Undergrad Application & Transfer Guide

Choosing a nursing program is a big decision, and the more you know going in, the better. If you are looking at an online degree, weigh the program's length, the specialties it offers, and where you want to work. Those three questions narrow the field fast.

Sometimes the first program you pick turns out to be the wrong fit, and that is more common than people expect. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports that nearly 10% of enrolled students change programs. People transfer for all kinds of reasons: family commitments, money, relocation, or realizing partway through that their real interest is pediatrics or oncology rather than the specialty they started in. Changing your mind is fine. Follow the area that actually interests you.

How to Choose an Online Nursing Program

Start with your own goals and lifestyle. Think about how a program's length and intensity will affect whether you can keep working. Flexibility is the main advantage of online study, letting you fit coursework around a job and family. If you want flexibility but also miss the classroom, a hybrid program mixes online and on-campus work and gives you more of a community.

Next, decide what kind of nurse you want to be. Nurses work across the whole healthcare system, from emergency departments and hospitals to family planning centers, rehabilitation facilities, and physical therapy programs. They work directly with patients, with research groups, and as liaisons between patients and other providers. Figure out where your skills fit and where you can do the most good.

Once you have programs that match your life and interests, confirm their accreditation. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) as an accreditation body, and it evaluates nursing degree programs nationwide.

Types of Nursing Degrees

You can train as a nurse in hospitals, healthcare systems, community colleges, and universities. A diploma program gives you real-world experience and, like an associate degree, takes about two to three years. With a diploma, you can work as an RN. The difference between an associate of science in nursing (ASN) and an associate degree in nursing (ADN) comes down to coursework: the ASN leans toward the sciences, while the ADN includes more liberal arts.

RNs with a diploma compile patient histories, assist with diagnostic tests, and teach patients to manage their care after treatment. An associate degree opens up more specialties, such as rehabilitation and pediatrics.

Healthcare employers increasingly push RNs to keep going and earn a bachelor's. If you already hold a diploma or associate, an accelerated bachelor's program can get you there in as little as one to two years, putting management and advanced nursing roles within reach.

Typical Entry Requirements

Programs are widely available online and on campus, so you have options. A diploma program asks for a high school diploma or GED, and you are strongly encouraged to have coursework in biology, chemistry, algebra, and English. Because diploma programs train directly inside healthcare facilities, they may not be offered online.

For a flexible two- to three-year route, an associate degree is the better choice. You will need a high school diploma or GED, usually with a 3.0 GPA, though some schools accept 2.5. Many programs also require the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), administered by Assessment Technologies Institute, which tests math, English, and reading along with basic biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology. Applicants typically need a TEAS score of at least 60 to be competitive. To apply for an RN-to-BSN program, you must already hold an RN license and provide transcripts from all prior education.

Applying to Nursing School

Application Materials

Whether you are a first-time applicant or a transfer, you will submit a similar set of materials:

• College application: personal information, academic history, and usually a personal statement explaining why you want the program.
• High school transcript: an official record of your courses and grades, sent directly by your school. If you have a GED, request a transcript from the GED Credentialing Service.
• Letters of recommendation: most schools want letters from teachers and counselors. Coaches and activity leaders can add compelling perspective.
• SAT or ACT scores: these verify foundational reading, writing, and math skills. The SAT leans toward critical analysis and reasoning; the ACT leans toward memorization. Most schools accept either, so take the one that fits your strengths.
• College transcript: if you are transferring, you will provide both college and high school transcripts. The college transcript drives credit transfer decisions.
• Application fees or fee waiver: most programs charge a nonrefundable fee, and many offer waivers for applicants in financial hardship. Check each school's FAQ and application pages.

When to Start Applying

The process runs long, and schools often take months to decide. Start about a year ahead. If you plan to begin in September, start your application the previous September. An early start keeps a two- or four-year program on schedule and, just as important, gives you time to apply for every form of financial aid you qualify for.

How to Transfer Colleges

Changing schools mid-program is more work than applying fresh, because you have to document prior coursework for credit transfer. Use this sequence:

1. Research your prospective transfer schools.
2. Check accreditation status and articulation agreements.
3. Contact school advisors.
4. Confirm which credits will transfer.
5. Research financial aid options.
6. Begin the application.

Transfer Requirements

Requirements vary by school, and spots are competitive. Schools look for strong academic and volunteer records, and most require proof that your previous program was accredited. You can check accreditation status on the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) website.

Types of Transfer Students

People transfer for many reasons. A few common situations:

• Community college to four-year college. Many students start at a community college, then enter a four-year school to finish a bachelor's in as little as two more years.
• Four-year to four-year. Not all bachelor's programs teach the same specialties. If yours does not cover the area you want, or you need to relocate, transferring finds a better fit.
• Military transfer. If you completed coursework in the military, you may be able to apply those credits to a two- or four-year institution. See the military transfer guide from the American Council on Education.
• International transfer. Moving abroad does not have to cost you your progress. An online program lets you keep up with classes from anywhere.

