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Nursing Student

Direct Entry for First-Year Students

Common Application McDaniel Application Learn more about our Bachelor of Science in Nursing

What is Direct Entry?

Students who apply to McDaniel College with an interest in the direct-entry pathway for the Nursing, B.S.N. program are first-year college students planning to begin college in the fall semester. If admitted, these students are guaranteed admission to the B.S.N. program assuming all requirements are met in the first two years at McDaniel. 

Application Requirements

We strongly encourage all interested Nursing candidates to have their application submitted by October 15. Candidates may be considered throughout the recruitment cycle but for the best possible chance of admission, earlier application is preferable and encouraged. 

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Admission Application

Our streamlined (and free!) application process helps you easily apply for undergraduate admission. Apply with the Common Application or the McDaniel Application (we have no preference - choose the one that works best for you). McDaniel College is proudly test-optional, so you will decide if you would like to submit your test scores for review.

High School Transcript

Through your transcript(s), we'll be able to see what coursework you've taken, your grades, extracurricular activities and more! We only need an unofficial transcript for our admission review. Once you've graduated from high school, we'll need an official one prior to enrolling.

Letters of Recommendation (Optional)

Letters of recommendation are optional but strongly suggested. First-year students are encouraged to submit at least one letter of recommendation.

SAT or ACT Scores (Optional)

McDaniel is proudly test-optional but students who believe their test scores demonstrate their ability or enhance their application are welcome to submit them.

Recommended High School Coursework

Though there are no minimum GPAs to be considered for Nursing, average GPAs for admitted students are generally expected to be 3.5 or higher, and high school preparation should include the following to be considered a competitive candidate: 

  • 4 years of English 
  • 3 years of math 
  • 3 years of natural sciences 
  • 3 years of social studies/history 

Once the application is complete, it will be reviewed by the Admissions department. McDaniel College supports a holistic application review. Qualified candidates will be invited to the next step of the process: the required interview. 

Deadlines

Deadline Type

Application Deadline

Interview Date(s)

Interview Decision 

Deposit Deadline

Priority

October 15, 2024

November 9, 2024

or November 22, 2024

December 1, 2024January 15, 2025

Preferred

December 15, 2024January 25, 2025February 3, 2025March 1, 2025

Final

March 1, 2025April 5, 2025April 15, 2025May 1, 2025

Nursing Interview The interview is a required component of the Nursing application process.

 Students selected for an interview will receive an email to select an interview date. Interviews will be: 

  • hosted in-person on the McDaniel Campus
  • held by two members of the McDaniel Community
  • conducted in a standard format
  • 20 minutes long

More details will be provided in the email sent to selected students.

Admissions Outcomes

 Students must be admitted to McDaniel College to be considered for the Nursing program. There are a variety of admission outcomes: 

Admitted to McDaniel College and the direct-entry Nursing program

Students begin their studies as a Health Sciences major in the Nursing specialization. Students must maintain the college’s progression requirements to be eligible to matriculate into the Nursing major and begin Nursing courses in their third year. A student who does not meet the progression requirements will not be able to continue in the B.S.N. program. These students will work closely with an academic advisor to either continue in the Health Sciences - Nursing specialization or to find an alternate major.

Admitted to McDaniel College but not admitted to the direct-entry Nursing major

Students who are admitted to McDaniel but who are not admitted direct entry to the BSN program are encouraged to enter the Nursing Track in our Health Sciences Major. Students may reapply to the Nursing major in their 4th semester and will be evaluated using our Gated Entry Requirements.

Not admitted to McDaniel College

  • Students must be admitted to McDaniel College to be admitted to the Nursing major. Students may reapply to the college and the Nursing major in future years or as a transfer student. Admissions counselors are happy to advise students on steps that could strengthen a future application.
  • It is also possible for students to be admitted to McDaniel and placed on a waitlist for Nursing. In all cases, every attempt will be made for waitlist decisions to be announced by July 15. However, students on the waitlist could be admitted to the program as late as the first week of classes.
     

Direct Entry Progression Requirements

Students who are admitted through direct entry must meet minimum progression requirements in their first and second years to maintain their acceptance to the Nursing major.   

Students may repeat up to one course if they do not achieve the required grade of B- or better. Since only one course may be repeated, receiving a second grade below a B- in a required course would make the student ineligible to progress to junior year and the Nursing major. They will work closely with an advisor to identify another academic pathway.

First Year

  • Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 by the end of the first year of study in the Health Sciences major (minimum 24 credits).
  • Grade of B- or better in the following courses:
    o    ENG 1101 
    o    CHEM 1103  
    o    BIO 1111 
    o    BIO 1120 
    o    STA 2215 
    o    PSYCH 1106 
     

Sophomore Year

  • Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 by the end of second year in order to matriculate to the Nursing major and begin taking Nursing courses in the third year.
    o    Students who do not have a 3.0 overall GPA at the end of their second year will work closely with an advisor to identify an appropriate plan of academic study which could include remediation or another academic pathway. 
    o    Students ending their second year with a GPA between 2.8-3.0 are required to take TEAS. Though this will not delay a student’s progress into the junior year and the official declaration of Nursing as a major, results will help identify academic support services for the student, which could be required for a student to maintain the Nursing major.
     
  • Grade of B- or better in the following courses:
    o    Human Physiology with lab
    o    Medical Microbiology
    o    Nutrition
     

Questions?

Contact your admissions Counselor

Find your Admissions Counselor

See Yourself Here

Unlock your $4,000 Visit Incentive Grant

Visit McDaniel
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