<p>I'm sure you have heard my story before but I desperately need help.</p>
<p>When I was younger (I'm 31 now) I did horrible at community college. I had at least 10 withdrawals and bad grades when I did go. Fast forward to now and I'm prepared to go back to school. I work as an EMT and decided I want to go back to college to become a nurse</p>
<p>I know that my old transcript will haunt me forever but I need some advice on what to do. I decided to "start fresh" at a different community college and retake all my courses (even the ones I passed) just so I have a fresh transcript so when I do apply to nursing schools they will see that I am really trying now and I wanted a fresh start. </p>
<p>I guess I just want to know if what I am doing is a good idea and if it will even help my situation. I wish I could erase my history but I know I can't. </p>
<p>Is retaking everything worth it? Will they care? I would hate to put in all this effort and be denied wherever I apply because of my past transcript. (My transcript is pathetic. I'm so ashamed of it. I wish I could somehow get rid of it). </p>
<p>Anyways, just need advice. My current community college doesn't even know I used to attend a different community college. I am lost on what to do. I barely sleep at night. I'm so excited to start fresh but I still have my old transcript in the back of my mind making it hard to get excited for my academic future. </p>
<p>If you’re starting fresh and retaking everything, how would any future school you apply to even know about your old cc transcript unless you put it on your application? I had to request transcripts from every community college I went to (I think it was 3 or 4!) but if I forgot to list one, then they don’t get the transcripts and I don’t get the credit. But if you don’t <em>want</em> the credit, don’t list the old community college at all. Take your do-over and run with it.</p>
<p>Nursing schools require I submit all transcripts. I’ve never used financial aid but I may in the future. I’m pretty sure I’d get in trouble if I don’t submit all my transcripts. Correct me if I’m wrong. I really hope you’re right tho!</p>
<p>If you have a nursing school in mind I would call admissions and ask how they handle cases like yours, if you retake all coursework that you previously failed. Different schools will have different policies of course. Make sure you mention that it was quite a few years ago. The more time elapsed the better. I would not worry too much about this, but it would be good to know what you are in for before you put in all the time and effort. They may ask you to submit your application with a letter explaining the circumstances and what you have done since to mitigate. You may also be retaking some classes needlessly since they may not even allow you to retake anything with a C or better. Find out, and good luck!</p>
<p>I thought about doing what you just said but I also don’t want to tell them about my old college if I don’t have to. Thats why I decided to start over. God I hope I didn’t make a big mistake. My classes start tomorrow :(</p>
I am sorry, but what you are doing is not allowed. You must submit all transcripts to any college you attend and in general you cannot re-take for credit courses in which you received a grade of “C” or higher (though in some cases you may audit those classes). You do not have the option of saying that you don’t “want” the credit.
Accredited colleges and universities use the [National</a> Student Clearinghouse](<a href=“http://www.studentclearinghouse.org/]National”>http://www.studentclearinghouse.org/) . All of your previous enrollments will show and any nursing program to which you apply will request the transcript you are going to great lengths to hide. The consequences of attempting to conceal previous college work include rejection, expulsion and/or revocation of any degrees or certificates granted.</p>
<p>If you have wonderful grades in your current attempt at college, admissions committees definitely will see that you are trying and that you are making a fresh start. Your old transcript will not “haunt” you, it will be a testament to how far you have come and how much you have changed. Your current job will be an excellent example of your current commitment and drive.</p>
<p>Do not set yourself up to be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life. Have confidence in the person you have become, be completely honest, and have pride in the changes you have made and that your transcripts (ALL of them) will make clear. </p>
<p>I think it is not a good idea to embark on repeating all your previous classes without knowing if this will help you or not. It is also unnecessary to switch CC’s because all transcripts must be reported as laid out above. You should first meet with an adviser at the nursing school to find out what your best options are and what they will require for admission. Or if they are not available for non-students, then the transfer adviser at a CC will know what the requirements are and the best way to get there. Making it up as you go along is a poor plan.</p>
<p>Science and math classes usually have a sunset so you may have to retake some of those anyway. It seems that the window keeps getting shorter. For some it may be 5-7 years (don’t quote me). When you meet with an advisor, I would be sure to ask about that.</p>
<p>I just did a cursory google search and it looks like in many places the window is 5 years for nursing school. This will vary by state and school so it is best to get it straight from the horse’s mouth as it pertains to your situation.</p>
<p>Perhaps if they have an academic forgiveness program you could get a do-over. But you will have to talk to someone to find out. Make an appointment with an advisor at your community college. They may know the nursing school policies. But if they don’t, you really will need to talk to someone at the nursing school. I agree with the above poster who said that your ability to overcome your past may actually help you here. Can’t you call and ask some general questions without identifying yourself, if that’s what your worried about?</p>
<p>You can approach it as a negative (which apparently you’re doing), or as a positive, without apology.</p>
<p>“I have been successful in my EMT career, and despite some foolishness as a young adult, I have come to realize the importance of education. I have gone back to school to learn that which I, as a teenager, thought I already knew. I am now ready to . . .” </p>
<p>You get the idea. “I was too young and foolish then. I’m a lot smarter now and value education now.”</p>
<p>You are not the first in your situation and you will not be the last. Face it honestly as a learning experience. (See the story of Judge Mathis, who was a juvenile offender, went to law school, became a judge, and now has a TV legal show a la Judge Judy.) Do not EVER hide it or lie about it; that can only come back to hurt you.</p>
<p>I was under the impression that you have 10 years from the time you take your last college course to use any of those credits toward a degree. In this case you may have to start again anyway. Call and ask the school. </p>
<p>On another note, a 31 year old who decided to be a nurse has much more ambition than that 18-20 year old that you self reported. I think you would make a wonderful candidate. Use your essays to let them know where you currently stand. Your new CC grades can show this (once you take them!!)</p>
<p>Good luck to you. Nursing has become a very rewarding career.</p>