Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Graduate Admission Requirements

Admission Update

Please note that the science and computer courses must have been completed no more than 5 years prior to your intended semester of enrollment.

All general education and pre-nursing courses must be completed before starting the program.

TRANSFER ADMISSION

APPLICATION DEADLINE

West Suburban College of Nursing reviews applications twice a year.

• Fall Admission-Application deadline - February 1
• Spring Admission-Application deadline - September 15

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Students who have completed all general education requirements and nursing support courses are considered Transfer Students.

Admission Criteria:

1. Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0, a minimum science GPA of 2.75/4.0 (science GPA is calculated from Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, and Microbiology courses).
2. Must be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended.
3. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
4. Submit one letter of recommendation from an academic advisor, instructor, or employer on school or company letterhead.
5. Write and submit a two-page essay (see Application Essay Questions).
6. Complete the TEAS exam with a satisfactory score in math and reading based on national averages. *

* The application form and application fee must be submitted before registering for the TEAS exam.

RN-BSN COMPLETION OPTION

Registered nurses who are graduates of an NLNAC accredited, IDFPR approved, ADN, or Diploma nursing program, and who hold a current Illinois nursing license, can apply to the RN-BSN Completion Option.

Admission Criteria:

• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0, a minimum science GPA of 2.75/4.0 (science GPA is calculated from Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, and Microbiology courses).
• Must be in good academic standing at last college or university attended.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• Submit one letter of recommendation from an academic advisor, instructor, or employer.
• Write and submit a two-page essay (see Application Essay Questions).
• Submit a copy of your current Illinois RN license.

FAST TRACK OPTION

Students who are seeking a second Bachelor's degree and who have completed all nursing support and general education courses (only grades of "C" or better) can apply to the Fast Track Option.

Admission Criteria:

• Earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0, a minimum science GPA of 2.75/4.0 (science GPA is calculated from Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, and Microbiology courses).
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
• Submit one letter of recommendation from an academic advisor, instructor,or employer.
• Write and submit a two-page essay (see Application Essay Questions).
• Complete the TEAS entrance exam. For additional undergraduate and graduate admission requirements, please see Admission Requirements.

PRE-NURSING

Pre-nursing is an option for students who want to apply early and secure a seat in a future class. Students must have at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of general education and pre-nursing course work completed, and 3 out of the 4 required science courses completed at the time application is submitted. Students must also have a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.75 science GPA to be considered for pre-nursing. The essay, letter of recommendation, official transcripts, and TEAS exam must also be submitted.*

* The application form and application fee must be submitted before registering for the TEAS exam.

NON-DEGREE SEEKING STUDENTS
Students who wish to enroll in nursing courses but will not seek a degree at West Suburban College of Nursing may apply as a non-degree seeking student. A person may apply as a non-degree seeking student if he or she:

1. Has not been denied admission to the degree seeking program at West Suburban College of Nursing;
2. Has met the prerequisites for the class or classes in which he or she intends to enroll;
3. Will transfer the course to another institution; and
4. Is taking a course or courses for personal or professional development.

Those admitted as no-degree seeking students may only attend classes part-time and may not earn more than 12 hours of credit. Non-degree seeking students wishing to change to degree seeking status must reapply to the program and meet regular admission requirements. Those who wish to apply to the program as non-degree seeking students may obtain an application from the Office of Enrollment Management or online. Admission of non-degree seeking students is contingent on permission from the Dean of Nursing, space availability and the submission of academic transcripts from all higher education institutions attended.

TEAS EXAM

The TEAS exam will be offered at West Suburban College of Nursing every 2nd Wednesday of the month except in August, September and December the test will be administered on a Saturday. The application form and application fee must be submitted before registering for the TEAS exam. Checks can be made out to: West Suburban College of Nursing; credit cards are also accepted. Contact the Office of Admission at (708) 763-6530 to schedule your appointment.

APPLICATION ESSAY QUESTIONS

Essay Guidelines:

1. Must be typewritten
2. Double spaced
3. Maximum of 2 pages

Choose one of the following topics for your essay.

1. The College holds four values: respect all persons; advocate for the pursuit of personal and academic excellence; show concern and kindness towards others; and practice personal and academic integrity. Select one of the values and discuss how it plays into your own life, and how it would be part of your nursing career.
2. Discuss your personal and professional goals as related to becoming a part of or furthering yourself in the nursing profession, and how West Suburban College of Nursing can help you achieve these goals.
3. Share a story about yourself that will help us get to know you better and tell us something that we wouldn't otherwise know from your application.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

The letter of recommendation should give the admission committee some insight on a student's ability to practice as a nurse. The letter should address the student's intellectual ability and the retention and application of information learned, originality and flexibility of thought, command of written and verbal skills, self-reliance and initiative, dependability, organizational skills, and the ability to work with others. The required letter of recommendation should be written on school or company letterhead.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Submit all application material to:

West Suburban College of Nursing
Office of Enrollment Management
3 Erie Court
Oak Park, IL 60302

Download the application form or to apply online.

