I dont want to be an RN as my heart isnt in caretaking.
You need to have a nursing degree to get into NP school. You'd be an "RN in name only" as you'd be working as an NP. I definitely think it's a more straightforward and guaranteed way to get to your end goal.

Again, I strongly advise against engineering given the track record.
 
Im more interested in medicine, particularly immune disorders. Im not sure I would be satisfied only treating foot and ankle maladies. If I cant make it into med school, I would like to do research. I would need to work my way through it though which is why Im choosing chem/bio engineering as a 2nd bachelors.
 
You need to have a nursing degree to get into NP school. You'd be an "RN in name only" as you'd be working as an NP. I definitely think it's a more straightforward and guaranteed way to get to your end goal.


Again, I strongly advise against engineering given the track record.

I admit it will be hard to get As in engineering and I am trying to think of a different major besides just chem...but maybe a chem bs is easier to ace...though I truly dont know.

With my gpa Im not qualified for nursing schools here which are very competitive. But not only that, it will take 6 years to become a NP and I dont think I will be happy being a nurse. I would much rather be in a lab like as a technologist if it came down to it.
 
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There is a small amount of infectious disease in Podiatry, the foot does get infected, but I get what you mean.

Still doesn’t hurt to shadow a pod, dentist, optometrist, pharmacist, etc. you might surprise yourself and find you really like something.
 
I'd take the time to sit down and calculate your actual GPA (with every single class including retakes) because it'll give you a better idea of where you sit and how much work you have ahead of you. I'd also calculate your sGPA as well to see where that stands.
I am doing this now. How are retakes considered in the med school application? Do retakes count as a full grade replacement or an average of the two? What about if it was taken 3 times? And are the hours from both classes still considered or how does that work? I tried googling it but got a mixed bag of answers.
 
I am doing this now. How are retakes considered in the med school application? Do retakes count as a full grade replacement or an average of the two? What about if it was taken 3 times? And are the hours from both classes still considered or how does that work? I tried googling it but got a mixed bag of answers.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t grade replacement phased out from AACOMAS this year?
 
I am doing this now. How are retakes considered in the med school application? Do retakes count as a full grade replacement or an average of the two? What about if it was taken 3 times? And are the hours from both classes still considered or how does that work? I tried googling it but got a mixed bag of answers.

For med school applications, I'm fairly certain you should consider each retake its own class, so credit hours and grades are separate from one another. There are no grade replacements either so each retake is fully counted. If you took a 3 credit hour class and got a D and then retook it and got an A then you'd want to calculate it as two separate classes giving you a 2.5 GPA between those two courses. If you had to take a course 3 times then you'd just add that third one into the mix to calculate the GPA.
 
My total gpa is 2.32 and my science gpa is 2.08.

I am rethinking everything at this point. I would have a 2.78 if they allowed retakes. Now that I know they don't I seriously don't stand a chance. I have 215 credits. There is no way I can pull it up to 3.0. I feel crushed.
 
My total gpa is 2.32 and my science gpa is 2.08.

I am rethinking everything at this point. I would have a 2.78 if they allowed retakes. Now that I know they don't I seriously don't stand a chance. I have 215 credits. There is no way I can pull it up to 3.0. I feel crushed.
Time for a solid plan B
 
Time for a solid plan B

Is it true that you need a 3.0 to get past initial screenings? I have done well before, my last semester I aced immunology and got as B+ in histology. I know I could do it, but my numbers are atrocious.
 
Is it true that you need a 3.0 to get past initial screenings? I have done well before, my last semester I aced immunology and got as B+ in histology. I know I could do it, but my numbers are atrocious.

You don't have to get above the 3.0 for certain schools. You just have to be very careful with your school list. You're in a really bad spot though considering you have so many credit hours already and federal financial aid caps off at a certain amount for undergrad loans (not sure about private).

If I were you, I'd reach out to a school that has a linkage program via a postbacc or SMP with a guaranteed acceptance. Discuss with them your options and how best to even get accepted into such a program and then do everything you can to get into that program. That's probably going to be your best option, but if this is what you really want to do and you know with absolute certainty you can handle the course load then I'd at least look into that option. It may very well not end up being feasible, but at least explore everything first before throwing in the towel.
 
Is it true that you need a 3.0 to get past initial screenings? I have done well before, my last semester I aced immunology and got as B+ in histology. I know I could do it, but my numbers are atrocious.
Make sure you read Goro's guide for reinvention. He posted a link.

With 215 credits at 2.3 GPA, there is not much you can do to raise it to 3.0. I am not saying it is completely impossible, but you will need better than average MCAT, 1-2 years of 3.8-4.0 DIY post-bacc or SMP, good story and significant experiences to overcome past failures. Even then it would be almost impossible to get an interview at MD schools. Maybe there is a chance with SMP programs that have direct linkages or at least guaranteed interviews. I am not sure they will accept that low GPA.

