College of Graduate Nursing MS in Nursing (ADN to MSN) Program

College of Graduate Nursing
MS in Nursing (ADN to MSN) Program
MS in Nursing (BSN to MSN) Program
MS in Nursing-Completion (MSN) Program
Post-Masters Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program
MS in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP) Program
Application Checklist and How to Apply Guide
This checklist is provided to assist you in collecting the materials listed below. The application deadline (including ALL
application materials) is March 1, 2013.
Note: This checklist is different from the on-line application checklist so please be sure to read and follow the
instructions carefully on both checklists.
______ Online application
o
o
Through our website at http://nursing.westernu.edu
$60 non-refundable application fee made payable via credit card at the time you submit your online
application
______ Agreement page
o
Will be submitted electronically after application fee has been received
______ Personal statement
o
o
o
Will be submitted electronically within the online application
Compose your personal statement in a separate Word document and be sure to edit for spelling and
grammar. It’s always a good idea to have others proof read for spelling, grammar and clarity before
submitting
Once your personal statement is ready, you can copy/paste within the respective section of the online
application
______ Resume or Curriculum Vitae
o
Will be submitted electronically within the online application
______ 3 Reference Forms
o
o
To be completed by two (2) employers or faculty and one (1) professional colleague (non-relative)
Can be sent in one of three ways:
 Complete the top section of the form before submitting to the recommender. The
recommender must complete the remaining information on the form.
 Have these forms scanned and emailed directly from your evaluators to EDS@westernu.edu


Receive the completed form in a sealed envelope from your evaluators and include in
application (if mailed or brought in-person)
Forms can be emailed directly to EDS@westernu.edu
______ Copy of RN License and any Advanced Practice certifications if applicable (i.e. FNP, CRNA, CNS etc.)
______ Official Transcripts of all schools attended
o
o
o
All transcripts must be received – including any undergraduate and/or graduate coursework that did not
culminate in a degree
WesternU prefers to accept transcripts electronically. These transcripts are considered official
documents if they are sent directly from your school using one of the many Online Transcript Exchange
services. These services include Interfolio, Docufide, or E-Scrip Safe. Please check with your registrar to
see if this service is available. If this service is available, please have your registrar’s office select the
appropriate Western University of Health Sciences receiver account.
NOTE: If you have completed any coursework outside of the US, you must get your coursework
evaluated by either:
 Josef Silny & Associates (http://www.jsilny.com/)
 World Education Services (http://www.wes.org/)
______ Non-BSN Supplemental Portfolio
•
•
http://prospective.westernu.edu/assets/prospective/nursing-adn-msn/adnmsn-nonbsn-worksheet.pdf
This form is only required if you do NOT have a BSN degree (i.e., you graduated from a entry-level MSN
program)
How to Write a Resumé or Curriculum Vitae
Visit these sites (not affiliated or officially endorsed by WesternU) for helpful tips on how to write a Curriculum Vitae:
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_15747_write-curriculum-vitae.html
2. http://www.ehow.com/how_2144563_create-a-resume.html
3. http://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/resume-writing-tips/how-to-write-aresume/article.aspx
Tips for Letters of Recommendation
• Always think of quality over quantity (i.e., do not focus on getting five OK letters, focus on three high quality
letters)
• Put thought into whom you would like to ask – supervisors, professors, and professional colleagues are great
places to start
• Ask someone that you have worked with and can cite specific examples of your work ethic, character, and/or
educational strengths
• Visit these sites (not affiliated or officially endorsed by WesternU) for helpful tips on Letters of
Recommendation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
http://www.ehow.com/how_8231050_recommendation-letters-graduate-school.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8476069_ask-after-youve-out-school.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_8302154_can-school-working-three-years.html
http://www.petersons.com/college-search/letter-recommendation-how-ask.aspx
Application Timeline
Our application deadline for the fall entry is March 1st – all application materials must be received on or before the
deadline.
•
•
•
•
•
Summer (or as early as possible) – begin seeking out your evaluators for your letters of recommendation and
begin your online application
o Letters of recommendation can be a timely process as it takes a while to ask the evaluator for the letter
and the turnaround time for the evaluator to write the letter. Allow the evaluator ample time to
complete the letter (2-4 weeks)
November – Submit your online application. Complete and submit your Non-BSN Portfolio (if applicable)
December to January – contact all schools attended and find out how to send transcripts.
o Schools may take up to 3-4 weeks to send transcripts; avoid paying any rush fees by requesting
transcripts early
o WesternU prefers transcripts to be sent electronically, however if your schools do not offer this service
we will accept sealed & mailed transcripts as well
o You may have your school mail the transcripts directly or you can get an official copy and mail in yourself
January – secure all letters of recommendation
February – submit application packet with all documents well before the deadline to avoid rushing
Summer:
Begin seeking out
your recommenders;
Have any foreign
coursework evaluated
SUMMER
November-December:
Contact all schools
attended to order
transcripts
FALL
November 1: Submit
your online
application.
Complete and
submit Non-BSN
Portfolio (if
applicable)
WINTER
January: Secure all
letters of
recommendation;
Check status of
transcripts
Please send all application materials to:
Western University of Health Sciences
Enrollment Data Services (EDS) Office – MSN Program
309 E. Second Street
Pomona, CA 91766-1854
(909) 469-5335
E-mail: EDS@westernu.edu
February: Submit all
application materials
SPRING