2008 Entry

The School of Nursing's self-managed graduate application process places the responsibility on the applicant to collect and return all supporting credentials in the same envelope with the application.  In this way, you can be assured that your application and all supporting credentials will be received together and that your application is complete.  You will be notified of the receipt and status of your application via e-mail, therefore, please provide a valid e-mail address on your application for Schoolof Nursing correspondence. Please make sure it stays active at least one year from the date you apply as we will use it to communicate with you throughout the application process.

Application Deadlines

¹Applications received or that become complete after the due date will be considered if space is available and there is sufficient time for processing, review and notification.  You are strongly encouraged to submit your application packet at least 1 month prior to the stated due date to allow the Graduate School ample time to process and forward to the School of Nursing .

²If an entering student needs a clinical course during his first semester, the completed application must be received no later than April 1.

³Applicants will be notified by the stated date if the entire application packet is received complete by the application due date.  Applicants whose applications are received or that become complete after the application due date will be notified of their admission decision as soon as one is made.  Official notification of an admission decision will be made by the Graduate School .  Applicants whose admission is being recommended to the Graduate School will be notified by the School of Nursing via e-mail of this recommendation.

⁴Application deadline for funding/scholarship consideration for the Doctoral Program.

Application Procedures

Applicants are required to submit the following items by the deadlines stated above:

1. Graduate application
2. $50 application fee
3. Official GRE scores (not required of Post-Master’s Certificate applicants)
4. Personal statement
5. 3 References
6. Resume
7. Copy of RN licensure [or VisaScreen Certificate issued by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools for International Applicants] (not required for Accelerated Master's applicants)
8. Official college transcripts
9. Prerequisite Course Completion Form (not required of Post-Master’s Certificate applicants)

GRE Scores

Official GRE scores are required for all applicants to the School of Nursing ’s graduate programs except those applying to the Post-Master's Program.  Scores must be submitted directly from the Education Testing Service  to be considered official.

Personal Statement

The personal statement is a critical component of the application and great thought should be taken to prepare the typed one to two page essay.  Details on writing a successful personal statement can be found here. Ph.D. applicants may also want to review additional components of the personal statement here.

References

Three letters of reference are required for each program for which you apply.  Section 1 of each reference form is to be completed by the applicant.  Provide a reference form and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to each person preparing a reference.  Instruct each to enclose the completed reference in the envelope.  The envelope should be sealed, signed across the seal and returned to you.  Do not break the seal.  Note that if you sign the waiver of your rights to inspect the reference, the contents of the reference will not be released to you or to any party other than the department admissions committee.

Resume

Include with your resume the following information:

1. Academic history (including high school)
2. All jobs of one year or more or that show a special skill you possess
3. All licenses and certifications
4. All honors, awards and special accomplishments
5. All publications
6. Skills, talents, foreign language proficiencies
7. Goals – immediately following graduation and long-term

College Transcripts

Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended are required including coursework taken as high school dual enrollment credit, non-degree seeking credit, study abroad or coursework taken and transferred to another institution.  (HINT:  You are strongly encouraged to have an additional copy of each school’s transcripts sent to you to open.  Review the transcripts carefully to see if transfer credit appears on the transcript.  If so, request copies of those transcripts as well for inclusion in your application packet.)  Contents of transcript envelopes which have been opened are considered unofficial and will be disqualified.

Prerequisite Course Completion Form

Applicants to graduate programs in the School of Nursing (except Post-Master’s applicants) must complete the appropriate form as part of the application packet.  Indicate on the form what courses have or will be taken to fulfill each prerequisite area, when it was or will be completed, and where it was or will be taken.

NOTE:  All applicants must review the School of Nursing ’s policy on Technical Standards for Nursing Education (policy 6.1.9 in the School of Nursing Policy and Information Handbook). Additionally, applicants convicted of a felony may not be eligible for clinical placement in many health care settings.

Checklist

Use the following checklist to ensure that your application packet is complete:

• Application for Graduate Admission (this is an electronic application)
  • Supplemental materials should be mailed to:

Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Nursing
Attn: Cynthia Kiefer
1100 East Leigh St.
PO Box 980567
Richmond, VA 23298-0567 

• Application fee of $50 (check, money order, or charge card)
• Personal Statement
• 3 References (in sealed envelopes signed across the seal by referees)
• Resumé
• Official Transcripts (in sealed envelopes signed across the seal by official university or college registrars)
• Prerequisite Course Completion Form (for Master’s Program applicants only)
• Copy of your RN licensure [or VisaScreen Certificate issued by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools for International Applicants] (not required for Accelerated Master's Degree applicants)
• Request official GRE scores be sent directly to Graduate Studies (not required for Post-Master's applicants).
• Request official TOEFL scores be sent directly to Graduate Studies (International applicants only)