With 215 credits at 2.3 GPA, sownthing tells me you could not reinvent yourself after so many tries. I advise for a plan B. Even if you get in, it is likely you will struggle or fail in med achool.
 
Make sure you read Goro's guide for reinvention. He posted a link.

With 215 credits at 2.3 GPA, there is not much you can do to raise it to 3.0. I am not saying it is completely impossible, but you will need better than average MCAT, 1-2 years of 3.8-4.0 DIY post-bacc or SMP, good story and significant experiences to overcome past failures. Even then it would be almost impossible to get an interview at MD schools. Maybe there is a chance with SMP programs that have direct linkages or at least guaranteed interviews. I am not sure they will accept that low GPA.

With 215 credits at 2.3 GPA, sownthing tells me you could not reinvent yourself after so many tries. I advise for a plan B. Even if you get in, it is likely you will struggle or fail in med achool.

I definitely think the fact that they have so many credit hours and still have such a low GPA will definitely raise red flags. In my biased opinion (lol), it's different for someone who is coming back to school after a hiatus and just had a degree's worth of credits. This is basically two degrees worth of credit hours and their GPA was never repaired. It leads me to think that there are other things going on that make it so they can't handle a college course-load for extended periods of time. I think they'd be looking at 2+ years of DIY post-bacc work to even get into an SMP due to this because they have to completely separate themselves from the past. Even then it's not looking good.
 
My total gpa is 2.32 and my science gpa is 2.08.

I am rethinking everything at this point. I would have a 2.78 if they allowed retakes. Now that I know they don't I seriously don't stand a chance. I have 215 credits. There is no way I can pull it up to 3.0. I feel crushed.
You would need another 215 with As just to get that science to a 3.04. That seems to me like a close to impossible task. The only hope would be to do an SMP, but any SMP linked to a DO/MD school will at lowest consider a 2.75, which would not be easy either.

I understand that you feel crushed, but I think there are other things in life. At this point I'd say the wisest choice would be an alternative career option. I don't think even any allied health field would open to you.
 
Since I have a lot of retakes, the credits for the same class are still counted right? Like for example I took Chem 1 (worth 3 credits) three times. The first 2 times I failed it and the last time I got an A-. So that would still count as 9 credits right (with 2 of them having 0 points)?

Okay. I am going to just do engineering and if even THAT is too hard then I will go back to the drawing board so to speak. I have done well before, but yes it was hard for me to sustain high grades. I dont know if the admissions committee will consider my struggle, but it took me from 2010 to 2013 to really grieve my fathers death. I found him passed away in our apartment. It's not an excuse, but it wasn't easy. In 2016 my mothers hands started to curl up from her scleroderma and I couldnt sleep since she coughed all night from the fibrosis spreading to her lungs. I should have taken a break from college, but I was so ignorant I didn't even know this was possible. I thought I had to continue straight through. I was SO ignortant, I did not realize theres an online portion to some regular classes (like blackboard or owl) and didn't do homeworks for my full first year in college.

Well, this is my story and I appreciate everyone's input. I already sort of knew that a different career option would be necessary because of my grades.
 
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Since I have a lot of retakes, the credits for the same class are still counted right? Like for example I took Chem 1 (worth 3 credits) three times. The first 2 times I failed it and the last time I got an A-. So that would still count as 9 credits right (with 2 of them having 0 points

Yes, that’s correct. So your GPA over those 3 classes/9 credits would be like 1.2. Each one stands as it’s own course. Nothing is averaged or replaced.
 
I definitely think the fact that they have so many credit hours and still have such a low GPA will definitely raise red flags. In my biased opinion (lol), it's different for someone who is coming back to school after a hiatus and just had a degree's worth of credits. This is basically two degrees worth of credit hours and their GPA was never repaired. It leads me to think that there are other things going on that make it so they can't handle a college course-load for extended periods of time. I think they'd be looking at 2+ years of DIY post-bacc work to even get into an SMP due to this because they have to completely separate themselves from the past. Even then it's not looking good.

I agree. OP if you have 215 credits at a 2.3 like another poster said (and I’m not going to re-read the whole thread to verify), that’s not an anomaly, that’s a pattern with a large sample size. I think you need a plan B.
 
Make sure you read Goro's guide for reinvention. He posted a link.

With 215 credits at 2.3 GPA, there is not much you can do to raise it to 3.0. I am not saying it is completely impossible, but you will need better than average MCAT, 1-2 years of 3.8-4.0 DIY post-bacc or SMP, good story and significant experiences to overcome past failures. Even then it would be almost impossible to get an interview at MD schools. Maybe there is a chance with SMP programs that have direct linkages or at least guaranteed interviews. I am not sure they will accept that low GPA.