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ADMISSION

APPLICATION DEADLINE

West Suburban College of Nursing reviews applications twice a year.

• Fall Admission-Application deadline – July 1
• Spring Admission-Application deadline – December 1

Applicants for the Combined BSN-MSN:

• Fall Admission Application deadline – February 1
• Spring Admission Application deadline – September 15

ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR THE TRADITIONAL MSN OR POST MASTERS CERTIFICATE

1. Must have earned a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0.
2. Must have earned a cumulative GPA for undergraduate and graduate nursing courses of 3.0/4.0.
3. Submit three letters of reference from a recent employer, nursing professor or professional nurse with a graduate degree.
4. Submit a current Illinois RN nursing license or eligibility to be licensed in Illinois.
5. Write and submit a two-page essay on one of the following topics:
   1. Describe where you see yourself professionally in five years and how completing the West Suburban College of Nursing MSN program will help in meeting your professional goals.
   2. Share a professional accomplishment and discuss how it promoted your nursing career and increased your understanding of the nursing profession.
6. Submit a resume or curriculum vitae.
7. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
8. Submit an application fee of $30.

ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR THE COMBINED BSN-MSN PROGRAM

Students interested in the Combined BSN-MSN option will complete the undergraduate BSN requirements and pass the NCLEX-RN exam before progressing to the MSN program.

1. Must have earned a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 and a science GPA of 3.0/4.0.
2. Submit three letters of reference from a recent employer, professor or academic advisor.
3. Write and submit a two-page essay on one of the following topics:
• Describe where you see yourself professionally in five years and how completing the West Suburban College of Nursing MSN program will help in meeting your professional goals.
• Share a professional accomplishment and discuss how it promoted your nursing career and increased your understanding of the nursing profession.
4. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
5. Complete the TEAS exam with a satisfactory score based on national averages.
6. Upon completion of the BSN course work, students must pass the NCLEX-RN before progressing to the MSN program.
7. Submit an application fee of $30.

ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR THE RN-MSN PROGRAM

1. Must have earned a cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 and a science GPA of 2.75/4.0.
2. Must have earned a cumulative GPA for undergraduate nursing courses of 3.0/4.0.
3. Completion of all required general education and pre-nursing courses.
4. Submit three letters of reference from a recent employer, nursing professor or professional nurse with a graduate degree.
5. Submit a current Illinois RN nursing license or eligibility to be licensed in Illinois.
6. Write and submit a two-page essay on one of the following topics:
   1. Describe where you see yourself professionally in five years and how completing the West Suburban College of Nursing MSN program will help in meeting your professional goals.
   2. Share a professional accomplishment and discuss how it promoted your nursing career and increased your understanding of the nursing profession.
7. Submit a resume or curriculum vitae.
8. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
9. Submit an application fee of $30.

An official transcript evaluation will be conducted after an application for admissions has been received. Transfer credit for general studies and nursing support courses will be determined by the Office of Enrollment Management at the College. Transfer credit for nursing courses will be determined by the Deans of Nursing at West Suburban College of Nursing.

Students are encouraged to make an appointment with an admission counselor for an unofficial transcript evaluation and pre-admission advising.

Submit completed application, official transcripts, letters of reference, essay, and $30 fee to:

West Suburban College of Nursing
Office of Enrollment Management
3 Erie Court
Oak Park, IL 60302

Download the application form or to apply online.

COMPUTER LITERACY

Students accepted into the program are required to be computer literate and either own or have access to a computer with high speed internet access. Students should be proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, email and the internet.

TRANSFER CREDIT

Up to 6 hours of graduate transfer credits are allowed.

NON-DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS

Persons wishing to explore offerings in the graduate nursing program will be allowed to take 6 semester hours of courses as non-degree-seeking students. Such students must show evidence that they hold a bachelor’s degree and are registered nurses by submitting an official transcript from a regionally accredited institution. Non-degree-seeking students may not have been denied admission to the degree-seeking program at West Suburban College of Nursing.

Non-degree students may later apply for regular admission to the program by submitting all required documentation. Being allowed to take courses does not imply acceptance into the program. If accepted into the graduate nursing program, only six semester hours of earlier coursework with grades of B or better may be transferred into the degree.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLICANTS

Currently, we do not accept international students.

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