SCHOOL OF NURSING
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Fall 2018 Minimum Science GPA FAQs
Fall 2018 GPA & Total Points Worksheet
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1.
What is the Minimum Science GPA?
Are points assigned to the Minimum Science GPA?
Can you provide me with a few Minimum Science GPA examples?
Do I use the units and grade points on my transcripts when I calculate my GPA?
Do I include pluses and minuses?
If a science course I completed at a UC converted to less than 4 semester units, would I
still use 4 units?
If my Minimum Science GPA is below 3.000, am I eligible to apply?
May I include my chemistry lab grade to boost my GPA?
Am I required to include my lab grade (if separate) for anatomy or A&P I, physiology or
A&P II, and microbiology?
I attend a quarter-system school, and I completed 3 courses to satisfy the anatomy and
physiology requirement—how do I calculate my GPA?
Is there a recency requirement—do my courses expire?
May I be enrolled in my last science course and repeating a science course at the time of
application?
If I am repeating a science course, may I show the course in progress and omit my prior
grade?
If I apply with a science course in progress, will you recalculate my GPA after grades are
posted?
What is the Minimum Science GPA?
The GPA of the 4 science courses only (Anatomy or A&P I, Physiology or A&P II, Chemistry, and
Microbiology)
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A Minimum Science GPA of 3.000 is required
The Minimum Science GPA must include at least 3 grades
Only 1 science course may be in progress at the time of application
Only 1 science course may be a repeat
Eligibility only—no points assigned
2.
Are points assigned to the Minimum Science GPA?
Eligibility only—no points assigned!
3.
Can you provide me with a few Minimum Science GPA examples?
Sure! Basically, if you have a C, you need another course with an A to bring the average up
to 3.000.
A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, IP = in progress, AP = AP Credit
A grade of C- or better required  drop pluses and minuses
Under the new criteria, all 4 science courses are weighted 4 Units
Example 1
Grade
Units
Grade Points
A&P I
A (4)
4
16
A&P II
B (3)
4
12
Chemistry
C (2)
4
8
Microbiology
IP
12
36
3.00
YES
GPA
Am I Eligible
Totals
GPA
Am I Eligible
Repeating
Microbiology
Example 2
Grade
Units
Grade Points
A&P I
B (3)
4
12
A&P II
C (2)
4
8
Chemistry
C (2)
4
8
Microbiology
IP
12
32
2.666
NO
GPA
Am I Eligible
Totals
Example 3
Grade
Units
Grade Points
A&P I
A (4)
4
16
A&P II
C (2)
4
8
Chemistry
C (2)
4
8
Microbiology
IP
12
32
Totals
Not eligible at this
time, need an A in
microbiology and
will need to use 1
science repeat to
raise GPA – see
Example 1
Not eligible at this
time, need an A in
microbiology
2.666
NO
Example 4
Grade
Units
Grade Points
A&P I
A (4)
4
16
A&P II
C (2)
4
8
Chemistry
C (2)
4
8
Microbiology
A (4)
4
16
16
Totals
GPA
Am I Eligible
48
3.00
YES
GPA
Am I Eligible
Example 5
Grade
Units
Grade Points
A&P I
A (4)
4
16
A&P II
A (4)
4
16
Chemistry
IP
8
32
Minimum 3 grades
required
Microbiology
Totals
4.
4.00
NO
Do I use the units and grade points on my transcripts when I calculate my GPA?
No. Use the standard units below:
 All science courses – 4 Units (Anatomy or A&P I, Physiology or A&P II, Chemistry,
and Microbiology)
 All other courses – 3 Units
5.
Do I include pluses and minuses?
No. Pluses and minuses are dropped! For example, a B- or a B+ would be considered a B in
all of the nursing GPA calculations.
6.
If a science course I completed at a UC converted to less than 4 semester units, would I
still use 4 units?
Yes.
7.
If my Minimum Science GPA is below 3.000, am I eligible to apply?
No. We regret if your Minimum Science GPA is below 3.000, your application will not be
considered. Here is a link to the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) list of
accredited nursing programs, http://www.rn.ca.gov/education/rnprograms.shtml. There
are over 140 nursing programs in California—there may be options with more liberal GPA
policies. We recommend you only consider regionally accredited colleges and programs
approved by the BRN.
8.
May I include my chemistry lab grade to boost my GPA?
Yes, but it cannot be any lab, it must be the lab associated with the course—no exceptions.
9.
Am I required to include my lab grade (if separate) for anatomy or A&P I, physiology or
A&P II, and microbiology?
Yes.
10.
I attend a quarter-system school, and I completed 3 courses to satisfy the anatomy and
physiology requirement—how do I calculate my GPA?
Great question! Enter all 3 courses on your supplemental nursing application and weight
each course 2.666 units.
11.
Is there a recency requirement—do my courses expire?
No. Your courses do not expire at Sac State! We recommend you seek advisement from
each program you are considering—policies vary.
12.
May I be enrolled in my last science course and repeating a science course at the time of
application?
Yes. However, you may not exclude the prior grade for the repeat since your Minimum
Science GPA and Nursing GPA must include 3 science grades.
13.
If I am repeating a science course, may I show the course in progress and omit my prior
grade?
Within the limits of the Nursing, In Progress Policy, you may show the course in progress
and exclude the prior grade from your Nursing GPA calculation. If you fail or drop the
course, your GPA will be recalculated with the previous grade which may change your
admission status.
14. If I apply with a science course in progress, will you recalculate my GPA after grades are
posted?
Your GPA will only be recalculated if you fail or drop the course. We recommend you
achieve the highest grade possible in case you need to reapply. If you are selected for
admission, we will provide you with the deadline to submit transcripts for your in-progress
course work with your orientation materials.