Accelerated BSN Admissions Process FAQs

Step 1: Submit Your Application

The first step in the application process consists of submitting your online application (with nonrefundable application fee) through the TESU Online App and the following supporting documents:

• All official transcripts (GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred) from every higher education institution you have attended (including Advanced Placement Tests).
• A personal statement (approximately 500-800 words) addressing the following:
  • Education and work background.
  • Life experiences that influenced your interest in nursing.
  • Experiences working with a diverse population of people.
  • Elements of the TESU Accelerated BSN Program that made you decide to apply.
  • Anything else you believe the Admissions Committee should know: life experiences, explanation of any previous experience in a nursing program, challenges, successes, or obstacles you encountered that may strengthen your application or showcase your ability to be successful in this accelerated program.

Submit your official transcripts to the Office of the Registrar.

Submit your resume (optional), personal statement online.

Step 2: Completing Requirements

After your preliminary application is complete, your transcripts will be evaluated, and you will be welcomed to TESU as a student in the Bachelor of Science with an Area of Study in Health Studies (BS.HLTSTD) degree program. Please note, your offer of university admission does not ensure future entrance into your intended academic major. Nursing maintains supplemental requirements for entry into the program. To be eligible for admission to the prelicensure program, applicants must have completed all prerequisite coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The BS.HLTSTD degree program can be used as a pathway to help you complete the ABSN application process. At this step in the process, you will need to:

• Schedule an appointment with your School of Nursing and Health Professions Advisor to review potential prerequisite or general education courses.
• If you do not have a previous bachelor’s degree, you will need to schedule and take the ATI TEAS Exam and submit your official ATI TEAS Exam Score Report. Students should achieve an overall score of 70% or better and scores of 70% or better for all subcategories.
• Monitor your progress in the ABSN application process.
• Schedule appointments as needed until your application is complete and ready for review by the Admissions Committee.

Step 3: Application Review

When all requirements are complete, your file will be reviewed by the Accelerated BSN Program Admissions Committee, and you may be invited for an interview.

Please note: a completed application does not guarantee an interview invitation. Additionally, an interview does not guarantee admission to the program.

Applications are reviewed and interviews are scheduled all year. Acceptance into a program cohort is on a first come, first serve basis. Applicants who are accepted into the program after the maximum number of cohort seats has been filled will be invited to join the next available program cohort.

All application requirements described in Step 1 and Step 2, including prerequisite courses, must be completed by the following application deadlines:

• Winter cohorts: November 1st
• Spring cohorts: March 1st
• Fall cohorts: July 1st

You may call the Office of Admissions to check on your documents/application status at (609) 777-5680.

• Complete 60 college credits (general education requirements and nursing prerequisite courses) at a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Completion of all general education requirements and nursing prerequisite courses prior to acceptance.
  • Minimum grade of C (73) or better in each science prerequisite course as well as statistics
• If you do not have a previous bachelor’s degree, complete the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®) Exam. The ATI TEAS Exam measures basic essential skills in the academic content areas of reading, mathematics, science, English, and language usage. A score of 70% or better for all content area scores and overall scores is preferred. Official score reports expire one year after the date of the exam.
• Submit an online application, with the required supporting documents, and a nonrefundable application fee. All requirements, including the online application, supporting documents, prerequisite courses, and nonrefundable application fee, must be received by TESU by the application deadline:
  • Winter cohorts: November 1st
  • Spring cohorts: March 1st
  • Fall cohorts: July 1st
• Attend an interview if invited (we will schedule this for you).

A GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred, but you can still apply and your application materials will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

All applicants are required to take the ATI TEAS Exam. We recommend speaking with the School of Nursing and Health Professions Advisor about the ATI TEAS Exam prior to registering for and scheduling the exam. On ATI’s website, you can register for and schedule the exam at a time/location convenient for you. You can take the exam online with TESU as your exam proctor. Select Thomas Edison State University on ATI’s website.

A score of 70% or better is preferred for all content area scores and overall scores. You are allowed to take the exam two times. We recommend studying/preparing for the exam. Study materials are provided by ATI and can be purchased on their website. Official score reports expire one year after the date of the exam.

The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions has the discretion to require a nursing applicant to take the TOEFL, regardless of the applicant’s native language, if there is a concern about a student’s ability to communicate in English.