With 215 credits at 2.3 GPA, sownthing tells me you could not reinvent yourself after so many tries. I advise for a plan B. Even if you get in, it is likely you will struggle or fail in med achool.
I think Johhnythan did similar and ended up with a 2.8 to get accepted to medical school. It's possible, but it's a stupid long road. This is one of the few times I just might recommend trying to go to a big 4 Carib IF you think you can succeed, but that's a huge gamble
 
I cant afford carribean. I need federal loans to survive and I dont have good enough credit or work history for private loans.

I agree, it is a stupid ong road and Im going to be 28 this year. Im trying to be practical.

I have to do transcript repair regardless, but at this point its going to be for engineering or NP or PA school. Im going to email or call various programs and see I even have a chance with a hypothetical upward trend
 
I cant afford carribean. I need federal loans to survive and I dont have good enough credit or work history for private loans.

I agree, it is a stupid ong road and Im going to be 28 this year. Im trying to be practical.

I have to do transcript repair regardless, but at this point its going to be for engineering or NP or PA school. Im going to email or call various programs and see I even have a chance with a hypothetical upward trend
You dont have any chances at PA schools too. Their average GPA run 3.5-3.6. Most of their candidates have 1 year or more of direct paid patient care experience.

I doubt any BSN nursing program will take you at this point. You might try going with AA of nursing and work your way up.
 
I cant afford carribean. I need federal loans to survive and I dont have good enough credit or work history for private loans.

I agree, it is a stupid ong road and Im going to be 28 this year. Im trying to be practical.

I have to do transcript repair regardless, but at this point its going to be for engineering or NP or PA school. Im going to email or call various programs and see I even have a chance with a hypothetical upward trend

1. Post-bacc. classes in science, do well
2. SMP, do well
3. Medical School
 
0. Contact SMP programs to see if you have any chance getting in any of them

yes, definitely. I hope that the OP contacts SMPs to see what would be needed to be done in post. bacc. science courses to allow him in.

People need to be less afraid of admission committees when asking them for help. I've seen people enter SMPs with serious IA's/misdemeanors/felonies and then blow 60k+ down the drain because they never asked the medical schools if it would be forgiven by doing the SMP in the first place.
 
OP, it's with TLC that i suggest you don't go chasin' waterfalls.

But SDN is truly compassionate. It's time to do some pragmatic soul searching and find something you will be happy with and is also attainable! good luck
 
Thank you to all who have responded. I am going to call tomorrow and see if they think it is worth the trouble. I also am going to talk about my past with my therapist

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you end up pursuing!
 
I wish you the best of luck with whatever you end up pursuing!
Thank you. I plan to update after the fall semester. I dont have any premed friends and wish I had reached out for advice in real life before starting my journey. Before, I couldn't even talk to academic counselors without crying lol. Now, thankfully, its much different. Im going to shadow a nurse too and see what it's like. I shadowed a sonographer before and didnt like it.
 
I graduated undergrad with a 2.5 in 2012 and made it to DO school after doing exceptionally well in graduate school (4 yr program) with no grade replacement and a boatload of clinical experience. It can be done, but it will take a longer time and more money. You can do this if you put your mind to it. In the end if medicine is truly what you are passionate about and you couldn't see yourself doing anything else because you want to live, eat, breathe clinical medicine then it would be worth all of the money in my opinion. Getting up every morning hating what you do for a living and always having that feeling like something is missing, or a feeling of regret when you're 50 and miserable saying to yourself "I should have gone to medical school" is not worth passing this up. I suggest if you stick with it to try and avoid primary care as it may be more difficult to pay off loans. The higher paying specialties (although more competitive) will make the time and debt less of a burden on you. There is always podiatry school and carib MD. Listen to the posters above; they gave some great advice.
 
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You dont have any chances at PA schools too. Their average GPA run 3.5-3.6. Most of their candidates have 1 year or more of direct paid patient care experience.

I doubt any BSN nursing program will take you at this point. You might try going with AA of nursing and work your way up.
I agree the AA of nursing is probably the most likely way to start that journey. I know someone that got an AA in nursing, passed the board exam to become an RN then got an MSN as Clinical Nurse Leader (skipping BSN) then went onto a DNP program. I know this is a hard and roundabout way to get to diagnosis and treatment, but given a 2.3, this is probably the best route to achieve that goal.

I know OP says that they don't want to be a nurse, but an NP hardly works as a nurse, and given the record, it's unwise to be demanding about the options to get to the goal of practicing medicine.
 
I hear what some are saying about nursing, and its something I am considering. I plan on getting cna asap to see how I would like that kind of role. How did you manage to change from low gpa to getting high marks consistently? What kind of clinical experience did you choose?
 
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