How to Get into Nursing School 2026
Nursing programs at both the ADN and BSN levels screen applicants on GPA, prerequisite coursework, and entrance exam scores. BSN programs are more selective, with most setting a minimum GPA of 3.0. To compete, you’ll need solid academics, documented healthcare experience, and an application that shows you understand what the program demands.
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Getting into nursing school is competitive at every level, but the standards differ considerably depending on whether you’re applying to an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. Both paths lead to the NCLEX-RN, but the admission bar isn’t the same.
Use the links below to jump to admission requirements, entrance exam expectations, and application strategy.
- ADN vs. BSN: Understanding Your Options
- Academic Requirements
- Nursing School Entrance Exams
- How to Strengthen Your Application
ADN vs. BSN: Understanding Your Options
The two main entry paths to RN licensure are the ADN and the BSN. ADN programs typically take two years and are offered at community colleges. BSN programs take four years and are offered at universities. Both graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN.
The practical difference at the admissions stage is selectivity. BSN programs typically require a higher GPA, more prerequisite coursework, and usually ask for a personal statement, resume, and references. ADN programs have admission standards, too, but the minimum thresholds are lower, and the review process asks for less.
| Factor | ADN | BSN |
|---|---|---|
| Program length | 2 years | 4 years |
| Offered at | Community colleges | Universities |
| Minimum GPA (typical) | 2.0–2.75 | 3.0 |
| Common prerequisites | Anatomy & physiology, nutrition, developmental psychology | Above, plus microbiology, statistics, and chemistry |
| Personal statement | Rarely required | Usually required |
| Licensing exam | NCLEX-RN | NCLEX-RN |
Academic Requirements for Nursing Programs
GPA Requirements
BSN programs generally set the minimum GPA at 3.0. ADN programs typically set the floor between 2.0 and 2.75. Those are minimums, not targets. When slots are limited, programs weight grades heavily, and applicants with GPAs well above 3.5 can still be turned away from competitive BSN programs. Some community colleges give priority to students in their service area when seats are limited.
Grades in prerequisite science courses are often evaluated separately from overall GPA. A strong overall record with weak science grades won’t carry the same weight as consistent performance across the board.
Prerequisite Courses
Both program types require prerequisite coursework before you can apply to the nursing program itself. ADN programs commonly require anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and developmental psychology. BSN programs typically add microbiology, statistics, and chemistry. These aren’t just admission requirements. They’re the foundation the nursing curriculum builds on, and low grades in them are a red flag for admissions committees.
Prerequisite courses can usually be completed at a community college before applying, which gives you flexibility in how and when you build the academic record the program needs to see.
Nursing School Entrance Exams
Most nursing programs require a standardized entrance exam before admission. The most widely used is the Test of Essential Academic Skills, or TEAS, produced by ATI Nursing Education. The TEAS covers reading, math, science, and English language usage. Programs use it to assess whether applicants have the academic foundation needed for the coursework.
ADN programs typically use the TEAS to establish a baseline of academic readiness. At the BSN level, TEAS scores carry more weight and can tip the balance when two applicants have similar GPAs. Most ADN programs set minimum composite scores in the 55–65% range, while BSN programs generally look for 65–80% or higher. Requirements vary by program, so verify the minimum score directly with each school before you apply.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Strong grades and TEAS scores get you in the door. What moves you ahead of other qualified applicants is usually what’s in the rest of your file.
Build Healthcare Experience Early
The most direct way to demonstrate commitment is to work or volunteer in a clinical setting. Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is one option. It gives you direct patient care experience and strengthens your application, particularly if your grades aren’t at the top of the range. Hospitals often have volunteer programs with patient-facing roles, and local Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) are a useful starting point for finding shadowing opportunities.
Competitive BSN programs look for sustained involvement rather than short-term commitments. Rebecca Gary, PhD, RN, FAAN, Admissions Committee Chair at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University, describes what her committee weighs:
“We look at leadership qualities and prior life experiences.”
