Students enter the program as freshmen with a nursing major and do not need to reapply to enter the nursing sequence, which begins in the sophomore year.
Candidates for admission to the School of Nursing will be evaluated by the criteria required for admission to the College of Liberal Arts, where the major emphasis is placed on academic achievement. For those applying as freshmen:
• Fifteen academic units within the areas of English, foreign language, mathematics, laboratory science and social science.
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average based on a 4.0 scale.
• Results of the SAT-I or the ACT showing comparable aptitude.
• Required essay.
• Student activities.
In addition to the above, it is recommended that candidates for admission to the School of Nursing have a strong preparation in the sciences, and at a minimum should have completed, upon graduation from high school, one year each of biology, chemistry, algebra, and geometry. It is highly recommended that students have three years of high school math, and, a science in the senior year.
Guidelines for assessing nursing skills for prospective students are outlined in the School of Nursing Student Handbook (pdf) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Transfer Students
Prospective students wishing to transfer into the School of Nursing must meet transfer requirements.
Campus Visits
All students interested in applying to Illinois Wesleyan University’s School of Nursing are encouraged to schedule a campus and School of Nursing visit. Campus visits may be arranged by contacting the Recruitment Coordinator, Ms. Kim Schultz, BSN, RN, at the School of Nursing or the Admissions Office. To best learn about the opportunities for students at IWU, your visit should include time at the School of Nursing, a meeting with an Admission counselor, and a campus tour. Please plan to arrive no later than 1PM if possible on weekdays. Saturday visits are scheduled in the mornings, and School of Nursing staff are generally not available. School of Nursing students welcome anyone coming to visit our nursing lab while on tour, and it is advised that you request this if here on a Saturday.
Brandy Bird, '10, relates her decision to attend IWU: "As a first year student I can easily recall the route that led me to IWU. Coming from a small school, I wasn't looking to go to a large university. I visited and applied to small, private colleges. Illinois Wesleyan caught my attention more than any other school. The excellent facilities, helpful faculty, and encouraging students helped me to make my decision to attend IWU. Here, I am able to not only be a nursing student, but also pursue my passion of volleyball. As I look back on my college search experience, I remember IWU feeling the most like home; and today that's what this university is to me. I'm looking forward to what the next few years have in store for me.
Campus Open Houses are also an ideal way to visit the university and explore a major area of interest. Faculty Open Houses allot a fair amount of time to individual majors, including nursing. Along with receiving general university information, you will meet and talk with nursing students and faculty, plus tour our Nursing Interventions lab.
School of Nursing Open House:
Saturday, November 14, 2009 in conjunction with the Veterans Day Open House
Fall Open Houses:
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009