Which Credits Transfer

Before you move, find out which credits a new school will accept, because not all of them will. Some schools reject coursework completed on a different academic calendar, and others reject credits with a different course title, where "experimental chemistry" may not count as "fundamentals of chemistry." Acceptance is entirely at the receiving school's discretion. Public schools within the same state system generally accept the most credits, and the more different the institutions, the more questions come up.

• Course equivalency. Schools compare your transcript against their own catalog. An intro psychology course usually transfers cleanly, but a writing composition course might count only as a general elective.
• Course level. Lower-division and general education courses (100 to 200 level) often transfer, while higher-numbered and specialized courses, including junior and senior seminars and lab work, may not.
• Quarter versus semester. Calendar systems matter even online. A semester school generally counts two quarter classes as one semester requirement, so two quarter chemistry courses usually equal one semester class.

What If Your Credits Don't Transfer?

Some coursework will not follow you, and the losses can be significant. The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that transfer students lost an average of 43% of their prior credits between 2004 and 2009. Students moving between public institutions lost around 37%, while those transferring from private for-profit schools to public institutions lost an average of 94%. Lost credits mean wasted time and money, which is why the research matters.

Transfer advisers can often help, and many schools provide online tools to check your coursework against their catalog. Some classes transfer directly, others become general electives. Schools usually require a grade of 3.0 or higher, though some accept a C depending on whether the course is a major requirement or an elective. You can appeal a credit decision, usually with a form or a formal written appeal, but there is no guarantee it succeeds. Schools typically require transfer students to complete all upper-level major requirements on site, so nontransferable courses must be retaken.

In-State vs. Out-of-State

Where you transfer affects cost. Moving from an in-state to an out-of-state school is usually the most expensive, since out-of-state tuition runs higher whether you study on campus or fully online. Staying in state costs far less, and many four-year state institutions partner with community colleges so credits move cleanly. Before deciding, compare online and on-campus tuition and factor in the cost of retaking any nontransferable coursework.

College tuition prices for four-year schools:

School Type	2021-2022	2022-2023
Public 4-year in-state	$10,750	$10,940
Public 4-year out-of-state	$27,620	$28,240
Private 4-year nonprofit	$38,070	$39,400

Source: CollegeBoard

Community College to Four-Year School

As four-year tuition climbs, many students start at a community college for an affordable foundation. An associate degree takes about two to three years, and community college tuition can be a fraction of a four-year school's. After finishing the associate, you can move to a four-year institution and complete a bachelor's in as little as two more years. Transferring into an affiliated four-year program also ensures most of your credits carry over, so you finish faster.

There are tradeoffs. Two-year programs can offer more academic and financial support, but transfer students carry more stress. You apply to college twice, once for community college and again to transfer, and entering at the junior level means missing the freshman and sophomore experience and the community that comes with it. Four-year schools are adding more resources for transfers as the path becomes more common.

Accreditation

Always confirm a school's accreditation before enrolling. Accreditation is a stamp of approval on your diploma, signaling the quality of your education to future schools and employers. Without it, your coursework may not transfer, your degree may not qualify you for the RN exam, and you may lose access to government and private financial aid.

Two organizations accredit nursing programs in the United States: the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs accredits anesthesia programs specifically, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives Division of Accreditation evaluates midwifery programs. You can verify a school through these bodies or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation database.

Scholarships for Transfer Students

Nursing has no shortage of funding, including awards for new students, RNs continuing their education, and transfer students. Check what your prospective school offers, and consider these:

• A Nurse I Am Scholarship ($2,000): open to nursing students at any degree level. Requires a 300-word essay responding to a prompt.
• A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship ($1,000 undergraduate, $2,000 graduate): for Native American students pursuing a science degree, including nursing. Requires recommendation letters, a resume, and a personal essay.
• Nurse Corps Scholarship Program (varies): a need-based award from the Health Resources and Services Administration covering tuition and a monthly stipend for full-time enrollment.
• Annie Lou Overton Scholarship ($500 to $1,000): for Georgia residents who are registered nurses with at least a 2.25 GPA pursuing a BSN.
• Barbara Rhomberg Nursing Scholarship ($1,000): for nontraditional students returning for an associate or bachelor's in nursing. Requires a form, an essay, three recommendation letters, and proof of enrollment.
• Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship ($2,500): for students in financial need. Requires application materials and proof of enrollment. Membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution is not required.
• BCEN Undergraduate Scholarship ($2,000): from the Emergency Nurses Association, for BSN students who hold BCEN credentials.
• The Promise of Nursing Scholarship ($1,000 to $7,500): for students in accredited, state-approved nursing programs at any level, including RNs completing a bachelor's. Selection considers academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in the field.
• Greta James Memorial Scholarship ($2,500): open to students in any accredited medical program. Requires transcripts and two essays, one on financial need and one on community leadership.
• United Health Foundation NAHN Scholarship ($5,000 per year for three years): for National Association of Hispanic Nurses members at any level. Selection considers need, academic standing, and area of focus, with a goal of serving underserved communities.