The BSN admission process is designed to look at your college academic performance, your personal and professional experience and aptitude for providing high-quality patient care.
New first-time freshmen and incoming transfer students interested in the BSN program should begin by applying to Cornerstone as a pre-nursing major through the university application.
A select group of incoming high school seniors may qualify for early admission into the BSN program through our direct admit process, which provides a guaranteed spot.
For more information about the BSN admission process, timeline and direct admission, read the FAQs below.
BSN Program Application
Priority consideration for admission will be given to students who submit their application by the following deadlines:
- Direct Admission (current high school seniors): December 1
- General Admission Spring semester start: October 1
- General Admission Fall semester start: February 1
If spots are available, students may be considered for admission past the application deadline. If you have missed an upcoming semester deadline, please contact the admissions office at admissions@cornerstone.edu for updates and next steps.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What college GPA is required for the BSN program?
Candidates must have a 2.75 or higher cumulative college GPA.
2. When do I apply to the BSN program?
You should apply to the BSN program using the general BSN program application during the semester you are completing your nursing prerequisite courses. If you are an incoming high school senior who qualifies for direct admission you will need to apply during the fall semester of your senior year in high school.
3. I am a current Cornerstone freshman who wants to join the BSN program for the fall semester of my sophomore year. How do I get started?
Complete the BSN program application at the end of the first semester of your freshman year at Cornerstone. Applicants will be notified by the nursing division about interview days and times.
In order to ensure that a student is appropriately equipped to successfully engage in nursing classes, the following courses are prerequisites for the first three nursing classes (NUR 221, NUR 241, NUR 242).
- PSY 111 – General Psychology
- MAT 108 – College Mathematics
- ENG 212 – Writing in Culture
- COM 112 – Communication in Culture
- BIO 151 – General Biology
- BIO 241 – Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIO 242 – Anatomy & Physiology II
4. I am an incoming transfer student who wants to join Cornerstone’s BSN program. How do I get started?
Apply to Cornerstone with the university application. Once admitted to Cornerstone, you can apply with the BSN program application. Applicants will be notified by the nursing division about interview days and times.
5. I am an incoming transfer student. How will my credits transfer into Cornerstone?
We accept the transfer of any pre-requisite or core curriculum courses. We do not accept the transfer of any nursing (NUR) courses.
In order to receive credits towards the BSN degree, the prerequisites/corequisites that are required to have been completed in the last 5 years, with a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) from the date of starting into nursing classes:
- BIO 241 – Anatomy & Physiology I
- BIO 242 – Anatomy & Physiology II
- PSY 111 – Intro to Psychology
Students who meet the requirements will receive an interview.
Please note: Pathophysiology is a course-specific to Cornerstone’s nursing program (NUR 231: Pathophysiology) and must be completed at Cornerstone.
6. Does Cornerstone offer guaranteed/early BSN program admission?
Yes! Early BSN program admission is available through our direct admit process for qualified new first-time freshmen. Direct admission provides select new first-time freshmen a guaranteed spot in the BSN program with nursing classes beginning the first or second semester of your sophomore year.
7. What are the requirements for direct admission?
Direct admission is available to new first-time freshmen only. Students must have a 3.3 or higher high school GPA and must be admitted to Cornerstone by Dec. 1. Select students will be invited to attend a required in-person interview.
Direct admission application due date: Dec. 1.
8. I am a new first-time freshman who plans to attend Cornerstone but I do not qualify for direct admission. Can I still apply to the BSN program?
Yes! It is most common for BSN program students to have joined the program their sophomore year at Cornerstone or as a new transfer student. You can apply to the BSN program at the end of the first semester of your freshman year at Cornerstone.
9. When will I be notified whether I have been admitted into the BSN program?
Approximately two to four weeks after the completion of your interview you will be notified via email.
10. What if I apply to the BSN program but am not admitted?
You are still welcome at Cornerstone! Pre-nursing majors who do not receive approval into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can obtain an Associate of Science in health services degree or should talk with an academic advisor about the possibility of changing majors.
11. I have been admitted into the BSN program. How do I sign up for my nursing classes?
Once admitted into the BSN program, you will work with your academic advisor to register for nursing courses.
Direct admission recipients (new first-time freshmen) should submit ACT or SAT scores to place into the required first-semester English and math courses. Test scores are as follows:
- English Subscore: ACT 25 or SAT 630
- Math Subscore: ACT 21 or SAT 530