Rebecca Gary, PhD, RN, FAAN, Admissions Committee Chair, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University
Log Adequate Shadowing Hours
The number of hours expected varies widely, but most advisors recommend logging some clinical observation time before you apply, enough to have specific, concrete observations to draw on in your personal statement. If you’re in high school, HOSA chapters provide leadership development and networking in health professions that can help you build that record early. The Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers lists local nursing workforce centers, which can point you toward shadowing resources in your area.
Write a Direct Personal Statement
Admissions committees read hundreds of essays. The ones that stand out name the specific program and explain concretely why it fits. Avoid framing nursing as a calling or vague aspiration. Be direct: what have you done, what did you learn, and what do you intend to do with the credential? That’s what the committee needs to know. A well-organized, proofread essay signals the same attention to detail you’ll need in the program itself.
Secure Substantive References
References carry the most weight when the recommender can speak directly to your work, not just your character. Supervisors from volunteer positions, clinical settings, or science courses make the strongest references. Give them enough lead time to write something thoughtful, and don’t ask anyone who only knows you in passing.
Submit a Complete Application Early
Check your application thoroughly before you submit. Incomplete applications are noticed. Submitting ahead of the deadline gives you time to catch errors and respond to any follow-up requests from the program. Some programs review applications as they arrive rather than waiting for the deadline to pass.
Plan for Rejection Before It Happens
Nursing program acceptance rates can be low even among well-qualified applicants. At some of the most selective BSN programs, acceptance rates run below 20%. If you don’t get in on the first try, ask for feedback, address the gaps you can, and reapply. Applicants who spend the intervening time gaining clinical experience as CNAs or hospital volunteers routinely succeed on a second or third attempt.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do I need to get into nursing school?
BSN programs typically set the minimum at 3.0. ADN programs generally require between 2.0 and 2.75. These are floors, not guarantees. When programs are competitive and seats are limited, applicants well above the minimum may still be denied. Grades in science prerequisite courses are often reviewed separately from your overall GPA.
What is the TEAS, and is it required?
The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a standardized entrance exam produced by ATI Nursing Education. It covers reading, math, science, and English language usage. Most nursing programs require it, though score minimums vary by program. Check directly with each school you’re applying to for their specific cutoff and how heavily they weigh it.
Is it easier to get into an ADN program than a BSN program?
Generally, yes. ADN programs have lower GPA minimums, fewer prerequisites, and a less selective review process. Both paths lead to the same NCLEX-RN exam and RN license. The decision between them usually comes down to timeline, cost, and long-term career goals rather than ease of entry alone.
How competitive are nursing school admissions?
It varies widely. Some ADN programs at community colleges are moderately selective. At the most competitive BSN programs, acceptance rates can fall below 20%. Capacity constraints, including class size, clinical site availability, and faculty, limit how many students can be admitted regardless of application volume.
Can I improve my chances if my GPA is below the minimum?
Some programs weigh a strong TEAS score favorably when GPA is on the lower end. Documented clinical experience, such as CNA certification or hospital volunteer hours, can also strengthen your application. Retaking prerequisite courses to improve science grades is another option. If your academic record is borderline, applying to ADN programs first and pursuing a BSN completion program later is a realistic option.
Key Takeaways
- ADN and BSN programs have different admission thresholds — BSN programs typically require a 3.0 GPA and more prerequisites than ADN programs, which generally accept a 2.0–2.75.
- The TEAS is widely required — Most programs use it to assess academic readiness, and at competitive BSN programs, scores can be decisive when GPAs are similar.
- Clinical experience strengthens any application — Volunteering, job shadowing, or becoming a CNA can offset weaker academic numbers and give you concrete material for your personal statement.
- Rejection is normal — Many qualified applicants don’t get in on the first attempt. Adding clinical experience and reapplying is a common and effective strategy.
- Requirements vary by program — Always verify GPA minimums, prerequisite lists, and exam requirements directly with each school you’re applying to.
Search accredited ADN and BSN programs by state to compare admission requirements, program length, and available start dates.