Application Guidelines for USC Aiken BSN Generic Track
Application deadlines: March 15, 5pm for August. October 15, 5pm for January. Please note there is a separate application
for each. If the 15th is a Saturday or Sunday the deadline is the Friday before.
Applications postmarked by the deadline but received after will be deemed ineligible.
You must be fully accepted to USCA by the application deadline. It is crucial that transfer students apply to the
university at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to the deadline. ** If you have not been fully accepted to USCA or if your
coursework has not been completely evaluated by the School of Nursing application deadline, your application will
not be considered. The School of Nursing is not able to expedite the acceptance and transfer process, so it is
essential for you to have your application and transfer process completed in time to allow full evaluation. (USC system
students must do a change of a campus for the semester you will begin nursing courses allowing enough time to have
your transcript/s evaluated.)**
It is the applicant’s responsibility to be sure all transcripts have been received and entered in the USCA system and that
all transfer courses are fulfilling USC Aiken School of Nursing requirements.
In order to apply, your CORE GPA (the * courses) must be a 3.0 or higher. You must calculate all grades if any course was
repeated. Grades that are 10 years or older and have been repeated may be left off the application. If you have a
question about whether a specific course transfers this may help:
http://web.usca.edu/admissions/apply/undergraduate/academic-credit/search-transferable.dot
Thirty (30) Prerequisite Hours: the nine* courses must be completed and the final grade submitted at the time of
application. If you are currently taking even one of these courses your application is incomplete and will NOT be
considered by the admissions committee. You may use the grade for one of the following: EDPY 330, PSYC 310 or STAT
201. However, PSYC 310 or EDPY 330 AND STAT 201 MUST be complete before beginning clinical nursing.
Microbiology is required prior to beginning nursing courses. You must either have taken it or currently be taking it at the
time of application. The ONLY exception is August admission applicants who can be take in the summer. You must earn
a “C” or better. If you receive below a “C” your acceptance will be withdrawn and you must reapply.
Personal Statement: please type only your name at the top and then sign and date the bottom. ONE PAGE ONLY: if it
longer than one page your application will not be considered. This essay is an integral component of your application. It
is your opportunity to tell the admissions committee of personal influences and experiences that have led you to pursue
a career in nursing. Be sure to check spelling and grammar. The essay will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Organization (including unity, coherence, transitions and clarity of purpose); Language and Style (clarity and
effectiveness of vocabulary/diction, syntax); Grammar and Mechanics (grammar, agreement, punctuation and spelling).
Students applying under the 16/2 Internal Forgiveness Policy must include a Special Consideration. This will be discussed
with Ms. Simmons during advisement.
Every applicant will need to have two references submitted using the USC Aiken School of Nursing form. Both MUST be
College Level Academic and from a professor who taught you in a course, traditional or online. The reference must be
mailed separately, turned in in a sealed envelope with a signature over the seal or faxed to 803-641-3725 from the
reference. Your references may arrive prior to your application.
Completed applications may be mailed or turned in by hand. It may NOT be faxed.
Grading for AP, IB and CLEP: AP: 5=A; 4=B+; 3=B
IB: 7=A; 6=B+; 4=B
CLEP=Based the course and your score
If you have any questions or concerns about any of the above topics or other issues related to the admissions process
for USCA School of Nursing, please do not hesitate to email: kathryns@usca.edu
Revised 7/10; 1/11; 8/12; 1/13 ;8/13; 2/16;4/16