I wanted to come on here and share my CRNA application journey, including all my stats, because I know how discouraging this process can be. Last year, I went through an entire application cycle without receiving a single acceptance. This year, I'm officially going to CRNA school!
I remember being on Reddit last year reading everyone's acceptance posts, comparing my stats to theirs, and wondering whether I was ever going to be competitive enough. I wanted to make this post for anyone who is currently in that position.
I also want to be transparent about my application, because I think it's important that people see more than just the 4.0 GPAs and perfect applications.
My Stats
GPA (First Application Cycle):
Overall GPA: 3.54
Science GPA (NursingCAS): 3.19
GPA (Second Application Cycle):
Overall GPA: 3.69 (with grade replacement)
Science GPA (NursingCAS): 3.47
Retook and completed additional coursework totaling 6 classes, earning A's/A+'s to strengthen my application.
I knew my science GPA was one of the weakest parts of my application. Instead of hoping schools would overlook it, I decided to do something about it. I went back, retook classes, added upper-level coursework, and worked to demonstrate that I could handle the academic rigor of anesthesia school.
Clinical Experience: Almost 7 Years in Nursing
3 years in high acuity Emergency/Trauma departments. 5 years of my nursing career have been as a travel nurse as well.
1 year of CVICU/MICU experience.
Remaining experience in the PICU.
Currently working in a high acuity CVPICU and Rapid Response.
Experience across adult and pediatric critical care settings.
Certifications and Additional Training:
CCRN
CMC
TNCC
Ultrasound-guided IV placement trained in both adult and pediatric populations.
Approximately 60 hours of CRNA shadowing across multiple anesthesia specialties.
Other Application Stats:
GRE: 309
Leadership experience, including trauma coordination, precepting, and involvement in nursing organizations.
Continued professional development and additional critical care training throughout the application process.
My First Application Cycle
Last year, I applied to 10 CRNA programs.
5 interview invitations
3 waitlists
0 acceptances
Getting five interviews gave me hope, but ultimately watching the cycle end without an acceptance was incredibly disappointing.
Being waitlisted was especially frustrating because I knew I had gotten close. It felt like I had done enough to be considered, but not quite enough to get across the finish line.
I had to decide whether I was going to let that discourage me or use it as motivation to become a stronger applicant.
My Second Application Cycle (2026)
This year, I decided to be much more intentional about how I approached the process.
21 programs applied to
11 interviews/interview invitations so far
1 ACCEPTANCE!
Several programs haven't even reached their application deadlines yet, and I'm still waiting to hear back from others.
Going from zero acceptances last year to finally receiving that first acceptance is a feeling that's difficult to describe. It made all the additional classes, preparation, time, money, and uncertainty worth it.
What I Changed Between Cycles
I didn't completely reinvent myself as an applicant. I focused on strengthening the things within my control.
1. I addressed my academic weaknesses.
My NursingCAS science GPA went from 3.19 to 3.47. I completed six courses total between retakes and additional classes, while continuing to work as a nurse. I wanted admissions committees to see that my past grades weren't necessarily representative of the student I am today.
2. I continued building my clinical experience.
I continued working in high acuity critical care environments, expanded my knowledge, and challenged myself clinically. I wanted to be able to speak confidently about the physiology, pharmacology, and clinical decisions I encounter at work, rather than simply memorizing answers for interviews.
3. I earned additional certifications.
I added my CMC and continued investing in my critical care education. Certifications alone won't get you into CRNA school, but I believe they're another way to demonstrate your commitment to the profession.
4. I became a stronger interviewer.
I spent a lot more time reviewing hemodynamics, vasoactive medications, ventilator management, acid-base disorders, and the physiology behind the interventions we perform every day.
More importantly, I worked on being able to explain why I do something rather than just knowing what to do.
5. I applied more broadly.
Last cycle I applied to 10 programs. This cycle I applied to 21.
I recognize that applying to that many programs isn't financially feasible for everyone. It certainly wasn't cheap. But I wanted to maximize my opportunities while continuing to improve my application.
What I Want Other Applicants to Know
If you're sitting there with a 3.0–3.5 science GPA, a rejection letter, or a waitlist notification, please don't automatically assume your dream is over.
I'm not going to pretend GPA doesn't matter. It absolutely does. I'm also not going to tell you that clinical experience or certifications can completely make up for academic weaknesses.
But your current application doesn't have to be your final application.
I started this process with a 3.19 science GPA, applied to 10 programs, interviewed at five, and ultimately didn't get accepted anywhere.
Instead of giving up, I spent another year doing everything I reasonably could to strengthen my application. I raised my science GPA, added coursework, continued developing clinically, earned additional credentials, and worked on becoming a better interviewer.
And now I'm going to be a CRNA.
I also want to emphasize something that often gets lost in conversations about stats: you are more than your GPA.
Your academic record is important, but so are your experiences, your ability to learn from setbacks, your work ethic, and the way you carry yourself in an interview.
I don't think my acceptance proves that everyone will get in if they simply keep applying. This process is competitive, and there are plenty of qualified applicants who don't get selected. But I do believe rejection can be an opportunity to reevaluate your application and come back substantially stronger.
If becoming a CRNA is genuinely what you want, be willing to put in the work. Be realistic about your weaknesses, seek honest feedback, and make measurable improvements. Don't just reapply with the exact same application and hope for a different outcome.
One unsuccessful application cycle does not determine your future.
I hope this gives someone a little encouragement, especially those who are currently waitlisted, rejected, or questioning whether they are competitive enough.
I was in that exact position last year, and now I have an acceptance.
I'm happy to answer questions about my GPA improvements, clinical background, certifications, interviews, or anything else about the application process.
Keep going. Keep improving. And don't count yourself out before an admissions committee has even had the chance to consider the person you've become.
