Admission Factors

Nursing programs generally consider the following factors when deciding who to admit.

Academic Ability

Successful completion of prerequisite coursework, usually with C grade or above (note: some programs like Johns Hopkins require a B or above but they are also fine with accepting community college coursework for pre-reqs)
Average GPAs for accepted applicants are in the 3.0 – 3.5 and higher range
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores for Master’s level nursing programs; although some Masters program will waive the GRE if an applicant’s GPA is high enough.

Volunteer or paid experience working with patients in healthcare setting is required by many schools and encouraged by all.
Patient-related experience allows applicants to test their career decision and be confident that it is a good fit.
Applicants who have researched and gained direct exposure to the profession will be better prepared to write a compelling application and respond to the interview questions.
Many hospitals and community clinics may offer volunteer experiences.
Review Explore Opportunities section for possible volunteer opportunities.

Many nursing degree programs require letters of recommendation.
Schools may require letters from particular individuals, such as a nurse, professor, or academic advisor.
Applicants will need to check the schools’ specific directions regarding letters.
Nursing program applicants should use the electronic letter of recommendation system provided through NursingCAS or follow direct application instructions for sending letters of recommendation directly to non-NursingCAS programs.

Be prepared to discuss why you are pursuing a career in the nursing and how you perceive the role of the nurse in health care.

You may be rated on:

Your knowledge of the profession.
Your motivation to pursue a career in nursing.
How you present yourself and interact in a group.
Interpersonal attributes related to the care of patients (see above section “Is Nursing A Possible Career For You”).