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Nursing Program Admission

You've worked hard in school and you're ready to pursue your dream of becoming a nurse—and we hope you'll apply to pursue that goal in Calvin's expansive nursing program. The process of applying for admission to our program differs depending on where you are in your academic journey. Follow the steps below to apply.

Select the description that best describes you:

Are you a high school student interested in nursing?

You don't want to miss out on Calvin's excellent nursing program. To earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN), you need to be admitted to Calvin University and to the nursing program.

  1. Apply to Calvin   
    Starting August 1 before your senior year, you can apply for admission to Calvin. Be sure to indicate nursing as one of your academic interests on the application. 
  2. Early admission into Nursing    
    Standardized test scores are not required when applying to Calvin. If you indicate an interest in nursing for the fall 2024 admission, you will be eligible for early admission into nursing with a high school GPA of 3.3 and above. If you have your standardized test scores and would like to use them, you will also be eligible for early admission into nursing with an ACT score of 24 or above, or a SAT score above 1190. For additional information about admission to Calvin University and test-optional, please go to https://calvin.edu/admissions/apply/test-optional.html
  3. Discover Calvin for yourself   
    You are invited to schedule a campus visit to tour our high-tech labs and find out about clinical opportunities. Be sure to ask to talk with a nursing advisor, too!
  4. Confirm your plans  
    Once you are admitted to Calvin, submit your enrollment deposit to confirm your place in the class. If you receive early admission to the nursing program, your enrollment deposit will hold your seat in the program.

To keep your early admission status, you must maintain an overall Calvin GPA of 3.3, as well as a 3.5 GPA in any pre-nursing courses.

If you did not indicate nursing on your Calvin application, and would like to be considered for early admission, please contact the nursing department.

Are you a current Calvin student who wants to join the nursing program?

If you didn’t meet the early admission requirements, there are a few steps that you need to take to be admitted to the nursing program.

  1. Meet with a nursing advisor    
    If you indicate an interest in nursing on your application to Calvin University, your faculty advisor should be from the nursing department. Together, you will determine a class schedule. Questions? Contact the department.
  2. Take relevant courses    
    Your freshman and sophomore year, you’ll experience classes in biology, chemistry, and psychology. These classes will be excellent preparation for the nursing program or for another major in healthcare.
  3. Apply to the nursing program    
    At the beginning of your sophomore year, you can evaluate if you meet the requirements (see below) to apply for the nursing program as a Calvin student. Applications are due on December 1 for the class beginning the following September. Applicants who submit after the deadline will only be considered on a space-available basis.
     

Nursing Application for Admission
 

Requirements to apply for the nursing program as a Calvin student

If you don’t have guaranteed admission status, you may still apply to join the nursing program. You must have:

  • at least sophomore standing (greater than or equal to 27 credits) at the application due date.
  • completed six nursing prerequisite courses at the application due date. These courses include BIOL 141, BIOL 205, BIOL 206, BIOL 207, CHEM 160, HE 254, PSYC 151, PSYC 201, and SOC 151.
  • a minimum overall Calvin cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 at the application due date.
  • a minimum pre-nursing Calvin GPA (GPA acquired from the nine pre-nursing courses) of 2.8 at the application due date.
  • a minimum grade of C on each of the prerequisite courses at the application due date.
  • no more than one repeat per required nursing prerequisite course. No more than two of the nursing prerequisite courses may be repeated.
  • no more than one withdrawal across the nine pre-requisite courses except for documented extenuating circumstances.
  • be 18 years or older in the calendar year in which nursing courses begin.

Are you considering transferring to the nursing program at Calvin?

We’re excited that you’re considering Calvin’s excellent nursing program! Because there is a separate application for the nursing department, we want to make sure you’re following the right steps.

  1. Contact the department    
    Since each student is different, we’d like to personally evaluate your situation. We’d be happy to talk through your transcript and experience. Contact us today.
  2. Apply to Calvin    
    Using the transfer application, be sure to apply to Calvin as early as possible.
  3. Discover Calvin for yourself    
    You are encouraged to schedule a visit and talk with a nursing advisor in person. You can tour our high-tech labs and find out about clinical opportunities. When you receive your offer of admission from Calvin, submit your enrollment deposit.

More details about transferring

Students who have transferred to Calvin from some other college or university will be considered Calvin students (rather than transfer students) if they will have completed two semesters of full time academic work at Calvin by the time they begin the upper division major.

Students desiring to transfer to Calvin for the upper division major who have completed course work judged by the department to be equivalent to the nine required pre-nursing courses will be considered for admission to the nursing program after qualified students from Calvin have been accepted into the program.

Transfer students must have a minimum grade of B on each of the nursing prerequisite courses taken at other institutions at the application due date. Transfer students also may not have more than one repeat per required nursing prerequisite course and no more than two of the nursing prerequisite courses may be repeated.

Applicants for admission, who are graduates of Calvin, will be given equal consideration for admission with current Calvin students.

The Calvin University Department of Nursing is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and meets all Michigan Board of Nursing requirements. We have not determined if our program meets all requirements of other states. If you wish to practice outside of the state of Michigan, your academic advisor will be most willing to collaborate with you on this. You may also consult this website for further information  https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm

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